The Love Cube

Chapter 14 : The Heart Wants What It Wants

" It's pathetic how you watch the door nowadays man,'' Kingsley's friend, Arthur told him, while creeping behind him as he refilled his coffee. It had been days since he had seen Heather and maybe he really wanted to see her again but had run out of excuses to go see her.Maybe he could 'question' someone and hand her a 'new' report, he thought to himself. That was genius, the irrational part of his brain agreed.

He found his friend staring at him, unimpressed and he was worried that he had voiced his thoughts out loud.

" What? Do I have something on my face?'' he asked suddenly, self-conscious.

" I have been speaking to you for the last five minutes but you have been lost in your head this whole time," he replied, sighing and shaking his head in disappointment.

" I know we have been giving you sh.it over your small crush on that lawyer, but is everything okay?'' Arthur asked, his earlier anger turning into concern.

" Is it Ivy?Is she back?" he continued.

Ivy was his ex-girlfriend, their relationship ending in the least amicable of ways. It had taken the intervention of his family and friends to finally leave her and him promising to not take her back, ending the toxic cycle they had always found themselves in. That had been among the sea of many failed relationships that he had. Despite having vowed not to jump into another relationship, here he was.

"No, she isn't. Haven't heard from her since last time,'' he replied, stirring his coffee.

" What is it then? You know we are always here for you?'' Arthur encouraged and Kingsey decided to share his predicament with his friend. Maybe he would help knock some sense into his head.

" I didn't want to like Heather but I sort of do. We had a moment where I felt maybe she could be attracted to me as well, but after Ivy, I just feel like I always choose the wrong women and with who she is, it's like setting myself up.Once bitten twice shy doesn't even apply to me at this point. '' As he spoke Arthur had not interrupted him. He was among his closest friends who knew how bad everything had been between them.

" Only you Kingsley would be this worried over being attracted to a gorgeous, intelligent woman. Go for it. If you feel there is something for you there, explore it, but ensure you guard your heart this time. It doesn't have to be a serious thing,'' Arthur said while offering one last encouraging slap to his back before he left him.

That was the only greenlight he needed. Instead of overthinking himself to the point he would miss a chance with Heather, he decided to take a leap of faith. He felt excited as he headed to the reception to get the visitors' book that everyone signed. Taking it back to his office, he looked through it till he found Heather's name and phone number.

Hello, stanger. As your sidekick, I feel neglected and out of loop.

Kingsley.

After adding a sad-faced emoji, he hit send and he let out the breath he had been holding. The text was corny but he was a bit rusty. He had been out of the game for six years and was working with his sub par skills in the current dating world.

Quickly, he returned the book, walking across the office hoping no one had picked up on what he had done. It wasn't illegal, just embarrassing.

At the farthest corner was Arthur and the officer in charge of the reception smiling, between themselves, having an inkling of what their friend had done.

An arrest and two surveillance drives later, he had yet to get a response but it was approaching lunch time. Maybe he would get his response then.

No sooner had he pocketed his phone after making a quick check than it began ringing, Heather's name flashing on the screen.

" My side kick huh?'' she asked and he couldn't help but note how sultry her voice sounded.

" Any objections?'' he asked,matching the tone of her voice.

" Well, none whatsoever, but I could use some bit of convincing. Meet me at the diner next to your office at seven in the evening,'' she said.

" Yes, Maam,'' he replied and chuckled while hanging up. She was different and he liked it. Maybe that is what he needed.

" You have a nice smile Sir, you should smile more,'' the junior officer who had been making rounds with him commented from the seat beside his. Little did he know he would be seeing more of that smile.

Evening couldn't come quick enough for Kingsley . He had combed through his hair, changed his shirt to the nicer one he kept in his locker and even added a bit of cologne to himself and thirty minutes to time, he was already heading to the diner and picking the table they had occupied the last time.

Fifteen minutes to time, Heather made her way to the parking lot with her signature black Mercedes. She looked beautiful in the evening light, her hair held up in a messy bun and in a black body suit paired up with a cream furry coat. She walked into the diner and it was enough for the chatter to die down as everyone marveled at her. She seemed not to realize the effect her presence held. She scanned the room before her eyes landed on Kingsley who was at the very back. She smiled as she meandered through the tables and finally got to Kingsley, who had already stood up and pushed out her chair for her.

" What a gentleman,'' she commended while everyone was still looking at both of them.

Once he sat down, the diner got back to mindlessly chattering, but he did not miss the stolen glances that were coming from everyone.

" I aim to please,'' he replied with a toothy grin.

The waiter had already made his way to them, an older man who knew Kingsley as he was a regular.

Inquiring what they would have, he left, leaving the pair to now converse.

" I'll begin by apologizing for going MIA on you but those files you brought me kept me pretty occupied apart from the stress that is the case,'' she began before they were interrupted by their food being placed on the table. After thanking the waiter, she continued,

" I am pretty much convinced that Matthew Carter killed his wife,'' she finished off.

He looked around, hoping no one had heard her. Matthew Carter was a big name and such an accusation was serious.

" Are you supposed to be saying that, especially since he is your client?'' he asked her,

" He lied to me when I asked him. I don't appreciate that with my clients. If I found that out the possibility of anyone finding out is there.I hate surprises,'' she huffed out as she continued eating.

" You do realize I am a detective and it's my responsibility to look into such accusations, especially murder. ''

" Yes, and that's why I want you to promise me not to tell anyone about it, for now. Once I am done with this case, you can open the investigation.'' she asked while looking at him, waiting for an answer.

" Kingsley?'' she called while trying to meet his eyes. He was undergoing an internal war between his sense of responsibility and the vows he took when he joined the police service versus the pleading eyes of a woman he liked and wanted to gain her trust.

" Okay,'' he replied after sometime and he felt Heather's warm hand on his as she stopped him and looked at him while mouthing a thankyou while smiling .

For her, he was willing to do anything as long as he ended up on the receiving end of that smile.