Chapter 4: Missing Desire

Kendra, stirring breakfast, found herself replaying events. "What was I thinking? Why was I so foolish?" The memory of last night, blurred by alcohol and desperation, still stung.

"You needn't dwell on it," a voice said from behind her. "Nothing happened."

Startled, Kendra spun around, relief flooding her features. "Oh, Austin! You scared me." Her cheeks warmed at the sight of him. Not because she didn't know she was being foolish.

"My apologies. I assumed your pensive mood was a result of last night," Austin said, his gaze fixed on her. The way his eyes danced in the morning light was distracting. Kendra fought the urge to notice how built his muscles were and how dreamy his eyes were. She knew she shouldn't, not after everything.

"Yeah, I was hoping nothing happened," she mumbled, struggling to avoid admiring his arms. The last thing she wanted was to seem desperate or, worse, to be seen as a fool again.

"You didn't actually think I'd take advantage of you, did you?" He asked with a playful grin, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Of course not." Austin, sensing Kendra was subtly admiring him, changed the subject. He was good at that, at easing tension. He never seemed to fully understand how vulnerable she felt.

"Are you making pancakes?" Austin asked, smiling. "Want some?"

"Yes, actually. You want some?"

"Thought you'd never ask," he replied, and they both laughed.

Kendra, knowing his taste, made pancakes with marshmallows and chocolate-flavored coffee. It felt like they were connecting, a feeling that both delighted and frightened her. Austin asked, leaving Kendra perplexed, "How did you know this is how I like my chocolate coffee?"

"No way, this is how I like my chocolate coffee too!" she exclaimed, and they both burst into laughter. The relief of shared joy was short-lived.

"Wow, we have a lot more in common than we realize," Austin remarked, studying Kendra who couldn't help but stare at his lovely face. It was easy to get lost in his charm.

"Austin, I never realized you valued me so much. Have you always cared this much?" she murmured, her voice flirting. It was a reflex, a way to try and feel something real.

Austin chuckled, "Well, you never gave me a chance." His words hung in the air, a reminder of the walls she'd built and the chances she'd missed.

"Kendra, you look good, now. Hopefully you're over it," he asked, gently. There was a genuine concern in his eyes, but it was tinged with a slight distance, a sense that he couldn't fully comprehend the depth of her hurt.

"I don't think I am but I'm trying my best. And yes, I look good because the pancakes are so great." Austin laughed, "I realize." He didn't push. He wouldn't. That was one of the things that annoyed her about him, his ability to back off.

Austin asked thoughtfully, "Kendra, what job will you be doing now that you're..."

"I don't know yet; I'm still figuring things out. I’ll check online, see if there's any journalism work at another firm," Kendra replied as Austin's phone vibrated sharply. The tension between them had, for a moment, seemed to vanish.

Austin’s face became a mask of shock as he read the message. Kendra, now a little less guarded, found herself growing anxious. "What’s wrong, Austin? You look stressed,” her heart quickening with apprehension. What news could be so upsetting?

Austin stated "I just got a text from the company stating I'd be partnering with a new journalist called Olivia Smith." A knot formed in Kendra's stomach. As Kendra heard this news, her heart leaped a beat. She felt speechless as if a bomb went straight in her heart and exploded. The very thing she had tried to prevent had happened.

Austin, pulled his chair closer to Kendra's, saying "I am so sorry." He then reached out and took her hand in comfort. But even in that gesture, there was a feeling of obligation, not of love.

"Kendra, don't worry. She claimed to have gotten her revenge, but it looks like she still wants more," Austin remarked in an attempt to encourage her. There was a false note in his voice, a hint of something he wasn't saying. "If I were you, I wouldn't care." She rested her head on Austin's chest and smiled, but she knew, deep down, this was a disaster.

"You're right. Wait, I have a present for you," Kendra said, running to her room. She brought back two beach tickets.

"I was planning to go to the shore with Richard; now, I hope you'll come with me."

"Yes, I would, Kendra." He replied softly, which brought a smile to Kendra's face. Still, the guilt gnawed at her. She knew she was moving on too fast.

Austin grinned and said to Kendra, "Kendra, I need to get ready and head to the company."

"Alright then, I'll walk you to the door," Kendra insisted as Austin rose to leave. Kendra hugged Austin as they approached the door, surprising him, but he embraced her back to avoid being awkward. It was as though they were living a scene, rather than experiencing it.

On the day of the event, Kendra knocked on Austin's hotel room door wearing a long, transparent black coat, concealing a red bikini and two-inch red heels. Receiving no response, she called out, "Austin, are you there?" Searching for him, she found him standing in front of her car. Austin knelt as she approached the vehicle. "Happy birthday, Kendra," he said, presenting a wrapped gift.

"Wait, what?" Kendra said, realizing what day it was. "Wait, today is actually my birthday!" she shrieked excitedly. She opened the gift to reveal a 24-carat gold necklace. "Is this gold?" she asked, tears of delight flowing down her face. Austin fastened the necklace and wiped away her tears.

"Don't worry, I have a surprise for you," he said, holding her hands, which caused her to blush slightly. The words sounded rehearsed, almost hollow.

"Then what are we waiting for?" she said, getting into the car. "Let's go, in my car."

She started crying again when she arrived, this time with happiness. Austin had arranged a magnificent party for her on the beach. Kendra asked, sobbing, "Is this for me?"

"It absolutely is; happy birthday, Kendra." But even amidst the celebration, a shadow of dread lingered.

After the party, Kendra and Austin headed towards the ocean, where Austin swam while Kendra sunbathed. Kendra was astonished as Austin emerged from the water. Water droplets cascaded down his hair to his tough, rock-hard abdomen. It was almost too perfect.

"He looks like an absolute angel," Kendra murmured to herself, admiring Austin. Why did he have to be so damn attractive?

"Come on, Kendra, let's swim!" Austin yelled from a distance. Kendra stood up, giggled, and moved toward Austin. She stumbled as she arrived and almost fell, but Austin caught her just in time, holding her waist. Kendra glanced and saw Olivia kissing another man on the beach.

She sobbed desperately, turning toward her car and speeding away. Austin didn't even chase after her; she drove as fast as she could. Why wasn't he following her?

Emerging from her car to check on a flat tire, Kendra was surrounded by a group of men in black suits. "She's here, boss," one of them said, making Kendra wonder if the anonymous caller was their boss. The flat was no accident. One of them abruptly grabbed her nose from behind and held a white handkerchief over her face. Despite her efforts, Kendra struggled for her life before passing out. Suddenly, everything went dark. This time she was ready.