Croissants, bacon, eggs, and a cup of coffee. What a morning! I smile from ear to ear as I sit down on the barstool for breakfast, all alone in the kitchen.

"Slept well, Professor?" A voice I recognize cheers from behind me.

Malik. I cock my head and smile cordially at him.

"Yeah, if you mean the three hours of sleep," I mutter and he laughs vigorously at the memory of last night.

We stayed on TV until four in the morning. Cartoons, movies, and whatever that I fell asleep beholding, was all that it took.

"Enjoy your breakfast; you need your energy after the swimming marathon you had last night." Saying this, Malik winks and disappears through the door.

Later in the day I take a shower and slip into of white bikini and a golden kimono that's a bit transparent. My hair stays loose. I'm planning to relax by the pool with a drink. Jamal has decided to throw us a barbeque party, and Natasha dropped by about half an hour ago.

I step out feeling okay with myself, and it's all that matters. The patio is literally on fire and the alluring smell of grilled ribs, Korean style, catches my nostrils. Ooh, baby I love your ways . . . Bob Marley's voice fills the air, urging my lips to move in synch.

Malik is lying on the sun lounge, wearing huge sunglasses, a popsicle on his mouth. Amused at the sight, I wander nonchalantly towards him.

"Can I have one?" I tease.

His eyes shine instantly. "Wow, you look stunning! Be careful with my heart, please," he says.

Everyone turns in our direction.

My cheeks heat up. "Thank you," I utter while taking a seat next to him.

Glancing away, I spot Liam laughing briefly. He's standing between Jamal and Sam, who are busy tending the beef on the grill. He watches me momentarily and frowns. Disappointment washes over me when he looks away.

He's distant and arctic.

Natasha emerges from inside and announces that the barbeque sauce is almost ready. She brings champagne and glasses, pours herself, then Sam, who is now sitting at one of the scattered chairs busy with her cellphone.

She seems to have been swimming. Her hair is damp, the oversized T-shirt she has on is a bit wet from the soaked bikini she is wearing inside. From the background now comes Madonna's La isla bonita. I sing along in a low voice and I am starting to enjoy the moment.

"Are you still thinking of leaving?" Malik asks in a light voice.

"Why? Are you missing me already?" I draw my full attention back to him.

"Of course, Professor," he says softly. "But I simply think you were out of your mind yesterday, weren't you?"

I've never been in my clear mind ever since I arrived here, but that's gonna change.

"It wasn't me who took down half a bottle of Scotch, remember? I only had tea, so between us, I was fully sober," I joke.

"Alright. If you say so." Malik lifts his hands up in surrender and I smile indulgently, my eyes on the prepossessing swimming pool on which the sun shines gently, turning the water glossy and shiny.

"I'll be over there." I slowly get up and stride toward the pool.

Gingerly, I sit on the edge, my legs dropped into the water. My eyes wander around. Sam is talking to someone on the phone with a bright smile on her face. She quickly runs to our side, and reaches Malik who's a few steps behind me. I'm not sure what she tells him but he nods softly at her.

I sigh and stare at Liam. For a change he looks back at me without flinching, and we hold our gaze, full of unspoken words. I wonder what he's thinking. Will I really regret this if I decide to leave this place as if I'm running away?

"Hey, Kiki!" calls Sam, stoutly. I glance up at her, the sun rays blocking my sight. "Jeremy is coming," she announces joyously.

"What?" I snap quietly.

"I've just asked Malik and—" She suddenly halts and looks at her vibrating phone. A smile stretches across her face. "Hold on, I think he's here," she mutters, leaving me in a total chaos as I watch her marching away while chirping, "Hey, Jay! I'll be out in a sec."

Rattled, I close my eyes momentarily. When I flash them open, I meet Liam who is now looking at me so intently as if he's worried about something. My heart rate increases and slowly I get up, a hand blocking my mouth.

I run straight to my room and slam the door shut. Panting, I lean against the light wood, closing my eyes at the flashing back memories of Jeremy forcing himself on me. His inappropriate touches, his forced kisses, and even when he ripped off my clothes violently.

Snap out of it, Kira! You're stronger than this.

Slowly I breathe in and out, repeatedly, and smoothly I gather my momentum. I hear footsteps approaching. It's probably Sam. A soft knock on the door urges me to pull myself together so no one can see the panic in my eyes.

However, the person I find isn't Sam but Liam. My heart skips a beat, surprised to see him. He frowns at the sight of me, and I'm sure I'm looking anything but pretty right now. I glance away and use the tip of my fingers to dry the extra moisture in my eyes.

"Are you okay?" Liam asks softly, his eyes apprehensive.

"Yeah," I murmur while hugging myself.

I feel cold. My head feels heavy.

"Kira!" Liam snaps as I suddenly lose my balance. He breezes my way. "What's wrong? You look pale." He quickly takes me into his arms while shutting the door at the same time.

"I'm cold." I shiver, and his frown deepens. "I'm fine, I'm just cold." I yield in his embrace, burying face on his chest.

He is warm. Very warm.

"Okay, relax," he breathes, hugging me tight. "What's going on, Kira?" he demands quietly.

"Just a moment," I whisper, savoring the comforts of his body shielding mine.

"Okay, calm down," Liam murmurs, rubbing my back smoothly.

Seconds pass by, and my mind empties itself at last, regaining the vigor in my body. I would love to be in Liam's arms forever.

"I think I'm just overwhelmed with everything in my head." I pull out of Liam's arms, and he looks down at me with hooded eyes. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Is this about what I said yesterday?" Liam asks. He suddenly looks dismayed.

"No, it's not about yesterday." I step away from him, my eyes wetter again. "I'm the problem, Liam! Everything is wrong with me! I feel like . . . I feel like I don't deserve you now. No, I'm just a dirty woman and . . ." I gaze up at him and tears spill down effortlessly.

"What?" Liam scowls in a confused fashion. "What nonsense are you saying now?"

"Why are you here? I forgot to ask." I mop off my tears stoutly.

It takes a giant of time for Liam to answer, "Some friends of yours are outside. You'd probably want to see them." His voice is deadpan.

"My friends?" I utter, laughing pathetically.

"Are they not?" Liam scowls again, confused with everything I say and do.

Who wouldn't? I'm totally crazy.

"No," I say, leaning against the wall, arms crossed on my chest. "But as a good friend, I've got to see my best friend's friends, right?"

"You're acting really strange," says Liam, his eyes narrowed.

Abandoning the wall, I move closer to him. His gaze fixes mine intently, more confused than before, and I hold my steps right before his towering height.

"You deserve the best, Liam. You're the most amazing man I've ever met," I say with a bittersweet smile, smothering the urge to cry and melt in his arms. "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry that I'm not—"

"Stop it!" Liam snaps, and before I say a word he grabs my waist and takes my mouth into his.

He grips me tightly, kissing me deeper. My breath hitches and automatically I let my feelings show by doing nothing but enjoy the taste of lips, and the sound of his harsh beating heart. When he pulls back we're both breathless, eyes dark and wanton.

"We can have more than a kiss, Kira . . . forever. Only if you let us fight for this," Liam rasps. "The truth can set us free, even if it'll be hard at first. Like I said before, I totally respect your decision." Gloomily, he sets me free and walks through the door, and I remain still, frozen even.

Fight for us? What's there for us if I don't even feel like I'm good enough for him? I know how resentful she can be when someone takes something she considers dear. Am I ready to live without her if she chooses to see me as a traitor? Can I forsake the sisterhood we shared for more than decade over a guy I met about ten days ago?

At last I step outside.

"Kiki, look what I found." Sam invites me by the front door, and I can clearly see the new three guests that aren't foreign in my eyes.

I immediately notice Jeremy, still tall, unfairly good-looking with his long hair, Roman Reigns style, except for his slender body. He grew a beard which makes him older than his actual age.

His mere sight sickens me but I compose myself with everything I've got. Beside him I see Traven, his cousin, and Veronica McClellan; she's forever glued to Jeremy like a shadow.

"I see." I force a smile as Sam ushers me over to join them in the garden, where all are seated on the deck chairs near a pair of palm trees.

"Guys, Kira is here!" Sam announces proudly, and I suck in my discomfort by smiling feebly.

"Hi, guys," I utter calmly.

Traven, a short and handsome brunette, regards me with his usual charming smile. He's been a very good mannered guy, which still keeps me in suspense of why he hangs out with his stupid loser of a cousin.

"Hi, Kira Jones. Long time, huh?" he tells me, and I nod agreeably.

"Well, you look hot in that thing, teacher." I hear a sickly voice mocking me. I know it's a mock. I turn to see its owner. "I heard you returned to UCLA . . . " Veronica continues her sarcasm, her smile as plastic as her well-done boobs.

"Thank you, McClellan. You're as beautiful as always," I say, and I can clearly see her cheeks turning rosy.

Of course not, bitch!

"What about me? Don't you remember me?" The voice makes me squint for a second, my heart racked.

I gulp tightly, bracing my composure.

"Am I supposed to?" I return curtly and our eyes lock.

A shudder runs through me.

Jeremy smirks crookedly. "Still so tough, huh?" he retorts, and I see Veronica frowning at this short and confusing exchange.

She looks at him, and then at me. Silence rules for a minute.

"Okay, do I sense some bad vibes here? I've just started my yoga meditation last week so—" Traven starts but his cousin interrupts with a loud laugh. "Okay, that's creepy."

"I just love teasing her. She knows I mean no harm, right?" Jeremy looks at me straight in the eyes, and I'm still shaken whenever he does that.

Relax, Kira. It didn't happen.

"Honey, I'm still here, you know. I may start thinking you're hitting on her. Do you now prefer dark-colored women or something?" Veronica says, clinging onto his arm.

I don't think I can stay here for long or else I will lose my mind for good.