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52.
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An Unroyal Alliance 53.
Dimitri sat under the cantilever umbrella, looking down at the screen of his watch. As usual, Steven was running late. His friend had not called to cancel, so Dimitri, with little to do in the afternoon, didn't mind waiting. He had his faithful companions, a cup of tea, and his phone. The weather was pleasant. The passing breeze was cold to balance the warmth of the sun as its rays poured down from the blue sky. When he glanced up from his phone to gaze at the lively street, he spotted a cherry Ayesha walking across the fence. Her head was turned towards the road. She didn't notice him, and after a brief moment of hesitation, he called her name. "Ayesha!" She spun around immediately, her eyes searching the lineup of chairs and tables until she saw him. Surprised, she waved at him and, without further invitation, made her way up the stairs and to his table. "Good afternoon." He stood when she reached him. "Hello. You are having lunch here this
An Unroyal Alliance 54.
Dimitri watched as Ayesha took her leave, walking across the street until she took a turn and vanished from his field of view. He caught Steven staring observantly but decided to focus on the menu book he held, ready to order for the morning. Steven, on the other hand, had other ideas."Sorry to run your company off." Steven started."You didn't run her off. You heard what she said. She was only keeping me company until you arrived. You are here now, and she has places to be.""I see. You looked like you were engrossed in your conversation. It almost hurt me to interrupt, but I couldn't give any more time."Caught off guard, Dimitri scoffed. "Time? How long ago did you get here?""About eight, ten minutes ago. I stopped to get something before I came over and noticed you had company.""So, you stood there watching?""No. I was tempted to. Ayesha seemed like better company.""Don't sell yourself short. You are decent.""I
An Unroyal Alliance 55.
Ayesha threw her jacket over her satchel before signing the register at the end of her shift. It had been a long day of work, and she was ready to return to her apartment for some much-needed rest. Carol had left ahead of her because she had an emergency come up back home, which left Ayesha alone for the night.Securing the hand of her bag on her shoulders, she pushed hard against the glass doors and walked into the busy evening. Since her bike was still in repair, she decided to walk a little before taking a taxi home. While on the road, she ran into a familiar face."Glen." She greeted with a smile as her coworker waved at her from afar."Hey," he stopped beside her, looking to the street. "What are you doing here?""Walking. I want to stretch my legs before I go home.""Still haven't got your bike fixed?""I'll get it back tomorrow. Walking hasn't been an awful experience.""Ah, yes, we mere mortals can confirm. It's not as fun as
An Unroyal Alliance 56.
Ayesha hopped out of the car after Carol pulled into the parking lot of the boat house. Other boats and kayaks were already in the water, and others were being lowered. It was as lively by the lake as it was in the streets.The stores lined up above the bank were definitely thrown together overnight. The fine, sandpapered wood was fitted with shelves to display some boats and kayaks for rent."Let's set up close to the water," Glenn suggested, dragging the picnic basket they prepared from the boot."I am so exhausted. I want to sleep." Joseph groaned."The blanket's big enough. You can take some time to rest before we watch the movie.""How can you be tired." Glenn countered? "You spent most of the time on the benches.""Skating takes a lot from me, man. Especially when I am dragging your weight along." He teased, tugging on Carol's hair."Just get on the blanket." Ayesha pushed him after she had spread the blanket over the prickly grass."I don't know about the rest of you, but I wan
An Unroyal Alliance 57.
"Come on. We are locking up."Dimitri stood from the chair, watching Steven shut the front and switch off the electronics in the store."Finally." Dimitri chuckled, stretching his sore muscles. He snatched his jacket from the hook. "Want to buy anything? I am hungry.""There's some food on the punt.""Punt?""Davina ordered one for the movie.""That's why we are closing early? You are being considerate.""Hey," He held his hands up. "I can't be that cruel of a boss. You've worked hard all day, and your sisters want to have some fun before the day ends. Come on, let's pack up. They are waiting for us.""Is Justice handling the movie alone?""No, he has his own guys to keep things moving smoothly."They locked the store after ensuring all the kayaks had been returned and nothing was unaccounted for. The girls were waiting for them by the river bank. Davina and Bob were already seated in the punt that had been padded
An Unroyal Alliance 58.
Ayesha made a point to be on time the next day, waiting on the hood of her car for Dimitri to arrive. She had been on pins and needles all night and for most of the morning, dreading but exhilarated by the prospect of what she had decided to do. Her heart was racing, and each breath was difficult. At this rate, she'd be out of breath by the time he arrived.She still had no idea what possessed her to ask him to come out for a run in the morning. The minute the words left her mouth, she was ready to swallow it back, but it was impossible. He had been so considerate and worried, asking if everything was alright. It was, and then it wasn't.After spending most of the movie trying not to look over her shoulder, knowing exactly where she'd see him, she had reached her breaking point. She turned and caught his eyes boring into her.She couldn't take it anymore. Joseph was right. She did more damage than good by pretending she only saw him as a friend.So, she b
An Unroyal Alliance 59.
"Don't," Ayesha whispered against his cheek after he turned his head to avoid her kiss. "Don't say I am the only one that feels like this."He rested his hand against her hips and pushed her away. She didn't allow him to pull away, holding on tight with her hand on his shoulder. Her eyes, dialled from the adrenaline of her run, were filled with questions and doubt."Say something," she whispered, allowing her hand to travel from his shoulder to his jaw. "Did I deceive myself? Or read you wrong?"Dimitri closed his eyes, his head hanging low. What was he supposed to do now? When she said she wanted to talk, he didn't think she would confess having feelings for him.All that came to mind was his conversation with Steven. He cared for her, admired her ardour for life, and, somewhere along the line, started seeing her as something other than a friend, but he was ready to ignore it. Ready to ignore the glances, the insinuations in her tone, and his own thought
An Unroyal Alliance 60.
Dimitri walked her to the door of her apartment. While he was the one to oppose their relationship because of public opinion, he didn’t seem as hyperaware of their surroundings as she became. He moved carefreely, walking beside her with a straight face from the park to the elevator and down the hallway.Was he putting on a show for anyone watching? So they didn’t suspect anything was going on? Or did he change his mind during the drive and waited to let her down easy the second she slipped her card on its reader?“Do you want to come in?” Her voice was shaking. It was embarrassing, but she couldn’t hide that she was nervous. It didn’t help that he was suddenly so calm.“Not today.” He replied, smiling. “I have things to do in the office. I am already running late.”“Then I won’t keep you.”“Take it easy today. You did a lot this morning. You must be sore.”
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