35 How many?

[Refer to the previous chapter to pick up where you left :D]

Riley leaned forward to kiss her again, but Sara pressed her palm on his lips, saying in a firm voice, "No, Riley!"

"Fine", Riley let go of her and sat up on the bed. After making sure that he behaved, Sara was about to take her hand away. But, Riley held on to her hand and while he fixed his eyes on her, he softly pressed his lips on her palm. It immediately sent a flight of butterflies in her stomach.

"Ri-Riley…" Sara tried to yank back her hand but Riley pulled it otherwise.

Since Sara was on her knees on the floor, the sudden pull made her fall headfirst and she landed on top of him. They both landed on the bed together. Riley pressed her palm on his chest while gazing deep into her eyes. Sara gulped when she felt the faint drumming of his heart against her palm. Her long hair fell off in front veiling either side of her face. Riley used his left hand to tuck the hair on the left side behind her ear while he moved his hand deeper and pressed his palm on the nape of her neck. Sara bit her lips timidly before saying, "Riley… the… the food… it's getting colder."

"I don't mind it", he whispered in a low and husky voice.

He brought her face closer to his, slowly and gradually. When they were in close proximity, she closed her eyes. But it did not come!

Her eyes flew open when she heard him chuckling underneath while clutching his stomach. She felt a bit mortified.

"You…" she glared at him and managed to free her hand from his iron grip, "Let go!"

She was about to get down from the damn bed when he grabbed her by the waist. She fell back in such a way that she was lying on top of him. Her eyes widened at their close proximity. Their noses were almost brushing against each other. He licked his lips seductively, making Sara groan internally. She had to admit that he was a great seducer.

"Since you anticipated it…" Riley said while tenderly tucking the strands of hair behind her tiny ear. He looked intensely while she blushed intensely. And, finally, he grabbed her cheek and kissed her on her lips.

The kiss deepened the moment their lips met. It was a wet French kiss. Nevertheless, she also felt that he was an amazing kisser. She would never admit it. But, yeah! She enjoyed being kissed by him. His kissing skills were top-notch! Or else why would he be hailed as the Nation's Prince Charming. Thinking about it, Sara stopped abruptly and pulled away. She eyed him with suspicion.

"What?" he furrowed his brows.

"How many?" she asked grimly.

"How many? What?" he tilted his head and quirked an eyebrow.

"How many of those actresses did you kiss?"

"Umm…" he looked as if deep in thought, "Let me count."

"…" she glowered at him from above.

As if not discerning her penetrating eyes, he continued, "The first one was with the one called Sara James. The second one was called the Empress. The third one…"

"Stop it", Sara slapped his shoulder lightly.

"My first kiss was with Sara James", he declared in a husky whisper, "My last kiss will be with my one and only, Sara James."

"Liar!" she smiled sweetly before pressing her lips on his and continued with their kiss.

---

Honeycomb Villa

Ruby was sitting by her bedroom window and looking at the stars which glowed in the night sky. The night was pressing blackly on her window as well as on her heart. She sighed and felt the engagement ring on her right ring finger. On the ring, their initials were engraved inscribed in an à la mode inscription. She trembled.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. She wiped away the tear stains and spoke in a shaky voice, "Come in."

The door opened and closed.

"Ru darling? What's wrong?" it was her Mom, "Honey, you can tell me."

"I am fine, Mom. It's okay", she turned to look at her, "Do you have something to tell me?"

"Yeah", her Mom nodded, "Sam called. He said that he couldn't get through your phone."

Her eyes turned cold at his mention, "Anything else?"

"Umm, no. Nothing. It's just dinner."

"Put it down. I want to be alone", Ruby stated without looking at her Mom.

"Sweetie, you know you can talk to me, right?"

Ruby nodded and said, "I know. I just want to be alone for some time. Please?"

"Fine", her Mom nodded. She left and closed the door after her.

Ruby closed her eyes and lamented again. Then, she glanced at her phone. Her phone was neither dead nor out of reach. Why did he deceive her? Again? Why was he scared of facing her? What was he hiding?

She had waited for his call the entire evening. The more she thought about it, the more perplexed she became. She glanced at the tray of food placed on the table and turned her face away. Ruby did not have a great desire for food, nor was she hungry. So, having forty winks was the best option for her poor soul. She plopped down on the bed and spread her legs and arms as she stared lifelessly at the pale yellow ceiling. She sat up and pulled the covers before she dropped her head on the pillow. She was in for some good night's sleep. But, it seemed that her creepy thoughts would never let her do that. The room looked menacing once she switched off the lights. So, she ducked under the blankets. But that did not help. It only plunged her to the nadirs of gloom and throwing her into the void of nightmares.

The scenes from the hospital began to play one by one in her mind. The words of the doctor kept playing and echoing like a broken record in her mind. She sobbed and tried to block her ears with both the hands.

'He is obviously cheating on you. Don't tell me later on that I never warned you ahead of time', the devil chuckled sinisterly, wreaking havoc beside her ear.

'Don't rely on her words, Ruby. You will regret it. I tell you, you will regret it', the angel tried changing her mind.

'I will see who will get the pang of conscience', the devil bit back.

"Go away! Go away!" Ruby blubbered as she started kicking and punching the poor blanket covering her. But, in the process, she fell down and hurt her knee. The tears fell out uncontrollably.