Lahat ng Kabanata ng Hot Summer In California: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20
73 Kabanata
CHAPTER 11
The sun grazes my bronze skin warmly, doing away the slight cold that's been enveloping me for a while. Walking around, I end up near the sturdy, old-looking barn. Everything's so peaceful at the moment and much to my surprise, I'm welcomed by two beautiful horses grazing inside the railing fence groining the barn.How I love horses. I grin ridiculously.Smiling, I grab my old vintage canon and click a few pictures. The horses are both brown, except one has a white patch on the back and neck. I saunter along the fence, nearing them, slowly, as though afraid to startle them. Now this is what I call having fun."Hi, there." I lean over the fence, drinking in the horse smell that I'm so new at; it put me at ease nevertheless. An infantile giggle escapes my mouth as he responds with a neigh. Wait, is it a he or she? "Well, let's pretend you're a boy," I mutter, proceeding with endeavor; patting is smooth hair with delight."Excuse me," a boy's voice snaps, startling
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CHAPTER 12
He's holding the reins in a way that makes my heart flutter. I'm sure any woman would be. And it's as if I'm seeing the Mr. Darcy of Pemberley; Pride and Prejudice. No, what I need is to immediately snap out of this stupidity, because I'm living a real life and not some movie or classic romance novel."You never cease to amaze me, Ms. Jones." Liam dismounts the horse in a swift move, quite naturally. It's fascinating. "You're something else, I must confess. Aren't you afraid to be here on your own?"Not really. This place may be much safer than humans, my subconscious answers boldly as I gaze up at Liam. He's now staring directly at me, standing on the same position near his horse."What are you doing here?" I ask, ignoring his question. In return, he does exactly the same, neglecting my query by marching closer. Gosh! "I'm asking you, Mr. Darcy, why did you follow me here?" I repeat, sternly this time."I came to check if you are okay. Your friend is worried,"
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CHAPTER 13
I feel Liam's sculptured abs beneath his shirt as we bounce up and down in rhythm, following the horse's move. My breath stills when I leaning towards his sturdy, wide back, searching for my balance. To my sweet dismay, his muscles tense, responding to my touch.Oh boy! I draw back stoutly."If you continue like that, you're surely going to fall down." Liam's voice startles me, and his words almost come true when the horse speeds up.Shit! I tighten my grip, bumping up, then down, in turns . . . a rough, exciting pace."Like this?" I ask, stifling a laugh."Whatever fits you, Ms. Jones," Liam replies, his voice laced with . . . concerns? I can hardly tell, for his emotions are well guarded. "I'm only concerned about your safety; don't find it such a burden,” he adds gently.What an assurance! I sigh softly."I hope you can breathe," I utter against his back, almost, because it feels like I'm buckling him a bit too hard."Why?" He huffs a small la
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CHAPTER 14
A second goes by and to my surprise, everyone burst out laughing. Everyone including Peter who's like Liam's clone when it comes to playing cold. I don't think I understand what's so funny about it, but I'm glad I'm not being reprimanded for my crazy actions."I swear I like her," Malik utters simply."Oh, Kira, seems like the ranch life agrees quite well with you," Eleanor says, still laughing. "Just go in and take a shower, dear.""Oh, okay," I answer and start moving."Let me go with you," Sam offers to accompany me inside.I barely enter my room, and she already starts bombarding me with questions about how it all happened and stuff."I just walked until I reached the river.”"And you just couldn't resist swimming, could you?" she mutters while lying on the bed, holding my camera."Well, it was nothing.” My voice is heedless."Hey, do you have any idea who Malik is?" she snaps abruptly."No, do I have to?" I reply while undressing.
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CHAPTER 15
The rest of the evening goes smoothly. Seated on the adjoined bench to my bed, with my diary on the lap, I decide to put a few things off my head by scribbling down. It's been the best therapy whenever I can't talk to anyone about something.Apparently I have plenty of unspoken words that I'd love to let out. Thinking of the few hours that I've been here, my mind gets jagged with enormous feeling of anxiety over something in the immediate future.Hence I begin:Dear God,All I hoped for was a nice and relaxing vacation, which has been the case by far. I appreciate everything I've seen here and our hosts have been very kind to us that I'm afraid I may get too much attached. I like Mrs. Eleanor a lot, if I were to have another mother in this lifetime; I wish she would be just like her. I dare say that all is well, except for one thing . . .I'm yawning audibly as I place the diary back to my suitcase. I better
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CHAPTER 16
He's obviously trying to intimidate me with his weird innuendos, but I won't let him.I simply don't understand what he has against me, that he always gives me the impression that he knows me more than I do myself."Goodnight, Ms. Jones," he smoothly says. "I hope you get to sleep well tonight.""You, too. But before I go, let me ask you something important, may I?" I ask."Go ahead," Liam complies smoothly."Do you love my friend?" I ask. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have asked such a personal question. I regret as soon as I do. It's not my place after all, right? But I'm very curious of his intentions."What did you say?" He frowns, and even seems disturbed, which makes me squint my eyes in confusion.He sounds . . . displeased? I fail to gather with precision."Maybe the word love is a bit too much. Let's say . . .
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CHAPTER 17
Around five Mrs. Eleanor and I reach the boutique where her office resides. Sam went for a spa after our late lunch, and I have to tend my fashion emergency as soon as possible. This ordeal always gives me a headache, so I literally can't wait for it to end.Lurking my eyes around this nicely decorated office, I can't cease wondering how a classy woman like Eleanor could be this nice to some poor strangers coming from some part of the country. Maybe not all rich people are as conceited.I should really graduate from the prejudice school."Just a moment, Kira. I need to confirm my flight," Eleanor tells me, holding a telephone receiver."Sure," I easily oblige.A few minutes later we head for the main task. The boutique has two sections, ladies and gents, separated by a ravish lounging area. We go to our respective section, and my eyebrows arch at the sight of all the stocks insid
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CHAPTER 18
"Over here! I'm trying on a dress!" I speak aloud, responding at Sam's call."Oh you! What took you so long to respond?" I feel Sam's steps getting closer, and I must think fast."DON'T COME IN!" I snap, and she halts right before the curtains. "I'm still changing, Sam," I add.Why am I lying? I'm disgusted with myself."And so what if you're changing?" Sam questions, chuckling lightly."Um, I'm kind of naked?" I say desperately."And since when do you care about that? You always strip without a warning," she casually remarks.Liam shoots me an inquiring eyebrow at this little piece of information.God! This is not going well, and I wonder what this Englishman is imagining right now.I decide to reveal my head through the curtains. "I'm trying on the new dress and I don't want anyone to see
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CHAPTER 19
We finally walked into a classic ballroom of some nice hotel downtown. It's bigger than the Darcy's hotel but rather older in terms of its architecture. Judging from the cars in the parking lot, the Mayor must be very influential around here. After the authentication from the security team we take a seat at a round table for five. The venue is well decorated in cream and gold with plenty of white orchids and mixed colored roses in each table."Wow, seems like the town folks know how to do stuff, huh?" Sam comments."Well. They are not cavemen," I return.Settled down comfortably, my eyes immediately search for that subject of my interest. My gaze collides with Liam, and quite a faint smile appears at the corner of his mouth. Oh my! Feeling the rising heat, I quickly turn my gaze.What's happening to me?The waiter, immaculately dressed in black and white, passes by with a tr
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CHAPTER 20
Sam and I take an opportunity to run for the ladies' room. She's retouching her makeup when I get out of the toilet stall and start washing my hands.She grins at me by the mirror at our front and says, "Spill it.""Spill what?" I ask, bemused."Oh please, Kira Jones," she frantically cries. "Tell me about Mr. Loaded.""What?" I chuckle at the name."I saw how you two flashed together like a match made in heaven," Sam says while applying her cherry lipstick, looking fresh already."We were just talking.""Oh, yeah? Talk about what?" She nudges me.I don't think she'll let it slide so easily, hence I decide to shut her up. "Nothing much, just the basics," I speak truthfully. "What about you? How is it going with Liam?"Sam tenses up, and maybe I shouldn't have asked this. It's obvi
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