forty-two

Kao

Our lips met and for a while, it stayed just that.

Pressed against each other.

Until I felt his mouth moved on me and and I didn't know how much I missed the way his lips felt till that moment.

It was slow at first.

Calculating.

Until I felt him bit on my lower lip and we were kissing.

Really kissing.

I even heard a moan when I felt his tongue with mine although I didn't have any idea where the sound came from.

And in that moment, my mind was empty.

There was only me and him and that moment with our lips on each other's.

I had no idea how long we had been kissing.

Only if I wasn't feeling the urge to catch some air didn't I think of pushing him away and break the kiss the same time I realized what was happening.

My eyes flew open and I had to step away.

Pete groaned and made a move to pull me back but I was already able to escape from his grasp and stood in front of home wide eyed.

Fvck!

What the hell did I just do!?!

I closed my eyes and massaged my temple before I looked around.

I tutted when I realized that we were still standing by the side walk not far away from the main gate of the house and it suddenly hit me.

This feels like the first kiss we had five years ago.

In front of my house that cold Friday night.

The night we got together.

I groaned inwardly.

This was never in the plan, what now!?!

"Kao--!"

I raised my hand to stop Pete from speaking any further.

I didn't know what to respond to anything that he had to say.

My mind is in shambles and I think I needed time to recover from what just happened.

"I'm -I think I'm not going to school today after all."

I said as I turned and made my way back to the house .

I raised my hand and unconsciously touched my lips.

It's still felt warm and raw and I could still feel Pete in it.

Fvck!

I did it right!?!

I kissed him.

I pulled him towards me and kiss him!

And he kissed me back.

"Ahhhh!!!"

I buried my face on the bed and muffled my scream before I wriggled and coiled on my bed screaming and yelling in silence when I recalled what happens a few minutes ago.

I had no idea what I was thinking.

I didn't plan it or whatever.

I just stood there and stared at Pete and I suddenly realized how I missed him all these years and how happy I was that he was actually there standing in front of me and I just lost it.

And now I didn't know how to face him.

Huh!

Should I just dig a hole and bury myself in it!?!

Or maybe I could put my head inside a plastic bag or something so Pete won't be able to see me and I wouldn't be able to see him.

And I wouldn't be reminded of how crazy and stupid I really am!

"Ahhhhh-!!!"

I screamed on the pillow yet again when I heard a knock on the door and my eyes widened in horror.

Is that him!?!

What does he want now!?!

I was glad he didn't run after me when I walked out on him earlier but now what!?!

"Excuse me, Kao, it's Jen."

I heaved a relieved sigh when I heard Jen on the other door.

I even sat up and got off the bed to open the door for her.

Maybe she's just checking on me as I never really stay in these days.

That was what I thought it was and I felt a little happy only to be crashed when I heard what she said just right after I opened my door to her smiling at me.

"Young Master wants you in his office."

I blinked at Jen.

My heart sank.

I didn't know what to say or do even.

"Wha-what-did he tell you what he wants!?!"

I asked Jen although I roughy know the answer.

I mean, after what happened, Pete can't just be wanting to see me for coffee, right!?!

But I still asked Jen anyway.

"No, Kao, he didn't say. He just told me to ask you to go to the office as soon as possible."

I nodded at Jen and excused her all the while still contemplating on whether to go or not to go to where Pete was and face him.

I ended up going.

And while I was on my way, I was trying to formulate logical and believable excuses as to why I did what I did earlier grabbing and kissing him all of a sudden.

Or wait.

Maybe I should start with an apology.

Right.

I shouldn't have done that to him right?

You never pull someone for a kiss just like that.

Right?

Right.

It was not right.

Fvck!

Okay, whatever!

Maybe I'll just tell him that I was so stressed out and I didn't know what I was doing.

Something came over me and I didn't know what I was doing.

He'll believe that.

I'm sure he would.

I groaned as I reached the office and stood I front of the door.

I heaved a sigh for a boost in confidence.

Okay, apology first Kao.

Tell him you're sorry for what you did and just let him speak and answer his queries.

Okay.

I nodded to myself and knocked on the door three times before I opened it with my apology ready.

"I'm really really sorry for --being late, Rein? What's -Kaleb, hi!"

I swallowed dryly when I saw Pete with his brows furrowed at me with what I said.

I thought he called me for a talk about what happened earlier but instead, he had his desktop on a video call with Kaleb and Rein and their new baby who was cooing in Rein's arms.

"Kao!!! Hi!!! I'm so excited to finally introduce our baby to you guys, are you ready!?!"

Rein exclaimed.

Excitement was written all over her face the same way fondness was on Kaleb's face.

I smiled at the sight and for a while there, I forgot all about Pete.

"Okay, here you go..."

Rein said as she moved closed to the camera and adjusted the baby in her arms the same time Pete scooted over and moved closer towards me.

"Uncles, meet, Kaleb Jr.!"

Rein showed the baby towards the camera and as if on cue, Pete and I awwed in unison and even greeted the baby at the same time.

"He's so beautiful."

I told the parents.

Rein and I and Kaleb were constantly messaging but they never showed me a picture of their baby as the said they want both Pete and I to meet their son together at the same time and that they would arrange for that meeting and apparently that meeting is now.

"Good thing, he looks exactly like his mama."

Rein and I laughed at Kaleb's reaction to what Pete said.

"Very funny."

Kaleb glared at his best friend and that's how the catching up and meeting the new born ended up.

With Kaleb and Pete bantering and outsmarting each other with sarcasm.

"So when are you guys coming back here? I'm so excited to see the baby in person, and you too Rein, it's been so long."

I asked and smiled as I saw Kaleb held his baby and swaying him when Rein mentioned how the baby seemed to be sleepy.

"I'm excited to see you in person too, Kao! We have so much to catch up on. But, Kaleb and I decided to not travel the baby before his christening and we plan to do that after a month so maybe after that? Also, we want you guys to be two of the godparents so why not you and Pete fly here then, and maybe we can catch up on a vacation, how is that!?!"

I smiled at Rein's suggestion and glanced at Pete beside me.

"I think that's a good idea. What do you think, Kao?"

Pete spoke even before I could regard Rein and I didn't know why him calling my name like that sounded strange to me.

Although I'm not sure how to categorize that kind of weirdness that had my ear burnt the way I felt it.

"Great! You two need a break anyway."

Kaleb said as he excused himself to get the sleeping baby in the crib.

"I'm always ready when Kao is."

I had to clear my throat as I avoided Pete's smile beside me.

Ugh!

I hate myself right now.

"Good. So it's set then, Kao, alright?"

I blinked and shook my head.

I reused to look at Pete leaning closer beside me.

"I-well, I don't know. There's still uni and I don't have my passport yet so-."

I jolted when Pete dropped his hand on the table and regarded me.

"I'll have your passport ready within the week don't worry."

I leaned away when he leaned even closer and I was almost at the verge of pushing him away if he didn't stop advancing.

Damn!

Why am I sweating!?!

"All other stuff too. Just tell me when you're available and I'll take you wherever you want to go."

I swallowed dryly and looked towards the computer to the couple for help but I didn't think they got my message.

"Ohooo-!"

I heard Kaleb clapped and moved closer to the screen.

On the other hand, his wife was shrieking beside him.

"That sounds so romantic Pete."

I heard Rein said and I could only roll my eyes.

"Do it you guys. We'll be waiting here for you."

Kaleb smiled at me and I just had to nod at them as Rein was nodding.

"Right, Kao, it's Monday, don't you have class today. Don't tell me you skip class to finish stuff at the office?"

Kaleb then asked me again.

"Uhm. It's Uhm. I-yeah. I had to finish one last batch of paper works. So yeah-."

I lied.

I had no pending paper works anymore as I finished it already yesterday because of Pete-because I want to avoid him again.

"Seriously!?! Did Pete ask you to? Pete, come on!"

Kaleb regarded his boss unamused.

"What! I didn't ask him to do anything. I was even ready to send him to school when he left me by the road and went back home."

I instantly looked at Pete when he said what he said and I was not ready to be reminded about it just yet.

"What?"

He glared at me.

"Don't you have things to do? I thought you're going to the city for something important today?"

I asked him in greeted teeth.

I didn't want him spurting nonsense.

"Yeah. I changed my mind."

I narrowed my eyes at him and he could only raised his eyebrows at me.

The hell this jerk is doing!?!

Does he have any idea what his eyes are doing to me at the moment!?!

And why am I even feeling funny!?!

We were staring at each other for sometime when a heard a loud cry from the other nearby computer.

I almost forgot we were still in a video call with Rein and Kaleb and now their baby is crying.

"It's fine, let me do it."

Kaleb stood up to check on their newborn right after he excused himself and that's when Pete's phone rang.

Oh, thank god!

I need him far away from me at the moment.

"Excuse me. I have to get this."

Rem nodded at him as I shrugged thinking he can very well go and not come back.

I heaved a relieved sigh the moment the door to the office closed and I turned around to Rein smiling knowingly at me.

"What!??"

I asked her and she just shrugged.

"I don't know, you tell me."

I furrowed my brows at her as we both glanced at Kaleb lulling the baby on the background.

"So?"

Rein asked again.

"What? I don't know what you're talking about."

Rem smiled at me and shook her head.

"The last time we talked, you said Pete wanted you back."

"I said, he said, he wanted me back."

"Okay. And?"

"And, I don't believe him because he could just very well be saying that because he wanted to make up to me and he was guilty for leaving, you know rich people thing."

"Really?"

"What?"

"Pete can say anything he wants. I mean, he can tell you anything he wants. But seeing you again, after five years, which by the way happened because he looked for you, and the first thing he told you was that he wanted you back, Kao, what's stopping you from believing him?"

"I don't know. I mean-I don't know, Rein. I actually don't know anymore."

"He just told me everything last night. What happened, why he left--."

"And?"

"And that he wanted me back."

"Huh, that's been consistent."

"Also..."

"Just this morning..."

"Uhuh?"

Rein nodded for me to continue but I just had to trail off and looked back to check on whether or not I was still alone in the room.

I couldn't afford to have Pete listen on me telling on Rein.

Kissing him was embarrassing enough.

Telling would be a death sentence for me.

But I didn't have anyone to tell it to except Rein and Kaleb-who was still so busy with his baby at the moment and now that I actually was talking to Rein, I just realized that I would get crazy one more minute and I won't be able to get this out of my system.

"I k-.!"

The door opened and Pete was at the door.

Fvck!

"I'll talk to you later."

I told Rein who obviously didn't believe what I just said.

"Send my love to the baby. It's nice meeting him but, I forgot I have an email to reply to so yeah, laters, alright? Congratulations again you two! See you! Bye!"

I said and waved at the couple on the other line before I walked straight out the door not minding Pete who was calling me.

Shet!

I thought and talked about that kiss and my heart was beating this way, how will I be able to survive this!?!