chapter 6

Mile’s POV

        I've been watching Kathy snoozing off. Her head was leaning on my shoulder, she seemed comfortable, I didn’t want to disturb her. She must be exhausted, I thought. I was so tempted to move her to the private bedroom in the plane, but she looked peaceful, maybe it won't be a great idea. My mom was also leaning and sleeping next to my dad. I saw my dad kissed my mom’s forehead. They looked so sweet, I adored them so much that I wished to have the same kind of relationship they have.

        I looked at the lady sitting next to me, Kathy. She could be perfect for me, but I don’t love her, I liked her though, and her feisty attitude sometimes got me. She was a strong-willed as ever, smart and beautiful too. She has grown up a woman but with a childish perspective. I understood the hate towards Nadia, but it was too much, Nadia felt remorseful for what had happened to her relationship with Marcus.

        I've been trying to avoid Kathy for the past few months. After the incident during the Gala night. I regretted inviting Nadia to the party, I should’ve asked her not to come even though she was a part-time employee in my company. I knew Kathy would be there and wouldn’t like it for sure. I saw the pain and anger from her eyes that night. I wanted to apologize, but it would only make things more complicated between her and Nadia. 

        My attraction for Kathy seemed not right. She ignited something in me, lust? Maybe no, or maybe yes. I don’t know! Since the passionate kiss we shared in my car and the intimate dance on the dance floor, she has always been in my mind. I was trying to kill the flame burning inside me.

        Nadia was a good distraction. Nothing was going on between us, though we have had spent a couple of sweaty nights together that was long ago, and for me, she was only a good lay.

        Kathy, however, was bewitchingly innocent. I had seen her with that guy before, and they appeared to be sweet and close to each other. Perhaps a friend or a lover.  ‘she’s a woman with needs too,’ my fickle brain told me.

        That man’s face looked familiar, and I just couldn’t pinpoint where I’d seen him. I wanted to punch that guy when I arrived at her place this morning, and I didn't know why. ‘Maybe you are jealous,’ my mind teased me. I wonder how it felt like to sleep next to her. To run my hands on her small and sexy body, to kiss her pink plumps and make her scream my name. I felt a twitch between my leg, having her next to me wasn’t helping.

        I decided to turn my phone on and try to work so that I can toss away the thoughts I was having for Kathy; I was careful not to move too much so that Kathy won't wake up. Her breath was so even that she must be having a good nap. I’ve heard she had been working a lot at the orphanage, and it was the first time for her to take a break and socialize after months of staying here.

        I was busy typing on my phone when I heard a small grunt, the pressure on my right shoulder lifted. I saw Kathy yawned like nobody’s business while stretching her tiny body, she looked endearing. She naively looked at me and stunned, I smiled, “You look cute,” I muttered. She hid her face with hands. “I hate you!” she whispered. She didn’t realize I was watching her, she was so embarrassed, but I didn’t mind. I looked back at my phone smiling. I heard her loosened her seatbelt and stood up, she went to the direction of the cabin lavatory.

        “Miles,” I heard my mom calling me. She just woke up as well, I looked at her and smiled. She seemed different these past few days, I've seen bags under her eyes and seemed pale. I should ask her to have herself checked at the hospital.

        “Yes, mom” I answered

        “Where’s Kathy?” She inquired

        “Oh, she went to the lavatory to freshen up,” I told her. She just nodded

        “Okay, it is only ten in the morning, had she taken her breakfast? How about you?” My mom asked me.

        She was so sweet and adored Kathy so much. She had always wanted to give me siblings, but she failed, she has miscarried four times. My dad suggested to adopt, but my Mom didn’t like the idea. I didn’t know why, anyway, I grew up with Marcus and Kathy, they were like my siblings too.

        “I’m okay, Mom,” I smiled. I decided to follow Kathy to also use the lavatory after her, maybe she was almost done with her business.

        I was walking towards the lavatory area when Kathy opened the door, she looked at me and smirked. She walked to my direction, and I walked side-ward to give her way.

        Then out of a sudden, the airplane shook. It must be the turbulence, the shakiness brought our body to lose balance, luckily I was able to hold on to one of the arms of the empty chair, Kathy tripped, but I was able to catch her on time. Her whole upper body was on top of me, and her hands were clasping over my chest. Our faces were just inches away, our eyes on the level.

        Her bright green orbs pierced my soul. Kathy didn’t move an inch, she seemed surprised. I could smell the fresh mint breath coming out from her slightly opened mouth, we stayed like that for about seconds when she flickered, realizing that we were in a very awkward position. Very. She stood up and composed herself up, I hoisted myself up to.

        Her face was crimson red and probably mine too.

        “Are you okay?” I asked, checking on her

        “Yes, I'm fine, Thank you, I probably have planted my face on the floor if not for you.” She sneered. I laughed, “Yeah, I can imagine.”

        “I…I'll go ahead, I'm starving,” she said without looking at my eyes

        “Just tell the steward, Ill be right back.” And went straight to my toilet business

        I came back after a while and saw Kathy was busy eating sandwiches the guy gave her this morning while she was typing something on her iPad, headset on. I sighed and sat down next to her, I clicked the button to call the steward. He came right away, asked what I need.

        “Mom? Dad?” I asked my mom, who was too busy reading her book and dad in his newspapers. They looked at me

        “Do you need anything to eat?” I asked them.

        “No son, I'm fine, thank you.  Honey?” he looked at my mom, still reading her book.  Mom stopped and looked back at him “Yes?” she asked.

        I answered her, “Are you hungry?”

        “Oh, I'm sorry, Kathy just asked me as well if I wanted to eat, but no thanks, son,” she smiled and went back to her book. My dad shrugged his shoulder and made a face. I nudged Kathy, who seemed focused on what she was doing.

        “Oh, sorry,” she took off her headphones, “did you want to say something?”

        “Do you want to eat anything aside from that sandwich?” looking at the food on her hand.

        “Oh no, Thanks,” she replied, “or maybe just a cup of coffee and a bottle of water. Thank you”. She said to the steward and smiled sweetly.

        I looked at the steward, “a cup of coffee and bread,” He left, and after ten minutes, he came back with our drinks. I gave Kathy her coffee, and she mouthed me; thank you. She settled it on her table, and continued what she was doing, I got curious and took a peek on what she was looking at her Ipad, She was editing the pictures she took last time at the children’s party they did weeks ago. I wasn’t able to attend, but mom and dad were able to join.

        “They're so cute and lovely!” Kathy Blurted out. She adjusted the iPad screen enough for me to see.

        I looked at her, She was really enjoying her job, I know the pay wasn’t great there, but she wasn't minding it. I looked back at the picture. She was sitting on grass surrounded by ten kids about four to eight years of age, hugging her and hugging each other from behind, the one was on her lap was kissing her cheeks was a toddler baby. She was beaming radiantly. Her eyes were closed, her brown locks were untamed loose that made her more pretty. She looked natural and lovely.

        Mrs. Jason openly told me that she wished Kathy would stay at the orphanage even when Lindsay came back after her wedding and honeymoon.

        “You look lovely,” I told her. She didn’t look at me, but I saw her lips twitched, she smiled.

        “That baby” Pointing to the toddler on her lap in the screen, “has found a new home and family” I saw the glittering on her eyes. “He was left outside the gate of the orphanage on my second day at work,” she sighed “He was so skinny and weak but look at him, he looks full of life, and I wish the best for him.”  She looked at me, “I named him Marcus,” and she smiled. A lone tear fell on her cheek. I wiped it with my thumb. She indeed has a good heart.

        She wiped the moist on her eyes using the back of her hand. “It's okay,” she smiled “as long as they're safe and loved by their new family, I'm happy,” she proudly said.

        We spent the next hours talking about the orphans in the picture and about her work at the orphanage, I also told her about the company and business I was handling, she seemed interested to know and learn. The clock stroked at twelve, and the flight steward has prepared our lunch. Dad, Mom, Kathy and I ate lunch together.

        Two more hours have passed, and we arrived in California, the driver took us to the hotel where David and Lindsay’s wedding will take place.

        Mom and dad headed in their own room, only a floor above us. My door was at the same level, just adjacent to Kathy’s.

        I placed down Kathy’s luggage in front of her door. “Thank you, Miles,” she said and smiled before going inside.

        “No worries, I'll see you later,” I said and went ahead to enter my room.