CHAPTER 7

The Way You Make Me Feel

"This is insane Kat." Adena comments while looking at the place with wide eyes. "This is not what I had in mind."

Kat grins. "Oh come on, Adena. This is fun." She raises both of her hands up and gives Adena a cheeky smile. "Don't you miss this? Going here and being a kid again?"

Adena scrunches her nose, "I've never…"

"What? As in you've never? Never ever?" Kat asks as she steps near Adena.

Adena shakes her head. "Never."

Kat hooks her arm at Adena. "Then this could be your first. And it will be fun because it's with me. Trust me. You will enjoy this."

Adena nods as she surrenders to Kat. The young woman wants to go to Dave and Busters, a game arcade. As much as Adena wants to say no, because for her, this is a place for kids; seeing Kat getting excited and cute like this makes her a goner.

"Yey!" Kat exclaims. She holds Adena's hand and pulls her inside the arcade. "This is amazing!" Kat says in pure excitement.

Adena looks at her surroundings. She doesn't have childhood memories of her going to places like this because all she did was study and be trained to be a better leader and CEO. She missed all this kind of fun. She stares at Kat for a moment, the young woman grins from ear to ear as she looks at the different arcade. Adena finally smiles. "So how do we do this? Do we need to buy a ticket or something?" She asks.

"We'll buy a card and load it." Kat says.

"Okay. Let's go." Adena replies with a smile.

"You're right. This is fun." Adena laughs. They spent three hours playing different arcade games in Dave and Busters. They tried the shooting games, racing cars, basketball and some machine that gives tickets. Adena never thought that she would enjoy this.

They both got tired and decide to have a snack in the bar. Adena ordered chicken wings and Kat ordered burger and fries.

Kat laughs too. "You were very good at beating me on those races."

Adena smiles with pride. "I love driving above speed limit."

"Have you gotten a ticket then?" Kat asks.

"Plenty." Adena laughs. "I never thought I would enjoy this, Kat. Thank you."

Kat blinks. "For what?"

Adena gives Kat a simple smile. "Thank you for making me enjoy my birthday."

Kat's eyes widen. "It's your birthday today?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"My birthday is just an ordinary day, Kat. I don't really celebrate it that much." Adena replies.

Kat pouts. "You still should have told me. I didn't even bought something nice for you."

Adena smiles. "Being with you here is enough, Kat. I really enjoyed this day." She says then looks away when she realized what she just said. She tries to hide her blush. "Are you done eating? I would like us to continue that Time Crisis shooting game. I'm really pissed off that I always get shot at."

Kat notices the change of topic but she ignored it. It's better that way, she thought. "That game really challenged you, huh?" She teases.

"Yeah. I love challenges. You know that." Adena says before she realized what she just said.

Kat laughs. "Damn right. I do."

Adena blushes at that.

Both of their minds went on places they shouldn't think about.

After spending nearly 5 hours in Dave and Busters, they were able to win a huge teddy bear. Kat was ecstatic. She was grinning from ear to ear when the staff gave it to her. Adena smiles at Kat's reaction.

"Oh my god. Jane and Sutton are going to be so jealous." Kat grins.

"Why is that?" Adena asks as they walk towards the door.

"Because Ady is so cute. Look at him." Kat smiles.

"Ady?" Adena furrows her eyebrows. "You already named him?"

Kat smirks. "Yup. Why not? And Ady is short for Adena. You gave it to me so I named him after you."

Adena laughs. "That is so weird." She looks at the huge teddy bear in Kat's arms. "But you're right. He is cute."

"Well you are cute." Kat says with a smile.

Adena feigns offended. "Oh Kat, how could you? I am not CUTE." She rolls her eyes.

Kat grins and then she pinches Adena's cheek. "You are, Adena. You are." Without thinking, she leans forward to kiss Adena's cheek but then Adena looks at her at the same time making her accidentally kiss the CEO's lips.

It was just a peck because as soon as their lips touch accidentally, Kat pulls away immediately. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry." Kat apologizes. "I was aiming for your cheek." Kat blushes furiously.

Adena blushes too. She looks away to avoid Kat's eyes. "That's fine. It was an accident."

Kat bites her lip. She feels awkward. This feels awkward.

But then they both notice several flashes of camera. And with that, they just laugh at the circumstance of the situation.

Kat felt elated as they walk hand in hand back at their place. There were paparazzi behind so it means they need to act their part. But if Kat was being honest to herself, she doesn't mind the paparazzi behind them. She doesn't mind the people around them at all. All she knows is that Adena's hand on hers feels nice. And a part of her wishes that this was real.

She looks at Adena and the CEO smiles at her warmly. Yes, Kat thought. As much as she wants to deny it to herself, spending time with Adena makes her feel something she shouldn't feel. She knows she shouldn't. They have rules. But the more she gets to know Adena El-Amin, the more she wants to know more about her.

They were inside the elevator when Adena spoke. "What do you want for dinner, Kat? This is our last day in New York. You can pick the place."

"We could just watch a movie and order pizza. I don't really feel like going out tonight." Kat says.

"Pizza and wine is good. Movie is good too." Adena agrees.

The elevator opens at the top floor and both of them step out. Kat is still carrying the huge bear on her arms when Adena opens the door.

Adena stops.

"What are you doing here?" She says in a cold tone.

Kat furrows her eyebrows at Adena's cold tone. And when she had the chance to see who is inside the penthouse, Kat felt like a cold bucket of water was thrown at her.

Sitting regally at Adena's couch was none other than Shireen.

"How did you get in here?" Adena grits her teeth.

"I still have the key, Adena." Shireen says in a calm voice.

"You shouldn't be here." Adena replies.

"You're not answering my calls." Shireen says.

Kat felt awkward at the exchange. She shouldn't be here. Her heart sank on the floor. She places the stuff toy on the table near the door. "I should leave you two alone." She says.

"No." Adena says.

Kat walks toward her and leans. "It's fine honey. I'll be at the coffee shop downstairs." She says then kisses Adena on her lips.

Adena blinks, obviously surprised at Kat's gesture. Kat winks at her and smiles. Finally, Adena understood. It's just for the show.

"It won't be long." Adena says with reassurance. Kat smiles in response.

"This is rude. You, being here in MY place, were rude." Adena says the moment Kat left the penthouse. She walks toward the bar and got herself a glass of wine.

Shireen walks toward her. "I didn't realize that you would let her stay here. In our safe place."

Adena rolls her eyes. Her heart beats fast. She knows she still have feelings for Shireen thus creating this insane plan with Kat, but seeing her in here makes her blood boil in annoyance. "This is not your place anymore, Shireen. Now, what do you really want from me?" Adena moves away from her.

"Kat Edison, your new prodigy. You really think she could be a match for me?" Shireen asks smirking. "You can't possibly think that."

"I saw an exceptional talent in her."

Shireen laughs. "Exceptional talent? You just screwed her and now you think she is an exceptional talent?"

Adena exhales a deep breath. She tries to control her anger. "You're insufferable." She moves far away from her. "You don't have the right to say things like that. You don't even know her."

"I know her enough to think that she just wants to screw her way to the top."

Adena shakes her head. "Stop it, Shireen."

Shireen smirks as she stares at her defiantly. "I don't believe you."

"What?" Adena asks.

Shireen got herself a glass of wine too. Then she raises it on her lips while she stares at Adena. "You and that kid. She is not even your type, Adena. Come on. She is too young for you."

Adena sighs. "Is this what this is really about? Me moving on with someone much younger than you?"

Shireen moves near her slowly. She looks at her in a seductive way that any man or woman could be under her spell in any minute. It's impossible to resist when she looks at Adena like that. Shireen is a temptress. She uses this to her advantage.

Shireen leans toward Adena. "I don't believe that you love her." She hovers Adena's lips with her own. "No one can replace me."

Adena moves away immediately. "And that's where you're wrong."

Shireen laughs. "She is not your type."

"What do you know about me?" Adena shakes her head. "You don't know me, Shireen. You broke my heart. I was hurt and now I moved on. With someone else."

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Shireen asks. "You don't love anyone but yourself, Adena." She grits her teeth.

Adena's jaw clenches. "How dare you tell me that? I loved you before and you broke our engagement and my heart."

"Well you have a crappy way of showing it." Shireen spats.

Adena exhales a deep breath. "What more do you want from me, Shireen? Tell me!"

Shireen sighs. She tries to calm herself. "I came here to greet you a happy birthday. I remember, Adena. You don't celebrate your birthday but I always made sure that you celebrate it with me."

Adena looks away. "Everything is different now."

"We can still be together." Shireen says softly.

Adena rolls her eyes. What games is Shireen playing now? "Why are you doing this? I thought you are supposed to get married with your billionaire fiancé?"

"I don't love him as much as I love you." Shireen replies while staring back at her.

"I don't believe this." Adena sits defeatedly. "Why now?"

Shireen sits beside her. Her hands finds Adena's lap. "Leave the kid, Adena. Be with me. Then I will leave him for you."

Adena opens her eyes wide. "You want me to leave my girlfriend first so I could be with you while you plan to dump your fiancé later?"

"Yes, Adena. I have the perfect plan on how I could leave him. Just give me time." Shireen bites her lip as she stares at Adena. "Just be with me." she says softly.

Adena's heart feels like it's being shattered. She knows how conniving Shireen is. She will do everything to be on top. The presence of Kat must have scared her. The presence of a young woman in the industry that could challenge her stardom must have scared her. Shireen is using her. Again. And when she can't give her anything more, she will just drop her like a hot potato. Just like before.

Shireen leans slowly and when their lips are mere inches apart, Adena pulls away. "Leave. I don't want you here when I get back." She stands up.

"What are you doing? Did you not hear what I just said?"

"I heard it perfectly clear." Adena replies in a cold tone.

"Then why?" Shireen asks, confused.

"Leave, Shireen." Adena replies in a dismissive tone.

With a heavy heart, Kat leaves the penthouse. She feels like her heart is breaking at the thought of Adena and Shireen alone there. Why does she feel her heart is splitting into two? She can't feel like this towards Adena. This is insane. This is not supposed to happen.

She can't possibly be in love with Adena, right? They have rules. She can't fall for her. It's against the rules. This pretend relationship is getting out of hand. Her growing feelings are getting out of hand.

Kat Edison doesn't fall in love. She never fell in love in her entire life. Sure she had some flings, one night stands but never a relationship. It's funny because this pretend relationship is really her first. And if she was being honest to herself, she thinks she might be in love with Adena El-Amin, her boss. And that is not good. For her and for the CEO.

Kat wonders what Shireen and Adena might be doing at this time? Did they reconcile? Did they kissed and made up? What will happen to her? Will she go back to her life like nothing happened? Is she capable of doing that after spending some time with Adena? Will Adena ignore her from now on?

She drinks her beer. Damn these feelings. She mentally scolded herself.

"I thought you were going to the coffee shop?"

Kat turns around to see Adena standing behind her. "Hey." She greets.

Adena sits beside her at the bar. She orders scotch. "I thought we're going to watch a movie, eat pizza and drink beer?"

"I started it already." She raises her beer and drinks it. "How is Shireen?" She asks, trying to sound casually.

Adena drinks her scotch. "She told me she still loves me."

Kat looks away for a second, "Oh? That's great, isn't it?"

"I'm not sure if I believed her." Adena adds.

"Why?" Kat blinks.

Adena smiles. "Let's not talk about her."

Kat wants to ask more questions but Adena choses to close the topic. "Rain check on that movie? Do you want more hard liquor?"

Kat grins. "Sure."

"Great."

They were both dizzy and drunk when they came back at the penthouse but Adena was much more drunk than Kat.

Something must have happened with Shireen that Adena felt the need to drunk herself into oblivion. Kat thought. She guides Adena inside. They stumble together. Adena was on top of Kat.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kat asks, concern laced on her voice.

Adena was staring at her with intensity. "You are so beautiful." She says softly.

Kat smiles. "You are beautiful too, Adena."

"You make me feel something." Adena confesses.

"You make me feel something too." Kat replies.

Adena stares at her lips. Kat was mesmerized.

The CEO leans slowly. Their lips touch softly at first. Kat closes her eyes. It was just lips pressing against each other.

But then Adena grew bolder. She opens her mouth and tries to coax Kat into opening her mouth too. She angles her head and deepens the kiss. Her tongue explores the roof of Kat's mouth. Kat moans hard. Every nerve of her being wants this to happen but her brain wants to stop it before it's too late.

They are both on the floor, too drunk to stand up but too hot to stop. Adena kisses Kat passionately and the latter responds with equal intensity.

Kat's mind is battling with her heart. Should she let this to happen? Is it still possible to resist Adena at this state?