Perfect Strangers

She was pregnant? Now he had even more questions flooding his mind. He wanted to ask her where her father or Grace were that day, did Casper know she was pregnant? Did Victoria know that she was pregnant? But he knew, deep down, he had already pushed her far enough for one day, it wasn’t fair on her to push her even further. He could feel the liquid flow of heat start in the soles of his feet and spread like wildfire through his entire body, his rage bubbled to the surface. He was normally a laid back, placid type of guy, normally. One who didn’t lose his cool very often, but if pushed far enough, like any other human being, he was more than capable of snapping. He was right there, wobbling on the flimsy knife edge of snapping.

His heart and head began to cyclone together in a swirl of pure fury and his mind became darker the longer Myla stayed silent. He inwardly prayed that Victoria didn’t show her face in the summer house anytime soon, because if she did? he wouldn’t be held responsible for his actions.

“Say something,” he suddenly heard whispered into his ear.

He closed his eyes and swallowed, he couldn’t hold her any tighter to him, even if he wanted to, he was already practically crushing the life out of her delicate frame. “Thank you,” was all he could force out.

“Thank you? For what?” She whispered. She brought her hand from his back and ran it across her face.

He coughed and shook his head, he opened his eyes, willing himself to see past the tears that had fallen from his lids and pooled on top of her head. “Thank you for opening up to me and trusting me enough with this secret you have been carrying around for all of this time,” he rasped, trying hard to keep his tone soft, even and comforting. “I can’t imagine how hard it was for you, Juliet.”

pulling her head from his strong hold, she brought her palm to his face and wiped away the silver trails drying on his cheek, “I never thought I’d ever be able to tell anyone what happened that day, but you …you …you somehow made me feel safe enough to say it aloud.”

His eyes trailed gently over her face before meeting with hers, “You never have to be afraid to tell me anything, and I mean anything, I’m here for you and I’m going nowhere,” he replied softly with a smile.

“There is something else I want to say to you, and I feel now is the right time to say it,” she said, her eyes moved to lock on something behind his head.

“Look at me, Myla.”

Momentarily closing them, she let out a deep flow of breath before moving her eyes back to him, “Okay, I’m going to say this once then I’m going to finish Grace’s dress, I’m tired.”

He sat patiently waiting to know what else she had to say, what else she may share with him. He took a deep breath and began chewing on the inside of his mouth as he held her gaze. “We haven’t known each other long, Kai but you’ve brought so many emotions out in me since we’ve arrived in Florida, you’ve made me feel things that I never thought another man would make me feel again,” she paused to let out nervous chuckle.

He felt his breath catch in the back of his throat and excitement suddenly spurred though his chest, but he kept his face impassive to her words. “I’ve not felt this kind of connection I have with you with anyone else, not even with Casper. I can’t explain this force field that seems to be anchoring me to you, until about ten minutes ago, when it hit me like a bulldozer, out of nowhere.”

Say it to me, Myla, for the love of god, just say it. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that…” She trailed off, pursing her lips, she knew how she felt, she knew what she wanted to say but she was struggling to say them to him. No don’t stop, say it. Say those words to me.

“Myla,” he croaked. His throat had closed and his tongue felt thick in his mouth.

She brought her finger to his lips and held it there, “Quiet, I’m speaking, you’re listening,” she replied with a small smile.

Smiling behind her finger he nodded. “Kai Baxter, I want to tell you that today I realized that I’m in love–”

“There you two are, I wondered where you had gotten to,” laughed Stan as he entered the summer house dressed in a tailored navy blue suit, white shirt, and a deep purple tie. Kai felt his heart shrivel up and he lowered his head, avoiding looking in Stan’s direction. I don’t fucking believe this. Myla gasped at the sound of her father’s voice and rolled her eyes in clear annoyance. Nice timing, Father. I could kill you right now!

“Hey dad,” she said breathlessly. She painted on a smile and moved herself, unwillingly away from Kai.

“I just came to find you, to let you know we are heading to the venue now for the rehearsal dinner, are you sure you wouldn’t like to come, Rhett?”

I’d love nothing more than to come and bury that bitch you call a wife. “I’m good thanks, Stan. I’ve got some stuff to do whilst Myla finishes Grace’s dress and then I have plans for her,” he replied. Standing to his feet, he stretched out his aching limbs.

“You do?” She questioned and turned to look at him bug eyed.

“Yes, I do.” He bent in and kissed her cheek. “I’ve got some things to take care of, I’ll leave you to the dress, Juliet,” he whispered in her ear.

She grabbed his hand with both of hers, panic clawed its way to the surface. “What things?” She hissed back.

“Don’t panic, it’s nothing to do with you know what,” he replied calmly, kissing her cheek again and moving away. Turning, he slapped his hand on Stan’s shoulder, “Have a great night,” he offered before striding

towards the house.

His mind turned dark again when he walked into the kitchen and headed to the fridge, he needed alcohol to stem the incessant need to punch something or someone. He found a lonely bottle of Budweiser at the back of the fridge. Grabbing it he removed the metal cap with his teeth and drank the ice-cold liquid down his throat in one go. Gasping, he moved the empty bottle away, and stifled a belch threatening to spill from his mouth.

“Oh, Rhett, there you are, be a darling and do this up for me will you,” Victoria asked sweetly walking into the kitchen, holding a gold chain around her neck.

He dropped the empty bottle onto the floor tiles, startled at the sound of her voice. His body stiffened and he clenched his jaw. He had no idea how to behave, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, but he didn’t want to be arrested for murder, not before Grace’s wedding anyway. Stooping down he picked up the empty bottle and slung it noisily into the trash can before turning around to look at her. The second his eyes landed on her, he felt instant rage hit him. Folding his arms across his chest to prevent himself from doing something stupid, he narrowed his vengeful eyes in her direction.

“Well don’t just stand there,” she snapped, “do this up!”