Ashley dialled Leonard’s number repeatedly but it went unanswered. “Hello Leonard” she recorded a voicemail. She was pacing about the room, “I have been trying to get to you for days now...” she ran her fingers through her hair, “I have missed you so much" Henry walked at that moment, dressed in casual clothing. He had two glasses of margarita in his hands. He had a slight frown on his face. “...please talk to me Leonard, I am dying to hear from you...” she sighed. “I love you" she whispered. He froze at her confession. The rational part of his mind told him it was nothing and that they were just friends but he couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. “Hi Henry” she greeted. He stopped and stared at her. “Would that be the first time you’re calling me by my name?” She thought about it for a moment “I guess yes...” He chuckled. "Wow,” he laughed. “I do like the sound of that” he dropped the margaritas on the table and stared at her for a moment. “What?” she as

Henry considered not taking the call. He sighed and finally picked it up. “Adrian" “I don’t know what’s more disappointing, the fact that you haven’t been taking any of my calls or that you are clothed in the bedroom" Henry rolled his eyes. “Adrian, how are you?” “Let’s address the issues I have raised...by the way I am fine” He responded. “I need to get wine" he muttered to himself. Adrian stood to his feet. Henry shielded his eyes with his hand. “Why are you unclad Adrian?” “Chill Henry. This is the closest to a perfect male body you will ever see...” Henry shook his head. “Do you get the joke?” Adrian asked. “Adrian...” “My body is the perfect male body because you don’t have a perfect...” “Adrian, yea, yea, I got it” Henry replied. “I don’t need you to explain" Adrian burst into laughter and returned with a bottle of wine and a glass. He poured a little for himself. “Why haven’t you been taking my calls?” “This" Henry answered without a second thought. “All of this” Ad

She had on a yellow flowery sundress and brown ankle boots to match. She slipped on a denim-cropped Jean jacket. Her long blonde curls cascaded down her back framing her cute face. She grabbed her brown sling bag and turned around excitedly. “I am ready" she announced. Henry was laid back. His lips curved in a smile when she turned around to show him her dress. He had on black denim trousers and a plain white polo that clung tightly to his perfect body, and a pair of white sneakers. “What do you think?” she asked. He leaned backwards, his hands behind his head. “You truly don’t want to know what I think" She playfully rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t ask” “I am thinking a lot of nasty dirty things that if I tell you will have you red...exactly like this" he pointed at her. She had turned bright red with embarrassment. He got to his feet and took her hand in his, he played with her fingers for a while before placing a kiss on the back of her hand. “Perfect is an inade

Mary looked at every one of her family to the stranger seated around the table. She gingerly placed the napkin on her thigh and dramatically cleared her throat. “It is our last family dinner and our last night on this vacation...” Everyone stopped eating to listen to her. Her eyes were fixated on Henry. “I hope you all are on your best behaviour this night” Henry sighed internally and went back to his meal. Ashley stared at Henry from the corner of her eye, there was something off about his mood since the time they went out. He had suddenly grown somewhat cold. He was still nice to her and never made her feel uncomfortable but he was not as attentive as he used to be. There was a bit of wariness about him with her like he was trying to protect himself. Mr Allen used his fork to clink his glass. “I have an important announcement to make after dinner, there will be a small party after dinner, a celebration of some sort, of course only close-knit family...”. Ashley sighed, she had s

Ashley hurried so she could walk side by side with him. She interlocked her fingers in hers. “Henry...” “Ash I am truly sorry you had to witness all of this, that you had to see me like this...” She stopped and cupped his face. “Henry you have nothing to be sorry for. I want to see you, I want to see all of you" He swallowed deeply and managed a small smile, “Thank you for staying by my side through it all, words cannot truly convey how grateful I am" She nodded, her eyes searched his eyes. He was hiding away his emotions, from his family, even from her. She didn’t know how to make him open up to her. She slipped her hand in his as they walked to their room. As soon as they entered, she turned around to him. “Henry you know you don’t have to be...” He was looking away, his lips quivering, although he covered his mouth, she could see the tear stains on his face. “Henry" she ran towards him. “I am so sorry," he said to her. “I don’t want you to see me like this, you didn’t have t