7. Amala
Seven
Amala
“You scared us,” Gabriella said, squeezing my forearm gently. “Are you sure you’re feeling better? Let me know if you need to lie down and I’ll walk you back to your room. I’ll even stay with you if you like.”
Sometimes I found it genuinely difficult to accept help from anyone, including my friends.
Even affection made me feel peculiar.
My mother told me I’d been the most affectionate child she’d ever encountered.
Constantly reminding her how much I loved her, showering her with kisses on her cheek and always running up to her just to embrace her with the tightest hugs.
However, that changed very suddenly.
Probably because there wasn’t any reciprocation on my mother’s end once I reached a certain age.
I must’ve been eight or nine but she no longer wanted me to hug her or be anywhere near her for that matter and I never understood why until much later on.
For a long time we didn’t have a relationship or a connection and we only really started communicating again in my early twenties.
Even in the present moment, I didn’t have a bond with her.
I suppose I loved her but it seemed to be an obligation, not unconditional.
Navigating my friendships when it came to this particular subject sometimes seemed so daunting but I learned to push myself just a little bit more with each passing day.
“Thank you Gabs.”
I smiled. “You have my word, if I’m not feeling well I’ll let you know but you and Madam over there really need to stop with this. You’re both here with your partners, you shouldn’t feel obligated to constantly spend time with me.”
Kehlani narrowed her eyes. “You’re being ridiculous. We’re here as a group and you’re my best friend. Kayden and I spend time together every day, so of course I’m going to opt for hanging with the two of you.”
“Same here,” Gabriella added. “Besides, you had a medical emergency. Do you really think we’d just leave you alone?”
We waited for the men to arrive while we looked over the menu. Initially, the married couple would’ve had dinner alone at this beautiful establishment but Mrs Sato changed the plans last minute after my unfortunate incident.
The restaurant was approximately five minutes away from our hotel, with a direct view of Vista Beach.
The sunset looked breathtaking and after earlier’s occurrence, I found myself feeling extremely grateful for a multitude of reasons.
“I’m alive, aren’t I?” Joking during serious situations was my magnum opus.
“Somebody asked me the other day if I ever planned on having children,” Kehlani randomly said. “Then I told them that I’ve got friends who stress me out daily, why would I add children to that list?”
Gabriella and I chuckled. “Are you implying that I stress you out?” I asked.
“Both of you, actually.”
“What did I do?” Gabriella gasped.
The men finally arrived, with Kayden at the forefront holding two bouquets in hand. Nicolas followed suit, with a bouquet of roses but upon further inspection, I realised they were satin roses.
When Kayden stopped next to me, holding out one bouquet for me to take I frowned.
“What is this?” I eyed it suspiciously, making him laugh. I heard Gabriella and Kehlani laughing in the background too.
“They’re for you silly.” He said. “We’re glad you’re feeling better.”
“That’s dumb.” I looked up at him with a straight face.
“Amala, if you don’t take the flowers and say thank you, I swear.” Kehlani threatened. “Forgive her, my love. You know accepting gifts isn’t her forte.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” He laughed softly as I took the flowers and muttered a quick thank you.
At least they were aware of the fact that I didn’t like receiving gifts.
Nicolas handed the roses to Gabriella and the other bouquet Kayden held in his hand was for Kehlani.
Ares sat down across from me, remaining silent.
I thought about the text message I’d received from him but brushed it off, pushing the thought to the back of my subconscious.
“Ares was actually the one who told us to buy you ladies flowers,” Nicolas said as Ares’ eyes flickered to mine. I averted my gaze, looking down.
“Really?” Kehlani asked sarcastically. “He’s always so sweet.” She clutched her chest. “Right, Amala?”
I looked at her with a straight face, pursing my lips.
The conversation shifted to a different topic and I breathed a soft sigh of relief.
This seemed like deja vu. The last time everyone had dinner together, Ares and I sat alongside each other—and as per usual I read him to filth.
This time he didn’t speak, somewhat zoning out which was highly unlike him.
The two of us may not have indulged in conversation but he would liaise with everyone else.
Now he didn’t utter a word, staring blankly ahead.
That facial expression was oddly familiar as I’d seen my mother experience the same thing after my first case of anaphylaxis.
I kicked his foot underneath the table which immediately snapped him out of his trance. He glared at me, placing both arms on the table.
“Oops,” I said nonchalantly.
“Clearly, you did that on purpose.” Annoyance rolled off him in violent waves as I tapped the pointy stiletto on the floor.
“My foot slipped.” I shrugged.
“Your acting skills could use some work.” He countered, seemingly back to his normal demeanor.
“That’s why I never pursued acting as a career path.”
“Whatever.” He said grumpily. “Perhaps you should consider wearing heels that aren’t so lethal. Before your foot slips again.”
I crossed one leg over the other. “Thank you for the suggestion but I’ll have to decline.”
I leaned back in the chair, eyeing the waiter who passed by before looking at Ares again.
“Respectfully, of course.”
He watched the waiter with a sharp deathly expression which I found odd. “When have you ever been respectful towards me?”
He deadpanned, eyes meeting mine. “Don’t make me laugh.”
“I aim to please.” Ares didn’t continue the conversation but judging by his facial expression I could sense his irritation and that in turn nearly made me cackle.
The waiter returned to our table, taking our orders and after skimming the menu I settled on steak basted with garlic butter, roasted potatoes and breadsticks. “Could I also have a glass of white wine please?”
“Of course.”
The waiter smiled at me before focusing on the group again. “Will that be all for this table?” He questioned and everyone answered with a yes.
“Your food will be ready soon.”
When the waiter disappeared and the chatter amongst us continued, Ares threw a question in my direction. “Should you be drinking?”
“What are you on about, Valiente?”
“Alcohol after an allergic reaction could potentially worsen symptoms.” I blinked slowly, suddenly knocked off my axis.
“One glass should be fine.”
“Are you sure?” The sudden shift in his tone vexed me. I didn’t appreciate the random sympathy. Especially not from him.
“Why do you care, Ares?”
“I don’t.” He answered immediately.
“If you don’t care then don’t question me.”
That silenced him but the unexpected concern both, unnerved and confused me. Causing a strange sensation to bloom in my chest.
ARES
Amala Rivera, truly was the thorn in my side. I watched her intently, observing how carefree she seemed even after a traumatic experience.
She constantly found humor in every situation, even one where she could’ve been dead right now.
It irked me.
Clawing its way into my chest, carving into whatever organ resided there.
She experienced the reaction but she didn’t see what that moment truly looked like from an outside perspective.
Her face paled, hands gripping her neck, those scrutinising eyes nearly dipping to the back of her fucking head.
The wheezing sounds of her trying to gasp for air but the attempt being futile.
The way her body slacked and then hit the mattress, her chest rising and falling in rapid motions.
This mini vacation quickly turned sour and now that dreadful image was seared into my brain.
My sister experienced the same thing when she was ten years old, nobody knew she was allergic to shellfish.
Back then I didn’t know what to do and if my parents weren’t present, I don’t know if she would’ve been alive today.
Of course, Rivera didn’t know that but if I could grab her shoulders, shake some fucking sense into her, and tell her why I reacted the way I did. Maybe, just maybe she wouldn’t be so nonchalant about it.
I returned to the hotel first after dinner while the rest explored Vista. My time for exploration had come to an abrupt end because my mood shifted drastically.
I could still feel her warm body in my arms as she dipped in and out of consciousness. Her head lulled backward, eyes fluttering.
Thank Christ for the mini bar.
I grabbed a miniature bottle of vodka, even though I hated the taste, and tossed it back.
Yes, I despised vodka but they didn’t have whiskey, and my disdain for her was far superior.
The liquid burned my throat, coating my stomach as I relaxed against the couch.
I laid my head against the backrest, closing my eyes.
The silence engulfed me like a flame, slowly burning me alive. I didn’t know if my anger was directed at Amala or Asher.
How could you be partnered with someone yet unaware of their allergies? That seemed like a recipe for fucking disaster.
The vodka started taking effect, giving me the slightest buzz and I let the small bottle drop to the floor.
When would I catch a fucking break?
The door handle moved up and down before the door opened wildly as Amala stumbled into the room, clearly drunk out of her mind.
I sighed, too exhausted to deal with this shit. I turned my head sideways, unintentionally glancing at her derrière.
Did she—fuck no.
I shouldn’t have allowed my train of thought to wander in that direction.
Her long, pitch-black hair cascaded down her back, swaying from side to side as she moved towards the bed.
The grey tendrils in the front of her hair shone underneath the lights. I always found her hair unique.
Never really saw anyone else with the same style.
“Ares.” She slurred. “Are you here?”
“Yes,” I answered. “Now shut up. You’re ruining the peace.”
Darkness enveloped the room, a slice of moonlight illuminating the bed and her looming silhouette.
She slowly turned in my direction, smiling at me.
This felt exactly like the scene of a horror movie where the supernatural entity would look at the idiotic main character and grin before brutally killing them.
Given it may have been less creepy but it still felt unnatural.
“You don’t know anything about that because you’re always disturbing the peace.
With wobbly legs she walked toward me, nearly tripping in the process. I caught her, holding her arms steady.
I groaned as she pressed her fingers into my thighs. “How much did you drink, Rivera?”
She raised one hand, holding her thumb and index finger a few inches apart.
“A little.”
She laughed, even though nothing funny occurred.
“Fuck’s sake,” I muttered mostly to myself, standing up from the couch, allowing her to drape her arm around me as I walked her to the bed. “You need to sleep.”
“Why?”
She questioned childishly. “I’ll agree but only if you sleep with me.”
My eyes widened and I nearly choked on my saliva.
“You’re drunk,” I stated, gently pushing her onto the bed.
I grabbed hold of her ankles and removed her heels, tossing them aside before lifting both legs onto the bed.
Her skin felt extremely supple and warm.
“No.” She propped herself up on her elbows. “Not true. Sleep with me.”
“Would you stop saying that?” The clothing I wore suddenly felt uncomfortably tight, my body involuntarily reacting to the innocent words.
I loathed this feeling.
Loathed my reaction to it. “It’s lay with me, not sleep with me and I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You’re drunk,” I repeated, not mentioning the fact that we fucking hated each other’s guts. “Get some rest, Amala.” She sat upright, fisting my shirt.
“Sleep with me.” She repeated as I tried to pry her hands away but for someone who couldn’t even think straight, her strength made me question my own. “I need you.” She slurred.
What the hell was going on right now? “Amala,” I warned, trying once more to tug her hand away.
“Ares.”
She murmured sweetly, the shocking tone sending heat straight to my face and nether regions.
For the first time since the day I met her, I looked directly into her eyes.
Holding eye contact without the need to stare anywhere else.
Her eyes softened tremendously, her usual expression, tone, and demeanor completely gone.
Vanished into thin air.
If she was hardheaded whilst being sober, I could only imagine how persistent she’d be right now if I didn’t agree.
“Okay, will you let go of my shirt?”
“Only if you agree.” Her words slurred even worse than before.
“Fuck.” I sighed. “Okay, I’ll lie with you.”
She pulled me closer, nearly making me fall directly on top of her.
My body didn’t touch hers but I could feel the warmth radiating from her.
She still held onto my shirt tightly as I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling.
How the fuck did I find myself in this predicament? When I looked down I could see the bulge in my pants and cursed internally.
Luckily her back faced me and I sighed softly.
“Thank you again.” She muttered, sounding like she was drifting into a slumber.
“For what?” I turned my head, focusing on the back of her neck.
“Helping me earlier.” She murmured. “I really appreciated it.” The twitch in my pants nearly made me groan but I swallowed hard. Snapping my eyes up to the ceiling.
Focus, Ares.
This shouldn’t be happening. There should’ve been no reaction to this witch whatsoever, especially not one of this nature.
I blamed my celibacy for this unusual turn of events because my touch-deprived body acted on its own accord.
Not only due to the proximity between us but also due to her words. Echoed in the dead of the night.
So sweetly.
Minutes passed by and Amala’s breathing evened out, a telltale sign that she’d fallen asleep.
I swallowed hard, trying hard to free myself from her grip but still to no avail.
It’s like her strength intensified while she was intoxicated and then doubled when she slept.
She stirred in her sleep, turning onto her right-hand side, curling into a ball—her knees brushing against the side of my legs.
The vodka pulsed through my bloodstream, making me both tipsy and slightly tired and before I knew it—my eyes slowly closed and I drifted away into a peaceful sleep too.
Forgetting about the events of today, the infuriating specimen lying beside me, and the situation in my nether regions.