See It the Way I Do

❣39❣

As soon as Charissa walked away from Becky, she heard the door being slammed. Charissa assumed that Becky had left and relaxed on her bed. She began the stupid work Zach had given her. He said she should type I belong to Zachary Ford! Hundred times and as an email. She spent her time typing it while listening to music and singing along. For a moment, she felt at peace. Charissa wondered if her life would ever reach a point that it would be filled with happiness. She had watched a romance movie earlier and unconsciously she had thought of Keith. It was disturbing but she made herself believe that she liked him as a friend. A friend that she enjoyed being around.

She wondered why all romance movies presented life as if love could bring happiness to a person.

Well...maybe if you fall in love with the right person, then you can be happy. My heart was shattered before. Should I give up? I'm not the kind to give up. I'm a fighter but....not this time. I'm scared. Scared to have my heart broken again?

She stopped typing and stared at the words displayed on her laptop screen.

I belong to Zachary Ford.

She frowned. I don't belong to that egomaniac. No! I don't.

  The door bell rang. She left her room and headed down the stairs. When she opened the door, two individuals were standing outside. One had a cheerful smile and the other looked like it was forced. Keith gestured for Becky to go in. He made his way into the house and stood beside Charissa.

"You took your mom home?" Charissa asked.

"Yes and I saw Becky on my way back," Keith replied.

"Hello, Charissa!" she forced out with another fake smile on her face.

"A plastic doll could smile better than you can ever. If you don't want to smile. Don't! I'm not forcing you. Your smile means nothing to me".

Becky gasped and sent an innocent look at Keith. "What did I do? Why is she being rude to me?"

Keith's gaze traveled and met Charissa's. He was silent and turned back to Becky. "It'll take time for her to warm up to you. Charissa is a nice person. I am sure of that," Keith said.

"What? Are you justifying her rude attitude?" Becky exclaimed.

"Hmm..." Keith walked further into the living room. "Why don't we talk about your accommodation. You don't have anywhere to stay. Or do you?"

Charissa was still staring at Keith. She was surprised he didn't scold her or look offended when she spoke to Becky like that. He didn't even call her bad names. There was no look of disdain in his eyes. Could he read her so well to know why she reacted the way she did?

"No, Keith! I'm your best friend. Charissa can't talk to me like that"

Keith shrugged. "What can I say? Maybe your smile was fake. Maybe you didn't smile genuinely"

"Are you saying it's my fault?"

"Becky, I know you very well. You don't always smile genuinely to people you don't know. I am well aware that you have trust issues. So if Charissa is offended by your smile. I can't do anything"

Becky had a scowl on her face as she glared at Charissa. "You are defending her," she mumbled under her breathe. "That's not fair".

Keith turned and his eyes caught Charissa's. "I'm doing my best to learn about Charissa. She is a woman with a unique character. So yes! I will defend her because I know she won't react like that without a cause".

Charissa's lips parted. A soft breath like a gasp left her lips. She couldn't believe what she just heard. But what amazed her was the speed at which her heart was beating. It just slammed her chest all through the time Keith had his eyes on her.