My apologies once more for the incredibly late update. I'm forced to have really long gaps in between writing because of my work. It's beginning to sound like excuses but please bear with me. I love writing this story and want this to be good more than anyone else so I'll have to take all the time and effort I need to write and refine this story as my schedule permits. The good news is, I'll be able to concentrate a little more on writing come August but I'll only be really free to write this in mid-October.
Anyway, enough about that, please enjoy the next chapter~ (or continuation of the previous one, to be exact)
Or the hearts of the people you wait on. Carol mused as she brought out some chicken and greens for lunch.
A few men perhaps would turn to look back at the pretty and sensitive sales girl, maybe even a few women… such as Carol? That's ridiculous. Carol stood up to get a glass of whiskey. But decided to dilute it with tap water because the alcohol might even encourage more ridiculous thoughts.
When she had returned, she froze in place at the door frame and the two had locked eyes. Therese's eyes had a certain inquisitiveness in them that Carol likened to an owl, minus the funny wideness. She couldn't quite look away from them, as if she enjoyed being the focus of their attention, and only two others have looked at her the same way before. If only she could keep that admiring gaze to herself…
"Do you meet a lot of people across the counter this way?" Carol finally broke the heavy silence, but suddenly realized the possessiveness in her tone. "Don't you have to be careful whom you start to talking to?"
"Oh, yes." Therese smiled and Carol felt a small spark between them.
"Or whom you go out to lunch with?" Carol added. Therese continued to smile as if the conversation was one of light banter. Carol followed suit. "You might run into a kidnapper." But immediately regretted it after Therese let out a small laugh and continued to smile at Carol.
A small ember of impatience lit up in Carol's chest. She hated feeling vulnerable that way. Was Therese mocking her because she perhaps knew that Carol was starting to have some sort of affection towards her? No, that's impossible. Carol finished her whiskey.
"Well—do you meet many people this way?" Her voice sounded more impatient but she still managed to keep it barely noticeable.
"No." Therese replied.
"Not many? Just three or four?" Carol's gaze stared right into Therese's eyes, as if she started to demand that they only look at her.
"Like you?" Therese quietly asked. Yes, like me. Do you always look at people with those piercingly honest and admiring eyes the way you look at me?
But Carol turned away, not wanting to give away anything else. She had lost herself in those absorbing thoughts again and this time, it even began to manifest itself outwards. She mentally cursed herself for drinking some alcohol which loosened her tongue, and placed the glass that contained the culprit on the stove top.
"Do you play the piano?" Carol said as she walked towards the large wooden piano in the living room, wanting to forget all about her vulnerability that she displayed earlier. Therese said she knew a little and Carol turned away. "Come and play something."
"But I'm really not that good and—"
"Oh, I don't care how you play. Just play something." She demanded in a high voice. Therese was shocked at the sudden hostility and quickly sat at the piano. This is your fault. How dare you waltz into my life when I am most vulnerable and set everything ablaze with that kind, adoring look in your eyes…?
But Carol knew Therese had done nothing. She was the one who invited her out for lunch that day and asked her again to visit her house. Carol was tired. A small pang of guilt began to well inside her as she listened to Therese play the piano. She was playing Scarlatti's Sonata in C Major, a quick tempo melody which gave the impression that Therese was playing so desperately hard to please her after that heated glare that Carol gave her when she demanded her to play.
Therese began to slow down and the melody started to break until she eventually stopped with a tired gasp. I'm sorry… Carol stood up and slowly walked towards her. "Are you tired?" She said apologetically, with her eyes half closed, as if that question was also meant for herself.
"Yes." Therese said softly, eyes not turning away from the ivory keys. Carefully, Carol placed her hands on Therese's weary shoulders. Then slowly inched towards her chin and bent over to kiss Therese at her hairline. I'm sorry, darling… You must be very tired as well…
"Come with me." Carol softly said and lead Therese up to her room. "I think a nap wouldn't hurt you." She said as she fixed the bed.
"Thanks, I'm not really—"
"Slip your shoes off…" Carol said softly. Take a nap… That way, I'll be free from your admiring gaze…
"I don't think I shall sleep, but if I do—"
"I'll wake you in half an hour." She gently said as she pulled the blanket over Therese and sat down at the edge of the bed. She felt like she was putting Rindy to sleep, her little baby. But unlike Rindy, Carol regarded Therese much differently. A completel stranger that she both willingly and unwillingly let inside her life that began to throw everything into discord. "How old are you, Therese?" she found herself asking.
"Nineteen." Therese replied and Carol's face contorted into an apologetic smile.
"You're a child…" Of course… Of course she's still young. Who else would be able to gaze upon the world so innocently without the cynicism of an adult? But that didn't mean Therese was immature. She was at that stage where she was still young and perky without the hardened façade that one develops from being out in the open world for many years, yet mature enough to make one's own decisions about the important things in life even if they may come to regret it later on, a stage Carol had gone through herself which changed her life to the way it is now.
Carol slowly held Therese's shoulders and carefully placed her face closer to Therese's neck, as if she was in a trance held by this young woman. She knew very well the wild and burning emotions that a juvenile heart harbors. And Carol wanted it for herself. Have you ever been in love, Therese? Do those feelings drive you mad that your whole body burns in passion? Are you in love with me? But not a word escaped from her mouth as she stared into Therese's hazel brown eyes. She saw her own reflection in the intense gaze with a fervent desire blazing behind it. And what else? An illusion of contentment, as if Therese was staring into pure bliss that she didn't seem to have a care in the world at that time. Yes… you are in love with me…
Carol let go and lifted her head. "What would you like?" But Therese didn't answer, like she was caught in the shame of being found out by Carol for harboring all those feelings. "What would you like?" Carol repeated herself.
"Nothing, thanks." Therese replied in a small voice. Are you shy? Don't be… Tell me… Tell me what you really want… and I could give it to you… Carol's eyes carefully wandered around the room. No one was there. No one would catch them should they try to learn a little more about each other. No one except…
Mother! Can I go on a trip with Robin's family? Rindy's voice rang across her head, like a thunderous crash across her mind, putting all previous thoughts into a screeching halt as she saw a picture of her daughter hanging on a frame across the room.
What am I doing?! Carol's body suddenly felt cold, as one would get when caught red-handed. She stood up and immediately went to light a cigarette. After drowning her restlessness in the white cloud of smoke escaping her mouth, she looked back at Therese again, lying down on her bed, watching her, left hanging after Carol's sudden departure from her side. Carol's eyes softened. "What would you like, a drink?" She said tenderly.
"I'd like some hot milk." Therese said almost inaudibly.
"Some hot milk." Carol's lips smiled in mockery, partially to Therese for really sounding like a child in bed, and partially to herself for thinking such ridiculous thoughts half a minute ago. She turned around, walked out of the room, and closed the door.
