A Unique Connection

Chapter 6

The announcing of her engagement didn't go as planned. It had been a week since she told Kyle and now she couldn't get him out of her head. They still met up but now it was strictly for professional reasons. Every chance he got he would be cold and distant to her, it reminded her of the old times. Now though, she was free to wear her ring around and not feel so guilty about it. Her fiancé Jonah was coming to town in the weeks that followed, Rhea was happy to finally see her beloved after a long time apart but also nervous about her family's reaction. Rhea loved her family dearly, but Catherine and she both knew that their family's love for their two children was sometimes one-sided to Catherine's favor.

Having so much went on was almost becoming too much for Rhea. On top of her job as a waitress, having to find a place to practice her trumpet since Nicole couldn't handle the noise, and then actually practicing were becoming hard to handle. Soon though, it wouldn't matter anymore. She just had to smile and pretend it wasn't getting to her for a little while longer.

It was a surprisingly sunny day her fiancé's plane landed. The whole car ride to the airport left Rhea feeling giddy with butterflies buzzing around no stop in her stomach. But nothing was as bad as her waiting for him at the gate. So many people were there to greet their own loved ones along with her. Nicole and Catherine were almost begging her to let them come along to meet Jonah. Almost yelling, she had told them that there was no way she was going to let them do that just yet. Now though, waiting anxiously for his arrival, she kind of wished that she had them by her side to calm her nerves.

Before she could have another thought, she finally saw him. The sight took her breath away, from his crooked smile to the pair of shoes that she bought him so long ago. Stopping her tears from falling, she put her hand on her mouth to muffle her quiet sobs. The moment he saw her, his face lite up with happiness before his eyes settled on her crying face. He rushed to her with so much force that she didn't even realize he was in front of her until his arms were wrapped around her. "Hey, Rhea? What's wrong? Are you ok?" He asked her with so much worry that it made her tears stream even faster. For the longest time, she wanted to tell him so much but now, with him in front of her, she couldn't think of anything to say. So instead, she just tilted her head up to meet his lips in a sweetening kiss. After parting, the only thing she could think about was Kyle. She should have told Jonah, she will tell him; just after she talks to Kyle.

Through the whole drive back to her shared apartment, was one to be expected. The two couldn't stop their quick glances as they made their way through the streets and roads. Their hands found each other's across the seat and intertwined. So much had happened without the company of each other, it was so strange now being able to tell each other so close now. Today was also one of the only times she wore her ring. Of course, she wasn't going to tell him that, but now, she couldn't stop fidgeting with it. "Just to warn you, Nicole and Catherine weren't too excited about you. After they meet you, they'll learn to love you, just like I did." A smile broke out onto his features hearing her say those words. "I love you too."

The moment he stepped out of the car, he was welcomed with arms crossed and deadly glares "Nicole, Catherine, this is Jonah. Jonah, this is Nicole and Catherine." Jonah gave a short wave and smile as the two girls gave him a death glare before looking back to Rhea. "Will you guys quit it? I'm sorry, Jonah. But on the bright side, they're going to be way easier to please than my family." Rhea grabbed Jonah's suitcase and without a second glance, walked into her apartment.

The first day of Jonah's stay was.....to be expected. You could tell that Nicole and Catherine didn't like it, but they were slowly warming up to him. For his stay, he would be staying alongside Rhea at the cafe until he got his own job. Today though, Kyle was there. It threw her off guard at first, what if he told Jonah about their kiss? What if Kyle tried to do something? She took a deep breath to calm her before walking up to him like he was any other customer. Once he saw her, his face lit up, he caught himself mid-act and quickly gave her a scrawl; it seemed like he had to reminded himself that he hated her again. She brushed the thought aside and took out her ordering pad and kept her eyes on it while she waited for him to order. When he didn't say anything, only then did she look up at him. "Wha-" Before she could ask him what was wrong, he was grabbing her hand and pulling her to a secluded corner. Fear flashed in Rhea's mind that Jonah would see them and think something horrible or would try to stop Kyle. When nothing happened, she felt the slighted bit disappointed.

"What are you doing!?" She yelled in a whispering tone. Without giving an answer, he quickly brought their lips together in a searching kiss. For a moment, Rhea wanted to deepen it and pull him closer, then she remembered where they were and most importantly what they were doing. She broke the kiss and was tempted to slap him for his actions and his stupid smirk that was now plastered on his face. "What part of 'I'm engaged' do you not understand!? If you really are that stupid, it means that I am getting married to someone so I can't be kissing other people! That includes other people kissing me!" She was ready to punch him the next time he even thought about doing something like this again. "Go back to being a distant jerk so we both can get some peace, please." She hated begging, but if that was the only way to get through to him, then so be it. "Do you really want that? Last time, you kissed me back, and this time I know you were thinking about it."

"Will you please let this go?"

"Not if I have a chance at being with you."

"But you don't, that's the point."

"We'll see."

With that, she calmly walked back to where Jonah was and leaned against him. "I love you, you know that right?" She said in a state of peace. "Of course, and I love you too." She's had so much these past weeks, to be held like this, she could finally relax, if only Kyle would get out of her head.