Second Chance at Love

Chapter Sixty-Three

"Since we are both single, in the same boat, why don't we try to be involved together, Rielle? Why don't we try a second chance at love? We might be a good match, don't you think?"

Sunday morning. Rielle woke up early to give time for washing clothes and cleaning the entire place because Sunday was her only time to do these chores. It was close to seven, so she had to shower before Kio arrived. When she heard Kio's car, she quickly dashed downstairs to meet him and opened her door; Kio was holding a bag for breakfast.

"My cook made this for me, so since I have not taken my breakfast yet, let us share them because you need this for long hours of driving," Kio suggested thoughtfully.

Kio started to orient Rielle where the key should be, the placement of her feet, and the use of the wheel. He initiated the driving, and when they were already on a quiet road, Kio changed places with Rielle, giving her the upper hand. Rielle felt nervous; her feet were shaking as well as her hands were trembling. Kio had repeatedly calmed Rielle until she felt easy and confident during her initial driving. To make Rielle more confident, Kio closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

When Rielle realized her companion was silent, she gazed at Kio and discovered him sleeping.

That's when Rielle panicked and cried, waking Kio up. Kio stared at Rielle and found her funny because her eye makeup smudged her face with her tears and her lipstick spread out from her lips that he could not control laughing. Rielle stopped the car and continued crying and shrieking, pissed off by Kio's laughter. Kio came back to his senses and soothed Rielle, realizing the gravity of Rielle's fears when she panicked. Then rain showers began to drop on the car's front shield.

Kio thought the day was sunny, only to realize their day would become rainy. Rielle suggested going home and continuing her lesson as soon as the rain stopped. Kio drove the car first to a nearby food chain and ordered some food for their lunch at Rielle's home, then the rain transformed into a heavy downpour. Kio drove faster, and when they reached Rielle's apartment, he discovered no umbrella in the back seat. Rielle suggested that she'll get her umbrella instead.

"The rain was too heavy, and you'll get wet terribly, for it will take you far a distance before you reach your door, Rielle." Said Kio in a worried tone.

"Don't mind me, because I can change to fresh clothes after this. It is you I worry about because once you get wet, I have no shirt for you to change into." Rielle said. And so, Rielle went out for her umbrella. Both got safely inside the apartment, and Rielle ran straight outside the backdoor to harvest her washed clothes, now wet from the rain. Kio got so concerned for Rielle because she was wet all over. Kio helped her carry the basket and advised her to change immediately, or she might catch a cold. Looking at Rielle, Kio found her alluring and sexy, with her wet clothes revealing her body.

Kio held her hand, closely gazing at her, and whispered, "go change now, Rielle; you're so wet and sexy." Commented Kio. Rielle pinched his cheek and chuckled, "Pervert!" then dashed to the stairs to change her wet clothes. Kio was amused and looking at the stairs, simultaneously recalling her revealing figure. He came around to his senses and looked out the window. The rain continued pouring heavily, so he opened the teevee and watched the news. So, there it goes; the heavy rain precipitated into a heavy storm, causing flooded streets in some areas, and Kio realized the flooded roads on his way home.

While Rielle was descending the stairs, she found Kio wearing a worried face while watching the news on teevee.

"How is this, Rielle? My way home was flooded and continued to rise as the rain continued pouring," Kio apprehensively commented.

"You don't have to worry, Kio; you're safe here in my home because this place is flood free." Soothed Rielle. "Come, let us have our lunch, then later let us play scrabble or watch a movie while our time," she suggested. And so they did have a good time despite the heavy storm. Kio had never been happier since they became closer. And as he watched Rielle laughing and sometimes pissed off because she was losing her game with him, he realized that Rielle was more than he could feel about her. She's becoming so attractive to him. He realized that Rielle was not just a Secretary to him whom he could depend upon and trust after all, but someone whom Akio could love but took it for granted for fear that she might lose her or be rejected if he professed his love.

"Rielle, please answer me frankly with my questions, and if you don't want to answer them, I won't force you. Is it okay with you?" asked Kio with seriousness.

"Ahem, shoot," Rielle replied cheerfully.

"Why are you still single, Rielle?" earnestly asked Kio. Rielle felt some difficulty with his question; a trace of sadness was in her expression because of the saddest part of her life. She confessed slowly, thinking of a better way to express her feelings.

"I fell in love, but he dumped me later on, leaving me heartbroken and devastated; and because of that, I realized I could live without someone. So, I'm turning the table to you, Mr. A." she chuckled.

"We were very much in love and dreamed of marrying one day, but when my dad asked me to manage our subdivisions and hotel resort here, she refused to come with me and dumped me later. So, I devoted my time to this business. I had flings but refused to get involved." Kio said sadly.

Kio then stared at Rielle longer, making Rielle conscious, then he held Rielle's hands which surprised her.

"Since we are both single, in the same boat, why don't we try to be involved together, Rielle? Why don't we try a second chance at love? We might be a good match, don't you think?"

Rielle was shocked at how Kio proposed; a strange courtship. She knew deep inside she felt an attraction for Kio, but she couldn't learn how to recognize love from infatuation anymore. Kio moved closer to Rielle and asked her again, this time closing in on her, looking at each other's eyes, probing, finding the meaning of their gaze at each other; then Kio whispered,

"Let us give ourselves a chance, Rielle? Please? I feel I liked you; you are special to me, and maybe as we go along, what we both feel will develop and grow greater than we wanted?" implored Kio. Rielle felt that their feeling was mutual; she liked him, he liked her, and maybe, one day, that love will develop. Rielle looked through Kio's eyes, captivated and feeling like floating, and sighed deeply.

"Yes, Kio, let us give a chance at love. But if this won't work out, let us be honest to talk about how we feel, and please, don't get involved with anyone, even if it is a fling so that being honest will help us realize how we feel for each other," Kio with his whole chest heaving, looked at her passionately then kissed her hand and said yes softly. As he gazed at her, with a racing heart, he gently spoke:

"Can I kiss you, Rielle? Can we kiss?" asked Kio. Kio's asking for permission amused Rielle, so she let him kiss her. And as they kissed, he felt Rielle's lips were soft and pillowy against his own. Both could feel the gentle tickle of each other's breath and his fingers carding through her hair as they breathed each other.

The storm continued to lash the night, and Rielle decided to make a bed for Kio. And when she was about to put the pillows on the sofa, she discovered that Kio could not lie on it because the sofa was too small for Kio's height. Kio dismissed Rielle's concern and insisted on using the sofa as his bed to free Rielle from worry.

"No, I cannot do that, Kio. You will only feel uncomfortable, and surely you cannot sleep well, and it is even raining." Rielle took back the pillows, grabbed Kio by the hand, and led him upstairs to her bedroom.

"Here is my bed; you can sleep here. You are my guest, so it is but natural that you'll have the bed, and I'll get the sofa." Rielle offered.

"No, babe, I cannot let you sleep downstairs, especially since it's raining. What if someone breaks in and sees you there lying on the sofa? No, I cannot let that happen. I can take care of myself, babe." Insisted Kio. Rielle was thrilled when Kio called her babe.

"There's one solution left, babe," said Rielle sweetly.

Kio was amused when she called him 'babe,' too. "You get this bed, and I'll lay my comforter beside the bed. So, stop worrying now," said Rielle.

Kio kept silent a while, looking at the bed, and then he suggested, "why don't we just lie on the bed together, babe, and I promise, nothing will happen." Rielle smiled dryly and remarked, "Not in your dreams, babe." Kio scratched his head feeling embarrassed, and smiled.

"You're the boss, babe." Kio grinned. And while lying together, him on the bed and Rielle on the comforter, Kio set his body on his side facing Rielle, placed his arm on the pillow, laid his head on his arm, and watched Rielle closely, observing her beautiful face. Rielle caught him staring at her, so she also gazed at Kio.

"Can I come close to you for a while, Rielle? Let me have you in my arms and snuggle with me. I want to feel you now; that's all I ask, please?" Kio went down from his bed and sat on the floor, opening his arms so Rielle could come closer.

Both ended up embracing each other, feeling so close as they sat on the floor, and their hearts were so full of happiness and contentment. Rielle realized that Kio was not hard to love, and he was sweet, affectionate, tender, and trustworthy.

They stayed like this as they listened to the lashing of the wind by the window. Feeling warm, Rielle snuggled in Kio's warmth until she fell asleep. Kio slowly laid her on her comforter, covered her with her blanket, then kissed her forehead and went back to his bed, facing Rielle, his hand under his head, watching Rielle sleeping until he fell asleep.