For dinner there's saffron rice with garden peas, tender roasted beef with plenty of veggies, and a grand fruit torte for dessert. Eleanor prepared everything herself and I was honored to learn her secret recipe as we exchanged stories in the kitchen since I had nowhere else to go.

She's a marvel in the kitchen.

It turns out that they lived in London before moving to Montana about a year ago after her husband's death. It was a rueful revelation. Well, she's such a charming woman I'd never get tired of hearing her talking. Or maybe I've just fallen in love with her motherly warmth and tenderness.

Soon after dinner I head back to my room holding a half glass of a vintage red wine from Napa—as I was told by Eleanor upon taking the first tasty sip of it. Now what next? I sigh. Sleeping in a new room can be a little tricky for me, most of the time. I down my wine as I ponder.

Sam drops by a moment later.

"Any problem, ma'am? I'm busy chasing after my sleep you know?" I tease, pulling my pajamas from the suitcase.

"I see you've found yourself a new bestie, huh?" Sam grins, drawing herself in.

"I don't follow," I remark, clueless of what she's referring to. I start peeling off the dress and the bra that has been bugging me since earlier.

I hate brassieres.

"I'm talking about Liam's mother." Sam drops heavily on the bed, untying her hair with a sharp tug of the hairband.

"Eleanor? What about her?" I ask.

"You two are clicking like hell. Did she say anything about me?" Her long fingers run through her tangled hair, pulling it loose.

"Nothing in particular," I reply while folding my dress. "She only asked how long we've known each other, and naturally I told her since childhood."

"Did you mention the orphanage?"

"Yes?" I frown.

"Jesus! And what did she say?" Panic strikes through her.

"Nothing. Just the usual words that we must be used to by now," I answer matter-of-factly. "Why, Sam? Were you planning to hide it?" I just don't understand her reaction.

"No, it's just—" She stammers, a small hint of displeasure clouding her sleepy-like eyes. "Oh, I don't know." She stands up briskly and starts walking in circles, as though pondering about something.

I think it's that little disease. I sigh heavily.

"Come here." I hold her hand and pull her down. "Stop thinking about that, okay?" I tell her softly.

"About what?" She gives me the I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about look.

"Sam, I know you're still bothered with the fact that your mother abandoned you in that place," I say and she swallows hard. "But don't let it destroy you, please. It wasn't your fault, and it definitely doesn't mean you should be ashamed of it. You're amazing, and if there's anyone who doesn't see it, then they've got to check their brain. Forget about it."

"Kira . . ." She sighs, fighting the tears in a depressing manner. "I hate this feeling that I may be rejected anytime. I hate feeling this way, but it always gets the best of me."

"No, don't let it," I say sternly, feeling my own eyes getting heavy. "Don't let anything make you feel that way. And guess what, even if the whole world turns against you, I'll always be by your side. We'll grow old together if necessary. But don't ever feel ashamed of who you are. It's not a crime growing up in an orphanage because we didn't choose it. Life chose it for us."

At times we both lose to our fears, but in the end we get up again and start over.

"Okay, Kiki. What will I ever do without you, huh? I fucking love you." Sam hugs me over a tearful laughter.

"I love you too, silly." I hug her back, wondering how my life would've been without her.

"Okay." She gets up all refreshed. That's my girl! "No more crying, I came to get something." She starts parading around.

"What are you looking for?" I ask fast so that she stops making me giddy.

"Oh, I get it. I came to get my suitcase." She laughs at her own fish brain. "They have another room for me, is it okay if we sleep separately?" she asks while pulling her large, pink suitcase.

"You think I'm gonna kick you while asleep?"

"Come on, Kira, that's not it," she argues. "The room is opposite to Liam's, so I—"

"Alright, fine! No details!" I stoutly say.

Why does she like tormenting me?

She bursts out laughing, fully aware of my horror regarding her nude talk. "Relax, Kiki. I was only going to say that I wouldn't want to be a bother, in case we take too much time talking while you want to rest."

"Works better for me. Have a great time," I tell her before slipping into a pink top and white pajama pants. I close the window, and then flick off the lights, ready to call it a day.

The place is quite chilly at night. Decidedly I dive under the warm duvet and the sooner I fall asleep the better. I'm deadly exhausted, and for a single lady, why not enjoy the bed? All I need is to get a good sleep if I may.

***

He approaches me from behind as he normally does, and whispers the words that I usually fail to hear, but not today. I refuse to lose this time. I'm going to hear what he says, and I'm so determined to unravel his face; to finally see him.

His strong arms wrap around my tummy, disarming me with a soft brush of his chest against my back, nuzzling my hair smoothly. His touch is something I need, his words like the food I'm craving, and his face is all I want to behold.

"I've been waiting forever," he breathes against my neck, and I breathe sharply. "You and I are meant to be; near, far, you're always mine and I yours," he says huskily, making me swallow hard, yet my vocal feels restrained. "I love you, Kira. I always will."

Breathing heavily, I slowly open my eyes, feeling the grand urge to apprehend the proprietor of my unsettling heart. I turn my head in a slow motion, to eventually see the face of this tantalizing stranger who doesn't feel strange at all. He tightens his grip, holding me still. Oh God.

"Please, let me see you," I rasp, my voice barely audible.

"Are you sure, Kira?" His strong hand finds my neck and gently caresses against his velvet lips, sending a shiver down my spine. "Do you think you can handle it?" he asks, his warning so alluring, doubling my desires and curiosity.

"Please," I beg, embracing his soft kisses near my earlobe. He simply drives me insane.

"If you say so," he whispers.

Slowly, not wanting to kill the suspense so easily, if not for my fears for the unknown, I turn my head around, my heart pounding hard against my chest.

Finally, after the long wait, I manage to grasp his face. He's now standing before me, his smile big and bright, something so beautiful.

However, my gaze turns stone-cold when I look at him. I shake my head slowly, denying the sight of him. He's not the one, I mentally scream.

No, it can't be him!

Feeling as though I've skipped a rope, I sit up in bed while running a hand through my messy hair. The dream is still fresh in my head. Why did I see him? Is the only question burning inside me.

Why Liam Darcy?

I swallow convulsively while reaching for the bottle of water, trying to catch a proper breath. It's only one-forty and this damn insomnia won't go easy on me. Is it even curable? Now I wonder.

Dr. Snape says it has a connection to the trauma.

After surviving the accident in which my parents died, I barely have a peaceful night. I keep having nightmares, and in addition to that, I started having this crazy dream. Right now I can only come up with one explanation.

I must be going nuts.

I slowly abandon the bed and walk towards the sliding doors leading to the balcony. I think I need some fresh air no matter how cold it may be. I wrap myself with a blanket for precaution, for I don't want to imagine how the winter treats the folks around here. Finally I step onto the balcony.

Montana night coos me gently as the shining moon and stars relax in harmony, my eyes dazzled by their hypnotic beauty. I smile optimistically at the sound of wilderness from the tall trees streaming around. So calm and serene. Sighing, I hug the blanket tightly, staring at the sky above.

Why can't I be up there? I sometimes feel this way, tired of living, exhausted of fighting the unknown awaiting.

Thinking of the dream, I just take a deep breath. I refuse to believe it, yet my mind doesn't seem to be playing tricks at all. I clearly saw Liam's face earlier—he's the man in my dream. But why now? Why him? Why not someone else? This is so crazy.

No, maybe it's just an illusion, Kira.

Amidst all this, something catches my attention. I cock my head to the right side as there's a light coming from the next balcony, and as I fix my eyes attentively, I see Liam standing there. What? I gasp mentally, and he is apparently looking at me, dressed in pajama pants and a polo shirt.

No, this is not real, is it?

Even if it's half-dark, I can tell the intensity of his gaze, which doesn't leave me indifferent. Doesn't he sleep? He should be sleeping. And what about you? Shame runs over my cheek, turning me flushed. I decide to return inside, ignoring the scorching gaze from Liam.

I take a sleeping pill, which I've been told not to. I really need to sleep.

up late. Hungover from the wine, I strongly desire some caffeine to regain my vigor. I quickly take a shower and slip into a pair of skinny jeans and sweater—it's a bit colder than last night. Afterwards, I head to the kitchen, passing by Sam's room without luck.

She's already awake, it seems.

On my way down, as I descend the stairs nonchalantly, the memory of last night flashing the back of my mind vehemently, dragging me into the same cloud of the never-ending confusion. I'd love to play oblivious, but the dream displays itself in my head treacherously.

I truly wish I could tell someone, but no. I still love my reputation as a sound-minded woman.

"Good morning, Kira, did you sleep well?" Eleanor regards me as I step into the kitchen. She's stunningly dressed in a cream, sheath dress and zebra-patterned heels.

Gorgeous.

"Morning, Eleanor. I slept well," I return with a grateful smile despite the odds.

"Good to hear, darling," she replies gently. "Breakfast outside, Betty. For once in your life, please hurry without breaking a thing, dear."

Betty nods, and I smile at her.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask Eleanor, who's already fully dressed for the day ahead.

"Yes, Kira," she answers. "I have to go to the city and I'm afraid I won't join you for breakfast." Her smile fades.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Unfortunately. Work matters." She sighs. "But I want you to have fun and enjoy your stay,"

"I will. Thanks." I smile, feeling such a rare kind of joy.

Something I forgot since I was seven.

"Okay, later." She gives me a kiss on my left cheek before disappearing in a hurry.

What a beautiful morning!

Staring at Betty struggling with the breakfast charade, I can't contain myself from laughing. She's kind of clumsy, if not slow. Sighing, I stride over to give her a hand.

"Let me help you carry the tray," I tell her, and she shakes her head in denial. "Well, it's not a problem, really," I insist, but she keeps denying. "Alright, but at least be careful, huh?"

I chuckle at the sight of her snail-like movement.

On the front porch I find Sam and Liam having breakfast.

"Hi, Kiki." Sam beams at me sassily, looking great in a floral mini jumpsuit, her hair loose in slight waves. I guess she had a beautiful night, and her mood is as such.

Life is so unfair.

"Hi, Sam," I answer and my eyes find the gentleman in a white sweatshirt and black jeans.

He's great, too. I seriously wonder how these two manage to look this beautiful so early in the morning.

And here I am, thinking of my crazed life, looking like overcooked spinach.

"Good morning, Ms. Jones," Liam greets me over his gigantic newspaper—The New York Times to be more specific—making him exude power for reasons only I can understand.

"Morning," I answer gently.

He lowers the newspaper. "I hope you had a good night."

You wish.

"Yes, I had a great one." I take a seat.

"Very well." He gives me a faint smile and resumes his focus on the newspaper.

My morning begins in such a style as we soon engage in breakfast. At least I get to compensate for my disturbing night with some tasty doughnuts and coffee. Fair or not, life can still be funny. While at it, I just appreciate what I have.