Confusion

The ride to the restaurant was quieter than usual Willie noticed. Zack was lost in thought and she noticed that he held his cheek and laughed. She wondered what was funny and drove the car to a halt as the traffic light turned red.

The moon loomed large and bright above and she wished she was already in bed with someone. She would not be able to go home with anyone today since her chaperone was on duty.

Are you going to tell me what's been cracking you up? What did you have to check back inside?

Zack looked at her without replying and laughed again. Miss Willie was very confused. The light went green and she drive the red convertible speedily down the road.

"Oh, it’s nothing."

"I haven't seen you smile like this for a while and you claim its nothing?"

"Really its nothing special, I'm just in a good mood."

"And what influenced the good mood? Because I need to feel good too"

and with that she turned on the stereo shocking Zack who gave her a look she ignored. She then slid her right hand into her bag while driving with the left and fished out a box of cigars. Zack looked at her frantically

"What are you trying to do?"

'Since you've refused to have a conversation with me, I am going to have a good time all by myself."

Zack turned off the music and seized the cigar from her mouth.

"Hey!'

"Watch the road please."

'Can I at least play something?'

"Won't you like to hear about how my day went?"

She looked at him closely and then nodded her head relaxing more into her chair. She liked to hear him talk.

"So, I am about to round off my MBA and will be joining the company next year."

"Woah! That's good news."

"Yeah, I know right? I can't wait to start doing something worthwhile."

"You are just too responsible. Must be why I like you so much. You don't act your age"

"You don't act your age either."

"I hope that's true. Getting old sucks."

Zack smiled at her and she smiled back.

"You told me something else was bothering you and you would tell me later. Isn't now a good time?"

"Not at all. I need something that will uplift my mood not ruin it. I promise I will tell you."

She drove into the Holmes hotel gates and parked in the reserved area.

"What would you like to eat?"

"You know I'm not picky"

"Except with women"

She gave him a naughty look and he wondered for a moment if it was possible to have split personalities. He also wondered if he would be like that when he finally took over his dad's company. It would be no mean feat and would probably take him years before he gets fully accustomed to running a Multimillion chain of companies. He was a sole heir and probably the youngest billionaire in the country.

She walked to his side as the they both alighted and put her hand in his bent elbow and they walked in through the sparkling clean sliding doors.

The reception to the restaurant was on the ground floor and it was big and artfully furnished. The paintings, sculptures and vases were eye catching, the counter at the reception area was made of marble and lined with gold edges, the floor was rugged and the chandelier glimmered happily at the guests. The receptionists both looked and dressed smart. Their uniforms looked expensive and they all looked distinguished.

A lot of other couples were entering the dining hall while some waited outside, she was grateful she reserved a table earlier during the day.

"Table for Willie'

She spoke and one of the butlers ushered them both into the hall. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Everything was perfect and the seating arrangements were well spaced and the chairs were comfy looking. They sat.

"I didn't know this place would be as good as they said."

"How about we wait till we eat first."

'Good idea."

The Head Chef who was smartly dressed and very attractive with a French accent took their order and Willie smiled bemusedly at him. Willie tried to converse with the waiter in French and ended up having to switch back to English mid conversation. Zack looked around, he had been to fancier hotels. He would only give this place a 3 star. He liked the ambience. There were a lot of couples seated in the hall but it was not noisy or crowded. The chef left with his entourage.

"I like the seating arrangement"

Zack said looking around nodding his head, he picked up the bottle of Champagne from the ice bucket and set it down neatly beside the wine glasses.

You know those were my thoughts exactly. I hate it when tables are packed together.

She looked around and the saw the waiter and two other men walk to their table with their order, She continued talking to Zack

"You know a friend of mine had once found out about her cheating husband when a loudmouth close to her table talked about her husband's affair."

"For real?"

"Yes!'

"Gossips aren't whispered these days."

"Tell me about it."

The Chef, escorted by his entourage got to their table and read out the type of dish, proceeded to pour their wines and gave them a special desert cake on the house. Willie continued talking to Zack and soon after the Chef walked away smiling sheepishly. Zack stood up and followed him.

"Give it".

The Chef wanted to feign ignorance but seeing the look on Zack's face decided to give in quietly. He brought out Miss Willie's complimentary card from his apron and reluctantly handed it to Zack. Zack scowled at her from a distance and she quickly looked away. He walked back and sat quietly and took a sip of the wine.

"Maybe you should quit studying and become a detective."

"I'd still have to study for that. Dad would kill me"

Zack munched on his food and remembered Siri's face and smiled.

"I guess you're not that angry with me. I was expecting an earful."

"No, not today. Eat."

Zack looked at Willie and wondered if he could ask about Siri, but knew it could cause a bit of a trouble so he swallowed his curiosity and ate in silence.

They both ate their food talking about everything they found interesting at the end of the meal Willie paid and they unceremoniously left the hotel.

Siri turned on the light as she entered her apartment, the pizza box and soda in her hands felt heavy. She looked back at her neighbour’s door and wondered if she was in. Before closing the door and locking it.

She went straight to the microwave and placed the pizza inside. She then removed her shoe and hung it. She went inside to fill the bath tub with water, washing her hands afterward.

She knew she should not be eating so late at night but her stomach was hot and empty. She would not survive trying to sleep without eating that night. She removed her shirt and opened the window to let in the cold air lingering a bit to look down the street. She bit into a piece and munched gratefully.

She let down her bouncy hair and finished a second piece. She looked at the soda and her already bulging stomach and decided to drink water instead.

She walked into the bathroom fully dressed and looked into the mirror. Her reflection stared back challengingly. She touched her cheek and ruffled her afro curls which extended to her shoulders then she touched her lips and stared into the mirror. She felt strange. Weren’t first kisses supposed to be life changing?

She slowly took of her clothes and walked to the room throwing them on her chair then she walked back into the smallish bathroom. She washed her hair first and detangled before adding conditioner and washing her hair again and then finally took a shower before entering the tub. She closed her eyes as the warm water enveloped her and then she submerged herself for two minutes inside the water. She shook her head as she came out from the water and her phone rang. She ignored the phone and continued her bath. She heard a message notification and continued to bath.

As she lay in the tub, she remembered Zack and her eyes shot open. What is he reported her or turned the story to make it look like she made a move on him. They were in a blind spot so there wouldn't be any video evidence. Was she too violent? She shook her head viciously. He deserved what he got, she tried not to think about it but her subconscious replayed the event. She remembers her last words before the assault.

"Check what?'

And then she remembered the warm feeling of his lips on hers. She did not want to admit it but she held back for a second instead of pushing him away immediately. She gathered her strength and shoved him away hard and he staggered backwards.

Why-why what did you want to check by sexually harassing me?

He seemed as flustered or pretended to be as flustered as she was.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to be too forward. I just-"

"You just what? Why are you trying to get me trouble?"

"I did not mean to, I- I have been thinking about you severally and wondering about you. I really like you."

She looked at him full of rage and caution. He seemed mentally imbalanced to her. She wondered if he was pulling a prank or a sick joke.

'Did I flirt with you in any way to incite your sudden interest?"

"No, I just want you."

"Do I look like I want to or can even afford to take care of anyone right now?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Zack asked genuinely confused about the question

"So, my boss is not enough for you?"

"What?"

"I beg of you. Please. Stay away from me."

"No, you don't understand."

"I don't have to understand anything a perverted person says to me"

"Perverted?"

"Stay away from me"

'I can't. I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me and you trying to resist is making me go crazy."

Zack said looking at her luscious lips and full body and wanting to hold and kiss her all night. He never thought he would do something like this to her and did not expect her to resist much. But she was not pretending to resist and if maybe she was, she was doing a very good job of it.

"I will report your inappropriate behaviour if this happens again."

Siri walked away from him and as she got to the door, he followed her and grabbed her waist roughly turning her to face him and with her right hand the slap landed heavy and hard.

She remembered the shocked look on both their faces as she ran out of the office faster than a gazelle would run during a hunt.

* * *

She heard loud thuds coming from outside and she cautiously opened her eyes wondering what was being hit on the wall. She got out from the tub and tied a towel around her body and walked out from the bathroom. The cold air in the room was freezing and she quickly ran to shut the window and heard another thud and a loud scream. She wore a gown and a jacket and took a foldable chair from the corner and opened the door to her apartment.

The thud could be heard again and then she heard a rhythmic sound of the creaking bed and another scream. But this time it was more of a moan than a scream. She stood still transfixed to the door and noticed it was slightly opened. She heard more thuds and low, muffled screams and she cautiously knocked on the door but found out it was unlocked. She pushed the door a bit to be able to see what was going on inside.

She looked through the small opening and saw the upper half of Miranda pinned down on the floor by Ben and he was pressing down on her neck. She quickly rushed into the room and saw that they had no clothes on and Miranda was smiling as she arched her hips. They both ignored her and she dropped the chair, dazed from the sight and ran out of the room shutting the door behind her.