Chapter Seven: Sweet Nothings

Ken fell to the side, exhausted and panting furiously after another bout of intense coitus.

" I love you" he said, kissing her forehead.

" I love you too" Tiana replied.

After a while, she continued

" Babe" she said while moving her fingers in circular motions on his chest.

" Hmmmm" he answered.

" I was thinking we could go on vacay for like a week, two weeks. You know, since Kelly and I initiated the process to startup our Restaurant, I've been super busy and we've not spent quality time together as a result. And besides, I'm pretty exhausted. I need sometime to chill." Tiana said, raising her head to look him in the eye.

" You know that I'd really love that. But, I don't have a job anymore and.."

" You know I can handle that babe. It shouldn't be an issue. " Tiana countered.

Tiana, was the only daughter of the Medleys. Although they weren't so influential, they were above an average comfortable family. Their family company was agro based. Medley Farms even had a subsidiary, Medley Agri Growth. But Tiana didn't exactly trail her siblings paths as she had ambitions of her own. Regardless, she had almost everything she wanted, especially Money.

" I know, but that's not right. " Ken countered

" But it's my suggestion."

" I know pretty, but it's something I'd love to do, and it's something I will do, for the both of us, but let's give it time, okay? I promise that we will soon enough. And besides, your business needs your attention, more than ever. You need to be consistent, till it has it's foot on the ground." Kendrell advised.

Seeing that she wasn't totally convinced, he continued

" Ti, I know one week won't change the world, but it's still vital."

Tilting his head to the left, he held her chin and looked at her blue eyes.

" I know this is not the kind of life you would want to have w..."

" No babe, it..."

" Listen to me beautiful. Whether or not you think so, it's not the kind of life I want for you either. I want you to live a luxurious life, because of me. I want to see you rock the latest designers and all of that stuff, because of me, not because you're rich." he said with his usually sexy masculine voice.

" Even if I can't do all that for now, I'll do the best I can. Just give me time my love. And about the vacation, I didn't say we can't do all of that over the weekend, did I?"

" Really babe?" Tiana asked, unable to hide how happy she suddenly felt.

" Of course pretty. We will. Okay? "

" Thank you my love. But you don't have to do that if you don't want to, okay?." Tiana said.

" Of course I do. You're the perfect escapism from all of the drama."

" I love you Ken."

" I love you too, Barbie." Kendrell said, while Tiana giggled.

" Now you have to get ready for work. It's almost 9AM. "

" A sad reminder that I have to leave my baby. " Tiana mused sadly.

" You know you can stay if you want to. I don't mind."

" But babe, you've done enough already. I don't want to be..."

" Shhhhhhh. I don't want to hear you say that either. You know what, Miss Tiana Medley, it's no longer a suggestion, it's an order. " Ken said, mimicking the tone of an authoritarian, dramatically, earning a giggle from Tiana.

" Aye aye Sir. Thanks babe. " She said pecking his cheek.

Before Ken could respond, his phone rang.

He stood up from the bed and bent over to pick his trouser. He had left his phone in his pocket. Taking it from the pocket, he scoffed when he saw the caller ID.

" Who's that babe?" Tiana, who had also gotten off the bed to prepare for work, asked.

" Who else? Your annoying buddy, Malcolm." Ken said, making Tiana chuckle.

Kendrell had two best friends, Malcolm and Jordan. Malcolm, his Best friend from Thudes high school and Jordan his best friend from Grade 3 both from San Huego. But Malcolm left for Hentritch, to bag his College Degree, while Jordan and Kendrell both attended Cloveland Notch College in San Huego.

But the bond never weakened as they would always find time to keep in touch. Kendrell eventually moved to Hentritch, after college where he lived with Malcolm for a month, before moving to his current apartment.

Jordan joined the pair by moving to Hentritch, six months after Ken. But he lived on his own when he first moved to Hentritch. Infact, he even bought a house, for a handsome price. He was the richest of the three. His parents were by no definition, poor. He didn't have to toil too much to get a decent car.

But, asides Kendrell, who was her boyfriend, Malcolm was next in line for the most affable person to Tiana, amongst the three friends.

" I won't answer it. You know he's aware you spent the weekend with me. I'm sure he's calling to chaff me about it." Ken said.

" You don't know that for sure love. What if he's calling to know if the interview was a success or just to check on you. He's your friend after all." Tiana suggested, while Kendrell scoffed.

" You bet he would. We both know how crazy he can get." Kendrell said while Tiana giggled. " You both are a handful" she said, while walking to the bathroom. The call disconnected.

But almost immediately, it came in again.

' This jerk won't stop till I take his call ' Ken thought, before connecting it seconds later.

" What?"

Grinning, Malcolm answered,

" Come on bro. That's not how you say hello. You know, Tiana is such a nice girl. I wonder how she ended up with you. "

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Kendrell retorted

" What do you want?"

" My heart dude. You're hurting me. I'm only trying to be nice, but you...?" Malcolm said dramatically.

" Is that what you called to say? If that's it then, goodbye!" Kendrell answered impatiently.

" Come on dude! You know, I thought Ti would've rubbed off politeness on you, but it seems that's not the case. I mean for the past eight months, she still hasn't been able to do so." Pausing for a moment, Malcolm continued, " I just hope you don't inject your coldness in her, since you get to do the injection. I wonder how many times you've injected her this weekend alone. Please, I hope you don't mind passing the phone to her, I need to know if she's alright. You know, like if she can still use her legs or something like t..." Malcolm heard the call disconnect. He laughed out loud, knowing he had succeeded in pissing Ken off.

He called again with a wide grin plastered on his face. After some seconds, the call connected again.

" Hello Doc Ken. Or should I say, Nurse Ken" Malcolm teased.

" I swear, I hate you deeply. " Kendrell said through his gritted teeth.

" Don't say that, doc." Malcolm said, after he chuckled.

" Since you don't appreciate me looking after your girlfriend, I guess I'll have to sulk over that after dropping the call."

" Yes, I don't appreciate it." Kendrell replied almost immediately.

" Ok sire. My hands are up, for now. Anyways, what's up with Ramsey?" Malcolm asked, referring to the interview.

" Man, it wasn't funny. "

" How do you mean?" he asked, in a serious tone.

Ken recounted everything to Malcolm. By the time he was done, creases had already appeared on Malcolm's forehead.

" Bro, I think that woman has a history with your dad or something. Have you told him about it?" Malcolm asked.

" No I haven't. I plan on doing that later." Kendrell replied.

" Thankfully, they're not the only option in all of the city." Malcolm said.

" Yep! They can't be the only either." Kendrell seconded.

" I hope you're not stressing over it though?." Malcolm asked.

" No man, not anymore. I was, till I got home." Ken answered.

" Babe, have you s..." Tiana paused when she realized he was still on the phone, as she came out of the bathroom. She mouthed 'sorry' to Ken.

" Oh, now I know why" Malcolm said with a grin.

" Dude, listen, I'm not down for..."

" Hey there Ti. It's Malcolm!" Malcolm said, loud enough for Tiana to hear.

" Hey Malc. How are have you been?"

" Been good. And you? "

" I've been doing great. But I'm mad at you though" Tiana said.

" What? Why?" Malcolm asked with concern. He knew Tiana wasn't the type to say something like that baselessly.

" You promised to stop by the Restaurant last week, but you didn't. Why is that? First, you didn't attend the official launching and now, you don't even want to stop by" Tiana said as she sat next to Ken on the bed.

" I'm so sorry Anna. I've been as busy as a beaver. TIC (the company he worked at) is launching it's Major Spring Collection and as a designer, you can only imagine, I tell you. Please don't stay mad at me okay? I promise to stop by Ken's house, so we can go together. Okay?"

" You promise, right?"

" Of course Ti. By Thursday or Friday. Okay?"

" Okay Malc. I'll be expecting to see you. You know you're my friend too, right?

" No he's not" Ken answered immediately.

Malcolm laughed heartily.

" You're such a loser Ken." Malcolm said as Kendrell scowled. Before he could reply Malcolm, Malcolm continued,

" So , Anna, Are you sure you're doing okay?"

" Yes Malc. Is there a problem?" Tiana asked.

" I was just wondering, since you spent the weekend over at Ken's place, if you could st.."

Hearing the beep sound, Malcolm threw his head back in fits of laughter!