All in a Year

Part 14 : Quirky Keith

I have been trying to contact Keith and Christy for the past three days but it was fruitless, they must be somewhere of the coast. This would be Christy's 5th trip with him. She must love him so much to want to travel on the same ship so many times. Amy has gone to her Grannies place to spend her last few off days before she starts school again. She did ask me to join her but I knew better. Too many stuff on my plate for now.

Ian has tried to call me a few times but I let Julia pick up the call and deal with him. I told her everything that has happened and that Ian Mannell was 'the guy'. One of the calls was to get our detail so he can make reservations to accommodations. Julia told both of us will be going. I didn't interrupt the call but I instructed she called and canceled my reservation three days later. She agreed.

However as I mentioned previously god had his own plans for me. Julia was attacked by chicken pox. I would never trust anyone else with the task. I had to buck up and go for it, whether I like it or not. I was hoping to meet Keith before I actually went to the country side. Two days before going Keith was suppose to attend church for an event. I made sure I cleared my schedule and waited out of church for him.

"Hi, Ica, you missed the event." Christy said as she walked out of the church alone.

"I had something to deal with, anyways where is Keith?" I asked, my eyes were still trying to look for him in the crowed.

"Oh, he had to leave early. He had an appointment." She replied.

"But he told me he will be here." I was disappointed.

"Christy did he say where his appointment was or who he is meeting?" I was determine to meet him. I don't care who was going to be with him.

"I am not sure who but he said it was important and he was willing to drive all the way to the country side." Christy, tried to express how important that appointment looked.

"The country side?" What is Keith doing at the country side? There are only two people he could be meeting there. Mrs. Regina or Ian Mannell, I know for a fact that Regina is out of the state visiting her son.

"Yes. That is what he said." Christy replied. I just thanked her and left the church. I got in the car, dug for my phone in my bag and hit the speed dial to Keith's number. The phone rang and rang and finally it was directed to a voice mail. I press redial and waited, ring one, ring two then it was engage tone. The call was cut. I couldn't believe it. No matter how important the client is Keith never cut my call. I redialed again. This time there was no ring at all, only voice mail. The phone must be off.

This is getting awkward. Maybe I am just getting a little sensitive. He has gone to the country side most probably the network connection is bad. I shall try to call again in a few more minutes. I toss the phone on the co-driver's seat and drove home. Every time I stopped at a traffic light my heart urged me to pick up the phone but my head told me to wait a few more minutes. What made me think so much was the fact that I left various messages for Keith asking him to call me back but he has not try to contact me. I finally reached home. I couldn't wait anymore; I took the phone and called him again.

"Hello"

"Keith, are you alright?" that was the first thing I asked him.

"I am great. Why Ica?" he asked as if he didn't know I have been trying to contact him so desperately.

"Keith, I have been trying to talk to you. You told me to go to the church but..." I started but he interrupted me.

"Ica I am kind of busy now, I promise I will talk to you at Ian's function." Keith said nonchalantly and hung up.

I remained in my car for a few seconds and tried to find a good possible explanation to his action. There was none. He is avoiding me but why? Is he hiding something or is he angry with me for some reason. He didn't sound angry though. I felt a huge weight in my heart. The roller coaster ride has begun again. Every time Ian walks in my life I end up in a roller coaster of emotions. I lost Ian the last time and I really don't want to lose Keith too. I need to do something about this. For some odd reason I feel that Ian is behind this matter. The only way I can be sure is to get to the country side.

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"Good morning dear. How can I help you today?" a sweet elderly woman at the B&B asked.

"Morning, I believe there is a reservation on my name, Veronica Shaw."

"Yes, Ms. Shaw, just leave your bags here and follow me. Mick will help you bring them up." She said as she signed to the young man who just walked in to the building. I followed the woman as she walked up the stair. The B&B was at the edge of the cliff. The sound of the ocean could always be heard. The B&B had lots of roses on the outside and inside. There were other flowers as well but roses very everywhere. The stairs were block of huge stones and the B&B floor were terrazzo in shades of brown an orange. Although it was hot outside it felt cold inside.

There was a four pollster bed in the middle of the room with lilac bedding. The room had an open window with gray curtains and a seating area. The sun was shining on to the long chair that was against the wall. The curtains were moving as the breeze was blowing gently. A row of red and white roses occupied the window sill. The view out the window was spectacular too. Glittering sapphire colored sea with a few sea gulls flying around. A white sand beach with a row of beach houses for tourist attractions.  I was mesmerized by the view. I must have stood by the window for at least 5 minutes till the lady spoke up to inform me the breakfast, lunch and dinner timing.

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