Kitchen Affairs (27 page)

Drake led us back to the limo after the ceremony and since it was my parents last night with me, he wanted to make it extra special. He had planned an evenin
g at his home on the balcony where we had our very first date.

“I can’t wait to get you back home and give you your present.” He smiled his wide grin at me knowing exactly what he was thinking.

Present, huh?

“I look forward to it. Hopefully I can wait that long,” I whispered into his ear keeping my eyes on him.

As the evening went on, I could feel a burning sensation between my thighs. I was ready to dig my teeth into that man and I didn’t know how much longer I could wait.

“I’m getting anxious for my present,” I said walking up to him wine glass in hand. I pressed my lips to his neck as I felt him quiver at my touch. “Perhaps we can excuse ourselves for awhile?” I suggested as I felt him hard against me.

“That’s very tempting,” he said kissing me back.

“I have a surprise for you. But you have to find it.”

“I have to find it?” he asked puzzled. “How do I do that?”

“I decided to give myself an early graduation present last week. It’s a tattoo… and you have to find it in order to see what it is,” I answered slowly teasing him with my mouth on his.

In one quick motion, he picked me wrapping my legs around him and covered his mouth with mine. He walked from the kitchen where we were grabbing another bottle of wine to his bedroom.

“Does this mean I’m getting my prese
nt early?” I asked hoping I was right.

“Does this mean I get my surprise?” he asked knocking us into his bedroom door trying to find the handle.

I smiled against his lips as we entered his room and stumbled to the bed. We fell to the sheets and wrapped our legs around one another. I laughed as he thoroughly searched my body for any sign of new ink.

“How about here?” he asked slowly pushing my dress down under my breasts. He puckered his lips over the nipple making them instantly hard. “Over here?” he asked again making his lips down my torso.

“You’re getting warmer,” I said eagerly.
Much warmer.
It wasn’t in a public location so most people wouldn’t even see it unless I told them about it or I was wearing a swimsuit. I laughed as his stubble tickled my skin as he continued kissing and exploring my body. He slowly rubbed his fingers over my panties exploring each possible spot. “Getting hotter.”

“
You are making me hotter,” he said pleased at our new little game. He pushed my dress all the way up over my head and threw it to the ground. “Now we’re talking.” He continued kissing down my bikini area and spread my legs apart getting a full view of the new addition to my body in between my thighs.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s absolutely beautiful. And perfect. Just like you.” He smiled and kissed over the anchor tattoo. I decided on an anchor design with the word ‘Hope’ underneath that I’ve always wanted, however, it meant so much more to me now. It was a reminder that no matter what, I was strong enough to get through it.

“It has dual meanings, ya know?”

“And what would that be?” he asked confused at my expression.

“
Well, for me, it obviously means hope, which is something I’ve had to hang on to since the moment Liam passed away. But also, it means steadfast like our love. It’s to remind me that whatever life throws at me and whatever happens I won’t sink.” I placed my hands on his cheeks and lowered him in for a kiss.

We eventually headed back to the party. “They’re going to know,” I smirked as we walked back fixing my messy sex head and wrinkled dress.

“I’m so glad you guys came! Thank you so much!” I hugged my mom tight as her and my dad
said their goodbyes. They arranged to drive together since it was only a short trip. I secretly wondered if that was a good idea, but I really didn’t care as long as I got to see both of them. “I’m really going to miss you guys.”

“
You’ll come back, darling. Won’t you?” my dad asked hugging me once again.

“Yes, we will.” I smiled at Drake. “We all will.”

We said our final goodbyes and off they were. Stella had a blast the last five days she got to spend with her grandparents, but soon it would be summer break for her and we could all make a trip to see them again soon.

“
Well, Stella, what do you say we go make some lunch?” I asked picking her up in for a hug.

Drake and Stella stayed in the living room while Michael and I headed to the kitchen. It was moments like this that made everything we went through worth it.

“Babe! Come here!” Drake shouted.

“
What is it? What’s wrong?”

Drake nodded his head towards the television where he was watching the news. Apparently, Kendra was filmed skydiving and had a freak accident.

“Oh my god!” I shrieked as I continued watching the news anchor talk about the multi-billionaire heiress.

“I have to call my father and get in touch with her family. I should go.” Drake stood up and kissed me goodbye without letting me react.
Get in touch with her family? Did he want to go see her?
I could understand wanting to check on her, but this was the same woman that humiliated me all over the social media. And threatened me.
Karma’s a bitch…

“What was that about?” Michael asked rushing to my side after Drake bolted out the door.

“I’m not sure. Kendra was hurt in a skydiving accident.” He could see the hurt and frustration on my face.

The next six hours went by without hearing from Drake. I assumed he’d be back over for dinner but he wasn’t. I decided to wait until he contacted me.

“So what’s the deal with this Kendra chick? Is Drake still in love with her?”

“God
no. At least I don’t think so.” I answered mostly to myself. “They used to date in college and their families are friends or something. I don’t know. But it’s a little uncomforting.” I admitted.
Extremely uncomforting.

“
Well, maybe he just wants to be there for her family. You never know. It’s probably nothing, Molly. Drake loves you.”

“I know, Michael. I just wish I knew what was going on. He hasn’t called and I don’t want to call like a needy little girlfriend.” I pouted. “What do you think I should do?”

“I’d call that pretty little man up, girl. He might want to console her family, but he should at least consider your feelings in the process.”
He’s right
. I understood tragedy better than anyone, but I at least wanted to know where he was.

After still not hearin
g from him for three more hours I decided to call after Stella went to bed.

“Drake?” I asked as he answered.

“Molly. I’m sorry I haven’t called. I’m at the Advocate Masonic Medical Center with my family and hers. She’s been in surgery for hours.” The tone in his voice sounded serious and I began to worry.

“Is she going to be alright, Drake? I mean… will she live?” I asked nervously.

“She’s in critical condition and will be in the ICU for weeks. They said they’ll probably put her in medical induced a coma while her body heals.” My body started shaking as he was talking about Kendra. I wanted to hate her, but at the very moment I felt awful knowing what her family must be going through.

“Wow
that’s terrible, Drake. I’m so sorry you’re all going through this. Can I do anything? Do you need anything?” I wanted to be sympathetic, but it wasn’t because I liked her, it was for Drake.

“I’m fine for now, thanks honey. I’ll probably be here all night. You should get some rest.” Drake insisted with a heavy heart.

Part of me was thankful that I never had to go through that with Liam. I wish he were still alive, but I don’t know how I would have been able to see Liam in that condition; lifeless, suffering, and worried if he’d make it.

For the next week, Drake and I played phone tag while only seeing each other for a few hours here and there. Kendra was still in critical condition and wasn’t yet conscious. I tried my hardest to support him and to bite my tongue, but I wanted my man back.

“Don’t be selfish, Molly. She’s a friend.”

“I’m not being selfish, Drake. I’m trying to be here for you, but you’re keeping me at a distance and not letting me in. Kendra is your ex girlfriend, she wasn’t exactly my biggest fan, so try and think what
kind of position it puts me in,” I said trying to sound genuine.

“I’m not having this conversation, Molly. She was a huge part of my life for many years and just because we weren’t on best terms at the time of her accident doesn’t mean
I shouldn’t be here for her and her family.” Drake snarled back at me. I was sick of this argument already.
Ugh!

“
Well, call me when you have time for me again,” I snapped and hung up. I didn’t want to upset him, but I was new to this.
Arguing.

<><><><><><><><><><>

“Liam, I hate you!” I said smacking my hands in his solid chest. He wrapped his arms around me closing me in for a tight hug. “Let go of me!” I yelled fighting back.

Liam hated controversy. He had to listen to his parents fight most of his life and avoided it at all costs. He usually let me yell and vent out at him without saying a word back to me, which made it incredibly hard to stay mad at him.

“Liam, stop! Let. Me. Go!” I protested as he hugged me tighter.

“No, not until you say you love me,” he responded calmly. “Say it.”

“No.” I stood my ground.

“Molly, you’re being unreasonable. Nothing happened.” I never felt jealous of anyone until I fell hard for Liam.

“I saw you! She was all over you!”

“Saw what? She brushed a piece of fuzz off my shirt. You’re being ridiculous.”

<><><><><><><><><><>

I
was
being ridiculous. Hell I was seventeen years old, what did I know? But now I wasn’t being ridiculous. I wasn’t jealous, I just wanted my boyfriend to realize what this was doing to our relationship.

I had to brush it off because today was my final interview for Riverside Restaurant. I interviewed before graduation with the executive chef and now I would be interviewing with him and the restaurant assistant manager.

“Miss Woods, pleasure seeing you again.” Mr. Castellanos greeted me as I stood up. He was the executive chef I interviewed with previously. He was a charming Greek gentleman who was in his thirties with well-rounded cooking experience. I would learn so much under him being that he’s refined in different cultures and cooking methods.

“Pleasure, Mr. Castellanos.” I shook his hand greeting him with a light smile.

“This is Mr. Rizzo, assistant manager to Riverside.” We shook hands and walked to their office.

The interview lasted a long ninety minutes. It was intense and aggressive. I managed to survive through it without passing out. It was like I held my breath the e
ntire time. After the interview, they promised to have an answer within the week.

“So girl how was it?” Michael bombarded me as soon as I got in the door.

“It went amazing! It was tough, but I feel confident about it,” I responded smiling as I saw Stella playing on the floor. She was the reason I was working so hard and I wanted to make her proud. “So Kendra is still in ICU. Drake will hardly leave her side.” I frowned.

With all my extra free time this past week,
Michael, and I had spent a lot more time together. I missed it. I missed him. We used to veg out watching chick flicks together every weekend.

Five days later, I got the phone call that changed my life. I had been offered the new chef position at Riverside Restaurant making twice the amount that was originally proposed.
Yes!

“Ahhhh!!! Michael! Stella!” I yelle
d as I hung the phone up. “Come quick!” I hopped off the bar stool and ran to find them instead.

“
Goodness sakes girl! Watch the jewels!” Michael scowled at me as I plowed into him almost smacking him right in the goods.

“You are now looking at Riverside’s newest chef!” I smiled wide presenting my arms up in the air.

“Congrats honey! You deserve it!” Michael squeezed me hard. “Are you going to tell Drake?”

Drake.
I haven’t seen Drake since the night before my interview. We’ve spoken everyday, but it’s nothing like it used to be.

“Yeah
probably. When the time is right, I guess.” I shrugged. “He’ll find out anyways. He’s the manager.” He probably had the final word, but right now, I didn’t care. I finally had the career I worked so hard for.

“When do you start?”

“Next Monday, which means we have one last weekend to party it up!” I puckered.