Chapter 12 - Running Away

[KHALI]

"Okay. What the hell was that, dude?” Jey asked in disbelief. I was left dumbfounded the moment Jane walked out the door, pulling Reese out of the room. I couldn't even comprehend what Jey was asking me. I didn't know how to answer her. Everything happened so fast. The last thing I remember was being enraged to see that guy so close to Jane, so I took her here to my private room, which I owned and designed, and to which Jey and the rest of my family have access.

"I didn't expect that. You should have warned me!” Jey paced back and forth, and I closed my eyes irritably. I admit that I was mad, but I never expected that my anger would lead us to this. I felt confused. As far as I can remember, Jane pulled me in first. She initiated it; she kissed me first. It's not my fault! I just got carried away with how her lips pressed to mine, how her scent made me go wild, and how those feline eyes seemed like looking into my soul. She makes me go crazy as if I couldn’t control myself when I was around her. Dammit!

"Let's just forget about this," it still felt overwhelming, and I just found myself walking out of the door, leaving my best friend just gawking at me. I was hoping I could still find Jane outside, but unfortunately, she’s not there anymore. This is exactly what I want – to crush her ego and humiliate her. And I did it; she caved into my demands, but why do I feel horrible about it?

I shouldn't feel this way. I've always been sure of what I want, and Jane is not among them. I'm certain I don't have any special feelings for her. This is just pure lust. Maybe that's why we ended up in that predicament since it's been so long since I've had sex. It's not that I couldn't achieve my release because I'm capable of doing it on my own. When you're single, it's a part of your life.

But Jane is breaking every principle that I have. She's making me feel like I need her. That’s the last thing I wanted – I don’t want to be vulnerable. This shitty feeling makes everyone vulnerable. I stopped in my tracks as I noticed that Jey was already standing behind me. She’s not saying anything at all. She's probably guilty for just barging inside the room, but I couldn't blame her because she was clueless. It was unexpected. Even me, I never see that coming. I fished out my phone to call Jane's number. I waited for it to ring, but it only directed me to the network operator’s voice mail.

"The number you have dialed is unattended; please try your call later."

She might have turned her phone off. Feeling impatient, I decided to just send her a message. Hoping she will read it. We need to talk.

>> To Jane: Please answer my call. We need to talk <<

I bit my lip as anxiety kicked into my system. I've been trying to push all the worries and concerns at the back of my head. What's the worst that could happen if she backs out?

Nothing. I'll just continue my usual routine and schedule. We'll simply return to the way things should be.

"Reese said they're on their way to Jane's place, and Jane has decided to call off the deal," Jey stated. She patted my back before she spoke again, "I'm sorry to ask this. But do you like Jane?"

Her unexpected curiosity caught me off guard. Do I like her?

“HELL NO!” I blurted out in defense. I still hate her. I know this weird feeling is just temporary. This isn’t real. It will go away, just like how the sea waves wash away the writings on the sand.

It took a few seconds before Jey responded, “Okay. It's better off that way. Hate to say this to you, but with the way you treated her, I rather want her to be with someone else. She deserves someone who will treat her right. Truth is, you’ve been an ass; I think she might want to slap you hard on the face after all she’d been through," Jey said without batting an eye. As much as I hate how my best friend shamelessly insulted me with her statement, I couldn’t deny that I was indeed harsh on Jane, just because my walls are so high that I expect no one to be able to break through them. I just couldn’t admit it to anyone, and I don’t think I ever will.

We decided to just call it a night, and I refused to talk about it again. Jey understood my situation, so she didn't push the topic anymore. Jane's things were still sitting by the couch as I entered my flat. I went to the fridge to find something to eat and found the kimchi fried rice she had prepared earlier. I instantly felt a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach, making me gulp.

This is so fucking crazy. Why do I feel like I'm homesick? I guess I need to visit my physician soon. I can’t be like this. There are probably some scientific explanations on what I’m feeling right now. I removed the food from the refrigerator and decided to reheat it in the microwave. Jane's cooking is indeed superb – just the smell of it can make my mouth water.

You miss her, don't you?

No, shut the hell up, brain! I shook my head and tried not to think about Jane.

What about her things here? Should I send them to her place?

I was eating and enjoying my meal when my gaze was drawn to Jane's luggage in the living room.

Should I call her?

I checked my phone, and she had not responded to any of the messages I had sent earlier. It was almost midnight; I wonder if she was still awake. I dialed her number again to see if it was ringing, and it finally did, but she instantly declined the call. My face fell, and I sighed in frustration. I typed a new message and sent it to her.

>> To Jane: If you want to call off the deal, then talk to me properly. <<

My heart pounded when I got a message from her immediately. Not that I felt excited, but as soon as her name appeared on the screen, I eagerly opened her message.

>> From Jane: The deal is off. Please forget everything that happened. I'll just ask someone to get my things. If you want to tell everything to my dad, have it your way. <<

My teeth clenched as I felt the lump on my throat while reading her message. I laughed sarcastically to myself.

Why can't I handle her? Why do I feel bad, anyway? It would be easier if I just cut our ties and just forget about everything. With a heavy heart, I started typing on my phone.

>> To Jane: Yeah, sure, nothing happened. <<

I stood up and placed the plate on the sink. Pausing and staring down at it, I realized I was being restless. This is not me. I don’t know what I want, and it’s fucking killing me inside.

.

.

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[JANE]

"I swear to God, don't give me this silent treatment, Jane Terranova," Reese Posie said as she stood in front of my bed, both hands on her waist, staring down at me. After we arrived in my apartment, I just slumped against my bed and just stared at the ceiling. Everything felt like a nightmare. A crazy nightmare.

"Reese, I don't have anything to explain. She just proved she's an asshole, and you're right, she only wants sex," I said, closing my eyes and trying to relax. I just want to forget everything that happened, and I hope that my best friend would stop interrogating me. However, I am fully aware that she won’t stop until she gets the answer she wants.

"Do you like her?” she said abruptly, causing me to get up on my bed and glared at her.

"Are you kidding me?!” I looked at her in disbelief. How can I like that asshole? She’s a control freak and a narcissist, just like Nicholas.

"I was just curious; there's no need to be defensive; so, what's your plan now?" she asked, sitting on the edge of my bed, her gaze fixed on me.

"The plan is… to just… just go with the flow. I'll tell my dad that Khali changed her mind about my business proposal. That's easy for me,” I shrugged and sat back in my bed, refusing to look at my best friend in the eyes. I don't trust the words coming out of my mouth lately, and I'm still not sure how I'd get out of this mess.

"And how about Nicholas? Are you going to date him? Girl, you're not straight. You're as straight as wet spaghetti noodles," she folded her arms, and I just laughed at her joke.

Yeah, right. Dating a guy had never crossed my mind. Just the thought of it makes me feel nauseated. There’s no way I’m gonna date a guy, especially a guy like Nicholas. But my best friend won't stop asking me unless I give her a definite answer. Crossed fingers, I spoke, "We can always pretend, or at least I can pretend while I'm thinking of other ways to get out of this ridiculous matchmaking."

"How about Khali? She's been texting and calling you. Why don't you talk to her and call the deal off directly?" she wasn't letting me off the hook and lay down beside me. She looked on her side, waiting for my answer.

"I don’t know, maybe tomorrow. I'm so exhausted right now. Just sleep here, please," I said as I moved my position to rest an arm across my best friend's petite frame. Reese is attractive and hot, but I will never hit on her. We're just cool as being sisters.

"I miss just being an introvert," I mumbled. She snorted and chuckled, then moved closer to hug me tighter. I wish we can always be like this. I realized I missed my best friend even if we always see each other. I was so restless after what happened in the Casino, and I still can't believe my life has been turned upside down because of that single mistake of challenging Khali to a bet. I had no idea how much a single night might alter my life.

"Your situation is exhausting and depressing. If I were in your shoes, I might just run away from everything," she said. I never expected this to hear from Reese. She's the type of person that never gives up, no matter how difficult things become. She is a person who lives by the principle of logic and is always curious how things would go in the end.

"Running away is not an option, Reese. The problem is still there. You just avoided it, but it will always come back," I told her.

"Just like how you ran away from Khali?” she asked, leaving me stunned. Is this her method of convincing me not to run away? A smart girl she is.

"See? You have to fix this, Jane. You can never run away. You have to talk to her," she said. I hate that she's always right.

"What else to talk about? There's nothing to talk about, Reese. It's over; I found out what she wants,” I closed my eyes and tried not to think about her. Tho, her touch still lingers on me. Her lips were sweeter than any other I'd kissed before, but I'm well aware that she's not good for me. She's a temptation I should avoid.

"So she initiated it?" Reese threw another question, causing me to open my eyes. I felt hesitant to tell my best friend what happened, but I can’t lie to her. I'm sure she'll get the truth out of me sooner or later.

"It was me."

"What?!” She sat up and looked at me with wide eyes.

"So, why are you running away?"

"I don't know, Reese. It's scary," I looked away from her and turned my back. I silently cursed at myself for being helpless. She’s putting me in a hot seat.

"Holy shit! All this time, I thought she forced you," she stifled a giggle, and I wanted to glare at her. She tried to pull me up, and I just let her.

"No, I'm not sure how or why it happened. It happened too fast. I was confused or may be tempted. You know... she's... ugh! Just forget about it!" I looked down, hiding the blush on my cheeks due to embarrassment.

"Tempted?!” She raised her voice.

"I don't know, Reese. Just, please. Just let this go,” I pleaded with her, feeling even more befuddled and disappointed in myself.

"Okay, for now. But we're not done on this, Jane. I’ll let you rest,” she said, and we both lay back to bed. I'm not sure if I would be grateful for her not pushing the topic anymore, but her last words didn't help me to feel at ease. She then scooped me closer. I bit my lower lip and let out a long sigh. I really can’t fool my best friend. She came from a family of lawyers.

Damn you! Khali! I hate you so much!

I waited for Reese to fall asleep before I decided to text Khali. A single message won’t hurt. I don't want to hear her voice, so calling her is not an option.

>> To Khali: The deal is off. Please forget everything that happened. I'll just ask someone to get my things. If you want to tell everything to my dad, have it your way.<<

I’m not running away. This is just my way to solve this.