R I O N A
As I sat down in the driver's seat of my SUV, I couldn't still help but feel scared for those around me.
My phone which sat on the passengers seat came alive with a text and I picked it up.
An unsaved number that looked oddly familiar to me.
Are you busy? I want to come over.
Is this boy plain stupid? How has not realized that I don't want him around me?
Come over.
I hit send and threw the phone back on the passenger seat.
When I got home, I noticed a black convertible parked outside my house.
With a sigh, I used my keys to open the door from the outside and was greeted with Cassidy chasing Iris around the house while Keith sat on the floor, legs folded watching the girls with a smile on his well defined jawline.
"Rie's home!" Iris yelled at ran towards me and used me as a shield from a furious Cassidy.
Keith's attention to me and he sat quiet to watch the drama unfolding.
"Rie, get out of the way!" Cassidy scowled.
"Calm down baby girl." I replied in a calming tone. " Why are you chasing Iris?" I questioned.
"She was rude to Keith and she doesn't want to apologise."
" Why didn't Thalia say anything?" I eyed thalia who was sitting on the couch typing away on her phone.
"It's not that deep, Rie! They were just playing." Thalia added from the couch.
" Iris," I brought Iris to my front and went down to her height. "When you disrespect anyone, you apologise, not run." I explained.
"Sorry, Keith!" She yelled Immediately after I explained causing my lip to twitch.
"It's okay Iris." Keith got up from his seated position and walked towards us.
Keith stretched his hand down which I took to stand up on my feet.
"Let's go to the kitchen." I informed him, at first he was surprised but he stretched his hand forward and ushered to the kitchen.
"You want to talk to me, that's a first." He wore an amused look when he sat down on the dining chair.
" Listen, I have things to do so I will only be able to tutor you next week but afterwards, you should ask someone else. You should text me your schedule for next week so we will be able to fix the mini class-"
" I'm free all through next week, we can fix it no-"
" No, I'm tired. Text it to me, if you don't mind, can you leave now?" I asked in a low tone.
" Riona, are you okay?" He grabbed my shoulders but I instantly shook it off.
" I'm fine."
" You're acting polite and your voice is oddly low."
" What's it to you? Just leave." I ordered and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.
"That's the Riona I know. I'll leave, I'll text you." He smiled before exiting the kitchen.
" I'm leaving, bye!" He waved.
" Bye!"
" Bye."
I took my phone from the back of my pocket and brought out Leonardo's contact then called it. It rang twice before a masculine voice answered it.
"Can we finish this today? I'm going to be busy next week."
"We can do it the other we-"
" No, today. Now."
" Then how about we meet at the Rue's Bakery? Do you know it?"
" Yeah, it's the one downtown, yeah?"
" Yeah. See you in ten."
I disconnected the call and grabbed my keys from the dining and then strolled to the door.
"You're leaving again?" Cassidy lifted her brows.
"Yeah, everything will go back to normal after next week."
"What do you mean?"
" You'll see. I'm off."
I got in my car and took a deep breath before starting the car.
You can do this Riona. Keep your feelings in check.
It took me only five minutes to reach Rue's Bakery. I parked my SUV in the parking lot and strolled to the bakery. When I pushed the door open a bell sound echoed in the bakery.
Why's it empty though?
"Welcome to Rue's!" A petite brunette girl cheerfully greeted from behind the counter while another guy was in front of the sink but I was in no mood to smile.
I walked over to one of the regular tables, but instead the same girl walked over to me.
"I'm sorry miss but can you sit on the VIP section?" She pointed to the red lounge at the end of the bakery.
"Why?!" I snapped at her and she looked taken aback by my response but regained her composure.
"It's because the guy that booked the whole bakery told us to direct you to the VIP section." She explained.
Why did he have to book the whole bakery?
I just moved to the lounge and waited for Leonardo there.
Is this place the VIP section because it gives a better view of the Bakery? Or because the air con hits here directly?
The bakery was relatively big. It had a round table of two individual chairs scattered around the bakery. Purple and white were the dominant colors on the wall. The counter was located beside the door and the kitchen behind the counter. The VIP section was painted light blue and the chairs were white and much more comfortable than the other ones.
The bell sound resonated in the bakery indicating that someone had entered the bakery.
When our eyes first met, my heart jumped I didn't understand why.
"Hey." He muttered as he took a seat at the opposite seat.
When he sat down, my nose caught a whiff of his manly cologne. Not too masculine but the right amount of balance.
He had on a plain white shirt which stayed glued to his built figure and his caramel brown hair was just the right amount of messy.
You didn't invite him over to observe his features Riona!
**
As I took a sip of my chocolate mocha my brain felt light and when I took a bite of the muffins I felt like I was floating in heaven.
"You like Rue's that much huh? I'll be sure to bring you here frequently." Leonardo smirked.
" I don't think there's ever going to be next time. I am not one to go out, I could only do this because it was for grades. We're not friends, you are only a task, a task which I'm completing today. After today we shouldn't even as much as say hi to each other if we walk past each other at school."
" Are you done?"
I shook my head. " I also feel it's appropriate to delete each other's numbers and move o-"
I stopped talking as my heart quickened when he leaned closer and stretched out his hand then used his thumb to clean the corners of my mouth.
"Wh..what are you doing?" I stuttered as I sat frozen in the spot.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't take you seriously with muffin crumbs on your mouth." He joked but I couldn't stop myself letting out a smile.
Why does he have a relaxing effect on me? This is bad.
"I- I have to go." I grabbed my phone from the table and got up from the seat.
"Hey," he held my arm and my knees suddenly felt weak.
Why aren't you shaking his hand off? Slap it away.
"I d-"
I got distracted when my phone vibrated in my hand, the caller ID showed a hospital's name and I immediately answered.
"Is this Riona Davis? The daughter of Patrick Davis?" A feminine voice asked from the other side of the phone.
I paused and saw Leonardo watching me so I moved away from him.
"Yes, this is she." I answered me
"Come to the Regional hospital, it's your father, he's not doing well." She informed and my eyes shot open.
**