Her eyes beg for me to say ‘yes’. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
A swallow works its way down her throat in anticipation, flashing the memory of how perfectly it fit around my palm. Delicate and soft.
A magnificent spot for giving her a hand and a pearl necklace. After experiencing what it does to her cunt when I do the former, I know she’ll love the latter as much.
“We’ll drive to your place,” I say.
“M-my place?”
“We’re having our meeting today. If not my place, then yours.” Her mouth opens to protest. I turn my head away just as the elevator doors open. “No more arguments.”
***
I follow her in my car, arriving at the Roseville society in an affluent part of the city one hour later. Offhandedly, I calculate the distance between her building and my mansion in the suburbs.
Less than an hour away. Lesser if there’s no traffic.
Why does it matter how far away she lives?
Yeah. It doesn’t matter at all.
She’s jittery with nerves all the way up to her door, keeping her eyes away from me yet hyperaware of my presence in every step. Her long and slim fingers tremble as she pushes the key into the lock. Unlocking her flat, she waves an arm toward the hallway. “Come in.”
Hiding my amusement at her faux cordial invitation, I purposely brush my chest against hers as I walk inside.
Her long eyelashes flutter before she flashes me a fiery glance.
The door has barely clicked shut before a tiny dark gray furry ball comes rolling down the short hallway. At first glance, it resembles a baby raccoon. It comes into danger of colliding with my shoes. I widen my feet to let it race past me and to its owner.
Over my shoulder, I see Arya laugh happily as the baby kitten climbs up her right leg with her tiny claws. She doesn’t give two shits about the wrinkles in her skirt or the risk of the fabric ripping.
Dropping her purse to the marble floor, she cradles the kitten with one hand against her chest. Petting her back with the other palm, she speaks in a baby voice, “Hii, cutie-pie. Did you miss me?”
A low, soft purr fills the space.
“Aww, me too.”
A louder purr comes in response.
“You were waiting for me, huh?” Arya nuzzles the back of her ear, eliciting softer mewls.
I watch the wholesome exchange, transfixed. The bond between them is tight-knit and adorable. When she told me she had a kitten, I didn’t think she’d be so young. Arya also didn’t mention whether or not she has a roommate.
Is that why she got a pet? To cure the loneliness due to her broken engagement?
I have the urge to ask, does having Pihu come home to fix it or not?
“Yes, you were.” Arya chuckles, then waves a finger at me. “Look, I brought a friend. He did invite himself. But we’re not mad.”
Is that right?
I back up a step when she strides closer. “No, thank you.”
She does a double take. “You serious?”
“Deadly.” She arches one amused brow. “People’s pets and I don’t really get along. It’s safe to keep my distance.”
A shudder rolls through me as I recall the two incidents. One time, Rosalie’s pit bull tried to attack me. Nova was okay with sacrificing me as long as the dog ended up liking him. Thus, earning his wife’s affection. The second was at my house, when my best friend yet again let Fire, another one of his wife’s dogs, dry hump me.
