Chapter 13

Aisha.

I returned back to the others to see they were talking with another guy with dark curly hair. I could not really see him because he was backing me but he looked familiar. Kim is the first in the group to notice my arrival.

"Hey, you've been long on the phone was there a problem?" she asked causing everyone to look at me. Including the new guy. Immediately, a grin graced my lips as I now recognized him, and he returned the smile.

"Travis." I said with a grin.

"Aisha. My God." We said as we hugged each other then pulled away. "As radiant as always. A real sunshine." He said.

"Oh c'mon." I said blushing.

"I see you two need no introductions." Jeremy said with raised brows, making us now aware of the people watching us curiously.

"Well no we've already met before." I replied.

"Yeah. We did through a "mutual friend"." he replied with a sarcastic tune to the last two words." But I'm glad we could meet again." he said with a grin which made me smile back.

"Well." Kim said clapping her hand "That's great. Now we're complete for the outing." she said.

"What outing?" Travis asked curiously.

"Oh, I thought we could have some sort of outing with Kim and her friends. And we were short of one person." Jeremy replied.

"Till you came anyway. A clear sign you're definitely heaven sent. So will you come with us?" She said rather than asked.

"Oh no Kim. He should be busy with work at his office. We can't just impose it on him like that." I tried to counter but he interrupted.

"Oh no Aisha. It's fine. I could create time if it's to spend it with you. I'm fine with that...*" he replied causing me to blush again at his sweetness. I felt my entire face growing warm as my friends sent teasing smiles my way.

"Are you sure man?" Jeremy asked worriedly.

"Yeah. Absolutely."he replied with his dazzling smile.

"That's all settled then." Kim replied excitedly. "7:00pm tonight ok. Just the time to get ready and call Jules. Right Toni?"

"Ehm. Yeah sure." Toni replied.

"Great. Let's go then. Bye boo." She said giving Jeremy a kiss on the cheek. " catch you later." She said pulling us out.

"Ok honey." Jeremy said waving at us.

Once out and into the car, the inevitable question spilled out once the doors were shot.

"Spill it out now." Kim said as they both turned around to face me in the back seat. Of course it was intensional. I normally seat at the passenger seat in front.

"Spill what out?" I asked feigning innocence.

"Oh no. You won't go free this time. I'm not with you this time. I want to hear the end of this story." Toni replied.

"Really?" Kim asked astonished as she turned her attention over to Toni now. "Woaw!" she exclaimed happily "at least you're with me for once." she said.

"I'm not on your side. I'm just curious that's all." Toni replied waving her hand dismissively which made Kim's smile to drop.

"Yeah whatever." Kim huffed "It's still the same."she said.

Yeah now I was a deer caught in the headlights if Toni was not on my side. Normally I had only Kim to deal with in such situations but if Toni gets to it too..... I sighed before replying.

"Ok. I met him at the party I went for with Michael." I replied.

"Oh you girl!" Kim exclaimed"you're so bad. How can you be with such a handsome man and go for another Greek god?" she said with a smile. "I never thought of you as been so flirty. You see, you could be a man eater if you want." She said nudging my arm slightly.

"Listen I'm not flirty okay. And I'm most definitively not a man eater " I replied.

"Yeah well, not yet but it will come with time." Kim said.

"What else?go on." Toni urged me.

"Yeah we've got all the time till 7:00pm" Kim said turning on the car engine.

On the way home, I explained everything about how I met Travis and Michael's and Travis' sort of animosity towards each other.

"Did he give you any reason as to why they've got that bad blood feeling for each other?" Toni asked. Surprisingly enough, Kim had been quiet throughout the ride.

"No, I never really bothered about that since I thought it had be the last time I ever get to see them. Well until today anyway." I replied.

"It's sad." Kim finally spoke. "Such a waste; being with such a beautiful woman and leaving off because you're scared of what your parents had think. I had spent my whole night making you look beautiful. No, making you look amazing, and even a compliment couldn't come out of his fucking rich ass throat?" She exclaimed furiously, which mad us look at each other before looking back at her astound.

"Well, his loss. Now you still got some hot ass guy who can appreciate a beautiful woman when he sees one and know better not to let go of her.".

"Ok Kim. You've got to calm down." Toni spoke

"Calm down?" Kim retorted.

Uhoh. The worst thing that gets Kim pissed are guys who act like assholes and running out of makeup and clothes.

"That guy is really an ass." Yeah his attitude that night wasn't really cool but somehow, I had a sudden feeling of defending him. Urg! That's crazy. Why do I care anyway?

"There is no need to ruin your mood over the past. Besides, I should be the one angry here." I replied

"Yeah she's right. There is no need for you to get mad." Toni said trying to placate an infuriated Kim.

"Whatever." she replied waving her hand dismissively. "Jem is back and we're going out." She said very excited. "Talking about going out, you're to call Jules remember?" She reminded Toni.

"Let me go do it before it slips off my mind." Toni replied getting up from the sofa.

"As for you. I'm gonna make you irresistible. Travis won't be able to keep his eyes off you tonight." Kim said with a grin.

"Kim it's just a casual outing with friends....." I said.

"With a handsome future suitor." she interjected wiggling her her eyebrows teasingly.

"Oh common Kim. Quit playing matchmaker or cupid for every date I have." I said

"Was just saying." she shrugged innocently.

"Jules will be coming." Toni came back interrupting our discussion.

"Great." Kim replied clapping."Let's get ready then."

By 6:45pm, the guys were all there and ready to take us out. True to her words, Travis couldn't get his eyes off me. I didn't really wear anything intricate. Just a black crop top, a camouflage jacket, black ripped denim pants and classic Van's. I had my braids half up in a ponytail and let the rest fall down my back. I accessorized the look with hoop earrings.

"Told you he won't keep his eyes off you." Kim whispered.

"Oh let me be Kim." I replied.

"You okay?" He came and embraced me from the side."I got something for you." He said offering a smoothie.

"Thanks." I replied with a smile.

"Anything for you." He said returning the smile."I was thinking. Would you be busy tomorrow? I thought we could have lunch together." He said. "without your friends." he emphasized.

"Oh I had love to, but I'll be meeting with someone tomorrow and it's really important. Sorry." I replied apologetically.

" oh. Ok some other time then. I really enjoy your company." He said and I smirked at his words.

"You enjoy my company or you just enjoy being with me?" I asked teasingly.

"Ok. You got me." he said defeated. "I love been with you. I'm beginning to like you. And I just treasure evey moment with you." he said simply.

That struck me but still, I saw sincerity in his eyes and felt them in his words. I bent my head because I really didn't know what to say.

"Hey." He said lifting up my head by my chin."I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry if I did. I can be so straight forward at times......"

"Don't be silly I'm ok. Can we go and try the next attraction? I haven't been there yet." I said changing the topic. Thank God he didn't persist.

The rest of the evening was cool. Filled with laughter and fun, but I went to bed with a little anticipation about how our meeting tomorrow was going to be like.

Michael J. Donovan. what are you up to this time?