Loving Dad’s Best Friend

ROMANTIC INTERLUDE

CHAPTER 6

I always thought that Blake had mastered the art of coolness and his self-control was of a different level. However, from the time I proposed for him to be the first man in my life…his actions and emotions were truly hard to explain.

Like tonight--

He came like a cyclone, ready to wreak havoc on the entire place. I was sure he attended some wild parties during his time, this party was just one of those.

I was thankful, still that he came at the nick of time to save me from my own doing but he could have chosen to save me with less fury and less dreadful.

My eyes opened wide in panic when he looked ready to swag Keenu like a bull. His eyes burning furiously, his teeth clenched, his jaw pulsating and his free hand balled into fist ready to punch Keenu and send him on the floor with a single punch.

God, I admit for the first time I was terrified, scared to death even. My scheme to make him mad surely reached Blake’s maximum limits and I knew, next to Keenu-- I would be his next target. He would let me pay for what I did...not physically though. He wouldn't spare me from the lashing of his razor-sharp tongue but he wouldn't hurt a single hair in my head.

As if splashed with an ice-cold bucket of water, all the effects of the beers I took escaped my mind and body. His rage sobered me up and cleared my head.

I didn’t question the way he dragged me out of the place in a hurry, with my wrist aching from his tight grip and my legs hitting some chairs after Keenu apologized to him, even without being asked. Surely all my friends who saw what happened were like Keenu and me, they were also petrified.

While Blake unlocked the land rover he asked furiously, “What the freaking mess was about to happen in there Graciella, if I didn’t come in time? Would you really consider going to bed with that boy?” He demanded to know, his face dark with anger.

For a while, I was afraid to speak. Would I dare to challenge him in his state of mind at the moment?

“Speak! Damn it,” Blake yelled.

It startled me even more and rendered me more speechless.

He opened the car door and pushed me on the shotgun seat. Minutes later he slid himself onto the driver’s seat. He didn't start the engine yet.

We sat in silence for a few minutes until his crisp and angry snide reverberated in the small space inside the car.

“Bullshit! Are you that sexually aroused that even on the dance floor you are willing to be fvcked?”

I couldn't blame him for the accusation. I put that idea in his head. The idea of me needing a man at the soonest time possible to ease my body heat.

Fvck! It sounded so ugly…me as a h0rny b*tch! goosebumps crawled on my skin.

I knew that Blake was just somewhere inside the venue. I could feel a set of eyes following me everywhere. Although, I refused to look around to see if he was actually there.

I was no longer surprised when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him and crushed me on his firm chest. I knew he would come in time to save me and he did.

However, I couldn't admit that to his face. I also couldn’t cave in, I have gone this far.

I cleared my throat and concealing my fear, and said, “Excuse me? Keeno is 26, he’s no longer a boy and he’s a professional, He is an engineer,” I defended the fvck boy.

I was certain Keenu would show his true skin as the night progressed. I might have a special power, sniffing men who were after free s*x. However, sorry for him, I wouldn't act lasciviously if not for this difficult and headstrong man in front of me. I felt like I aged five years more in just a few days dealing with him.

“I don’t fvcking care how old he is and what he does to his life! You were dancing lewdly on the dance floor and you allowed him to touch you like that. He was almost fvcking you, right there and then…so disgusting!”

Ouch! That hurts.

I struggled to snap back, he hit me hard with his tongue but I must not cave in. How else could I get back to him--other than to throw in his face one of his ugly deeds?

“Says who? You? Let me remind you that you are not a saint yourself. You banged a brunette inside the tent early this afternoon.”

I saw the shock in his eyes upon hearing what I said. He didn’t deny it of course. One thing good with Blake was he wouldn’t tell a lie to cover his ass.

His heavy breaths took over the silence of his tongue. It gave me the chance to hit him more.

“How was the fvck this afternoon, Blake? You should be happy you found a release,” I looked at him provocatively and added, “—while, the poor me was not as fortunate.”

Where did I get the guts to act and talk this way? I really didn’t know, but everything wouldn't snowball into this if Blake had been easy to deal with…and if he didn’t bang the brunette earlier. Admittedly it annoyed me to know that he was banging other ladies.

I saw his Adam's apple roll on his neck several times, evident that he was controlling himself. He was going through hell while dealing with me, that was crystal clear. But--he deserved it. Every time he choose to act as an authority rather than a friend--I would always treat him like that.

Blake closed his eyes and pressed his head on the headrest.

After several moments of silence, he spoke in a more controlled voice, “Graciella, why are you acting this way? For years you never gave us a headache.”

I was glad he toned down, but I couldn’t take my defenses down.

“You are only having a headache because you refused to accept that the child you were insisting that you rear yourself had turned legal. She’s entitled to make her decisions in life.” I screeched and added, “ Blake, I am entitled to make a decision on my own without consulting anybody, besides it's my body, it's not yours--so stay the f**k away!" I breathed deeply and expelled it soundly, "Actually, why the hell did I even need to explain to you?” I asked and eyed him sharply.

“We are not talking about that. We are discussing your actions today, on that dance floor, and with a boy, you hardly knew. Can't you sense the danger?” His tone was low but his lips were stretched in an unyielding line.

“We were dancing, for heaven's sake!”

People dance on the dance floor. What else could Blake expect? Were Keenu and I just supposed to simply stare at each other on the dance floor?

Sure--We were cozy while dancing but—, that was exactly what I wanted to happen…and his reaction was exactly what I expected, but even so...arguing with him was so frustrating.

“You are not a w***e, Graciella!"

Double ouch! He wouldn't stop, firing these ugly accusations.

It was time for me to close my eyes and controlled my breathing, but couldn't sit back and just take it. I prepared a crispier comeback unable to believe that he associated me with a wh0re. Did I really dance like one, earlier? But, before I could roar at him again, the next phase he said made me think deeper.

“Just wait, Graciella. A few years from now…your proposal wouldn’t be so bad,” he said resignedly.

To say that I was shocked was an understatement and it was also vague. I paused for a while and think about every word he said.

A few years from now…Did he mean to say I was still young and years from now would make a big difference to how he would treat me?

But—on second thought.

Where would he be by then? He would be leaving soon. I wouldn't and couldn't take that risk.

“You think what I am feeling right now is a joke? Was it something that I could delay? Blake, you may stick with morality issues, I won’t question that. All I am asking from you is... do not take me as your responsibility. I am old enough to take care of myself.”

“Graciella—“

“Oh for heaven’s sake. I am getting tired of this.” I screamed, placing my hands on my face.

I wanted to cry but couldn’t.

“I am tired and sexually frustrated. Look—I am sorry if I get you involved in this because you are my first choice. I was wrong, I am so sorry! I should have asked other men, but I trusted you, Blake. I thought you would understand my predicament. Also…you seem to have no problem fvcking other ladies. Why not me? Was I too unattractive? Did your stomach churn at the idea of seeing me naked? It was just sex." I said exasperatedly and very near breaking point.

Silence. A long silence followed.

Blake was engrossed in his own thoughts and I was engrossed with mine. Each time we argue, it leaves me drained and shamed. Maybe after tonight, after giving it a good fight, I should accept defeat. I would forget this crazy feeling I have for him.

“With you Graciella…it would never be…just s*x!”

My head turned in his direction automatically and met his gaze but couldn’t figure out the content of his mind.

What did he mean by that?

Was the alcohol I drank finally getting into my system that I was imagining things such as Blake giving me some kind of a hint?

I snapped back to reality when I heard Blake release a long and heavy sigh. As if he howled it in the deepest part of the ocean. He was looking at the dark space in front of us. He had yet to start the engine of the car as if he had no intention to leave the place unless we cleared things between us. He had no intention to begin our journey back home.

He looked hopeless, unhappy, and defeated.

I feel so bad putting him on this spot. I guessed he was split in two, one part telling him to fvck me so everything would be done with, and the other part telling him to consider the people around us, my age, and condition...he would be touching a virgin. A young lady that he would turn into a woman.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place, two places he didn’t deserve to be but he was in there, just the same… because of me. But I had made my choice, no matter how selfish it was, and I had to see it through.

Before I could put together words to say, his words...almost made me qualify for admission to a mental asylum or a heart center.

“Okay Graciella, you win. I will give in to what you want."

I almost dropped from my seat when I heard him. I thought my heart stopped beating, I couldn't feel my pulse as I stared at him.

“You heard me, right?” Blake smirked. He seemed to have released the burden in his heart when he finally made a decision to agree to my proposal.

I cleared my dry throat, “D-Do you mean it?” I stuttered still.

“Joking about a sensitive matter was not my thing! Let’s get this over with.”

“W-When?” All my confidence disappeared, I sounded like an obedient puppy.

“A week from now. I don't care what lie you need to thread to convince your father or tell him the whole truth, it's all up to you, but we leave this place together.”

He was leaving us so soon? I thought we still have weeks. I thought he would leave after I left for college.

“Why did you agree, f-finally?" I wanted to kick myself for such a foolish question.

“This is what you want, right? And... I need a week with you Graciella, not just a night!”

Holy shiiit!

A week of a romantic interlude with the only man I care about at the moment. My bravery, foolishness, and recklessness finally made my one dream come true--a week with the man I so adored. My vision spun and then darkness.