I Want To Kiss You.

(KAIRA'S POV)

For the first time since I came into the dining room, I noticed the clock on the wall from its loud tick tock.

It was like everyone was holding their breaths, everyone except Tom I think. He had this goofy smile on his face as he looked from me to Slade.

I turned to Mum. Her lips twitched a little, the way it does when she is not sure of what expression to put on. And that hurt even more.

Of course they're getting married, that's why I'm in this circus in the first place. But tomorrow? And she knew? And again she didn't tell me about it? My chest felt heavy. Mum and I share everything. Literally everything. Or so I thought.

"I know that this is another shock to you." Of course Tom was the first to break the silence. "But, you need to understand that—"

"What the fuck?!" Slade's dry laugh almost overshadowed the cough.

I was forced to look at him and for a split moment, I recognized the emotions in his eyes. They were very similar to how I felt. Betrayed.

"Watch your language!" Tom warned, his tone dropping very low and the smile disappearing from his face.

"You're actually serious about this?" He shook his head and then cleared his throat. It was the first time I was seeing Slade Horton look this way. Genuinely surprised. "You're getting married tomorrow."

"That's the plan." Tom said, sitting up some more in his chair.

There was another moment of silence with Mum and I feeling like intruders in this conversation.

"Isn't that too fast? You always speak about process, time and consideration." Slade's emotions had vanished now and he was back to default, as blank as ever. "This is a big change. It feels rushed. For all of us." He said the last words through gritted teeth and I resonated with him.

"You're right, Slade. You're absolutely right." Mum joined in, sounding like the voice of reason. "And we deeply apologize for this instant change. We understand you and that's why we want to talk about it with you both before we make any final decisions."

She was nodding at Tom but he was staring at his son.

"Shanice is right. We are sorry for this instant change but we don't think it's necessary to wait a long time for something we are very certain of. For something we want very much." He said, his tone was neither mild nor strict. Then he turned to me. "How do you feel about this, Kaira?"

Silence.

I looked around the table. All eyes were on me, even Slade's. My gaze dropped lower.

"It is, really fast. I mean, a wedding takes a lot of time and process and work." I found myself saying, uncertain of where exactly I was headed.

Tom chuckled. "That's no problem at all. With a switch of my fingers, everything will be ready." He said.

"It's not about the preparations." Slade added.

I glanced at him and he looked just like he sounded. Stress free, matter of factly, even though something told me deep down, he was fuming.

"This is a huge change, Dad." He continued. "We have to deal with people, the press, the media. It's a heavy adjustment."

"It is." Tom agreed. "But my happiness is more important."

His words sank into the silence, with some finality that assured me that this was truly happening.

My fingers grasped the end of my hair, twisting idly around my finger.

"Shanice and I…" Tom's voice was soft now, heavy with emotions. "We have been through a lot. We have spent many years working and taking care of all around us that we have forgotten what it feels like to put ourselves forward."

His gaze moved from Slade to me and then rested on Mum who was holding his eyes too.

"It's been so long that we felt this way. So long that I felt so happy and loved and seen…" he sighed heavily. "We all know what it's like to have happiness cut short."

My heart squeezed as I pushed down the thought of my late father.

"I don't want to spend time waiting when I know what I really want. When I know what's in front of me." His voice cracked as he added the last words. "Life's too short. And it's for that reason that I wish you both would understand and support us."

Mum had tears in her eyes and even though I did feel hurt, I understood his words clearly. Mum felt different to me since she broke the news of her engagement to me. It wasn't only because I wasn't used to her keeping things away from me, it was also because she was more relaxed, more giddy. Less serious.

Mum has never had time for relationships. Her world always revolved around me and her work. I'm guessing it's the same for Tom who lost his wife years into their marriage as well.

How selfish would I be to not support her when she has given me everything she could. Her own time, her hard work, her love…

She is going to get married anyway so what really is the point of waiting?

I cleared my throat softly and three pairs of eyes landed on me.

"You have my support." Were the only words I said even though I wanted to say more about my fears.

Tom's face lifted and a smile settled on his lips.

"You have no idea how much it means for me to hear you say that, Kaira. Thank you." He said, giving a nod in my direction.

I turned my attention back to the food because there was nothing else to do. For a brief moment, only the sound of my cutlery movement was heard. I didn't dare to look up even though I knew all eyes were on me.

Soon, I heard more sounds of cutleries. That was when I dared to look at him and he was staring right back at me with blazing green eyes. Then he turned back to his food like he had not just given me the death stare.

I lost my appetite right after that and told them I wanted to turn in for the night.

"But you haven't had dessert?" Tom said, disappointment written all over his face.

"I'm sorry." Was all I could say but I was already standing.

"It's okay." Tom hurriedly replied. Then he signaled to one of the guards on standby. "Take her to her room."

"I'll come see you after dinner." Mum said with a hopeful smile that I responded with a nod.

"Goodnight." I said to the room, making sure to avoid Slade.

On my way to my new bedroom, I followed the guard closely behind, wishing for the door to appear as soon as possible.

I needed to turn in early for the night, especially after having such a long and unbelievable day. It felt like I was in a dream. In less than twenty-four hours, my life had taken a twist and I—

"Running away?"

I gasped deeply when I realized that Slade was suddenly in front of me.

Where did he come from? How did he get here? I looked past him and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that the guard was still standing there.

Slade followed my eyes but didn't turn back to me.

"I'll take her. Don't worry about it, Mario." His cool voice instructed.

The hair on the back of my neck stood. I wanted to protest but I was speechless as I watched the guard go.

The moment the guard disappeared, Slade grabbed my wrist and pulled me forcefully into a corner. I pushed him back with all my might.

"You must be so delighted to join the Horton family so quickly!" He towered over me, so much that he prevented light from infiltrating.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I hated how squeaky my voice sounded.

"You were so happy about the announcement. Our parents getting married tomorrow." He said, taking another step closer.

I moved back but I soon felt the wall behind me. My legs were finding it hard to stand straight and my eyes were focused below his head, unable to meet those eyes.

"I wasn't. But there was not much I could do." I defended softly.

Slade scoffed and then held my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. I tried to take his hands off but he was stronger, pinning my other hand to my back.

His cool musky cologne infiltrated my nostrils while his green eyes plunged deeply into mine. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as we stood in silence.

Don't look, I tried to tell myself but I couldn't stop my eyes from darting below to his lips. The kiss replayed in my head and my stomach flipped.

Slade's finger brushed my lip gently, sending shivers down my spine.

"You want another kiss, don't you?" His husky voice made me want to shut my eyes.

"I don't." I lied and tried to wiggle free but it was useless.

He chuckled softly. "Well, I want to kiss you." He said, pulling me closer to him.

My body refused to obey me. Every instinct screamed at me to push him away, yet I stood frozen beneath his gaze.

All the nerves in my body were screaming for him to come closer to me and he did. He leaned closer, his face hovering around mine. I closed my eyes and inched my head up, feeling the desperate need for his lips on mine.

And then—

His hold on me was gone. I opened my eyes and he was there staring back, no smirk, no expression…

"Why the fuck would I want to kiss you?" He scoffed. "Find your way to your room."

And like that, he was gone.