Ch 4 Desarai- Work
There was a soft knock at my door and I hurried to answer it. Juliet was standing there and she impatiently demanded, "Come on Desarai, Ben is waiting." "I was just about to leave," I said as I pulled on my shoes. Juliet brought me over to where Ben was now talking to Goodwin and Ethan. To be honest I had no clue what we would be doing today. Ben gave a us a tour around the laboratory and Ethan explained the dilemma on the island with pregnant women. We learned that Ethan was a surgeon and Goodwin also had some medical experience. After the day was over Juliet and I headed back to our houses and I invited her over for dinner. Once the food was all prepared we sat down. "I'm worried about Rachel," I confessed. "Same." "She'll be fine." I said trying to convince myself. "We'll be back before she gives birth." "I can't wait; Rachel has wanted this forever. What do you think it will be?" "A boy," Juliet stated grinning. "Well, my moneys on a girl then." Rachel had always helped Juliet and I get along better because, since we worked together, we collided more. "Goodwin couldn't take his eyes off of you could he?" I teased. "Do you think I have a chance with him?" "Absolutely Juliet." We continued to talk and laughed about our stay so far and Juliet left at around midnight. I clamoured upstairs and remembered that the rest of my luggage was dropped off but I was too tired to go back downstairs so I climbed onto my bed in my work clothes and immediately fell asleep. The next few days passed uneventfully. I noticed that Ben seemed to have put up a cold front against me and I could see that he fancied Juliet no matter how hard he tried to hide it. I pitied him because Juliet and Goodwin were becoming increasingly more open with flirting and showing each other affection. With each day my thoughts drifted to Richard and I wondered if he was thinking about me and when he would be coming back to the village again. I didn't ask Ben because whenever Richard was brought into the conversation he would turn his blazing blue eyes on me making a chill run down my spine.
After five more days I was heading back from the lab and I saw Richard laving Ben's house. He caught sight of me and I stopped to wait for him to catch up. He smiled and said quietly, "Just got back, I was going to head over to your place when I finished talking to Ben." "Richard! Desarai, wait up," Juliet called form behind us. I turned around and waited for my sister. "Ben told me that we're going to have a badminton contest tomorrow." "Cool, but I'm terrible you know." "Well you're still going to try." Juliet replied grinning. "I'll get everyone to go easy on you." Richard teased. "Fine, but I'm hopeless at the game." "Badminton?" Goodwin asked appearing out of nowhere. "Hey, Juliet, I'd like to talk to you if you want to come around my place." "Sure, I'll catch up with you two later." When we arrived at my house I invited Richard in and as we wandered into the halls I looked at his muddy arms and messy hair. "You should take a shower. It's upstairs and down the hall." He headed up the stairs and out of sight without a word.
After ten minutes Richard came back downstairs and saw Desarai sitting at her piano playing a slow almost mournful tune. He sneaked up behind her and sat down on the bench beside her.
I stopped playing as soon as I noticed Richard and he took my hand and whispered, "Are you all right?" "Yes, I'm fine. I was just lost in a thought that's all." I replied staring at our inter-laced fingers. He reached out his other hand and gently turned my face towards his. My eyes were clouded with my past and I moved into his arms seeking comfort. Richard led me over to the couch and we sat together quietly. Finally I spoke, "I was married once before and it was love at first sight. Mere months later he proposed and I accepted. I was so in love and I trusted him but I was coming home from work one day earlier than I expected and I found him--- making love to my best friend. He had already met with a lawyer and was filing a divorce. After it was over he ran off with her and I never heard from either again." Tears were spilling down my cheeks and Richard looked straight into my eyes before replying, "You can trust me Desarai. I will always be true to you." I burst into more tears and kissed Richard. We sat there kissing for awhile before I broke away and he began to stroke my hair. "I can't wait to see you play badminton tomorrow." He said smirking. "Shut up. I'll kick your ass." I replied grinning. "I'll make you a deal, If you can beat anyone tomorrow then I will treat you to dinner and if you fail to do so it'll be be dinner at your place." "You're on." I challenged. There was a knock at the door that startled me and I jumped up and raced to the door curious of who it was. It was Juliet and she was grinning ear to ear. "What's up with you?" I asked slyly. "Goodwin kissed me!" "No way," I squealed in delight. "It was so romantic." "So, why did you leave?" "Are you telling me that you spent the first night you kissed Richard with him?" "Nothing happened. Do you want tom come in Richard's over?" "Yes, I'd like that." She responded and I opened the door wider admitting her into my house. Juliet entered the living room and sat down beside Richard, "How's your evening going?" "It just keeps getting better." I heard him answer flirtatiously making me immediately become annoyed. I sat there feeling left out of their conversation and I stared into Ben's window across the way. He was pacing back and forth and I wondered what he was thinking about. I saw him pause and his eyes rested upon me. I hurriedly looked away and announced that I was tired. "In that case, would you like to come over for a drink Richard?" "Sure, I'll see you tomorrow Desarai." He walked over and kissed me on the cheek before leaving with Juliet. I felt uneasy but she was my sister and I could trust her besides she was in love with Goodwin. I slowly wandered into my room and lay down on my bed thinking about the next day. My thoughts returned to Ben and I wished that he would warm up to me. I drifted to sleep still thinking about Ben and what a mysterious man he was.
