If everyone was in in the dark about the real relationship between Niles and the woman she brought along on his trip back home, at the sight of his precious class ring around her neck, it was now clearly evident that he was branding her as his. Fred was keenly aware how relationships were back in high school and college, albeit he did not practice it even back then as he didn't want to be tied down, and neither was he serious about any of the women he went out on a date with, he knew guys give their class ring to their steady girlfriends that way no one was second guessing. He felt ashamed for attempting to invite CC after the Christmas party for a night cap. He wouldn't have, had Niles or CC been more straightforward about their relationship.
He glanced up at Kate who stopped midway biting a chocolate chip cookie as she gaped at Niles' ring around CC's neck who stood across from her, oblivious to the green-eyed monster standing close to her. Fred was afraid Kate would tear it from CC's neck as she was getting food from across the buffet table.
"Kate, would you bring me some of the dessert you made. Let's see if it's as good as they say," called Fred, trying to get Kate away from CC.
"Sure, anything for the best man at my wedding," yelled Kate.
Kate complied and flashed him a big smile but not before throwing CC another dagger look. She did not wait for Niles her entire life only for some loose American socialite to come and sweep him out of her hands. She must act now if she wanted to keep Niles. He just needed a little convincing, a little persuasion that she was the right woman for him.
CC pretended she did not hear Kate. She didn't understand why she was upset. Was Niles really marrying Kate? Niles wouldn't have brought her here if he was in a serious relationship with another woman. Likewise, she was not Niles' girlfriend to be jealous of Kate who was stating claim on Niles but in as much as she wanted to deny it, she was attracted to Niles and wondered what this vacation would entail for them. To push Kate's claim on Niles away from her mind, she rejoined Jane and Fyodor who were both talking to Niles' father as they enjoyed lunch.
Niles left the celebration out on the garden for a while and headed inside the house to the back room. He needed to take some real state documents to show Fyodor. He was about to make a downpayment for a house in the outskirts of London, and he wanted to get his friend's opinion if it will indeed be a good investment, something he can fall back on in the event that he will raise a family in England, or retire in England someday.
His quiet departure from the festivities did not go unnoticed by Kate who immediately followed him inside the house and into the backroom that currently served as his bedroom. Having found his documents, Niles laid them on a small table in the room while he changed his polo shirt for a cooler cotton shirt. He was not aware that another person entered the room until he flung the polo shirt to the hamper as he rummaged his closet but there was no familiar soft thud as the fabric landed on the steel hamper.
He was about to turn around to check when he felt a presence behind him and suddenly feminine limbs wrapped around his middle, one hand holding his discarded shirt.
"I just love how you smell of Cool Water, Niles… as fresh as the ocean, and when I miss you, I take a walk by the seashore. You're just like the sea, calm on the surface but beneath that serenity are turbulent currents filled with passion."
Kate trailed gentle kisses down his bare back. She had never been this forward, but it was about time. Perhaps, he was just too much of a gentleman and he needed the encouragement. She was certain that that New Yorker had thrown herself at Niles a hundred times that's why he felt compelled to give her his ring. She'd show him she was a far better woman than CC in more ways than one.
Niles placed his hands over her arms that were still encircling his bare upper body.
"Is this what you truly want, Kate?" asked Niles.
"Yes, Niles. I want you and I love you…"
"I'm afraid I can't give you what you want, I'm sorry. I truly am," said Niles without turning back to face her.
He wanted to give her a little dignity. It was never easy to tell someone how you feel about them, to bare your innermost thoughts and feelings. It took a lot of courage for her to do that and the least he could do was spare her a little pride. He knew the fact that she summed up the courage to tell him meant she was sincere, but he could not give her something that he long ago intended to give another.
But Kate wanted to look into his eyes. She wanted to see the truth in his eyes and so she released him from the embrace and moved in front of him. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had been certain they will one day end up together.
"What do you mean? Don't you want me? You must have some feelings for me," she demanded.
"I love you as a friend… nothing else. My heart belongs to someone else," he explained sadly but firmly.
Kate burst into tears and hugged him tighter, burying her face on his chest but Niles remained unmoved.
"You can't mean that. You have not had a girlfriend in twelve years… there can't be anyone. It has always been just me around. Who else could you have been waiting for all these years if not me?"
Niles gently removed her arms around him, gripping her shoulders to make her look at him. He didn't expect her to stay and insist. He had to do it the hard way- tell it so to her face.
"Listen, Kate. If I had any feelings for you other than friendship, I would have told you a long time ago seeing the possibility you like me. I'm sorry. I did not mean to lead you on. I may not have had a girlfriend in twelve years, but my heart belonged to someone in the last twelve years and it's not you."
Hot angry tears fell down her cheeks as she stormed out the backroom door and down the stairs and out the front door. She ran past Niles' parents, without a backward look, unheeding their voices that were calling out to her, asking what the matter was, asking her to come back.
Niles' parents looked at each other in confusion before looking out the open front door that Kate left to Niles' sudden presence at the top of the stairs. They looked at him inquiringly, waiting for some sort of explanation.
"It's about time I tell her upfront…that we're better off as just friends."
Leaving his parents gaping behind him, he rejoined the party. He had one problem resolved, now the only problem left was finding a way to tell CC how he felt about her. Could he tell her without frightening her away? If she could not return his feelings, can their relationship remain the same? He would settle for anything she can give him. Can they still exchange insults and zingers, trying to get into each other's nerves? His fear was to ruin what little they have if CC did not return his feelings. What would he do if she decided to ignore him and stay away from him after he confessed his feelings? Was he willing to take the risk?