Kiss Me Not

Kimmy looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. She was ready to visit Doctor Daniel today. Cain said it would be better to do so later in the day and join them for dinner as well.

She was feeling nervous. Last night she had been unable to sleep because Cain's words kept bothering her, so this morning she called her mother to ask about what happened to Doctor Daniel Lewis.

Her mother informed Kimmy that Dr. Lewis had a heart attack which in turn caused a mild stroke, on the day of the wedding, when he heard that Kimmy had run away. He was not yet normal and half his body did not function properly. Her mother said that the Lewis Family had been generous not to make a big deal out of the incident and chose to live in silence after what happened. 

Her mother had to make it up to the family with other things but Cain refused every offer, saying they were not needed and everything had happened for a reason.

"Why does he seem more kind towards my mom than with me, when it is all my mom's fault if you think about it carefully? Who even asks for an arranged marriage? I clearly objected to it from the start!" she mumbled on her own before she stomped to her door.

She creased her forehead when her mobile phone rang and saw Cain's caller ID.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Where are you?"

"At my apartment, why?"

"Your place is on my way to the hospital. Let's go together. I'm outside the building." Cain said before ending the call.

"What was that?" Kimmy mumbled as she continued walking towards the elevator.

She went outside the building and saw Cain's car approaching the main entrance. He reached over to open the car door and said, "Hop in."

Kimmy did. In the car, she felt uneasy and said, "Next time, please don't bother to pick me up. I can go on my own."

"Don't flatter yourself. I told you I was in the area. Next time, just say you have already left if you don't want to ride with me," Cain answered with a straight face.

"Next time don't bother to call," Kimmy whispered with a wrinkled forehead. She was glad when she heard no response. Silence filled the car. It had been a while since she last stepped foot in the country. The last time was when the Royal Family had thrown a surprise party for Doctor Lewis who lived alone. He had been married but was now divorced and the rest of his kids live abroad with his ex-wife and new husband.

She unconsciously turned to look at Cain. Her mother said Cain stayed because of his father's health. His father pleaded with him to take over their hospital and become the head doctor for the Royal Family.

She wondered if she would have had second thoughts if she had bothered to meet him or seen his picture before? He was undeniably handsome and charismatic. But she hated arranged marriages or doing anything that was dictated by others. She wanted the freedom to choose and do what she wanted for herself. So in all probability, she might still have run away.

"So tell me, did you meet someone you like while you are away?" Cain asked with a blank expression. Kimmy had not expected that question but she quickly answered, "Yeah, I did"

"Why didn't you bring him along and introduce him to your family?" Cain frowned. His hand tightened on the steering wheel.

"Well…" Kimmy was lost for words. Should she be honest and tell him that she had met her karma, as the man she liked did not even bother to look at her since he was busy working like a donkey? A man who thought he did not deserve to be happy for the mistakes he and his mother had committed? A man who had no desire to be with any woman at all?

That was also the reason she returned to her homeland. She was heartbroken and felt she had to make amends for her past, so she may have a better life ahead?

"I guess it didn't work out," Cain murmured and Kimmy did not bother to comment.

''What is there to work out when we do not even have a relationship in the first place," she wanted to grunt but did not see the sense of it. She bet Cain would say that she deserved it.

They entered the big gate to Lewis Residence. It was much the same as she remembered, except that it had a more modern touch now with superb landscaping and a larger garden. Trees were planted on each side except for the main road heading to the house. 

"That's a beautiful fountain. When did you guys install it?" she whispered.

"Last year. We also have fish in it. I had everything renovated so Father would enjoy more greenery. It's good for his health and he could enjoy the sight while roaming around as he stays mostly at home," Cain explained.

Kimmy bit her inner cheek. Cain did not say anything to her directly, but somehow she could feel guilt building inside her. Uncle Daniel probably did not want to go out anymore as he did not want others to see his condition.

She looked at Cain and wondered if he was feeling obligated to stay with his father as he was the only one of his siblings who could best care for his father.

She was curious so she asked, "Do you like to stay here or do you prefer living abroad?"

"I thought I will settle down here for good once I get married so I set my mind on settling down. Staying here or abroad makes no difference to me but when Father had that stroke and chose to stay here, I could not think of leaving him here and going abroad myself?" Cain replied with a stoic face before he stopped the car and bent towards her.

Kimmy held her breath as their faces came closer.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, as she started to panic and unconsciously closed her eyes. Cain's eyebrows lifted and she heard the click of her seatbelt and the sound of the door opening.

"We're here, so get down already. It's not my habit to get out first and open the door for a woman as I find it very time consuming. Last night you were in such a hurry that you almost jumped out of my car, so I was unable to open the door for you," Cain mumbled before he got out of the car.

Kimmy quickly opened her eyes and got out as well. She touched her chest because she felt her heart thumping loudly. "What was that?" she whispered annoyingly.