CHAPTER 6

I'm led upstairs, and I'm immediately awed to catch a glimpse of a huge library from a far end. I'm addicted to books, and I guess it shows right away from my stupid grin. Mrs. Eleanor notices and gives me a smile.

"Do you read books, Mrs. Eleanor?" I ask, my eyes fixed on my subject of interest.

"Me? No way," she responds quickly, and starts laughing. "They belong to Liam. He's the one obsessed with books, and a very good collector as well."

Him? I wouldn't have bet even after my reincarnation.

"Oh, I see," I quip, wandering my gaze around the silent hall accented with stylish bulbs of golden lights, and small paintings. The walls are coated in milky white, blending perfectly with the wooden furniture that seem to dominate the entire furnishing of this house.

We finally halt at the door, and Eleanor swings it open. I think it's the room, judging from my brown, Louis Vuitton suitcase that I come across. "Come in, Kira," she urges, and I comply. "I hope the room is comfortable enough."

To me this room is more than comfortable. It's spacious and luxurious. A nice bed made of wood is standing regal, its mattress covered with lavender blue and white beddings. And mostly, there's a balcony. What else would I need for my lodging?

Well, such luck indeed.

"It's fine, Mrs. Eleanor." I smile wholeheartedly.

"Just call me Eleanor."

"Okay."

"Well then, I'll leave you so that you can change. Meanwhile, I'll prepare you another cup of coffee," she says, and I nod. "And please, dear, don't hesitate to ask for anything you need. I want both of you to feel at home."

"I will, thank you." I watch after her, until the door shuts. What a woman! I like the way she addresses herself. She's old, but yet looks young and beautiful. And smells divine, too.

Okay, I'm not a pervert, I'm just an admiral.

Now that I'm alone, I take my time to catch a deep breath of vigor. I glance around the room for another few seconds, before pacing towards the balcony. The sight of the backyard is so amazing. A set of giant trees streams from a distance and the soft green grass carpets the ground.

Leaning over the handrails, I get lost into the beautiful sunset. The yellow-orange rays pierce through the woods, beaming faintly as the sun slowly walks the sky. I

suck in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air that coos my skin. And I suddenly learn that there's another balcony to my left.

"Maybe it's Eleanor's room," I breathe.

A while later after a shower, I settle down on the bed. It's now that finally recall that I do have a phone. It's four-forty as I go through my inbox and call logs. Apparently, I don't have a single mail. Good for me. I'm happy the office has cut me some slacks, letting me enjoy myself.

"Hey, Kiki." Sam pops in suddenly, distorting my reverie. "Liam and I are going for a little walk. Wanna come?" she queries, and I frown.

A third wheel? No, I love myself too much.

"Not really. I'm just going to eat something . . . and maybe see what to do next," I retort matter-of-factly, putting my phone on the bedside table.

"Okay," Sam utters with a soft sigh. I see a disappointment hint on her sleepy-like eyes, and it worries me a bit.

"Is something wrong? Why are you brooding?" I ask, and she walks in, shutting the door behind her.

"Well . . . " She sighs again while taking a seat, making me frown bemusedly.

"Okay, tell me already." I move next to her, waiting for the response.

"It's Liam," she utters gently. "Well, what do you think of him?" She now stares at me expectantly.

Huh? What kind of question is this? I mutter mentally. "He's okay, I guess," I reply vaguely.

"Okay? How?" Sam insists.

Now I think it's me who needs a breath. What does she want to hear?

"I mean, he seems cool, awfully handsome, doesn't talk much, likes reading books. I'd give him eight at the scale of ten."

Yes, the two are for the unknown.

"Reading books? Where did you get that?" Sam lifts a single eyebrow.

"I just . . . found out somehow?" I say, feeling flustered.

"Forget it." She decides to ignore my remark, and turns serious. "I don't think he likes me as much."

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, he looks distant. Haven't you noticed? It's as if we don't have anything at all," Sam explains, and I think I've noticed that much.

Well, since Sam is not the type to blabber over a guy, it can only mean she's really into this cowboy. However, evidently, I don't know much of their relationship up until this point. So, what do I comment on this? I wonder.

"Look, Sam," I start after a little thought. "The guy invited you here, it means he wants you here, and that's the whole point. Just go out there, xtake that walk, and stop beating yourself up."

"Really?" Sam asks, unsure, twiddling her fingers. "What if he thinks--"

"What if he doesn't think whatever you're thinking?" I ask, and she bites her lip. "How would you know if you don't find out, Sam? He likes you, he likes you not, will you play that game as if you're twelve?"

"Crazy you." She laughs, and I follow suit. "So, I should just be upfront?" she asks me, sounding lost. Which is a first. This is not the Sam I know.

"Be yourself. If he likes you, he should see and accept the real you. You don't need to push it, just let the nature take its course."

Yeah, coming from someone who's never dated properly.

"Okay," says Sam, smiling. "Damn, keep reading those books, my sweet nerdy, they're so helpful."

"Thanks so much for your beautiful words, Samantha Ford. It's exactly what I'll do." My sarcasm is so evident as I mutter this. "Yeah, move it!" I push her to get up, and she obliges with a laughter.

"Love you," she tells me while leaving.

"Love you," I say with a smile, and I know she does. She finally leaves. "I hope it goes well, I really do." I sigh.

Sam has insecurity issues, we all do, but at least I'm living in a bubble. She hides it by freeing herself, and I hide mine by encrypting myself. We're both broken, I know, that's why we need each other.