Chapter Eighteen: Souvenirs

O L I V I A

We ended up cuddling for a long while before finally eating and getting on with our day. Kai seemed to be in no hurry to go home and I wasn't complaining. I caught up with my office work and replied to emails. My colleagues knew I was home and they were flooding my phones for deets about my 'dream reunion'.

They had heard that Kaison Jennings had crashed it, just like I had suspected. 

Brian was a hardcore fan and Jane was a fangirl. She absolutely loved the 'fine, hot, football guy'. She didn't know my history with him and Brian didn't either. I hadn't seen any reason to change that. The less they knew, the better.

A knock sounded on the door, reminding me that I had company. I paused my work, lifting my head up to see Kai standing in the doorway with a crooked smile. My concentration shattered.

"Yeah?" 

"Aren't you hungry?" He asked. "It's lunchtime."

I glanced at the clock, surprised to find that he was right. As if on cue, my stomach rumbled lowly.

"I am, actually," I muttered, placing my hand on my stomach and meeting his eye again. My mind wandered back to the program I was working on, and I groaned inwardly. "I'll be out soon."

He donned a knowing look.

"Livvy," he reproached. "You barely had any breakfast."

"I know," I fretted. "Five minutes."

Maybe ten.

"No," he shook his head, "Do it when we get back."

His words sunk in. "We're going out?"

"On a date." He nodded.

I raised a questioning eyebrow. "What happened to taking things slow?"

"We're going on a date, not getting married," he stated. "It doesn't get any slower than this."

Point.

"Where will we even go?" I asked. "We had a close call last night. They know you're in the city."

"So?" He shrugged uncaringly. "It's a big city."

"And you're a known and easily recognizable man," I said pointedly.

"I'll wear a disguise," he reasoned.

"Like yesterday?" I challenged. "Where did that lead us, hun? And that was the middle of the night, too."

"Livvy," he whined.

"No." I shook my head decisively. "You're injured so running away impulsively is out of the question, too. We are not risking it."

He groaned. "Why do you have to be so sensible?"

"Why do you have to be so reckless?" I countered with a smile.

"It's our first date in six years. Is it too much to ask for?"

I stood firm by my word. "Considering our situation, yes."

He sulked.

"We can order pizza and eat it on the rooftop," I offered, feeling bad. I just didn't want drama in my life. I had nothing against going out on a date. "We have a great view."

He shrugged, evidently discouraged. "Okay."

"Kai," I closed the lid of my laptop, "I'm sorry."

He sighed. "I know, it's not your fault."

"I feel guilty."

"For what?" He chuckled incredulously. "It's not your fault that the paparazzi are so damn crazy."

I fidgeted. "Still." 

"You know what? We can go to Times Square."

I frowned. "And why would we go to one of the most crowded streets of New York?"

Loosely speaking. 

"Hiding in plain sight. Duh."

"Hun," I mused. "That might actually work."

He brightened. "So we're going?"

"But what if you jostle your arm in the crowd?" I asked, my eyebrows pinching together in concern. "We don't want to make it worse."

"We will be careful," he promised.

"Are you sure, Kai?" I asked skeptically.

He nodded with certainty. "Yeah."

"Alright." I sighed in defeat. A part of me felt giddy at the prospect of the date and I reigned it in, remembering that I still had work to attend to. "I'll be out in ten. I just need to brush my hair and change out of my jammies. But first, my program. So make that twenty. Can you please bring me my Jeans and t-shirt from the closet?"

"Sure." He shrugged, walking in.

I opened my laptop and unlocked it, writing the next few lines of code. I was used to doing that so it was quick. I ran it and let out a triumphant 'yes!' when it worked smoothly. When I noticed that Kai still didn't come out, I got curious. What was taking him so long?

I got up and followed him into the closet.

"What's taking you so-"

Uh oh.

My heart stopped when they landed on the objects he held. Shit. I cringed, embarrassed. I tentatively brought my gaze up to meet his, scared to see what I would find there. It was a mixture of nostalgia and wonder.

He silently held up two faded hoodies. They were his.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

My heart went into overdrive. I opened my mouth and closed it again. 

Anything. God, anything will do.

I desperately roamed my eyes around the room and racked my brains for an idea. They landed at an ensemble I had kept ready for an emergency situation.

"There they are." I cleared my throat, picking up my jeans and top. My cheeks were burning.

"You have something to say?" Kai asked. "I believe you do." He threw one hoodie at me.

"Quit snooping," I squeaked, catching it. I snatched the other one out of his grasp and pushed him out. He went along with the abuse, rumbling with laughter.

"I can't believe you kept them all these years!" He exclaimed.

"I forgot I even had those," I told him.

Lie. I slept in them half the time. Yes, I washed them. I wasn't a creep! And I tended after them well. The only reason they had survived six years was with the gentle cycles, comforters, ironing, and judicious uses.

"Right," he drawled, ignoring how they were obviously washed out. "That's the only reason. Give them back, then."

"They are comfortable," I differed. That was true, they were. Especially now because they were so much softer.  "And they're mine."

He snorted. "Yours?"

"Yes, Kaison," I muttered, folding them neatly.

"Livvy?"

I didn't meet his eye. "Hmm?"

"I recommend a blue dress to go with that shade of red you have on your face." He guffawed.

"Shut up," I snapped, the warmth in my face increasing. I was sure I would need a new shade of blue to match this red.

"C'mere." He gently plucked the hoodie I was folding and placed it on the bed. He wrapped his arm around me, crushing me to him. I closed my eyes in chagrin.

"This is so embarrassing," I mumbled out loud, wrapping my hands around his neck and resting my head against his shoulder.

Cue more laughter.

I smacked his chest. "Shut up," I repeated without pulling back.

He kissed my hair. "You're so cute."

"Kaison," I whined.

"I still have the jewelry you left at my place," he whispered. I stilled.

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"I still have your bracelets and earrings," he continued softly, swaying us slightly. "I even have the red dress you used to love."

I calmed at the gentleness of his tone.

"I did wonder where it went," I muttered, referring to the latter.

He chuckled. "I bet."

"What else do you have?" I asked curiously.

"I'm not telling," he replied.

I raised my head from his chest and looked at him piercingly. "Kaison."

"Your perfume." The answer fell from his lips as if he had no control over it. He ducked his head. His ears turned pink.

"I have yours too," I blurted out.

Our eyes met and we burst into a fit of laughter.

"Shit, we're pathetic," I stated.

"No kidding," he agreed. "I bought that thing in sophomore year," he mentioned the orange hoodie now laying on my bed. "You made me buy it when we were out shopping for your prom dress."

My eyes widened in surprise at the accuracy. "Oh, yes." 

"And this one we bought in senior year when we went ice skating." He pointed at the blue tie-dyed one beside it. He looked back at me and chuckled. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm surprised you remember," I told him honestly. A pang of hunger arose in my belly and I freed myself from him.

"Me too," he said lowly as I picked them up and went back into the closet to put them back. I pretended not to hear and shooed him out of my room to get ready.

I was out in less than ten minutes, clad in my chosen clothes with my hair held back in a braid.

"Let's go!"

* * * * *

Our first lunch date in six years, and it was an absolute disaster so far. First, his shady outfit and my oh-too-casual look had trouble warranting our sincere dining intentions. When we got past that, there were no free tables. We tried four different restaurants in the area before we gave it up and just had some donuts and coffee at a café nearby.

"Some date this is," Kai grumbled. "This doesn't count."

I laughed softly. "Of course, it does!" 

He raised an eyebrow. "This barely classifies as one."

"Define a date, Kai."

"Two people who most probably feel for each other spend some time together, alone."

"And what are we doing?" I questioned. 

"We're eating donuts and drinking coffee like high schoolers the night before their finals."

"Okay," I chuckled, "But we're also alone and we're spending time together. It's a date."

He sighed. "I wish I could've taken you somewhere better." 

"I don't think the surroundings would've been noticed," I said. "We have been talking nonstop since we got here and I barely paid mind where we were till you complained."

"I guess you're right." He clicked his tongue. "For a moment there I forgot that about you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked with a pout.

"I mean that you're more sentimental than materialistic." He shrugged. "It's a compliment," he assured. I laughed.

"I don't know about that." I winked. "I wouldn't mind trading you for the Kohinoor."

He laughed too. "I'd love to see you try to do that." 

We bantered back and forth like that as we ate. We discussed our jobs, talked about how college was and caught up with each other life. We stayed clear of our love lives.

"C'mon, I know a great Taco Truck," I said when I finished my donut. He was already done eating.

"Why didn't you say that before?" He asked, standing up with his coffee cup. We had paid our bill earlier.

"Because you wanted to have a date," I told him as we stepped out of the café.

"So?" He asked quizically.

"If café lunch ain't a date, a Taco Truck would most probably fail too," I pointed out. "But we do need something spicy to eat, no?"

"We do." He slung his free hand around my shoulders.

"Nuh-uh." I shook my head, pushing him inwards. "You are not walking towards the traffic. And watch your hand, Kai."

"Liv," he deadpanned.

"Do you want to eat or not?" I asked him sharply. "Don't forget that you have a commitment to your team."

"I know," he replied. "And I think I'm old enough to judge this."

True. Ai shit, I'm being like a helicopter parent.

"I- fine. I'm sorry," I forced a shrug, "I was just worried."

"I know." He nudged his shoulder with mine. "Cheer up. And where's this Taco Truck you were talking about?"

"A few blocks from here," I returned.

"Hmm," he hummed. The pavements were crowded with all the people who were out on their lunch break but we reached our destination soon enough.

"Wait here," I told Kaison, noting the gathering there.

"I think that would be best," he agreed reluctantly.

"What would you like?" I passed him my coffee. I did not want to spill it on myself or anyone in the crowd.

"You choose."

I grinned evilly. "You're going to regret that."

"We'll see." He accepted the unspoken challenge.

"It's your funeral." I laughed. 

I made my way to the truck, fighting for my way to the counter slowly. I dodged a few elbows that were coming for my face along the way.

"Hola Sofia!" I greeted the caramel-skinned, tall, proud Latina. She was the owner of the truck and we had known each other for quite a while since I had been a regular. The truck was near my apartment so it had only been a convenient option for when my friends would ditch for a date night.

"Ah, ahí estás, Liv. Te extrañamos (Ah, there you are, Liv. We missed you)." She grinned in welcome. "Yo pensé que me olvidaste (I thought you forgot me)."

"Nunca (never)." I laughed. Those four years of Spanish definitely paid off.

"Qué te gustaría tener hoy (What would you like to have today)?" She asked me.

"The usual," I switched back to English, fishing for the dollar bills in my pockets and handing them to her. "But make it double. I'm here with a friend. Also, please keep the change!"

"Gracias! Ya viene! (Coming right up)!" She said, disappearing into her kitchen. I saw Andy, her employee working on the other side. Our eyes met and I smiled politely before another customer hollered for his attention.

"There you go!" Sofia returned quickly. She had evidently blown some orders off to get mine first. "Disfrutar (Enjoy)!"

"Muchas gracias (Thank you so much)!" I beamed at her, taking my order and walking back to where I had left Kai, dodging people and making sure that our tacos were safe. He was sitting on one of the benches on the sidewalk.

I sighed as I sat down, handing him his meal. "There you go."

"That looks nice," he commented, examining it. "I wish I could see it without the shades blocking my sight."

"I know," I ignored the implicit plea. I would rather he wouldn't get recognized and we didn't have to run away back home for our dear lives. "It tastes better. And guess what, you don't have anything hindering that sense of yours."

He frowned, looking around. "Livvy."

"Kaison," I mocked, biting into my taco. It was perfect

"We should go home," he muttered lowly.

"What?" I asked, my neck whipping to him in surprise. My words were distorted from my mouthful. He was looking at something in the distance but I couldn't tell what. I quickly chewed the rest, swallowed, and continued, "Just now you wanted to remove your sunglasses."

"And now I want to go home," he said urgently, standing up. "Let's go!"

"Ka-"

"Come on!" He urged me to stand up.

"What is going on?" I scrambled to my feet. "Is there a sniper aimed at us or what?"

"Worse." He looked down at me. "Paparazzi."

"Fuck." My eyes widened. "Where?"

"They're heading this way. Behind me."

"How did they find you?" I fretted when I looked back and spotted one behind him at once with a stroke of luck. The camera lens had shone once brightly when the sun had fallen right on it.

"I don't know," he growled. "This has never been this big of a problem before."

Panic bubbled in me. "Well, get your move on!"

"Yeah."

I emptied my coffee cup and tossed it in the trash can nearby. Kai followed suit. He laced his hand with mine as we speed-walked towards my apartment. Even though his legs were longer, he maintained his pace enough for me to be comfortable.

"This sucks," I groused after a few minutes of walking. Sweat was beading on my brows.

"I'm sorry." He sounded apologetic.

You should be.

I shrugged the best I could with the exercise at hand. "It's alright." 

He looked back at me. "You sound mad."

"I am not." I shook my head for his benefit. "And look in the front!"

He complied with a sigh. "Livvy." The way he said it, all heavy with meaning, was strange. He began to slow down and I hurried to chastise him.

"We're close, keep moving!" 

He didn't. Instead, he pulled us to the side. He looked down, his eye boring into mine. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," I told him even though it partially was. I had warned him. But then I had gone along with the idea and was to blame for this mess too.

"Kai." I looked behind us to find the guy from before but came up empty. I blinked. "I think we lost them."

"Ohh, don't fall for that. You can never lose them."

"Then why are we heading to my apartment?" I questioned, baffled. "Why are we leading them there?"

"Because they will not suspect me going there," he said easily. "I don't have any business in this part of the city."

Except he did. Me.

That stung unnecessarily hard.

"And yet your only refuge at the moment is my humble aboard," I said sarcastically.

He chuckled. "You know what I meant." 

I shook myself.

"I'm serious, though," I told him, looking back again. "And I don't see them anywhere."

He scanned the crowd behind us. "Maybe we did lose them. There's a first time for everything."

"Maybe. Let's go home; my taco is already getting a little soggy." I sighed, starting to walk towards the apartment again, tugging him with me.

"Mine, too." He scrunched up his eyebrows, staring at his supposed lunch with distaste.

Well, I did say he was going to regret it. I just didn't expect it to be this way.

"This was a tragedy," I spoke when we stepped into the elevator.

He looked deflated. "Tell me about it." 

A beat of silence passed between us. Something seemed to have clouded over us after the taco truck and I couldn't place my finger on it.

"Pizza tonight?" I asked just to say something.

"Absolutely," he agreed quickly.

The air thickened with tension and we both winced, feeling it.

When the elevator opened on my floor, we both heaved a huge sigh of relief.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A/N:-

I'm so tired. My body hurts. I'm hungry but the nausea won't go away. I hate this.

I hope you guys are doing better. Take care of yourselves.

QOTD: What's one thing about you that no one knows?

I'll see you guys tomorrow if I make it.

All my love,
xoxo.