Another Chance

by Claudia Dewitt

  Now Ashley had to leave during the dinner because of an emergency at home.

  "The nanny called. Phoebe just lost her first tooth, and she is freaking out," she said and left before Katherine could convince her.

  There was loud applause when she was done with the speech. She came down from the stage smiling, shaking hands with people and thanking them for coming. Then her eyes caught something quickly. She paused and looked again to be sure. It was him. Her worst nightmare. The one person she shouldn't have met. But she did, and she would always regret it.

  Chapter 4

  It was her last year of college. She was in a volunteer group for a dog shelter. Williams had joined the group almost immediately after she did and they met. On that fateful day, they had accidentally bumped into each other and apologized to each other. Then a conversation started between them and soon they had become friends. They would hang out together, spend most of their time together, and even study together; then she started to get attached. Soon after, they started dating. It was all sweet and cozy; they were in love. Or was it just her? He once told her that he'd been noticing her way before he joined the group and she was the reason why he did. She believed him. So many people warned her about him anyway, his arrogance, corny attitude but she was too deep in love to even see it.

  After college, they continued dating and for years, he never proposed. Ashely had once told her that she felt she was being used, but she was upset and blindly ignored her. Whenever she asked him he would say, "Baby you know I love you more than you can imagine. I don't need a proposal to show it," and she would melt again. It made her buy most of her things in his name, her house, some property, even shares, in his name. Suddenly, he started to change, started to find faults in her, started to love her less. She wondered if he had ever loved her at all. Then he began to complain about her job, her clothes, her makeup, and even her friends.

  "You shouldn't wear this out; it makes you look fat. Your face looks weird in this. You're getting too fat; you need to watch your weight. And right there she started to lose confidence, began to feel inferior. He started to get into her head to the extent that she would change her clothes several times before going out. But that didn't change his attitude towards her. Sometimes, he would go for days without calling her, and when she did, he'd make her feel unwanted. Then she would cry for hours. But she couldn't leave.

  "I've invested so much in this relationship for me to leave Ash," she once told Ashley.

  Then one night, he came home from work. It was Christmas Eve. She had prepared all sorts of dishes for him and had even squeezed herself into a size ten gown to make him feel good. She also sensed that he was about to pop the question. She didn't know she was about to get the biggest shock of her life. He had come on to her with the “we-need-to-talk” phrase, and she knew something was about happening.

  "The problem is not with you Kathy; it's me. I need to find myself; I need to work on myself baby. I need space." She swallowed.

  "How long will it take?"

  "I don't know. Maybe a year, maybe two, maybe forever. What I'm saying is don't wait for me. Get married, live happily ever after. This marriage thing is not meant for me. I guess my parents' divorce still has its toll on me” And he walked out on her. It all felt like April fool to her, only that it was December.

  Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, yet he didn't come back. He blocked her out of his life, with her own money. Eight years of her life, gone. She couldn't bear it. She had once told Ashley, while in her five stages of grief, that he was probably gay since he needed to find himself. She almost lost her sanity, her job. It took a while before she could get back on her feet, thanks to her parents and best friend.

  Now this same person was walking towards her, after six years, smiling, arms locked in another woman's. She had always pictured this day, what it would be like but now all she wanted to do was disappear. She needed Ashley real bad.

  "Hi Kat, congratulations on your appointment. You've done yourself well," he said, smiling. How could he smile? How could he even face her? She wanted to slap that smile off his face. But she had grown, she was not the same Katherine.

  "Hi, Williams." She gave a cold smile that came out all wrong.

  The pretty lady beside him said, "Congratulations. I have always been a big fan of yours. Fortunately, my husband here says you guys go way back. It's so nice to meet you finally." She suddenly got weak in her legs.

  Husband? Did she say, husband? What happened to marriage not being his thing? What happened to find himself? So he had the guts to get married after ruining her life. Her legs almost gave in. But she couldn't let them see her weakness.

  "I need to use the bathroom," she said and quickly walked away.

  She regained consciousness at the back seat of her moving car. She remembered passing out after drinking up to five glasses of champagne. But what she couldn't remember was how she got into her car. She wondered who was driving her. Was it Williams? Or was she being kidnapped? She pretended to be asleep while trying to sneak a peek at the driver.

  "I see you're awake. Just how much did you drink?" It was a familiar voice. Jake. She yawned as though it was his voice that had just woken her up.

  "What are you doing here?"

  "Is it not obvious? Picking your ass up." Arrogance.

  "How did you know to come here?"

  He paused for a while.

  "Your father told me to come to get you."

  But that wasn't the reason. He was there when Tom was called to pick her up since he was her speed dial. Tom was going to order for a driver when he insisted on coming to pick her instead.

  "Oh." She felt embarrassed. What would he think of her now? "Thank you," she murmured. Then she continued, caressing the tip of her dress.

  "I'm usually not like this." His face was straight. It made her want to convince him more. "What I mean is that I’m usually not this type of person."

  "I don't judge," he replied.

  "Why?" She was curious.

  "Because I believe nobody is perfect."

  "Tell me about it..."

  The drive back home was somewhat better than Katherine had expected. She got to see Jake in a new light, and he tried to impress her. They couldn't stop talking. She laughed all through. She felt that she was probably still drunk or maybe he was merely funny. Perhaps I was wrong about him. Just that little time they spent together, she felt like she could relate to him, they had a lot in common, even their love life. He had once been married for eight months. Everyone was against it. His ex-wife was an exotic dancer, but he didn't care and still loved her like that.

  "I don't judge; I believe no one is perfect" he would always say. But she started to take that love for granted. Even when he found out about an affair that she had with his friend, he forgave her, but that didn't stop her. Soon she started to act weird. She would come home late, drunk and still lie about it. One day, she didn't come home at all. Jake searched every possible place for her, even the police station. When she was finally found, it was with another man. That was when Jake gave up on her.

  "I guess we were both naive then," he said, pulling up in front of the house.

  They were home. But for reasons she couldn't explain, Katherine felt sad about it. She didn't want the night to end. After what had happened earlier, she just needed someone to talk, someone to keep her company, someone to tell her it wasn't her fault. Not Ashley this time and not her father. Someone else.

  "We're here," Jake said, removing the seat belt. He was also reluctant.

  "Yeah, we sure are." She sounded disappointed. She pushed the door open and walked out into the house while Jake stayed back to move the car into the garage.

  She tiptoed into the house, then into her room, trying not to wake her father up. She opened the door and almost tripped over her bedside lamp that was lying on the floor. Someone grabbed her. It was Jake. She was in his arms, while he just stared into her blue eyes.

  "You
have beautiful eyes," he said, still holding her by her waist, tight.

  She swallowed, her heart rate started to increase. The feeling was weird but not new to her. Was she beginning to fall for him? She fought back the thoughts. She tried to get away from him, but he just pulled her back, close. Her heart began to pound faster and louder inside her ribcage. He could also hear him breathing heavily. Then he started to lean in. What is he trying to do? I have to get away! She thought. But for some reasons, she couldn't. Then he rested his lips against hers and kissed her, eyes shut. Katherine felt her lips tingle; she had not done this in a while, it felt weird but good. She closed her eyes in disbelief then opened them again. It wasn't a dream. Then she allowed herself to feel. She kissed him back, and the pressure increased between their lips. His hands started to rub over her back, then to her neck. His hand crept between her thighs, and she shuddered slightly as he removed the smooth fabric and realized there was a damp spot there. Back and forth, the edge of his hand went rubbing against her covered mound causing Kathy to begin squirming. He felt his cock throb as this move exposed her cleavage again, along with the part of right boobs. Taking another big gamble, he moved over her breast and cupped it in his hand. Her breast was as soft and smooth as he had imagined. He felt her erect nipple dig into the flesh of his palm, and he moved his hand, so it was in reach of his fingers. He writhed up his body and leaned down to kiss her again. Eagerly, she returned his kiss and pulled her supple body against his body. The kiss so absorbed her, it was only after some time that she realized what was going on. While their tongues continued to play, he moved his hands further down her back. They were trembling as he moved past the small of her waist and towards the flare of her hips. He excitedly grabbed one round cheek, then moved across the gap and felt the other. She moaned softly into his mouth and adjusted her stance, so her pussy was now rubbing directly on his erection. Kathy groaned softly, her voice dripping with lust as he pinched the rubbery tip. Then he stopped.

  "Watch your steps next time," he said and walked out of the room.

  Katherine settled in her bed, deep in thoughts. How could he leave her after making her feel that way? Was it that easy for him to control himself? Well, it wasn't easy for her. Was she getting attached to him? But it was too fast. She didn't bother to fight her thoughts this time. It was just for tonight. She wanted him, even though it sounded wrong, she still did it just for tonight.

  Chapter 5

  It was dawn. Katherine woke up with a severe headache that felt like was being hammered on her head. She stood up, and it got worse. Hangover, her mind told her. Then she walked out of her room feeling a bit undigested. It felt like her chest was on fire. That was how she felt whenever she couldn't get something off her mind. It was the worst feeling ever. She needed a glass of water and probably some painkillers. She walked out of the room into the kitchen, hitting her chest as though that will make it stop. She took a jug of water that was sitting on the table and poured it into a cup, then gulped it down her throat, but it didn't stop. Then she decided to go back in to prepare for work. "I'll just take some painkillers, and it'll be fine," she said to herself. Then she walked right into Jake who also couldn't get some things off his mind. She wanted to turn back and pretend not to see him, but it was already too late.

  "Morning," she said.

  "Good morning." Then she turned to walk away. He grabbed her by her wrist and said, "Are you okay? You look pale."

  "I'm fine, I'm just tired," she said. Then she paused, "so...about last night," they both chorused.

  "You go first," Jake said curiously. She fought herself hard to say it.

  "Last night was a mistake. I'm sorry for getting drunk and making you uncomfortable. It shouldn't have happened." He just nodded weakly.

  "It is fine." And he turned to leave. She could see the disappointment written all over his face. Was that not he wanted to hear?

  He stopped and turned back.

  "It wasn't for me."

  "What?"

  "What I mean is, it wasn't a mistake Katherine, at least not for me. It was sincere." She felt her heart rate increasing. Her face turned red. He continued, "I know it is quite fast. But I mean it." Then he turned away, leaving her standing there, more perplexed than ever.

  Katherine had to come home from work early. She was unable to work — every sound that was made her head bang even more. She tried to eat, but she had no appetite. Ashley and George had to come over to her office.

  "Thank God your show won't start until next month," Ashley had said, looking concerned. Katherine just nodded. Then George added,

  "I think you should go home. Don't worry about work here, I'll cover up for you,” She tried to oppose, but Ashley had already taken her bag out for her. So she just followed.

  A headache gradually developed into a fever as she got home; she felt worse. It was as though her whole body was being pricked continuously by tiny needles. She got down from her car and almost fell. She felt dizzy. She slowly walked into the house, watching her steps as every step she took affected her head. She checked her father's room; He was not home. She sighed. Whenever she was sick like that, her father would be one to take care of her. Her legs felt weak, so she settled into the chair at the dining room. I need to make it into my room and lie down; she thought as she stood up. She had just taken a few steps when she suddenly the whole house started spinning, she just staggered. There was nothing to support her, so she just fell to the ground and passed out.

  When she woke up, it was already evening. She was lying in her bed with a cold towel over her forehead. She removed it and tried to sit up when she saw Jake resting his head on the side of her bed, fast asleep. She wondered what he was doing in her room. Was he the one that took care of her? She tried to move but only succeeded in waking him up. He looked at her and smiled. She felt embarrassed and just looked away.

  "What happened?" she asked.

  "You passed out. I met you lying on the floor when I came in. You had a terrible fever too."

  She sighed. "Thank you."

  He moved closer to check her temperature.

  "The fever has gone down. But I still think you need to go to the hospital."

  "No. I'm fine, it's nothing serious," She murmured. He picked up the towel and soaked it while Katherine just watched.

  "Stop. I'm okay, you can leave now," Katherine said.

  "Why? Is anything wrong?"

  "This. This whole thing! It is wrong. You're confusing me; I can't even think. I don't know if I truly feel for you or I'm simply getting attached to you because I need attention... but you make it hard for me to think when I'm around you." She was breathing hard this time. Then she continued,

  "You keep showing gestures, and you act well to me...this was how Wil..." she paused, "I don't want to get hurt so let's just stop this."

  "That's what this is about. I'm not your ex-boyfriend, we are different. If you keep shutting everyone out of your life, nobody will be left. You keep thinking you don't deserve to be cared for because of one asshole but guess what, you don't deserve someone like him. You deserve better! I guess you've built your wall so high that you can't even see it." Her eyes started to get teary. She swallowed hard, trying to fight back the tears but she couldn't. All the memories that she locked away started to come back. Jake moved closer and wiped the tears off her face.

  "It's okay to cry. That doesn't make you weak. Okay?"

  She just nodded, pouring out more tears. He raised her face up and gently planted a passionate kiss on her cold lips. He was breathing heavily. Then she gave in. Her lips started to glide over his gradually. Her hands searched quickly for his buttons, then he moved closer and settled into the bed, lying above her. She unbuttoned his shirt while he took off her top. He was calm, and every of his touch made her moan. He gently took off her bra and placed his mouth on one of her nipples while he fondled the other. She let out a soft cry. It gave her chills. She had not felt like this in a while. She didn't want to stop n
either did Jake. He shifted his leg, sliding it between her thighs. It caught on her skirt, so he removed one hand from the nipple, placed it on the hem and shifted it up. Gripping the back of her thigh, he slid his hand up until he felt the soft, smooth skin of her bare ass. This time, he groaned, mouth still on her nipple, licking it in a circular motion, biting it softly. Her trembling hands left the back of his neck and went down to his groins, she grabbed it, till he ground his teeth. She succeeded in removing his belt, but he stopped her and pinned her hands against the pillow. He shifted her lace panties, moved backward, and then teased her cheek with his hands before sliding his fingers deep inside her. She let out a whimper. She was already wet down there and couldn't bear the wait anymore, so she pulled down his zipper and pressed unto him. She could feel her whole body on fire. He covered her mouth with his and slid into her. Soon he was inside her, gliding, savoring every moment. He started to glide slowly, till the movement increased, as his body pounded against hers, enjoying every moment. A few minutes later she came with a loud moan, while her body shook vigorously, soon after he came too with a jerk, breathing heavily.

  She woke up to him by her side. It felt like a dream only that she was wide awake. She moved closer to observe him better, his abs, his smooth face, hairy eyebrows. She didn't realize he had such long eyelashes. Every part of him felt new to her. Even this was a dream; she wouldn't want to wake up. She raised her hands to shift the hair by his forehead when he opened his eyes. It was too late to withdraw as she had been caught.