After All This Time: Breaking Point

by Brown, Brittainy

  Liam smiled. “No problem, I trust you. Sorry I was being a jerk.”

  “You are forgiven but once you and your girl get back together. You’ll definitely owe me.”

  Liam chuckled. “No problem”

  That moment, Daisy came into the kitchen and found them.

  “Hey! What are you two doing in here?” she asked.

  “Well, I had to come to make sure Kate is sticking to the plan,” answered Liam.

  “So is she?”

  “Yea, I am,” Kate replied and continued. “I should ask you the same. What are you doing with that tall glass of champagne?”

  Daisy scoffed. “What are you saying?”

  “Oh, I saw the way you were looking at the cutey, Nick right? You have a thing for him, don’t you?” Kate asked.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about, Kate,” Daisy replied, but she was smiling.

  “Hold up! What is happening right now?” Liam asked.

  “Well, we’re sticking to your plan but we are allowed to have other plans for ourselves too, right?” Daisy asked.

  “Well,” Liam replied. “There is no problem with that. Just as long as it doesn’t mess with whatever plan we had before. By the way, you two are doing great.”

  “Oh don’t worry, it’s fine. Go meet the guys, we’ll be right behind you.”

  Liam looked at the two ladies suspiciously, and then went out.

  * * *

  “So, I’m thinking about how we can make this plan work with everyone gaining from it,” Daisy began.

  “Oh, I’m right behind you, girl,” Kate replied. “What have you got?”

  “Firstly, what do you think of that hot guy?” Daisy asked.

  “Oh, Luke is cute, I like him, he’s got some...”

  “Eeew, I’m talking about Nick, not Luke… wait…oh…you have a thing for Luke?”

  Kate thought for a while. “Well, not a thing, but I have always liked doctors” Kate replied.

  “Great, then we can all work together and make this happen. We can all leave this place happily, with a partner.”

  Kate frowned, “how?”

  Daisy thought for a while. “Emily gave me a warning outside to stay away from Nick, butit’s quite obvious that the dude is into me and he’s got everything I want in a man.”

  “Hmm. Yea. Your dream just came true.”

  “Yea, with just a slight hitch, though. The thing is you and I need to work together to bring Liam and Emily together at all costs. With that done, everyone could be happy.”

  “How?”

  “Just follow my lead. Come let’s go.”

  The Wish

  Liam realized Emily was still outside, so he went out as well. He thought he needed to make her feel comfortable so he wouldn’t push her too hard.

  He found her staring at the moon, just as they had always done together back at home.

  “Beautiful night, right?”

  She seemed startled, surprised to see him.

  “Yea,” she replied.

  They were standing together outside, side by side but with a considerable distance between them. It had been a while since they had agreed on anything and that little conversation felt so good.

  They both gazed at the moon quietly, not saying anything.

  “Is it true that wishes come true under the moonlight.”

  Liam was surprised and excited at the same time. At least, she was saying something. “I don’t know, why?”

  “I think I read it somewhere.”

  “So do you want to try it?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know what to wish for?”

  “Well, now that you’ve told me, I think I will try it out one day.”

  She smiled. Oh dear Lord, she smiled! Liam felt like jumping or flying… he felt everything at once. It was too good to be true.

  “Urm, I never said thank you for the night you brought me home. That was so nice of you, Liam.” She said, turning to face him while he did the same.

  “You don’t need to. I just thought I was at fault and I had caused it and....”

  “No, stop. Don’t blame yourself, just accept my gratitude.”

  Liam nodded, with a smile. “Okay, accepted.”

  * * *

  Emily hadn’t felt as relieved in a long time as she did with him standing so close to her. he felt like melting into his arms and leaving all her stupid plans behind her. She was so tired she just wanted to be with him. Why was everything so difficult and why was he looking even more handsome than he had always been.

  This was so not fair!

  Suddenly, he removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

  She looked surprised. “I’m not catching a cold.”

  “Oh, yes you are or you are about to. I see the way you positioned your arms. You always do that when you’re getting cold.”

  She smiled and wore the jacket. It was a bit oversized but it was enough to restore her shaking nerves. With his perfume in her nostrils and his jacket all over her, she had never felt warmer. It was just like being in his arms.

  “Thank you. You know me so well.” She said, smiling.

  “Of course, I do,” He replied.

  They were now quiet and looking at each other. Not saying a single word. The only thing in her head was a picture of them kissing. She sucked on her lower lip. She couldn’t even remember the last time she was kissed.

  “So, Kate...?” she started, unable to stop herself. “Are you two in a serious thing or a casual… I’m so sorry, it isn’t my business...”

  “Casual,” he replied. “I’m not ready for anything serious right now. what we had together was the best thing to me, and I messed it up, I don’t want to start something serious right now but who knows, maybe if I fall in love with her, it could turn serious.”

  Before she could reply-Daisy shouted from the balcony.

  “Guys. Are you coming in or not?”

  “I think we should go in,” Liam suggested, and they walked back together. Everyone was still at the dining table, which was already cleared. The two went back to their former seats.

  * * *

  Daisy exchanged a look with Kate as they spotted Liam’s jacket around Emily. Well, maybe their plan was beginning to work after all.

  “Okay, now that everyone is here. We are going to play a game. So, Emily, please can you help pass these cards around? Please, two cards for each person.”

  “Sure,” Emily replied, removing Liam’s jacket and standing up. She collected the cards from her and some pens which she started handing out. “Now, we are going to play the game truth or dare, and the questions will be written by all of us. So once we are done, please let’s all move to the lounge so I can arrange the cards.”

  “Why do you have to arrange them? Can’t someone else do it?” Emily asked her, suspiciously.

  Daisy chuckled. “Emily, you are having trust issues, which I know can be quite unhealthy. Back me up doc.” She winked at Luke.

  “Well, you are right. Trust issues can be quite unhealthy, but I support that someone else arranges the cards,” Luke replied.

  “What?” Daisy exclaimed. “I hate you, doc,” She joked.

  “So, quick, hurry up and write funny, scary and seductive questions, this will be fun,” Daisy said, looking at Nick who kept giving her a knowing smile. She realized Emily was looking at her and she quickly averted her gaze.

  “Are you not going to write?” Nick asked.

  “No, I’m not, besides there are no more pens,” Daisy replied.

  “I will give you mine once I’m through,” Emily interrupted them.

  “Well, thanks Emily, that is generous of you,” Daisy replied sarcastically, sending her a scowl.

  Later, after they were all through, everyone had forgotten Daisy didn’t write anything. She packed all their cards together.

  “So, what if Kate arranges them? Will you be okay with that?” Daisy asked everyon
e, but was looking at Emily on purpose.

  “Well…I...” Emily started.

  “That should be fine. I will do it,” Kate said, standing up.

  “Good. Thanks, Kate. So everyone, get your butts up and move to the lounge while I get us all drinks. Emily, please can you lead them to...”

  “Sure, no problem,” Emily replied and stood up, now holding Liam’s jacket instead of wearing it. Soon everyone was out leaving her and Kate behind.

  “Kate, quick, the cards.”

  Quickly, Kate brought out a pack of cards from her bag while Daisy packed the news ones away from the table and took a book from the stool to hide them in.

  “Don’t you think they will know we changed the questions?” Kate asked.

  “By the time they realize, we will all be joking about it.”

  “I’ll get the drinks, okay, you go.”

  “We can include some out of the new ones because everyone will be wondering what happened to their cards.”

  “Sure. Get the cards, I will get the drinks.”

  Truth Or Dare

  Everyone sat comfortably while Kate held the cards in her hands. Daisy handed each one of them a glass of wine from the tray in her hand and then put the tray carefully on the table.

  “So, how do we play this game?” Luke asked.

  “Well, that makes you the first to play,” Daisy said. Sitting down. “Please, go ahead and pick a card. The rule is that we will drink a little when someone does their task and anyone who fails will drain his or her cup alone while we boo unless she gets someone to do it for him or her. Then we will all have a refill. But note that, there is no changing the question. The person who helps get to go their own round. Got it? Good. Now, go ahead Luke."

  Kate shuffled the cards together and spread them out on the table in a face-down position.

  Luke excitedly rubbed his hands together and picked a card.

  Everyone waited for him anxiously to read it out.

  He at first, frowned and then smiled.

  “So, out with it,” Kate shouted eagerly.

  Luke sighed and leaned forward. “WHEN DID I LAST HAVE SEX?”

  Everyone in the room shouted and clapped.

  “So, go ahead and answer it, or someone will have to dare you,” Emily said, laughing.

  “Well, the last time I had sex was three months ago. That was before my girl left me.”

  “Awww.” Everyone chorused, and drank a little from their glasses.

  “I’ll go next,” Nick said excitedly, standing up to pick a card.

  Everyone watched him as he read it out. “Tell us one secret about you: one dirty secret.”

  Everyone giggled as they waited expectantly. “Well, what can I say. I once worked as a stripper, before I started my basketball career.” He said this directly to Daisy who was feeling uneasy

  While everyone shouted, Daisy gasped. To see him unclothed and playing around poles seductively… that would make all her dreams come true. It was the best dirty secret ever.

  Emily was having so much fun and she raised her hand. “I will go next.” Kate and Daisy exchanged glances, and she picked a card.

  Excitedly, she picked up a card.

  Daisy watched as the excitement in her eyes vanished and she looked… inexplicable.

  “Well, care to read it out?”

  Liam looked at both Daisy and Kate, wondering what in God’s name they had written there.

  “Well, Emily, we’re waiting. This is a game, remember?”

  Emily frowned and looked at Liam who was sitting on the next couch while there was nothing at her right except the only empty chair in the room.

  “Can you read it out or should I help you read it?” Kate asked.

  “Urm..” Emily started. “It says: GIVE THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU A HOT PASSIONATE KISS.”

  Everyone in the room giggled except Liam and Emily.

  Liam glared at Daisy. They didn’t have to put that, did they?

  “Well, there’s someone beside you. All you have to do is kiss him.” Kate explained.

  “But, he’s your boyfriend isn’t he?” Emily asked.

  “Yea, but this is a game and you have to do it, according to the rules. I don’t mind.” Kate replied.

  “Unless you want me to help you,” Daisy pitched in. Right next to her was Nick, who looked quite eager to kiss her.

  Liam sighed as he realized how much difficulty this was giving Emily. “It’s just a game, Emily, it doesn’t mean we are back together or anything, if you don’t want to,” he said quietly to her.

  “Okay, I will do it. It’s a kiss, that’s all,” he stood up as everyone waited.

  Daisy held Kate as they watched breathlessly, wondering she was going to do it or not.

  Liam couldn’t take his eyes off her as she leaned in closer to him and brushed her lips against his cheek.

  “That’s it, done,” Emily said, finally breathing.

  “No way,” the rest shouted.

  “What do you mean by that?” Emily demanded.

  “Hot passionate kiss is different from a peck. You need to do it right. But I can help you, like I said,” Daisy emphasized.

  Emily looked from Nick to Daisy, she didn’t really care about those two. But how would she kiss someone she was trying to get over and who she badly actually wanted to kiss but yet was feeling so uncomfortable towards. It was just ...ugh!

  “Maybe I should just drain my cup,” she said reluctantly.

  “No way!” Daisy blurted. Standing up. “You remember the last time you drank?”

  Emily scoffed, trying hard not to look at Liam. “Yea, well, I...” Before she knew it, Liam’s lips were on hers. He was kissing her, right in front of everyone, right in front of his girlfriend and his tongue..oh, his tongues tasted so delicious. She wanted to pull herself away before she lost herself in the moment but she couldn’t, she wanted more...maybe it was okay to do this time maybe she could just lose herself, maybe... but then he pulled away.

  “That is how to do it right,” he breathed into her ear, making her weak

  Everywhere roared with laughter while someone banged on the table.

  “That is what I’m talking about,” Luke screamed.

  Emily sighed as she went back to her seat. She could taste him and she realized how badly she had missed him.

  The game continued and she had no idea who was picking what anymore. Everything else was dead to her except for Liam. She kept looking at him as he laughed and joked with the rest while she sat still. The way he smiled, his laughter, his smell… his taste… she had missed everything. He still made her heart beat faster, he still make her legs grow weak, he was still the only one who would make her speechless… like now. Why didn’t she forgive him all this while? Why did she waste time, why didn’t she give him the time to explain so she could forgive him. Someone slammed the table and she snapped out of her thoughts.

  “Who’s next?” Daisy asked.

  “You are,” Nick replied.

  “Wow, it’s my turn already, yaay.” Daisy stood up and picked a card. “GIVE SOMEONE IN HERE A LAP DANCE, without touching.”

  Kate screamed, “me, me, me!”

  Emily smiled as Daisy looked at her as if trying to ask for permission and she nodded.

  “Get ready, Nick, cos I’m going to give you the baddest lap dance ever.” She said proudly, laughing.

  Nick adjusted his seat and Daisy walked in between them, turning her back to him... “remember, do not touch me, if you touch me that will be the end.”

  “No problem, you know I’m a good dancer, too.” Nick replied but kept quiet as Daisy began to wine and grind her butt all up in his face. Everyone was shouting. Finally, she was done and she walked back to her place.

  “Next is me,” Kate said, picking a card. “WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST IN THE ROOM AND WHO WOULD YOU RATHER BE LOCKED UP WITHIN A ROOM FOR A NIGHT? My God, why do I get the longest one?”

  “Answer!” Daisy shouted.


  “Well, the person I admire most in the room as you would guess is my baby boo...” She said standing up and walking towards Liam to sit on his laps.

  “Awwww,” Daisy chorused.

  “But I would love to be locked up in a room with Luke here. I heard that Doctors can be very bad.”

  “Word!!” Nick and Liam shouted at the same time as Luke who was shaking with laughter.

  “Liam, you are next baby,” Kate said, standing up so he could pick his card.

  “WHAT WAS YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL ROMANTIC MOMENT?”

  As soon as Liam read it out, Emily’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Well, I’ve had many romantic moments, but there was one where I met a lady who had been my friend for a long time, a long time ago, and whom I asked to be my girlfriend. The day she said yes was my most romantic moment because I can still remember we were both in the rain and our clothes were soaked and I had an umbrella but, I just couldn’t use it. Then we had our first kiss, right there in the rain.

  “Awwww...” everyone in the room chorused.

  Emily’s heart was coming back to normal. He was talking about them and the day she had agreed to be his girlfriend. It was her most romantic moment too and it gladdened her heart that he still saw it as a special moment between them.

  As Liam leaned back, he caught Emily staring at him but he acted like he hadn’t seen. Deep down, everything was working perfectly, because right there, she was smiling and was looking at him.

  A Step Further

  “We had so much fun, thank you so much,” Luke was addressing Daisy as they were stepping out of the house.

  “You are welcome, I am glad you had lots of fun, I hope we can do this again,” Daisy replied.

  “Yea, I would love to come around again,” Luke replied. “Nick, are you coming?”

  “Yea, I’ll catch up with you,” Nick replied before facing Daisy. “So, Daisy, this had been fun.”