Chapter 99

KAILEEN ANDY LEWIS

I bolted out of the bedroom, then like a spin ball, searching for my keys.

We have long been home from school and I decided to take a quick shower before reporting to duty in the restaurant but seemed I took my time in the bath like I have the luxury of it.

So, I'm running late.

I caught a glance at Erika by the kitchen counter sipping her tea and uninterestingly watched my every movement.

She has this 'like I care' look and she knew I was desperately searching for my keys but chose not to give a hand.

She's really against the idea of me working in the restaurant.

And at last I found it after many spins.

'Hahahah'

I leapt to the door and turned back to give Erika a goodbye kiss.

I smiled but she just gave me a grumpy look.

'Tsk'

I again reached the door and turned the knob and stopped when she called out for me.

I turned my head on her way.

"You're mine."

'Oh god'

She was so cute with that.

I chuckled and smiled.

"I'm all yours Love," then sent her flying kisses before finally closing the door behind me.

Also, earlier this morning, I have informed Rina and Donna about what I have gotten myself into and they were against it too when Erika mentioned Claire.

To think that they haven't even seen the girl... just how much more hostility if they were to see her.

Oh well, they're insisting their idea of 'intuition' and 'gut feeling' and 'instinct' in which even myself admitted to be a little true.

'gosh'

Just thinking about it makes my blood run cold.

And well, they even planned to have a dinner at the restaurant tonight thankfully they changed their mind as they were really on edge as graduating students: things are hectic and all.

Hence, they decided to pay me a visit at work some other time.

[**************]

I entered the restaurant like other customers do.

My eyes landed on Claire as she was talking elegantly with an elderly couple in their table by the corner.

Checking out Claire—

Yeah I was checking her out.

'Hehehe'

She wore a pencil skirt with slit half of her thigh, carving her perfectly toned butt that I want to squeeze it—

'Shit'

'What?'

'Did I just say that?'

'Scratch it'

'Erika will kill me'

'goodness'

... and paired with an inserted silky long sleeve with three top buttons opened.

Her outfit justifies all the curves in her body were in their right places.

She looked stunning.

Her wavy brown hair was—

"Good evening Miss Kai."

I was pulled out of my trance when someone greeted me.

It was Lynda, the waitress.

I greeted back and did the same to every staff on my way before entering Terry's little office.

I slumped myself to a swivel chair and erase the thoughts of the woman earlier.

Well, I'm only human— I have eyes to see.

'Ahem'

Focussing on my work, I begun to review the papers left by Terry on the table.

Yeah, this my job— paper works while Claire was in charged of hospitality, appearance and whatsoever needed outside.

Me— I'd do book keeping, inventory and purchasing and maybe others that I would think needed to run this restaurant for forty five days.

Not long, Claire entered with two cups of tea in hand.

"I would be more happier if this is coffee." I joked but accepted it anyway.

She laughed at it.

"Noted."

Then I don't know, we talked comfortably in there even down to some stuffs and random things.

And yeah— comfortably.

"So do you have a girlfriend?"

My brows met and looked up to her.

Well, we were talking for a while.. with me working on some papers.

'Multi tasking'

"Aren't you suppose to ask 'a boyfriend' ?" I asked instead.

Claire clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"Well, should I?" She teased with a smirk.

"You kind of… you know, the vibe." She added.

'What?'

'Am I that obvious?'

I let out a small laugh. "I didn't know I am that obvious."

Then she laughed while giving me a gaze that made the hairs at the back of my neck stood up.

'help'

"So do you have a girlfriend?" She again asked.

"I have." I answered plainly as I smiled— not stuttering.

Then she just nodded while smiling like she has just been challenged or something.

'Oh god'

'help…'

Even I... have a bad feeling already.

[****************]

When I woke up next morning, I ran my hands on my side of the bed, eyes still closed, yearning for Erika's body.

But unfortunately, she was nowhere.

I blinked a couple of times to adjust my vision for this another beautiful day of living a wonderful life— loving Erika.

Then my brows knitted as I looked around me— I was in my room in the Villa.

'What the fuck I'm doing here?'

I remembered last night going home in my apartment so very late and… and cuddled my princess in bed.

I got up... then my phone vibrated for a notification.

I reached out for it and opened the message.

[Advance Happy 21st Birthday Chocolate.]

[Can't wait to see you later.]

That was a message from my godfather from the other side of the earth.

My forehead furrowed in confusion.

'What birthday?'

And my heart sunk when I got to read the date.

The date was… a day before my birthday.

It was the day of our flight going to my godfather's place as he arranged a little party for me.

My hands immediately shook as a realization hit me.

'No'

'No'

'No'

My chest tightened that it was so hard to breath and my throat ran dry.

I stood up and stumbled a few times as I reached the door.

I can't even turn the knob as cold sweat dripped through my pores— I'm sweating like crazy.

And my hands were uncontrollably shaking too.

When I finally got out of my room and descended the stairs, I stopped midway.

I saw a few suitcase by the main door.

I gaped as my heart screamed in pain.

"What's wrong honey?" My Dad asked by the living room.

The tone of his voice was full of worry, his expression showed the same.

My Mom on his side furrowed her brows.

"W..What's tomorrow?" I asked with trembling lips.

I needed confirmation or else I'm going to go mad.

"Tomorrow is your birthday honey, " my Mom answered, curious and unsure why did I asked.

"Erika." I uttered.

Both my parents exchanged questioning looks.

Then my brother nonchalantly emerged in the main door.

"Where's the idiot?"

"We have a scheduled plane to catch."

And he looked at me by the stairs and his expression gradually turned to questioning: curious.

Then I lost it— my sanity.

"Oh my god." I raked my hair hard.

"No, no, no..."

"Oh my god" I whined as I slid myself down holding the railing of the staircase.

My tears were falling and I saw the dread and horror on my parents face as well as Kevin's and they ran up to me—

… taking longer strides than they normally do.

But I can't be bothered with it anymore as my mind was in turmoil, clouded by so much thoughts and my feelings numbed in pain.

'So I was just dreaming all along?'

'Was everything just a fleeting dream?

'everything?'

'Everything with Erika was just a dream?'

Then the last thing I heard was a faint worried voices of everyone as I fainted.