A Dangerous Temptation

Chapter 35

    

      

         I jumped down with Sapphira immediately Pierre killed the car engine.
   I looked around the large building, observing the apartments.
   "We are moving here?"
    I glanced at her.
  This place didn't look very expensive but it didn't look quite cheap either.

   "Yes, baby."
   Sapphira grinned, grabbing me as she marched to the house before I could change my mind.
  She pushed the door open and turned on the lights.
   I gasped as I stepped in behind her.
    It already had a homely look.

  "Who put this there and this and that? What about that one?" I said, pointing to the couch, the TV, the lamps, the coffee table, and the ceiling fans.
  "Pierre and I did."
  I felt bad I didn't input anything.
   "Thank you so much, Sapphira. This means a lot to me."
  She smiled back, nodding.
  Pierre marched in, helping with the luggage.

  I ventured into the portable kitchen, looking around. There was an island and a round table in the middle of the kitchen. I smiled sadly because it reminded me of home.
   There was a knock on the door and I rushed out of the kitchen.
  A redhead smiled and stepped in with a bowl of cookies in her hands.
   "Hi," I said, stunned. Who walked into a stranger's house like that?

   "Hey. I'm Geneva. You must be Kesha."
  She stepped forward and hugged me, awkwardly.
  "Heard a lot about you. Have you met the others?" 
  I looked at her like she was an alien.

  First, she knew my name and second, there were others?
  "Sapphira?" I said, urgently.
  "There's someone here." 
   I smiled at the girl, not wanting her to feel unwelcome.
  Sapphira rushed downstairs and smiled.
   "Hey, Neva."
    "Hey, Sapphy."

They hugged, smiled and sat on the couch.
  I sat on an empty one.

   A girl waltzed in, waving a pizza box.
  "I brought pizza."
  I watched her, quietly.
   This was just like Dejà vù.
  The girl had four consecutive piercings on her both ears, a stud on her nose, and little tattoos on her arms that were barely visible.
  I smiled awkwardly, glancing at Sapphira as she sat on the same couch as me.
  "Hey, sweetie. I'm Maddona. You can call me Maddie, though."
  She smiled.

    "Hi. I'm Kesha."
  "You're a real piece of artwork, girl," she said, giving me a once-over, not even trying to be subtle about it.
  Sapphira and Geneva laughed.
  "Excuse me?" I blushed.
  "Don't worry, you'll get used to Maddie's bluntness soon enough."
  Geneva smiled.
  "Where's your brother?" Geneva said, taking a slice of pizza.

  I reached forward, grabbing a cookie.
   "I'm here."
   A blonde boy with brown eyes walked in, holding a bottle in his hands.
    "I know he's gorgeous but you gotta stop ogling him like that," Maddie whispered and I blushed, reaching for another cookie.
  "Hey, guys. Sorry, I'm late. I brought wine to appease."
  He laughed softly, dropping the bottle on the coffee table.

  I stared at the bottle, wondering if it was alcohol.
  "So, have you met Kesha? No?"
  Maddie threw an arm around me and I cringed. Why was she so blunt?
   "No," he confirmed and Geneva chuckled.
    He laughed, watching in amusement and I smiled, embarrassed.
   "Kesha, this is my dungheaded brother. Zed."
  "Hi, Zed." I smiled.

  "Hey. A real pleasure to meet a breath of fresh air."
   He winked and I stifled my smile that ended up coming out as a blush.
   "Please."
   Maddie snorted beside me.
  "Will you two stop being fucking un-adorable and quit trying to flirt?"
  She flashed me an apologetic grin.

   "Sorry. My brother's quite the famous player."
   "Shut up, Maddie."
   Zed huffed.
    "So?"
    Sapphira popped the wine without warning just as Pierre stepped downstairs.
  He sat beside Sapphira, conversing with them.
   Geneva filled the six glasses Sapphira had grabbed from the kitchen.
  "To our new neighbors. Sapphira and Kesha."
  We all raised our glasses in unison.
  "Neva, we haven't introduced ourselves properly." 
   Maddie glanced at Geneva.

  And I knew she was quite talkative.
  "I'm Maddie. I'm 18. A part-time student at the University of California. I love being mean. A lot. And that is my awesome brother, Zed."
  He cleared his throat, smiling.
  "Zed Walker. A dropout..."
  "Will still go back," he added when he saw my mouth drop.
  "Currently working at a computer lab as a programmer."
  "Geneva Williams. 23. I'm a therapist but I'm under internship right now. A Catholic, too."
  She smiled.

   Wow, they all had interesting personalities.
  "I'm Kesha Ravi Raymond." 
   I focused on my drink, my gaze down.
     "And I'm 17. Studying medicine at Stanford University. Saphira's all I have right now."
I exhaled slowly.
   "You guys already know me."
  Sapphira pouted.

  We talked randomly then Geneva said something about work before leaving.
  Maddie followed Sapphira into the kitchen.
  Great. I guess I was stuck with Zed.
   "Hi?" He prompted. 
  I chuckled softly. He sure acted like a gentleman.
   "Hey, Zed."
   I smiled comfortingly, toying with my Yin.

  "So, you've met my wonderful sister?" He chuckled, sounding sarcastic.
  I refrained from laughing, hard. 
  Looked like they had some scores going on.
   "Of course."
   I went with a smile.
  "Okay, then. You seem to like that very well."
   He gestured to my hands and I noticed I was tugging at the Yin.
  "Yeah. I do." 
   "Your boyfriend gave it to you?"
   I chuckled.
  Ha. Nice one. Boyfriend.
  "Nope. Just a friend."
   Was Miguel even a friend?

  "Hey, guys."
Maddie whistled as she joined us.
  Finally.
    "Must you always be so loud?"
  Zed snorted, dropping his glass on the coffee table.
   "Must you always be so obnoxious?"           
Maddie rolled her eyes.
  I looked at both of them, curiously.
  Okay.

   "C'mon, Zed."
   Maddie whistled and gestured to the door.
   "Stop whistling at me. I'm not a dog," Zed said calmly, standing up.
  "You don't say!" Maddie retorted, dryly.
  I chuckled and cleared my throat so it came out as a cough.
  Wow, they were the perfect siblings. Really made me rethink having siblings.

  Not that it was possible, anymore.
    Zed, being the older one and looking more sensible, shook his head, ignoring her then glanced at me.
   "I guess I'll see you around, Kesha. Night."
   "Of course, you'll see her around, idiot! She's your neighbor!"
  I laughed as they stepped out.
  "Good night!" I called out to them.
   Maddie smiled and shut the door.
    " I love you, Sapphy. For us having the best neighbors."
     I smiled, already climbing the stairs.
   "Love you too," Sapphira called back from the kitchen, laughing.

   And that people, is another chapter done.
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   Apparently, months later and chapter thirty-six is after chapter thirty-nine or so.

   *huffs bitterly*

  Wattpad.

   Am I right, guys?
But not anymore, I think.