"Do you think everything will go back to normal?" I ask Amelia anxiously.

I mean, wouldn't it be fine if things were to turn back into how they used to be before I boarded the plane to Montana? Is that what I truly want, though? That same boring life I once knew?

"No, Kira," she answers me curtly. "I'm afraid not everything will go back to normal."

"I guess." I stare at her for a long moment, contemplating her words. "What else can you see?" I smile as I ask her this.

A way to lose my mind to completion!

"Well, I see a prince and a knight in your life." Amelia gazes up at me and her plump lips curve into a smile.

Oh, and what am I now? Guinevere of Camelot? Because I can only think of Prince Arthur and Sir Lancelot.

"And . . . What is that?" I smother a laugh at the thought.

"I'm not sure. But they'll always be there for you if you allow them to stay," Amelia replies, leaving me in the dark. She goes through the cards, once again, and her eyes crinkle. "This is interesting."

"What?" I'm too anxious now.

"Well . . . I see two paths rendered for you to choose," she says. I hold my breath tightly, my eyes focused on her. "You'll have to make a big decision, Kira. And very soon. No matter how difficult that moment will be, remember to listen to your heart because it'll be your only guide. Whatever choice you make will have a huge impact in your life, because it'll be a life-changing decision indeed."

"Okay, now you're losing me." I sigh heavily, a bit terrified and overwhelmed by this.

Amelia laughs gently. "Let your moon shine, Kira. Sometimes darkness engulfs our lives just to allow another light that's more beautiful than the Sun."

I . . . really don't know what to say. I just laugh it off and watch her playing with the cards, skimming through them speedily, one by one, until she pauses on something that steals her whole attention. Her eyes darkens and a frown appears on her face.

"Unless you choose the path you were meant to take, Kira, another tragedy may happen. Maybe more painful than the one you barely recall. You shouldn't run away from your fate this time. Embrace it," she says in a very serious tone, eyes firm and flinty.

"What are you talking about, Amelia? What tragedy?" My heart rate increases.

"I don't know." Amelia takes a deep breath while collecting her cards together. "One of the paths I mentioned is deeply connected to you. You're entangled with it from the very beginning. It's your destiny, I might add," she says insistently.

"What?" I croak and laugh at the same time. "I mean, what does the path mean? Is it just a path or something else? I don't get it." Confusion paralyzes my mind.

"Maybe." Amelia shrugs. "It may be a person, too, or a situation of some kind. I can't clearly see this either. But what's clear is that . . . your happiness relies on the one decision you ought to make. All you need is to follow your heart, Kira. It always knows the answer."

"That's . . . Weird." I chuckle nervously.

Do these fortune tellers give a direct answer even once? I highly doubt that.

"Well, I'd rather not dwell," I tell her honestly. "But thank you for this, Amelia. Truly."

"It was a pleasure, dear. Just try to be fine and time will take care of the rest," Amelia tells me while getting up from the couch. "I'll take my leave now. I'm so happy we had this chat," she adds sweetly.

"Me, too." I stand up with a smile. "I really needed a friend, so thanks for dropping by, Amelia." I give her a grateful hug.

Amelia leaves and I think I'm feeling much better than before. After a few minutes of thoughts, I manage to gather the strength to at least do something about the amount of dust piling up in my apartment. Jesus! I've never been this lazy and shabby before.

Around three in the afternoon I decide to go out and refresh my mind under the sun and fresh air. I dress up simply in a mini caftan and sandals. Hair tied up into a messy bun, I grab my sunglasses and shoulder bag before taking my leave.

"This is where you belong, Kira Jones," I utter with a faint smile once I slip into my dusty Old-Benny, ready to wash him up.

For once the big guy responds without any fuss. Lucky me!

A little walk to the supermarket I usually shop at helps me feel at home. But strangely, I keep feeling anxious and restless whenever I see a man with at least one feature close to Liam's. He's always around me in my thoughts.

Am I losing my mind?

The rest of the day goes uneventfully until early at night when I get ready to go to bed. At last I turn my phone on and hear several beeps indicating the never-ending voicemail and texts. Wonderful! Sighing, I open a few and none seems to be from Liam.

What was I expecting?

Opening the voicemail, I hear Malik going gaga on the phone. He is mainly asking—no, shouting—and urging me to call him back. I laugh at the sound of him, despite all the tension he'd left me with after that kiss. His texts are almost the same when I read them.

I give him a call, and as usual, he seems to have his phone closer.

"Do you know how worried I've been? What happened to your cell phone, Professor?" he snaps.

Smiling delightfully, I answer, "I'm okay, Malik. I'm sorry if I had you worried, though."

I can imagine him relaxing at the sound of my words through his sigh.

"Oh, I'm glad." His voice softens. "How are you?" he asks after a long sigh.

"Great. And you? How are you? Are you still in Miami?"

"Yeah, but I'll be going to New York tomorrow."

"Always a busy guy, Your Highness." I try to ease the friction and my humor seems to work a little.

Tiredly, I slump into my bed.

"Stop it, Professor! I hate those royal titles." He laughs briefly.

"Oh, yeah? Well, if I were in your shoes, I'd make them worship the floor I walk on."

"I'm sure you wouldn't have done that," he argues, his mood uplifted. "You're too kind, Professor."

We both go silent for a while, probably wondering what to say next.

"Um, how is everyone over there?" I take my chances, thinking of only one person in particular.

"Samantha left soon after you," Malik says.

"Oh, I see," I mutter, and it takes my breath away thinking of Sam. "Did she say where she was going?"

"I think to some friends of hers or something. Maybe the ones who dropped by that afternoon," Malik replies with less surety.

"I see." Knowing Sam as I do, I think Malik is right.

"Have you heard from Liam?" I blurt out. Fuck me! "I mean, have you—"

"No, I haven't," I cut him short, feeling the heavy pang on the chest. "Is he still there?" I ask hesitantly.

I think I miss him more than anyone else.

"I–I just thought maybe he'd called you," Malik stutters as he says this.

"No, he hasn't. Anyways, I hope you're all fine." I talk to him a little more, with no enthusiasm in my voice.

Sleeping is always a real battle. Shutting my eyes, trying hard to empty my mind, I somehow hear a knock at the door. Is it my imagination again? I wait until I confirm that it's really someone at my door. Grunting softly, I tug the duvet and drop off the bed.

A sleeping robe on the floor becomes my first option. God, I've become messy! As I reach the door I ask who it is, and the responding voice makes my heart skip a beat. No, it can't be. Heat courses through my body as I recognize it right away.

I slowly open the door and freeze, my eyes on his.

"I didn't expect such an extremely unwelcome gesture," Liam speaks, and I swallow hard at the sight of his intense blue eyes. "Won't you invite me in, Ms. Jones? I've been standing here for long enough and I think my legs are starting to hurt."

I'm hypnotized, but I succeed to widen the door which leads him in. He walks past me, engulfing me with the scent of his new cologne that doesn't leave me indifferent.

Wow! He's here.

"How did you find me?" I ask, my voice barely audible, but it manages to reach Liam. He doesn't answer. "I'm talking to you! How did you find me here?"

"With this level of technology, Kira," Liam says at last, "finding someone with nothing to hide is a piece of cake."

But of course. How hard can it be to trace someone like me in such an open place like L.A?

"You look leaner than I remember," ignoring the important subject, Liam comments on my body.

How noble!

"It's every girl's dream," I answer defiantly, the devil in me seated cross-legged with her glass of red wine.

"What is?" Liam asks, frowning slightly.

"To be lean without gym and diet," I reply.

Smiling, Liam marches to where I'm standing. My eyes widen. He looks breathtakingly handsome in a white V-neck shirt, brown leather jacket, and a pair of dark blue jeans. He scrutinizes me from head to toe, his gaze ever fervent.

Instinctively, I fasten my robe.

I clear my throat, but my breath hitches when Liam gets even closer, inflicting me with desires to feel his body tightly against mine. He smiles a bit, enjoying his male superiority over me. The fact that I'm affected by his closeness is so evident, and I'm yearning for more.

"Not my girl," he finally remarks. "You shouldn't skip meals, it's utterly unhealthy."

I roll my eyes at him. Why can't he become a nutritionist while at it?

"Well, good for you and your girl, I guess," I prompt sarcastically.

Much to my dismay, Liam bursts out laughing. I almost join in, for he seems so relaxed and happy with our bickering. I missed his laughter, and here it is.

"You are my girl, Kira Jones," he utters bluntly. "My stubborn and superfluous girl who wanted me to chase her all the way to California just to prove how insanely in love I am for her."

An arousing spasm surges throughout my body. "What?" I blush.

"What? Didn't you practically ask me to catch you if I could?" he articulates sternly, and I dare not respond right away. "Here I am. It looks like ladies truly enjoy some extreme display of affection, do you not?"

"Well, I can't say I disagree by any means," I reply hesitantly, a flush of embarrassment frosted on my cheeks.

Liam smirks. "So you wanted me here in such a fashion?"

"I wanted you here with your clear conscience, and not as your summer adventure," I reply, and his eyes drink me in for a good while, as though I'm the most repugnant woman he's ever come across.

"You think you'll be safe after letting a predator in your own house?" he asks playful, his voice deep.

Heat runs through my body, more scorching than the noon sun.

"If the predator came all the way here with the intention of pouncing on a defenseless prey, then he's surely being too fancy to still be taming his target up to this point. Shouldn't he attack by now? Or what? Is he scared by any chance?" I reply boldly.

Who am I? What am I doing?

Liam bursts into another laughter that dies as instantly as possible. His face hardens and I'm suddenly hauled by his arm stoutly, and I crush on the firmness of his muscles. My breath turns rugged, my heart speeds on its race.

"Don't ever test my love for you, Kira Jones! Don't ever walk away from me because I won't be forgiving," he snaps, no more playfulness in his voice.

He's mad, probably bruised by my decision to leave. But he's here, and that's what counts for me.

"I simply wanted you for me, and only me. This is enough." I wrap my arms around his neck and our lips meet.