''We can't let that happen, let's go'' he walked with her to the car and opened the door for her before going over to the driver's seat.
Paula looked at him as he drove. She felt that she didn't understand him. Why did he insist on her going with him?
''I know I am good looking, but if you keep staring at me like that, I might misunderstand you, Paula''
Paula looked at and blushed, ''misunderstand what?''
''That you like me?'' he said.
''Crazy'' Paula murmured and looked away but her heart was in turmoil. Even though she didn't want to look at him, she couldn't stop herself from looking at him.
This was going to be a long journey, she admitted.
Andy looked at her and smiled. He was so happy to be able to journey back with her.
''Andy, why are you becoming more childish by the day? No, not just childish, but also shameless. Have I joined the list of the most shameless people already?'' Well, if involved being shameless in this manner, he was up for it.
…..
After driving for a whole four hours, he finally arrived at Paula's apartment and pulled over. She was already asleep, so he leaned against the seat looking at her.
He leaned closer to her and touched her hair, he brushed them off her face and murmured, ''this is better'' her hair was covering half of her face and he couldn't see her face properly. After brushing her hair away, he could see her face clearly. His gaze travelled down to her lips and the memory of that night came to mind.
He subconsciously licked his lips and wetted them with his saliva. His heartbeat quickened as he leaned even closer and was almost an inch closer to her lips when he heard a knock on the window and looked up and saw Lisa.
Andy coughed and sat back immediately and rolled down the window. Lisa had a mischievous smile as she looked at Andy.
''Lisa, hi'' Andy said and she nodded.
''Sorry, I have such bad timing right?'' she said and smirked before turning to look at Paula who was still sleeping, 'how exhausted is my darling that she is so deep into her sleep? I bet she won't even know what you do to her when she wakes up''
''I didn't do anything to her. I was just about to adjust the seat for her comfort''
''Yes, let's say that is what you were going to do, but why are the two of you together? don't tell me you went to the tour together?''
''My company organised the trip'' Andy explained.
''Listen, I don't care much about feelings but if you end up hurting my darling, I will cut off your dick'' her voice turned cold as she said that before smiling, ''that was meant as a joke but I am also serious'' she added and tapped Paula's shoulder, ''hey darling, wake up already''
Paula opened her eyes and saw Lisa and yawned, stretching herself as she murmured, 'when did you get home, Lise?''
''This feels like your bedroom, right?'' Lisa cocked her brows at her and she froze.
Paula turned and saw Andy and flushed. She let out a dry chuckle. Her laughter didn't reach to her face because her face burned with embarrassment. She touched the doorknob subtly and before Andy and Lisa could react, she had opened the door and was running inside the apartment.
Andy and Lisa laughed as they looked at each other. Lisa pointed at their door saying, ''Paula is just a cute one, isn't she?''
''She is indeed'' Andy agreed.
''Then, I will see you around'' Lisa said and went inside. Andy looked at the door before turning the car around and drove away.
...
When Lisa entered Paula's room, she was coming out of the bathroom. Lisa said down on the bed and watched her with amusement as she asked, ''did you have fun? Did you by any chance meet someone special?''
''Look at you. Asking me so many questions, which one should I answer first?'' Paula sat next to her and placed her head on Lisa's laps, ''I'm so tired Lise''
''The second one first''
''I didn't meet anyone special''
''How is that possible. Were all the tourists' women?''
''Maybe I just lost my charm''
''Or maybe someone else drove them away'' she said knowingly and Paula sat up at once. She seemed to have remembered something else.
''Lise, my bag. I didn't take my luggage bag from Andy's car''
''Right, you ran inside and I also didn't remember. Call him, I'm sure he didn't go far. he would bring it back''
''Alright'' she took her phone and dialled Andy's number. After a few rings, the call connected and she could hear his playful voice.
''Missed me already?''
''Yeah, you wished'' Paula rolled her eyes, 'I left my bag in your car''
''Right, your bag. Come and get it then'' Andy said as he sat on his sofa inside his hall. he had just gotten home and was sipping a glass of wine.
''Where do you want me to go for it?'' Paula pouted her lips and pushed Lisa who was leaning very close to her face, trying to listen to her conversation with him.
''You've always wanted to know where I stay, right? I am giving you the opportunity now'' Andy said. He knew he was openly flirting with her but he couldn't help it. he felt butterflies in his stomach just talking to her and imagining how her lips felt when they accidentally brushed against his. He still couldn't get over it.
''Your house?'' Paula gulped and flushed. Lisa who heard her became thrilled and couldn't stop smiling. ''You… you want me to go to… your house for my luggage?'' Paula stuttered. Her face had turned red already.
''I will bring it to you after changing first. wait for me in about 30 minutes' time, I will be there'' Andy said to her. he didn't want to push her further anymore.
''Oh'' Paula said and hung up.
''Wow, P. your face is so red. Teasing you is so much fun, now even Andy knows that'' Lisa said and Paula touched her face. She stood up and pulled Lisa up.
''Go to your room, I want to change''
''But, we always change in front of each other. I've seen everything of yours already, what is there to hide, darling'' Lisa said as Paula dragged her to the door.
''Pervert'' Paula said as she shut her door after throwing Lisa out. She leaned against the door and touched her beating heart. She exhaled and inhaled before going back to the washroom.
...
After changing into a denim dress that stopped at her knees, Paula looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly picked her almond lipstick, ''I will just apply a light one. no one will notice right?'' she said to herself before she applied a little to her lips and moist it up before going out.
She found Lisa at the dining table, she was packing a sandwich box and she went over to her and asked, ''what are you doing?''
''I'm making sandwich, dummy'' Lisa said to her and picked a sliced lettuce into her mouth.
''Are you going somewhere?''
''Picnic with Leslie''
''Leslie? Weren't you two just sex partners. Why do I feel that you are acting like a couple?''
''A couple? No, this is just to prepare ourselves for a great time''
''I see, just be careful. You know I don't like this whole thing, right?''
''Don't look at me that way, Paula. I am a horrible person but you can't also join others to make me feel horrible''
''You know I love you more than my own family, right Lise? I just want you to be happy''
''I am happy with Leslie and our contract''
''Alright, babe. Andy will be here soon with my bag''
''I will leave you some. Make sure you eat a lot and then get enough rest. Right, I have something to tell you when I get back''
''Okay'' Paula kissed Lisa's cheek before going out.
Lisa sighed and sat down. she looked at Paula's retreating figure and murmured, ''are you also disappointed in me, Paula? If you do, then who or where do I run to? You are my only safe haven''
Lisa shook her head and starting packing the sandwich. She and Leslie had arranged to go for a picnic. Even though she had refused, he had ended up insisting and she had to agree. Picnic was for lovers, friends and family not for people like them, she thought.
Paula stood at their gate and looked at her wrist watch as she waited for Andy. She looked at herself, 'am I too dressed up to see him? What if he thinks I am trying too hard? It was a wrong idea to even apply lipstick, he would know. That man is just too detailed'' she took out and handkerchief and started wiping it away from her lips when the car pulled over in front of her and Andy got down from the car saying.
''Why are you wiping away the lipstick, it looks good on you''