THE CALL
“Ashanti Michaels!” Genevieve’s voice hollered around my unit.
I jolted up from bed and walked to the living room only to see her and the whole gang but Kristoff. I rubbed my eyes to confirm what I was seeing. And yes, they are all here.
I walked lazily in my pajamas and sat beside Yeoj.
I didn’t go to work today because I was feeling tired and lazy due to too much talking with Kristoff last night. Too much talk and tears, actually.
Genevieve narrowed her eyes on me. “When did you start skipping work for sleep?” she asked me in her prima donna tone. Gen will always be Gen.
I shut my eyes and rested my head on the couch. “Now,” I replied earning a throw pillow from Gen. It hit my throat! This girl!
I glared at Genevieve. “What are you all doing here anyway? It’s what?” I looked at the digital clock by the TV set. “Eight forty-five in the morning?” I eyed them one by one.
I focused on Chester. He just shrugged and pointed to Genevieve. Well of course, where Genevieve is, Chester is as well. How wouldn’t I know? But then what are these guys doing in my place? And this early?
I rolled my eyes. “What do you want? I need to sleep more.” I whined.
Well, it’s true. I almost only had four hours of sleep. I need four more hours to complete my eight. Beauty sometimes comes from rest, too. That’s why celebrities and models often wanted a beauty sleep before appearing in public.
Yeoj looked at me. “Ashanti, you saw Kristoff yesterday. Don’t hide it from me,” he told me.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Yeah? I’m not hiding anything. In fact, I saw you, too.” I retorted, making Genevieve glare at me and my bitchy tone.
What? I need sleep and they are interrupting my bed time.
Leo looked at me. “Well, we saw you and Kristoff ignore each other completely. We were worried that it might make you sad,” he told me.
I looked at him. I get it now. They are here to comfort me because they are worried that I might not be doing well since Kristoff and I met last night. Okay, I get it.
They don’t have an idea that Kristoff and I talked and…kissed that same night and he was talking about how taking me back.
I eyed all of them. “Did he talk to you?” I asked them. They all shook their heads.
I rolled my eyes. I love them for being such wonderful friends but I think they are worrying about nothing. Kristoff and I are in good terms now. Well, not like before but we will get there if he makes it up to me the right way.
“Come on, Shan. You should go to work.” Thad beamed at me. His voice sounded really worried and concerned. Somehow, I was touched. But right now, I would appreciate it more if they go home and let me sleep.
Xander nodded. “He’s right, Ashanti. You shouldn’t stress yourself because you saw Kristoff yesterday. You have to get used to it.” He advised me and the others are nodding in approval.
“Shan, you are more than what he thinks of you. You are stronger now, right? You can do it.” Genevieve cheered me on.
Damn. I almost laughed at all of them. They are all worrying for the wrong thing.
“Guys, you know what? You should all go ho—” I was cut when the doorbell rang.
I walked to the monitor to see who that person was. I narrowed my eyes when flowers were all that I can see in the monitor. Because of that, I walked to the door to check it out.
I opened the door. “Who’s the—”
I was cut when I felt Kristoff’s lips on mine. I haven’t even seen his face but when his lips landed on mine, I know it was Kristoff. Hell, it was the only pair of lips I have kissed all my life, how wouldn’t I memorize how it feels like?
I felt him smile through the kiss.
He held my waist and pulled me closer as he deepened the kiss. Damn. I want to break off because I can hear our friends gasping in shock in the background but his kiss is just…so irresistible.
Finally, he broke the kiss and showed me his gummy smile. “Good morning, Baby.” He greeted me as he offered me the flowers.
I rolled my eyes on him. “You did it the wrong sequence!” I beamed at him.
Seriously, he should greet me first, offer me flowers or whatever before shocking me like that! I at least should know who I am kissing!
I mean, what if someone else did that?
He chuckled and hugged me tight. “It’s been about five hours and I miss you already,” he whispered as he kissed my hair.
I know. Okay. I know that I am as red as a tomato again.
And I don’t know. I don’t know why Kristoff is being cheesy again. It’s making me crazy!
He was hugging me tightly when he suddenly stopped moving, but I was still in his arms. “Uhhh, Ashanti…” he called me. “What are these guys doing here?” he asked me.
I looked at him. I chuckled at his shocked expression. “So, you noticed them now?” I asked him. “They were there even before you came here, stupid!” I told him as I pushed him away shaking my head.
I walked inside and stopped by the living room. “I really want to sleep, guys,” I told them then I looked back to Kristoff. “You talk to them.” I ordered him before I walked inside my room.
Yes, even when he kissed me, I still need sleep.
I went into my room and locked the door. Yes. I don’t want anyone to bother me now. I threw myself to my bed.
And slept.
***
When I woke up, it was already one in the afternoon. I lazily walked out and saw that everyone left already. I looked at my phone and saw their messages telling me that they left and that they were happy about me and Kristoff.
I smiled.
Heck, I am back to my old self—smiling my heart out when Kristoff’s name flashes to my sight.
“Oh, you’re awake.”
I jolted a bit as I heard Kristoff come out from the kitchen. He looked at me and smiled as he walked to the couch. “They already left,” he told me.
I nodded and walked to the kitchen to get some water.
Right when I was about to open the fridge, I felt Kristoff’s arms wrapping around me waist. He leaned his chin on the top of my head.
I smiled. These are the times that I missed so much. Being sweet and being with Kristoff.
“Everyone left, so, why did you stay?” I asked. “Don’t you have work?”
He chuckled and tightened his hug on me. “Well, for the first question, I don’t want to leave because I want to be the first person you see when you wake up,” he replied as he planted a kiss on my head.
I swear if Kristoff stays like this, I am going to be dead because of heart attack.
“And secondly,” He said as he turned me to face him. “I don’t have work. So, you can have me all day.” He grinned.
I rolled my eyes on him. “Well, I have work,” I told him, spoiling his happiness and triumph.
He grinned. “I want to watch you work!” He declared energetically.
I stared at him, stunned. Since when did Kristoff start to act like a kid? He was too energetic and I am not used to seeing him like this. Okay, if he was Hunter, maybe, I could think about it but he is the freaking Kristoff Marx, the manliest of all men!
He stopped smiling when he saw me staring at him, giving him a weird look. “What?” he asked innocently.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Are you really Kristoff Marx? Or did some bad spirit possess you?” I questioned him curiously.
He looked at me. “What are you talking about?” he asked, clueless of what I am asking him.
I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s just that you are too lively and I don’t think it’s your personality,” I told him in all honesty.
He chuckled and pecked my lips. “Well, I missed you too much, that’s why,” he told me.
I smiled. “I miss you, too, actually. A little less than you do, though.” I teased.
He narrowed his eyes on me. “What?!” He asked pretending to be pissed.
I chuckled and got my glass of water.
He followed me. “What? You missed me a little less than I do?” he asked as he leaned on the table.
I shrugged. “I’m happy you are here with me, Kristoff.” I blurted.
He looked at me, blushing. He stared at me for quite a while before bringing his gummy smile out. “I am happier,” he said. “I love you.”
I smiled and was about to answer when my phone rang. It was mom. So, I answered it.
“Mom? Why did you call?” I asked. Then my eyes widened in shock. “Okay, I’ll be there,” I replied and looked at Kristoff, worried.