Chapter 14

We wait patiently for this mysterious person to arrive, the same one Keith had mentioned we had a meeting with earlier.

We are sitting at a private booth, in a rather expensive looking restaurant. This is quite the first time we've been really out together as a couple, well to me because to everyone else, I must look like Keith Salvatore's assistant. 

Looking at my white sundress with pink ballet flats, I shake my head. Or maybe not.

"They're here." Keith says, I pick up at that.

I notice two females, one , a familiar looking middle aged woman with a much younger pretty one on her side.

" Keith." The older lady says, her curly brown hair bouncing with her steps as she walks over to Keith, with open arms.

"Aunt Jill." Keith greets, giving her a short hug.

He's not a hug type of guy.

"It's been so long." The woman says, leaning back with her hands cradling his face.

"Too damn long." The younger woman says, earning both their attention ,the older lady stepping aside for the younger one to go in for a hug.

"You're quite hard to get ahold of, you know." The younger one says, leaning back

" I've been busy Elena, you know how things are." Keith responds, moving over behind one of the seats, ready to help the ladies into their seats.

"Oh sorry dear - How are you?" Aunt Jill says, coming over to me.

"Um hello Mrs Salvatore. " I say, holding out my hand for a handshake, only for my hand to be pushed aside and I'm then pulled into her arms.

"Oh please, call me aunt Jill. You're family after all." She says, giving me a squeeze before leaning back and making room for Elena to stand in front of me.

Up close, she's so pretty with white blonde hair, light blue eyes and beach tanned skin, tall with a radiance shining through.

" I know we haven't officially met but I'm Elena, Jill's goddaughter. It's nice to finally meet Keith's wife." My eyes widen a bit, briefly glancing over Elena's shoulder at Keith, not knowing what to say.

"She's important to me , so it was only natural for her to know." Keith responds, looking me straight in the eyes.

I swallow the forming lump in my throat. Gosh, how I wish I'd hear him say that about me.

Nodding, I briefly shake Elena's hand and quickly sit down, looking down at my lap, wishing more then anything that I was anywhere but here.

The awkwardness is broken by everyone settling in their seats, and already conversing. All I can do is sit back and let them have their time to catch up. 

I drown out their conversation, dwelling into my own thoughts and trying to picture my new life, life without Keith. The life of a divorcee.

"Akiandra." I jolt out of my thoughts and turn to look at Keith, who's frowning at me while everyone else stares at me. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "Yes? " 

"Order something." He says.

Right when he says this I notice the waiter at our table.

"Oh I'll just have a chicken salad."I say.

"She'll have a sausage beef steak with a salad." Keith jumps in and with a blank look sent to the waiter, knowing not to argue, the waiter scurries off.

I frown at Keith and just when I open my mouth to say something, I feel his hand squeeze my thigh shutting me up. He leans close, his breath fanning the side of  my face. 

" Not now." He warns.

Gosh his eyes are so pretty, so captivating, I can't look away.

"So when's the divorce?" We both tense up, being frozen in our positions.

How come they know about that?

Keith surely doesn't keep anything hidden. It's quite unnerving. 

Keith leans back, removing his hand in the process, taking away the warmth.

" I'm pretty sure we aren't here to discuss my marital issues, now will you tell us why we're here?" Keith says and I want to jump up with a smile, seeing him defend us. Well in my eyes of course.

I notice Elena's cheeks redden while she nods and she look away. From under the table, I take Keith's clenched hand onto my lap, totally surprising both of us. But I'm too grateful to stop.

His eyes stay on me for a brief moment before he looks ahead again, never removing his hand from mine. A giddy feeling takes over and I unclench his hand and start tracing circles on his palm, now feeling calm and content.

"Right, well soon I'll need for you to clear out your schedule. It's family time." Jill says as the waiter returns with our orders.

I watch Keith quirk his brow.

"Thank you." I tell the waiter before he leaves.

" Keith, you can't stay away forever but family is important. I know after Lily - " 

"We don't need to go there." He says, voice low, his hand covers mine, tightening a bit.

"It's been two years and I know it isn't easy to - " 

" No it isn't, now I have to go." He says, suddenly rising to his feet, throwing money on the table.

" Keith - " both Jill and Elena say as he storms off, leaving us all stunned.

I call upon the waiter, wanting him to wrap everything up for both Keith and I.

" Akiandra." I turn ahead, facing the two ladies.

" I've got something for him." Jill digs into her bag , pulling out an envelope, handing it over to me.

" I know we might not know each other that well and that's probably our fault for not stepping up, and giving him room to block us all out. I know things might be complicated between you two. But I need you to give him this and convince him to come." Jill finishes, her eyes soft with a plea.

My chest twists in pain for her. I nod, offering a small smile before rising to my feet with our packed food." Have a lovely day." 

"He's still here. " I mumble, thankful that Keith didn't leave me.

Upon seeing me, Alex opens the door for me, where I slide in right next to a leaned back Keith, his eyes closed. 

" Keith- " 

"Take us home. " Keith tells Alex, who's just entered, eyes still closed.

Panic starts up at me. Home? - Where is home? I hope- 

" Alex please take us to the park." I tell Alex, who peeks at me on the rearview mirror, his brows quirked up.

" What?" Keith perks up, his eyes boring holes to the side of my face.

Taking a breath , I slowly turn to face him, my eyes connecting with his." Alex, please take us to the park, Mr Salvatore is taking the day off, so I'd appreciate it if you informed his secretary." I end off, eyes still on him.

A minute or so of silence passes before I take his cellphone, switching it off, right in front of his face, though his eyes still stay on mine.

" We're here." Alex says, breaking the moment and giving us a reason to look away.

"Let's go." I say, jumping out of the car.

Walking ahead, my heart beats hard in my chest, not believing that I just did that. I don't know what took over me. Turning around and expecting to see him, my smile slips off my face when I don't see him, only Alex, who stands leaned against the driver's door.

Looking at Alex, I see him shake his head and my shoulders sag in disappointment. 

What did I think, that he'd take my invitation and come? I know that maybe I overstepped my boundaries but I thought  I was doing something good for him.

Guess I was wrong.

Closing my eyes for a second, I turn around, about to continue my way when I hear a car door slam shut. I spin around to face Keith, who's arms lean up against the car.

A relieved smile takes over my face. " So what do you have planned?" He asks.

" Nothing!" I call over, shrugging my shoulders.

He comes around to the other side, whispering something to Alex before coming over to stand in front of me.

" Lets go do nothing." A real smile takes over my face as I nod in agreement, leading the way with his hand, at the small of my back.