7 comments/ 8233 views/ 12 favorites Contracting Love By: huntred "Dad I love him and I will marry him." I said furiously to my dad. "Meona Johnson, you are not going to marry him ever and that's my final decision." He snapped at me. "Why dad why, why don't you want to see me happy?" I asked him crying. "Meona he's not right for you." He whispered. "Dad stop it, you don't know him. He loves me." I told him to make him convince. "No he doesn't Meona. He's just using you for your money. Can't you see it?" he asked me. "No dad you are lying. Just because he is not as rich as us that doesn't mean that he's after money." "Meona it has nothing to with that trust me." I was thinking of a loop hole in this situation to take my dad down because I love him so much that I can't stand to lose him. Then an idea came in my mind. "No dad it has everything do with that." I told him acting on my plan. "No Meona believe me that is not true at all." He told me defending himself. "Okay dad you know what I will not marry Chad but there's a deal on it." I told him. "What deal?" he asked me. After thinking for a moment on my plan; when I was assure of it, I started telling him the deal. "Dad if you don't want me to marry Chad then I will marry someone else who you would be assured of loving me and if you back out of the deal then you will not interfere in my life again." Here goes my shot. I knew he would never agree to such a deal at anyways. "Okay deal." He said. "Wha__ okay deal." I was shocked on his response. Now I have to think of something else but Chad was worth it so I was gonna try my best. I told Chad about it to seek his help. But instead he cut the phone on me yelling at my stupidity. I know I was stupid to make such a deal but there was nothing coming in my mind to convince dad. When nothing seems to be working I called my last resort my best friend, Amanda. It was her who dragged me to that club where I first met Chad. He was partying with his friends when his eyes fell on me. He was so adorable with perfectly curved body and blonde hair. I was spell bound by his personality so much that when he asked me out for a date no was never going to be the option. Then date after date my attraction for him grew and one day he asked me to be his girlfriend and I happily agreed. Even though we were a couple then but we never advanced to the next step. We were only limited to kissing sessions nothing much. I wanted to wait for it so I told Chad about it; he was upset at first but he eventually agreed to me. He was such a gentleman to me respecting my decisions, I like him for this. Days passed and two days ago he asked me to marry him, I was shocked at first but I knew I will be happy with him so I said yes to him. Yesterday I brought him to meet my father, after he left my father banned me to meet him. I was angry at first but I knew my father very well so I calm down to handle the situation but heck when I tried today this situation goes worst pushing me into the abyss of this so-called deal. I wanted to win it at any cost so I was going to go beyond the limits. "Hey ,Meo." Amanda spoke up from the other side. "Hi! Amanda I kind of need your help. Can you come over?" I asked her. "Okay be there in fifteen." She said cutting the call. I waited for her to come. "So what's the problem with you this time?" she asked storming into my room. "Umm___ look there's a deal I made with my dad and I need your help on it." I told her nervously. When I told her about the deal and everything she laughed at my situation. Her stomach started to pain but she didn't care to stop. I was getting angry at her more and more. "Amanda stop it now." I snapped at her. "Okay okay." She said controlling her laugh. "Look I'm sorry for snapping at you but you know how much I love Chad and I can't lose him like this." I told her. I knew she would understand me when nobody did. We were best friends for life for the past ten years. We met at our high school and being in same class we became friends, our hobbies and likings were very much alike so it took no time for us to become BFFs. "Okay look all you have to do is find a guy who's unsuited for your father's pride and make him fall in love with you and then make your father back out of this deal by showing that he will embarrass himself in this society by making you marry that guy and you will won the deal. But you have to make sure of it that that guy will never know about this deal." She told me narrowing her eyebrows and waiting for my reaction. I evaluated her plan. It was very much feasible. But the only thing distracting me was what would happen with that guy when I won the deal. "Amanda how's that guy?" I asked her. "Well don't worry about him. When he will know that you were just using him for this deal he will give up on you and leave you." She replied. "But Amanda I can't do that I mean how can I hurt him like this. It will be unfair to him." I told her with sympathy for that guy. "Meona do you want Chad or not?" she asked me. "I do but" she cut me off and grabbed me downstairs to walk out of my house. "Where are we going?" I asked her jumping in her car. "My little friend that guy Is not gonna come to you to make him fall for you. So sit quietly." She said with sarcasm. "Okay. Thank you Amanda for this description." I replied. We went downtown to find a perfect guy for my plan. Amanda knew that the type of guy we were looking for can only be find there. We reached downtown and started the journey of finding my lifesaver. " Amanda how's he for our plan?" I asked Amanda pointing towards a guy. " Damn you Meo. He will rip you apart when you will tell him about the deal. We have to find a weak hopeless guy for this plan." She replied furiously. "Okay don't be such a rude. Why can't we gave a guy money to act for us?" I asked her. "Because then he will be acting to love you and your father is not a child to not spot the difference. You are such a child no wonder you fell yourself in this deal." She replied angrily. She was right at her point. We roam the downtown for hours. We got exhaust in our way so we decided to relax at some restaurant there. "Table for two." Waitress asked looking at us. She must be thanking god as it's not ordinary when people like us walk into their restaurants. "Yes." Amanda replied. "Here" she said courting us to the table. When I sat down I saw people staring at us like we were some godforsaken aliens. "Amanda why are they staring at us?" I asked Amanda. "Baby c'mon relax they are not used to people from our society. We are like gods to them." She replied proudly. I never liked that special attention given to us because we were exclusively rich. We are humans like then. I always wonder how money can change the feeling of people. "Welcome to Finashio. List your order please." A voice came over. Both Amanda and I moved to see a guy in glasses looking at his pad ready to write our orders. He didn't take a look at us. Amanda was offended by his behaviour. But somehow I felt relieved on seeing that someone knew was there in this world who is normal to be don't bothered by our status. He was exactly the innocent and hopeless guy we needed. I just knew that it's not in his blood to hurt me after having knowledge of my deal. He doesn't look me as the type of guy who could hurt anyone. His aura was like a child one. I wonder will Amanda will agree with me at this. I looked at Amanda; she was thinking something. I was wondering if she thinks the same then we met our guy. "We haven't decided yet could you please come after a minute." She asked him. He nodded his head and went away. After he went we both looked at each other. I can see in her eyes that I was right. "Are you thinking the same thing as me because if you are you are damn right." She asked with a shine in her eyes. "Yep. we did it." I replied with a smile calmly. She looked at me excitedly so I constricted myself so that no one can see me after what is she going to do. "Yes yes we made it. We find him. He's the one." She shouted in excitement enough to be heard by everyone in the restaurant. I knew this was going to happen. She was so much childish in her ways but that's the good part with her; she never minded what people will think of her, she was like the lioness of her own domain. "Amanda stop they are staring again." I ordered her keeping my head down. "Let them be." She said adjusting in her seat. "So what do we do now?" I asked her. " Are you serious Meo? Okay leave it. When he came to take the order you have to work your charm on him." She said looking for any sign of him. I was nervous like hell. I was not experienced at it like her. She could take it easy because she's a pro at making guys fall for her but I am not used to it. I didn't even tried to flirt with Chad how can she expect me to flirt with a complete stranger who is not a single bit interested in me. "Miss your orders please?" a voice came over me. I looked up to see another guy staring at us with lust. He was not that guy earlier. Where did he go? Did he hate us so much that he can't come to take our orders again? If he did how am I supposed to make him fall for me? Several questions were running in my mind but with no answers to them I looked up at Amanda. She was disappointed too. "Hey! Where's that guy from earlier came to take our order?" she asked the waiter. He looked shockingly at her. It wasn't his fault because it was too awkward for me too at that situation where we were asking for a waiter. "O you mean Kent. Well his shift ended so he went back home." He replied looking at me. So his name was Kent. It was an unusual name. He must be a superman fan. Wait why I'm thinking so much about his name. Then my mind went to his other words: he went back home, I looked at Amanda to see her looking at me. "Okay so do you know his address?" Amanda asked again. "No" he replied "Is there any way we can reach to him now? " Words flew through my mouth. I was shocked at my words but more than me Amanda and the waiter were. They both were looking at me with wide eyes. "Umm_ you can ask our manager about this." He replied. "Okay. Where is he?" Amanda asked. He took us to the manager. The whole way Amanda was looking at me with surprise. She opened her mouth to say something but I instantly stopped her by saying that "I was eager to make my plan work." She nodded her head but she didn't seem to be buying it. We entered the manager's cabin and asked him Kent's address. We told him that we are his friends and want to meet him. He didn't agree so Amanda threw some dollars at his desk and in a moment we were out of the restaurant with his address. I was first time in my life not nervous but excited to meet a guy; it was an unusual for me maybe this was because we finally were going to advance in our plan by meeting him I don't know what was going on with me but I was not caring to know it. All I knew was that I wanted to meet him now. We pressed the doorbell of his apartment. The door opened. We saw a girl of our age in front of us holding a little girl in her arms. She looked at us both with confusion. Are they his wife and daughter; my chest constricted at this thought. I felt a tea forming in my eyes therefore I quickly turned around. I was sad but I don't understand the reason is it because he's not the guy for my plan or is it because he is married and can't be with me. "Are you Kent's wife?" Amanda asked. She opened her mouth to say something but I knew what was going to be her answer so I hastily moved from there not wanting to be miffed by her answer. I ran to the road with a tear dropping from my eye. Silly tears why were they coming again when there was no reason for me to shed them. I was moving promptly when I thumped into someone. KENT'S POV: I was getting ready for home as my shift ended when Shina, my co-worker congested me saying that there were some customers from uptown and there is a shortage of waiters to attend them. I always hated those people because the man with whom my mother eloped leaving me and my father alone was one of them. I was only ten at that time it wasn't easy for me to cope up with my condition but my hatred for her and those filthy rich people concealed my loneliness. I can't stand the thought of seeing them but as there was no other option therefore I decided to help her. I reached their table keeping my gaze down because I don't wanted to see them plus taking their orders without interacting with them will not be a problem. "Welcome to Finashio. List your order please." I asked them keeping my voice calm. I can't see their faces but with the stilettos they were wearing I was able to tell that they both were females. "We haven't decided yet could you please come after a minute." One of them said. My anger again started boiling in me but I kept it under control and walked out of there. What a type of mindless people still finding it difficult to select their order. I walked out of the restaurant not wanting to see them again. Through the whole way to my home I was thinking about my mother's cruel act and my anger was reaching its peak. She belongs to a rich family and fall in love with my dad. They got married but after marriage she started getting sick of my dad because of his financial condition. I remembered how she used to hold me and kiss on my forehead and used to tell me that she will always be with me but that all was an act for her. She left me and my dad alone for some rich prick who can afford to give her everything she wanted. I memorized how my father used to get drunk every night thinking of my mother but him although of his pain and loneliness never dropped out of his responsibilities for me. He gave me everything he can afford; everything but love, I never blamed him for this because I knew that he was aching for love too. Our life was moving on smoothly until one day my so-called mother showed up on our door and asked my father to hand me to her. But at that time there was nothing in my heart for her but endless hatred. I threatened her to go out of our lives and never come back if she wants to live and she did, that day my father never came back to me. News came from police that he got in accident and killed himself and a couple in the other car while drunk driving. Amy was the only child of that couple so feeling guilty for my father's carelessness I took her in with me because we both were at same stage now; orphan. She was five then so it was very difficult for me to take care of her but my neighbour Rosie helped me. She was my best friend since childhood so I can depend on her. She helped me a lot to get along with Amy and now after two years since that accident we were bonded in a unknown relation. She didn't remember much about her parents so she thinks me and Rosie as her only family. Tears were forming in my eyes on thinking about how much I had lost since now. I can tell from the surrounding that I was in my neighbourhood. I was wiping down my tears with my hand when a girl knocked into me. I clutched her to pull her away. "Sorry I wasn't seeing where I'm going." I told him apologising. She was looking at me with red eyes that meant only thing that she was crying. It was not usual for me to crash into someone when we both were crying. She was still looking at me like she knew me but I had never seen her. Her gaze with those blue eyes was penetrating my heart. I couldn't see her face clearly as it was dark at that street. "What are you doing here in this dark, it's not safe. Go home." I told her. She opened her mouth to say something but she was cut off by a voice coming towards us. She immediately wiped her tears and tried to act normal. I felt bad for her. "Meo, where are ...... here you are." That voice said. I knew that voice, it was the one of those uptown girls who were at the restaurant. My anger started approaching me but I stood there because my legs weren't allowing to move leaving these girls alone in this dark. So I decided to stand there calmly. That girl looked at me and smiled then she whispered something in that crying girl's ears. I don't know what she said to her but I wanted to thank her because that made her smile. Putting my thoughts away I looked at them with no emotion. "You girls should better be get going unless you want to get killed down here." I told them to make them scare away. "Kent Meo wants to talk to you." That other girl said. That's it. They got on my nerves now. I walked out of there not caring about them getting killed, I doubt if they talk to me again this time I will kill them with my own hands. "Please Kent listen to me please." A voice came over. My heart started beating faster on hearing that voice. My legs literally froze there. I moved to see that other girl Meo whatever her name was looking at me with hope in her eyes. I so wanted to say no but my tongue was like programmed to say yes to her. "Whatever you want to say you have one minute for it." I told her. "Look i__ I want to___ can you...maybe." she tried to say something that I didn't understand because I was busy looking at her innocent face when she was trying her best to say. Wait what no no no I wasn't looking at her I was only listening to her nothing else I told my mind. Arggghhh what's happening to me, God help me. I started walking out off them furiously not caring about my heart which was constantly telling me to stop. "Iwanttotakeyououtwithme." she babbled. I instantly looked at her confused. MEONA'S POV: I felt sad when I saw his red eyes out of crying. My heart felt like broken on seeing him that sad. More tears fell from my eyes on seeing him but I wiped them away when I heard Amanda's approaching voice. She told me that the girl back there at his house was his neighbour looking for that little girl which was his sister. I felt relieved on knowing this. I shouldn't be happy at this, I mean it's his personal life why should I be worried if he has a wife or not. Wait she wasn't her wife but she can be his girlfriend right I again lost in my thoughts. I snapped out of my thoughts when Amanda hit me with her elbow in my belly. I looked at him. He was looking confusedly at us. I doubted if he remembers us, hell I don't think he even saw our faces back at the restaurant. But if he doesn't know us why is he standing here with us. "You girls should better be get going unless you want to get killed down here." He told us. He's not is he? Yes, he is standing there looking for us. I felt happy at his kindness. I never knew that people could think with this dignity to help some strangers. I looked at Amanda asking for her help. "Kent Meo wants to talk to you." She said to him. Wow that was very helpful. Now I had to do it myself. But he didn't seem to agree with us. He started walking. With every steps he was taking my heart was losing its beats. I don't want him to go. 'Well why you don't want him to go' the voice within me asked me.' I don't know may be because he is important for my plan' I tried to convince it. Again I was In my thoughts huh! What is going on with me? I looked at Amanda she was pointing towards him, I looked in his way. He was going. He was.... "Please Kent listen to me please." I asked instantly. Just look at me- look at me- c'mon look I was thinking in my mind when he looked at me. "Whatever you want to say you have one minute for it." He told me looking into my eyes. His eyes were making me nervous to even say a word. "Look i__ I want to___ can you...maybe." I tried hard but I wasn't able to. My words were like struck in my throat. He waited for me to say something but when I failed he started walking with pace. His steps were stabbing my heart at that moment I felt like if I didn't say anything then my chest will constrict within me. Contracting Love "Iwanttotakeyououtwithme." I told him. He looked at me with confusion again. I looked at Amanda she was laughing at me. "What?" I asked them both. "You were blabbering." She replied while he was silent but I can see the happiness in his eyes. "No I wasn't." I asked blushing. "You were Meo." She said. I looked upon him I knew that if I didn't say anything now he will leave soon. So I assembled my courage to talk to him. "I want to take you out with me. Tomorrow if that's okay with you." I told him closing my eyes waiting for his answer. But when his didn't talk for some time I started getting curious. I opened my eyes to see that he was not there. I looked at Amanda she was also dumbstruck. "Where did he.." I was cut off by Amanda pointing at the stairs. He went upstairs to his apartment. Why did he go away? Did he didn't want to go out with me? I was feeling disgusted at myself he didn't want to go out with me. He hates me.' Oh c'mon he doesn't wants to go out with you doesn't conclude that he hates you' the voice within me again said. But I was still thinking the same thing. Thought of him hating me was consuming my heart; so without much thinking I went to his apartment and started thumping his door firmly. The door opened and I saw two eyes filled with extreme anger and pain. He came out and closed the door behind him. "Who the hell do you think you are?" he snapped at me. But I wasn't listening to him; my mind was captured by his eyes which were killing me with their looks. My heart was threatened by them. A tear rolled down my cheeks. KENT'S POV: Why did she want to take me out? This question was revolving in my mind again and again. First I had to confront those people whom I hated the most and then I have to guard them because my silly mind told me to protect them and now this. My anger was boiling in my nerves. My thoughts were disrupted by a hard knock on my door, I hinted Rosie to take Amy in her room. I was praying to God to not see them again because if they did I don't know how I will react. I wobblingly opened the door and saw her standing in front of me. My whole body started shuddering with anger and the next thing I know is "Who the hell do you think you are?" I nearly shouted at her. She was looking in my eyes. I can see the fear in her eyes and then a tear rolled down her cheeks smearing my anger with it. More tears fell down. I reached her and pulled her into me she was trying hard to resist me. I embraced my finger her cheeks to stop those tears from falling. She immediately froze at my action and looked me in the eyes. MEONA'S POV: I froze when he touched my cheeks. His finger was sending tingles through my whole body. My tears stopped when I saw in his eyes. There was no trace of anger just pure concern for me. I smiled at him. He looked shocked at my sudden change of mood but I was surprised too it didn't happen to me ever that one person can make me cry and smile so easily with his eyes only. "Why do you want to take me out?" he asked. I can't tell him the answer so i moved my gaze to Amanda hinting her to help but she was looking at him constantly and this raise a feeling of jealousy in me. For the first time in my life I was feeling jealous moreover from my best friend and much moreover for a complete stranger, but he doesn't seem a stranger to me at all. I never got the feeling that he was a stranger. I never felt this feeling around Chad. What's happening to me around him was a mystery to me that I never wanted to solve. "Are you listening to me?" he asked making me out of my thoughts. "Haa.... yes I ummm .... listening to you." I muttered at him. "So answer my question then." He said. What should I tell to convince him? I was thinking and thinking and then for a moment my mind blacked out. "I don't' know but you felt to me different than others. At the restaurant you treated us like any other customers, back at the street you waited for us to go for guarding US even when we are completely strangers to you. I haven't seen anybody like this so umm I felt a attraction towards you. I want to know you better that's why" I stopped when my mind started working. What the hell were you saying? I cursed myself 'did I really felt like that' I asked myself. 'Yes, you surely did' came the reply. I was taken aback with my own answer. I wonder at the reaction of Amanda on this but when I felt her gaze on me I chose not to look at her as I knew what will be her reaction. Now there's only one thing I wanted to hear. KENT'S POV: I knew that she was telling the truth from that look in her eyes but I don't wanted to trust her because she was one of them. Since the childhood I had learnt to hate them so It was difficult for me to trust her but something in her was making me question myself 'Was I right not to trust her.' I thought on it for sometime; her eyes were telling me to say yes so I coated my hatred for them in my heart and decided to give it a try. I knew that if she acted like one of them then it will be impossible for me to mend myself but an unknown force was making me think that she is worth it. I tried to speak but "It's alright if you don't want to go." She said looking disappointed. That look made my will to say yes more strong. "Tomorrow at eight." I said instantly and walk into my apartment not seeing her reaction. MEONA'S POV: Did I hear right? Did he really say yes? Did he... my heart beating faster and I started jumping like a child there but I stopped myself when I saw Amanda laughing at me. "What was that?" she asked me. "What, he said yes." I replied blushing. "And you are hopping like rabbit at it." She said with sarcasm. "I was happy because my plan will work out." A feeling of guilt washed over me when I said this. His sad face came into my mind.' I knew that he will be sad when I will ditch him but I have to do this plus it's not a big deal for him too' I tried to convince myself from this. She dropped me home and I hushed towards my room. In my bed my all thoughts were occupied by him but I didn't want that to happen so I quickly texted Chad. 'Still angry for 2day' I waited for his reply. 'nvr babes' 'thank you' 'wanna go on a date 2morrow' 'no busy' 'kay' 'you love me, right?' 'yes, why ask?' 'See'ya. Love you too' 'bye' 'Why'd you asked him if he loves you or not' the voice within me asked. ' I was just asking him nonchalantly' I replied. 'no don't try to fool yourself; you was making sure that you love him.' That voice said. 'no it's nothing like that' I said 'right' I cut it off; now this voice was annoying me. It wasn't like that at all as it was saying. Next day I was way more thrilled to go out with him. As the time was passing my body was going numb with nervousness. I wasn't able to decide on what should I wear. I knew if I didn't get help then I will be doomed so I instantly grabbed my phone and called for my help. " Hi! Can you come over now I need your help on something?" I asked her. She came within minutes raiding my room. Her lips widened in smile on seeing the mess in my room. "What the hell were you doing?" she asked me. "Help me I'm confused to what I should wear to my date." I told her not even listening to what she was saying. "Date." She asked me narrowing her eyebrows. Then I realised what I just said. "Okay I get it but help me already I'm getting late." I said blushing. "Awww little baby wants to get ready for her date." she said pouting. "AMANDA . STOP . IT. NOW." I told her with my cheeks burning in heat. "Okay let's find you something to wear for your DATE." She said again looking at me. I gave her a killing look folding my arms to my chest. She got it that if she said one more time then she is going to get stroked so she stopped immediately. I got ready in a purple gown. There was one hour remaining till my date when I remembered that I didn't give him my address so I got in my car and reached his apartment. I knocked his door. When he opened I instantly turned my gaze on seeing him shirtless. He closed the door on me. I felt heat burning in my cheeks I have never seen a guy's bare chest not even of Chad. After sometime he opened the door. "Sorry I didn't know you will come this early." He said. "I didn't give you my address so i... are you ready to go?" I asked. "umm I have to get a shower first then I'll be ready." He replied. "Okay I'll wait in my car then." I said moving towards stairs. "No. I mean you can wait in here till then." He said caressing his hairs. 'Aww he's nervous to ask you in there, that's so cute.' The voice in me said. 'Shut up he's just being modest "Are you sure?" I asked him. He showed me the way in. So he was sure of it. I followed him to his living room; he pointed me to his couch and I sat on it. He went into a room, his room I guess. After a minute I started getting bored when I heard a noise from a room behind me. "Kenny where are you? I'm scared." That voice trailed off. It must be that little girl from that night. I opened the door and entered. She hugged me hardly. It was dark in her room so she couldn't see who I was. She was crying so I took her in my arms and patted her back. She stopped crying. My hand went to search for the switch. When I did she saw me. "Who are you?" she asked me wiping her tears. She was so adorable in her fairies night suit. "I'm Kent's friend." I replied. "Where is he?" she asked. "I'm here Amy." His voice came behind me. I moved myself to see him standing there looking at both of us. After a minute that other girl came in. She took Amy in her arms. Kent hinted me going out so I followed him there. He closed the door. "Thank you." He said. "For what?" I asked him. "For what you did back there. She is difficult to stop when she start crying." He replied. Then I realise he was talking about Amy. "No need to mention. She was crying so that's the least I could do." I said. He didn't say anything. We both went to my car and I drove him to my favourite restaurant. When we entered I can tell that he was nervous. When we sat on our table he was fidgeting. I couldn't bear to see him that uncomfortable so I reached out for his hand. He looked at me when I grabbed his hand. His hand was so soft just like the night when he touched my cheeks. His hand was making me to go into my fantasies but I knew this was no time for that so I hinted him to get up. I took him out and we sat in my car. "You should have told me if you were uncomfortable there." I asked him driving. "But I... you were happy back there. Sorry to ruin your mood." He replied innocently. I looked him in the eyes they were gleaming, making hard for me to keep my gaze off them but I was driving so I turned my gaze. "So where do you want to go?" I asked him nervously. He looked at me in shock. It was an off tradition; a girl asking a boy to go out with her and then asking him the site too but something in him was forcing me to break the rites. He thought for some time and then entered the location in my gps. "What's there?' I asked him seeing the location. It was near woods. "You will see for yourself." He replied. I drove to the place. We parked near the woods. I walked with him in the woods. Being a normal girl I should have become worried about his intentions but I didn't. I was just following him like a lost puppy. After some bushes he stopped. "What is.... hhhhhhheeeeerrrrrrrrrrrree." I almost said astonishing. We were at the edge of a hill. The whole city was clear to my eyes. Even though in dark it was glittering like gold. I looked at him and my world stopped there. He was smiling; for the first time I saw a smile on his lips. We sat there in sand for sometime cherishing the look. "It is actually better than that place but so you know that we both are hungry." I said to him. He stood up and went into the wood after some time he came with some fruits. He reached to give me some. I took one and looked at it. "They are not poisonous right?" I asked him. He didn't replied instead he took one fruit to his mouth to take a bite. I instantly ran to stop him when my feet tripped off a stone and I fell on him. Our chest crushed with each other. I can feel his heart thumping. He closed his eyes. My body filled with dread. They were poisonous. After a moment he closed his eyes. "You are heavy get off." He said looking at me. I blushed hard like hell and said " i... I'm not." "You are choking my breath." He said again. I get off him. "They can be poisonous." I told him hitting his arm. "No they are not, at least for the past ten years." He replied. So he was coming here for that long time. I was in my thoughts when I saw him coming near me; my heart started beating faster, I thought he was going to kiss me but I felt disappointed when his hand reached in my hair pulling out a leaf struck there. We both walked to my car again. "So where do you want to dinner?" I asked . "If that's okay with you then we can dinner at my apartment?" he asked me. I looked at him giving him a questioning look. "What I can cook okay." He said furiously. His innocence made me laugh at him. The drive to his house was silent. When we reached his apartment he quickly went to his kitchen to made dinner. Meanwhile I thought of seeing that little girl. I entered her room cautiously. They both were sleeping. I reached her and looked at her sleeping face. Sleep added to her innocence and beauty. I brushed her hair with my hand. "Momma" I nearly choked on her words. She doesn't open her eyes but she was still mumbling something, I thought she was dreaming. I gave a small kiss in her forehead she stopped mumbling on my kiss, after that I leave the room. I went directly to kitchen to Kent. KENT'S POV: She was so caring for me. She took me out of that restaurant because she saw me uncomfortable. She also surprised me when instead of getting angry at me she asked me my opinion for the place to go. I took her to my hanging place. I first found that place when I was eleven. That place was the only thing where I could find peace from my fucked up life. She was looking comfortable in that place which I never expected of her. And the most important thing that touched my heart was that she ran to stop me from eating that fruit. She was proving my every opinion of people from his community wrong on her. She was nothing like them. I was taken out of my thoughts when I heard some footsteps behind me. "Umm.. kent can I ask you something?" she asked me. I nodded my head in response. "Where are your parents?" she asked. That question brought a lot of memories back in an instant. My mother's face came into my mind; that women that I hated the most. i controlled my emotions to answer her. "They are dead." I replied. It was truth. My father was actually dead and my so-called mother was a dead person to me too, so this seems truth to me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that." She said looking guilty. "It's okay. This doesn't hurt anymore." I lied. No matter how much time passed it will always hurt me. But she didn't deserve to feel guilty so I had to lie. "What are you cooking?" she asked trying to change the topic. She wasn't very good at it but I was happy she tried. I told her what I was cooking for us. After I finished I served her food and we started eating. She was eating like a pig but a cute pig. She must be very hungry I thought. When I was eating I saw a shadow nearing us. I stood up to see Amy standing near the wall. Meo saw me looking at her. She immediately stood up and reached her pulling her in her arms. "What's your name baby girl?" she asked her. "Amy." She replied. "Aww such a cute name." She said tickling Amy. She laughed on her tickling. I never tried tickling her so I never knew that she is ticklish. The whole time I was looking at them both chatting and laughing on god knows what kind of girly talks but I never mind because Amy was happy around her. She never involved with anybody so easily. Even Rosie had to put up a pile of efforts to befriend her. "So you want to watch a movie?" Meo asked to Amy snapping me out of my thoughts. Amy looked at me for my consent I gave her a smile. "Which one?" I asked her. "Tangled" they both sang in unison. Girls I tell you. I put the movie on and we all sat together on the couch. Meo was keeping Amy In her lap. During the movie we heard a snoring coming from Amy's room, definitely it was Rosie. They both laughed at the voice. Meo whispered something in her ear and they both stood up giving a playful smirk. I doubted their intentions so I followed them in the room. Meo whispered something in Rosie's ear and she immediately woke up like a storm. "Where where." She asked. We all started laughing at her that's when she realised she got played. Meo and Amy were laughing hard holding their stomach. They were looking like a little family, my family. 'What the...... what am I thinking; she is just here for one night. In some moments she will leave and then your family dream is gone.' I said to myself. Meo gave Amy a high five on their victory. "You little devil." Rosie snapped at Meo blushingly. "Sorry" she replied. "Rosie it was Kenny's idea." Amy said. Her eyes reached me giving me a killing look. "Amy." I growled at her. They all started laughing at my face. "What?" I asked them all. They didn't reply so I moved to a nearby mirror to see if something's on my face. There was nothing. When I moved a pillow come crashing my face. "Pillow fight" they all shouted and in a minute that room was changed into a chaos of pillows lying everywhere. When I tried to stop them they all looked at me with a devil smile. I started backing my steps to find a corner to save myself but it was too late. A rain of pillows started on me. I was dodging them with my hands when I tripped and fell on something smooth and my lips were touching something tasty. Silence trapped the room. I opened my eyes to see what's going on. My eyes widened when I saw two eyes looking at me. I quickly get off her. "Kenny and Meo sitting under a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Amy sang. I blushed hard looking at the ground. When I looked at Meo I saw her cheeks tomato red. She was still facing the ground. I looked at wall-clock. It was 11:30 of night. "Umm.... Meo it's too late, you should leave for home." I said. "Okay." She said hesitatingly avoiding my gaze. She started walking towards the door when Amy grabbed her hand. MEONA'S POV: His lips were so soft when they touched mine. I never have felt like that in my whole life. His lips were like drugs to which I was willing to get addicted. "Kenny and Meo sitting under a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Amy sang making me blushed hard. I was thinking if Kent felt that connection when we kissed or it was a mistake for him. I can still feel the touch of his lips on me. I wanted to know his reaction but I was afraid of looking at him in the eyes or should I say a fear of rejection was sprouting In my mind. "Umm.... Meo it's too late, you should leave for home." He trailed off. Coming out of my thoughts I realised that this is time for me to leave but somehow I was looking for a reason to be here for more time. I never knew that my wish will be fulfilled that faster. When I started to walk a hand took hold of mine, I moved to see a cute puppy face persuading me to stay here. "Please don't go, we can sleep here me, you, Rosie and Kenny. Please." She said yawning "Amy she must get home. She will feel uncomfortable here." He interrupted looking at me. Doesn't he want me to stay here? Did he really take that kiss as a mistake? My mind started revolving these questions. Amy started giving me her puppy face. I knew that I'm going to concede it anytime now. Contracting Love "Okay. I will call home to inform them." I said trying hard to stop myself from smiling. I felt happy inside but more than me was Amy she literally jumped on me tackling me down to the floor. She hugged me tightly with her tiny arms. I felt like home or even more than home. This feeling was overwhelming me all over. I never felt like this hugging someone not even Amanda. "Thank you. We will chat all night. But first you should clean Kenny's germs off you before sleeping." She said. I choked. We all stared at her. Now again I felt heat burning in my cheeks. Traces of his lips started to get freshening on my lips. My hormones were rising making the urge to kiss him strong but Chad's face was fighting those hormones making my will loosen up. I went to their restroom. I was fingering my lips seeing myself in the mirror. I can see my cheeks going red by this. My lips felt like they were still wet by his saliva. Without thinking much I called my day and made an excuse. 'Eww what are you thinking. If you kept going this way soon you will be willing to kiss him more.' My hormones warned me. I swiftly get out of the restroom. I felt some eyes lingering on me. I looked up to see that they all were looking at me. "What?" I asked them. "Nothing." Kent replied. "Meo come here with me." Amy said patting her bed on her right side. I reached there and sat on it. "Do you want some pyjamas to wear?" Rosie asked me. She is too much affable. I have been here for like one hour and she doesn't seem a stranger anymore. "Umm__ okay." I replied. She went storming to her apartment and came with a pyjama. I changed into them ofcourse in the rest room. When I came out they all laughed at me. "Again. What now?" I asked annoyingly. "You look like a pig in." Kent stopped realising what he said. He was smiling again. Anything for that smile. "Sorry I was just.. " he was cut off by our strokes of laugh on his stammering. "Amy do I really look like a pig?" I asked her to know her opinion. "No." She replied. I folded my arms to see Rosie and Kent hinting them to apologise. "You look like a cute piglet." Amy trailed off in a second. My victory turned the other way round. I ran to Amy to punish her for this but she fiercely dodged me and started tickling me with her tiny fingers. "Okay okay I give up." I said controlling my chuckles. She stopped and laid down near me trying to pull me into her. She kept her one arm on my bell and yawned. "Rosie please don't snore this time." She said closing her eyes. I brushed her hair off her face and kissed her forehead. I looked up to see Rosie giving me a pleasant look. She mouthed 'good night'. She and Kent both left the room closing the light. When they left my mind started wondering if they will sleep together. 'C'mon now you are talking dirty' my hormones whispered in my mind. I felt relieved when I heard the sound of door opening. She must be going to her apartment that means no sleeping together. I would have kept thinking but when I looked at Amy all those thoughts were gone. I closed my eyes. Next morning when I woke up I saw her beautiful face next to me. This was the best morning I've ever had to this far. I got up very smoothly and went out. When I walked to living room, I heard some voices coming from kitchen. Silently I moved to there, the voices were becoming audible. I immediately recognised them to be of Kent and Rosie. What is she doing here this early? Are they...... 'no not again' I said to myself. When I got near enough I hide myself to hear them. My heart was beating faster on the thought of them making out there. I wished to never let it be true. "Kenny didn't you saw Amy last night. She was laughing, she was happy with her. Have you ever seen her that much happy?" she was asking him. So they were talking about me that just arouse my curiosity. "I know she was happy. But she is going to leave her in a matter of minutes. I do want to see her happy but she will be sad again when she will leave her. She's just a child." He was replying. "God Kenny why do you think they all are same? I saw her last night and I believe that she is not like that what you think of her." She muttered "Rosie I never said that she is like them. I saw her last night she is different but you know after all that I can't trust someone so easily." He trailed off. It made my heart go bungy-jumping in my chest but then I remembered of the deal. I have to make him trust me. I have to won the deal. 'But do you really want to hurt him?' the voice in me asked me. 'No but I want Chad so I have to do it.' 'Do you really want Chad?' 'I do want him. And now stop interrogating me' KENT'S POV: I want to trust her but I'm afraid if she broke my trust then Amy will never be able to make out of it. She has lost her everything at this age. She likes Meo but I can't let her get too attached to her. Thinking this in my mind I walked to Amy's room. I saw Meo on the couch. "You should leave before Amy wakes up." I told her. "Why is that?" she asked me. "Because if she saw you leaving she will again want to stop you and this is not happening." I replied her without wasting a second. She nodded her head and changed in her clothes swiftly. "So ummm..... Can we meet some other day?" she asked me when I was walking her to her car. Other day means she will never come. I was right about her. I felt my heart broken. I knew she will leave us but I wanted her to prove me wrong. "No, you asked for one time and that is over. Now go." I said with no emotions in me. I was in shortage of emotions though I had some care in me but mostly there was hate and anger. I didn't want her to get a taste of those when we were saying goodbye likely forever. MEONA'S POV: I don't want to leave like that but that determination in his eyes was telling me to go. I knew he didn't trust me to that extent now but I was stubborn much to make him trust me. "Please." I said in my most pleasant way. "No, I'm busy. Just go." He snapped with no emotion again. His eyes were blank there was nothing them not even anger. He was trying so hard to protect Amy from hurting as he thinks that I will leave her. His caring for his sister made me wonder how much he will care for the person he will love. What was happening to my thinking was still a mystery. But I want him to make my plan work. "I'm coming to pick you up at eight tomorrow." I said driving my car. No matter what he say I'm not going to give up. I reached my house. I was going upstairs to my room when I heard some voice from dad's study room. When I reached it I saw my dad closing his safe. My dad never told me what is he keeping in that safe; I guess there will be something very precious in it. He was always concerned about his business and pride, he never loved my mother. When she died he was at a tour for his business. I always hated him for this. He saw me standing there at the door and hinted me to come in. "Where were you last night?" he asked me. "I told you that I was staying at my friends' house." I replied. "Which friend, Chad?" he questioned. "No dad I was not." I replied with confidence. "Okay, you can go now." He said. I called Amanda and told her about this. She was surprised to hear that I stayed at his house. Then I called Chad and we talked and talked about us. I decided not to mention him about Kent for now. He asked me for a date so I agreed. We met at the restaurant secretly to not make my dad doubted about us. When I was with him I was missing Kent and Amy. He was complaining about my absent mind but I couldn't do anything to keep my mind off them. When I reached home my mind was only occupied by their thoughts in the night too. I was so eager to meet them both tomorrow. Next day when I reached his house I took no time to go to Amy's room as soon as he opened the door. She was so happy to see me there but Kent was looking surprised. I had to literally beg him to go with me. When Rosie came to babysit Amy we both went out. I entered that location of his spot and started driving. "Umm.... Can we go to your choice today?" he asked me hesitatingly. "But you will be uncomfortable and" I was cut off by him. "Today I will not. Try me." He said with determination. So I drove him to the restaurant. He was looking confused in ordering so I ordered for him. When I was eating I saw him looking at me. His lips were twitching because he was trying to control his laugh. "Why are you laughing?" I asked him out of curiosity. "I__ I'm not laughing." He said "That's because you are trying to control it." I told him looking him into his eyes. "I__ I was just ..." he tried to say. "You were just what?" I asked him narrowing my eyebrows. "Leave it." He said. "No, tell me or I will start tickling you." I threatened him in my way. He didn't replied so I stood up from my sit to make him assure of my intentions. "Okay sit down. I'll tell you when we get finished." We finished and walked out of the restaurant. Once we were in my car I asked him why was he laughing. "You were ___ eating like a pig there." He replied in hesitation. I blushed on his answer. I remembered what Amy said that night. It looks like they were conceding it. I don't eat like that. Do I? Definitely not. I saw him looking at me nervously. So I smiled at him to make him at ease. "So where do you want to go now?" he asked me. "Umm__ I don't know. You tell me." I replied. He thought for some time and then said "Let's go to the park." I was amazed at his choice. We quickly went to the park. After I've parked the car we went inside. We started walking their silently. I hold his hand while walking making a move on him, he looked at me nervously. We walked in the park holding hands. I felt very safe in his reach. He wasn't going to talk so I started. "So do you like Rosie?" I asked him. I didn't know how this came in my mind but I was eager to get the answer. "Yes." He replied. My chest constricted at his answer. "Do you love her?" I asked him hoping that he must say no. He looked at me thinking something. Every moment that was passing my heart was beating faster. "No, you got it wrong. I like her like a friend." He said. I felt very much relieved at his answer. He just killed me for a moment there. "Oh I thought.." He cut me off. "If I have liked her like that I would never have come with you." He told me. He likes me. He likes me. I know he didn't said it directly but it was confirmed from his talk. I wanted t hear it from him. "So why are you here with me?" I asked him. He looked at me. Just say you like me just once, my mind was shouting. "I don't know." He replied adding to my disappointment. "What do you mean you don't know?" I snapped at him. How could he say that he doesn't know? It was such a immature response. KENT'S POV: I didn't understand why she was angry. It wasn't such a big deal for her plus I really didn't know the answer. Saying that I have feeling for her was not a good idea at this time. I was not sure of her feeling hell I wasn't sure of mine even. "Are you deaf?" she shouted snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked at her. Her nose was going red In anger. She was looking so cute at that time. "Can you keep that face still for one second?" I asked her without thinking what I was saying. "What face?" she asked angrily making that face. "This face stay still." I told her reaching in my pockets to grab my phone. "What are you doing?" she asked when I was clicking her pic. Her cheeks were red in that pic. I know that wasn't the solution to that solution but what can you expect from me haa. "Did you just..... I'm still angry at you." She told me. I was silent again. She started walking to the exit. I barged in her way when I realise our face was two inches away. Her warm breaths were blowing my consciousness. She was looking into my eyes I wanted to do something but I was afraid to do so. I caressed my hand on her cheeks. They were soft like arghhhh I don't know what they were like, I don't want to compare her with something. She gripped my hand on her cheeks. She moved close to me I closed my eyes in excitement. Her lips touched mine. I lost my senses at that time. I was cherishing that moment when she suddenly stopped. I gained my senses realising myself that this was the thing I was afraid of. I knew that she will soon realise that she didn't want to be with me. That guilt in her eyes was confirming my point. I couldn't take it anymore. My whole life started banging on my mind. My hate was coming again. My childhood mate 'anger' was holding my hands but I didn't want it to go out on her so I ran out of there. MEONA'S POV: I was feeling so much guilty on cheating Chad but I lost control on seeing him that close to me. I was never that forward to kiss anyone but his lips were like magnet pulling my lips to them. I drove to his home and parked a bit far away from his home. I was waiting for him to come. I was going to walk out of my car when I saw him coming to that building. He was wiping his face that's when I realise he was crying. I clenched my fist to stop myself from crying but I couldn't when I knew I was the reason for his condition. I wanted to go to him but I feared on what I will say to him that I stopped because I have a boyfriend. i decided to cut the deal with dad. I want Chad but not at this cost. My eyes were blurry due to the tears. I started my car to leave when my body got numb. KENT'S POV: I was so stupid to let her that close to me when I knew it will only hurt. I was repeating the same mistake that my father did. I was cursing myself to lose my control which I build up all my life. She broke that control in seconds. She THUMMMPPPPPPPPPP A loud voice pierced my thoughts. I saw two cars whacking each other. My heart stopped when my eyes moved to the other car. It was her. I ran to it at my fullest. I pulled her out of the car. She added to my dread by making no movement. I shakingly touched her hand to check her nerves. Her heart was beating which made mine beat too. I called ambulance. I rushed her to doctor. After check-up doctor came out "Is she okay? Did she wake up? Any major injuries?" i was cut off by my list of questions by him. "She's fine and just some minor injuries. You can take her home tomorrow after some tests." he replied. I literally jumped but stopped on seeing him looking at me with confusion. MEONA'S POV: My head was hurting by the dizziness. It was my first accident i must say. I was lying on the bed when the door opened. "You okay?" he asked me with his voice filled with anxiety. My heart felt warmth on hearing his voice. His eyes were still red which remember me of him crying and the reason for that. I nodded my head. "I'm sorry this was all my fault. I shouldn't have left you there on your own." He said with guilty in his eyes. Tears were outlining his eyes. He was so girly but that was the sweetest thing of him. "It wasn't your fault. I didn't see that car coming." I told him to take off his guilt. He shook his head. "Should i call someone at your home?" he asked me. Telling dad was not an option so i told him to call Amanda. She came looking worried. Kent left the room. I told her that I'm going to cut the deal and everything except the kiss thing. "Why the fuck are you doing this?" she snapped at me. "SSSHHHHHH" i stopped her. "He was crying. His heart will broke if i did this to him." I whispered. "Meo for god sake he was just crying because he's a cry baby. You have to do this. You can't lose Chad like that. You have to win this deal." She trailed off. "i know but" she cut me off "Look if you are really that much concern about him we can give him a big amount of money after you marry Chad. This will solve his problems too." She told me. I didn't know him that much well but I know his financial condition is unstable. This will help both Amy and him. Somehow Amanda was making sense. But I was still confused to make a decision. "Kent." Amanda shouted. He came in looking tensed. "Look Meo's dad is out of town for a month and I can't keep her with me, so I was thinking if she could stay at with you till then?" she asked him. She's such a planner. "Okay, if she doesn't mind." He replied after thinking for a moment. I wonder what was he thinking. Did he doesn't want me to stay with him? There are always so many questions but no answers. Next day i shifted to his apartment. Amy was way more happy to see me there so was Rosie. Our trio had so much fun that day but the only thing bothering me was that Kent never became the part of our fun. He was in his room that whole day. Rosie cooked us food but he refused to eat also. What the hell was his problem? Why was he acting weird lately? Again so many questions were sprouting in my mind. Next day i woke up early and got ready. When i walked out i noticed his door closed and he was nowhere to be found. He was still in his room. Doesn't he had to go to work today?. I should wake him up i thought. I knocked his door he didn't reply. So i took the master key from the shelf and opened the door. When i entered i saw mess and mess. His clothes were everywhere on the floor and in the middle of them he was laying peacefully. I reached him. "Kent, are you okay?" i asked him. He still didn't reply i got worried. I touched him to know that he was burning hot. He has fever. I immediately ran to Rosie's apartment. She came with me to his room. We both helped him to get to his bed. She woke him up. He opened his eyes. "Did she" she was cut off as he pointed her to stop. What was she talking about? Are they talking about me? I should ask her about this later but not this time. She brought a med from his drawer and gave it to him. He slept after a minute. I walked to her. But before i could reach her she walked out as her phone was ringing. I followed her out. "No, Jack i can't come today. I've got an emergency." She said cutting the phone. "You can go. I'll take care of him." I said offering my help as i didn't want her to skip her job. She looked at me for a moment and then nodded her head in agreement. After she left i walked to him. I sit beside him. He was laying there like a statue. My eyelids felt heavy so i decided to take a quick nap. I laid my head near his face and slept. "No, mom please don't leave us. Stay please." He mumbles quivering. I woke up at this. He was trembling like a leaf in a wind. I tried to wake him up but he showed no response. "SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH. Kenny stop. You're okay." I whispered in his ears. He opened his eyes for a second to look at me and then closed them. In that second when i looked in his eyes, they were depicting his pain which causes myself to kiss his forehead to console him. He's been through a lot in his life but he was still trying to cope up with it. I sat there till he opened his eyes. He woke up after an hour. "What are you doing here?" he asked me thoroughly. "I was looking after you." i replied giving him a glass of water. When he drank some drops were driving his neck like pearls. I took a gulp of thirst in my throat. He walked out to Amy's room. He woke him up and told her to get ready. She went to bathroom giving us a smile. He went to kitchen to cook. I barged in to stop as he was still frail. I cooked us some soup. He was feeling better till evening. In the evening Amy and i made a plan to watch a movie. I thought of inviting him too. i flushed there on seeing him shirtless walking out after shower. I instantly moved my gaze. "I uhh come we are watching a movie." I asked him blushing. He put on as shirt quickly. His feet tripped off on the wet floor. He fell on me tackling us to ground. His warm breath was raising my hormones. I again felt that urge to kiss him. I closed my eyes and moved closer to him. A current of air brushed me. I opened my eyes to see him walking out the door. I felt my heart getting crushed by his rejection. He is still stuck to that park thing. I went out to Amy. He was sitting across Amy. He never looked at me the whole time. It was killing me to know that he was so far away even after being that much closer to me. This was not what i wanted. Hell i didn't even know if i wanted to use him as a prick in my deal or something else.