Don's tired voice over the phone reflected the path my mood was plummeting towards. His could be a reflection of the time in the states but mine was wholly due to the frustration I was feeling.
'I asked him about it and he confirmed it, David.'
I was emotionally drained just listening to Don talk about the whole thing.
'He's coming to Gangnam to see her. He says if he waits any longer he's going to have cold feet.'
I couldn't stop the string of profanity directed at Thomas. Didn't he have a but of sense in his head? Him coming here was not the right thing to do. After all that was said between Don and I, I still didn't want to believe a word of it.
'You care about her a lot.'
'She's a dear colleague.' My position in the friendzone was relatively new so I didn't want to jinx it too much. Who knew when I'd get booted out.
'The hell she is.'
I cringed inwardly knowing my cousin had latched on like a bloodhound.
'Of course, that tends t happen when one works in close proximity with another person Don, don't overthink it.'
His laughter grated on my nerves.
'I have to go.'
I heard a piercing scream from inside the house which sent my heart racing.
Keziah stepped out on to the balcony happy as a lark.
She turned her excited look my way and my hand unconsciously went to my fluttering heart.
'He's coming Welsh! My Tommy is coming!'
'Is he now?' She didn't hear me she was already gone in an excited flurry.
I walked into the house with my head having down, her smile broke my heart.
Her excitement boiled over into our work and we got so much done. She even infected Eun Soon with her energy.
It was all well and good but their joy had an adverse effect on mine because I knew what was coming. Only I knew the truth.
Thomas Kennedy the perfect bastard. My eyes stayed on his gradual approach from the arrival gate. It was as though he was walking in slow motion with every woman turning her head when he walked by and yet again I was witnessing the famous Kennedy effect.
'Tommy!' I flinched at the sudden scream that erupted from my side.
'Kay, baby.' Thomas dropped his bags and opened his arms to catch his girlfriend his hands coming right on her round jean-clad bottoms. I had to turn away when they passionately kissed.
I took the chance to call the driver to bring the car around. He could handle his own luggage.
I didn't bother to get her things out of the car because he would not be staying in the house. Keziah and I hadn't discussed the arrangement because of the impromptu arrival. The house had two bedrooms and also I didn't trust the two of them to keep it pg 13 in the house. My mind decided to chose that moment to imagine steamy scenes. Keziah's eyes closed with her neck exposed to soft kisses. Her mouth opened just enough to let out a moan. And my hands cupping...
I slammed on the brakes of my thoughts. I meant Thomas...
I needed to sleep. They came out practically bound to the hip, smiling and chattering away like they were the only two people in the world.
'Have you taken your medication?'
'Stop, mom. I told you I did.'
Medication? What medication? I didn't know Keziah was suffering some ailment. It could be a vitamin or mineral deficiency, still the fact that I did not even know it. I was very awake now.
'Hey, David. It's so great to see you.'
'Likewise.' The lie left a bitter taste in my mouth, even my smile couldn't stand a second longer on my lips, I didn't care if he realized it or not.
'Welsh, would you mind moving to the front of the seat?'
I sent her a look. 'No, thank you. This is my seat.' I said with all seriousness but the childishness was not to be ignored.
Keziah looked surprised and then a little miffed. She obviously wanted to spend time with her beaux in the back seat but they needed some distance apart.
'The back seat is big enough for three.' Thomas tried sounding like the good guy.
'Even with your growing behind.'
'You noticed.' She laughed. She had no problem getting in the middle seat and now I was stuck with front row seats to a show I needed my eyes closed for.
'Of course, I noticed. It's sexy.' he whispered. I wanted to choke him and I was not usually a violent man. Bless the Lord for technology, the radio and my phone tried to distract me from the two beside me.
I sighed when the house appeared in our view.
'Welsh, please get the bags.'
Oh, oh, so I should get the bags. In the last thirty minutes, had I become the concierge all of a sudden.
'Don't bother taking out his bags.' I instructed the driver before following them inside.
The moment I stepped over the threshold, 'Thomas is taking me out to eat.'
She announced.
'He can get ready at the hotel, I have the driver ready to take you and bring you back.'
'No, he can stay here. We have room.'
No, we did not.
'David is right. It'll be better if I stayed at a hotel. '
Keziah was ready to argue but Thomas was already on it with a peck on her lips. 'I'll be back before you know it.'
I felt the heat at the back of my neck from the daggers Keziah had directed at me no doubt.
'He could stay in my room,' That was what I was afraid of.
'Or you could have maybe given up your room.'
'And where would that have left me?'
'You don't mind the couch do you?'
I would not gratify that with a response and went straight to my room because I had a lot to think about. Certain things just weren't making sense to me yet.
About two hours later, Thomas returned with flowers and a load of other gifts. I made it a point to intercept him before Keziah did.
I couldn't further control my reaction. I shoved him into the wall right beside the door, chalk it up to madness.
'Okay listen you bastard, what are you planning because ever since you got on the plane to come here I have been turning over to figure it all out and I'm even more confused now.'
The smile on his face slowly died and he looked the way he was supposed to.
'I guess Don told you about it.'
He went to the sofa setting his things aside.
'How could you cheat on Keziah?' My voice dropped down to a harsh whisper. I wanted to start throwing a few punches so he could leave with a number of bruises to remember me by.
'Why do you think I brought all these things? I haven't even made a reservation at any restaurant.'
'You are going to tell her now?' I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about that.
'Yes.' He replied with determination.
'All these things, she wouldn't care for. It'll be much better if you got on your knees and begged.'
That was what Keziah deserved.
'I swear David, I don't know what happened. I was just so drunk I don't even completely remember the girl or the night.'
I refused to feel sorry for him, it was his fault either way. He continued talking.
'I don't want Keziah to think it was her fault in any way.'
'Why would she?' I stooped myself from saying the rest of my words because no matter how well I meant it 'She looks like a good lay' was simply disrespectful to her, she wasn't a piece of meat to be had.
'We never... she wanted to wait. And I thought I could too but look at the mess I'm in.'
He stood up.
'I have been thinking about not telling her at all, to back out like a coward but on my way here I told myself that would not be the best thing to do.'
He looked so distressed and in pain. I could only imagine the heartbreak he was also experiencing, still, I didn't stop him when he walked to Keziah's door with the flowers set on the floor beside him. I didn't stop him when he knocked and then got on his knees.
'I'll be out one second.'
Hearing Keziah's happy voice, that was when I decided to stop him. His confession would break her. I was fully aware of how much she loved and adored this piece of trash in front of her door. Maybe this wasn't the way, it was too soon. He was going to blindside her with his admission.
I sprinted to him and attempted to get him back to his feet.
'No, don't do this.'
'No, David, I have to.'
'I need her of sound mind for the project we're working on. Besides, She's not ready.' Neither was I to see Keziah weep the way I knew she would turn out: sad and possibly broken. I didn't have to see it to know that I too would share in her pain. This entire period was evidence enough.
'I'm not ready for what?' She blinked her wide innocent eyes.
Her eyes went to the flowers at then at the gift bag on the table.
'Tommy, were you going to propose?'
He got up to his feet and opened his mouth.
'Is that what this looks like?' I cut in before he managed to ruin this golden opportunity.
'Yes. I'm not blind.'
'Well, you got us. But I told him you aren't ready and neither is he since he left the ring back in North Carolina.'
She frowned at me and crossed her hand visibly furious at my interference.
'Welsh, how many times have I told you not to meddle in my affairs.'
She grabbed Thomas by the arm and took him to the couch where they would have a heart to heart.
She turned to me when I stood there waiting to see if my save would have landed me in more hot water. Marriage? What if she said to him, then would have I really saved anything or made it worse.
'Can we please have a moment together? Alone.' she heavily emphasized on the last part.
I did, but not completely peeking through the small opening my door allowed me.
'I'm sorry that he ruined your effort, Tommy.'
'It's nothing.'
He tentatively looked at her.
'What would your answer be if I had asked you to marry me?'
'I want to marry you, of course, I do.'
Christ.
'But not yet, Tommy.'
Praise the Lord.
'I don't think we have enough memories between us.'
Yes, I wholly agreed with her. This was why I like her, she was such a wise woman.
'I feel like we barely still know each other with your work taking you all over and now with myself stuck here in South Korea with that nosy peacock.'
A what? Keziah was beginning to get too familiar with me. I would worry about that some other time, at least now I could focus on a crisis being averted. They didn't even bother to let me know they were leaving.
I stayed in the living room and watched the airing shows on TVN while waiting to make sure Keziah would be back on time and with her clothes intact.
'I wished you could stay longer. Tomorrow is too soon to go back.' I heard her say to Thomas who was at the door.
'Me too, but I have to catch the flight early tomorrow.'
Then they kissed and I thought: cheating bastard. It was unfair and uncalled for but that was the way I was feeling. The least he could do after hurting Keziah was keep his mouth and hands... and eyes off her. They lingered at the door and I secretly watched him inch further and further inside the house.
'Oh look at the time.' I turned off the television with my casual announcement.
'I should be going, sweetie.'
Keziah hugged him tightly and then to my discomfort kissed him. SO much for keeping personal lives, personal.
'I'll miss you.' she said to him. 'Call me every day.'
'I'll walk you to the car.' I offered, ushering him out. 'Keziah there's an email from Eun Soon for you.'
'From the look of things you didn't tell her anything.'
'I still don't think that was the right thing to do.'
'You may have just saved her career. Let her have something to have when you are gone.'
He jerked his head at my declaration.
'Gone? I don't plan on going anywhere. I know I can work things out with her.'
The Bastard thought he still had a chance? He must be out of his mind if he thought that I was letting him anywhere near Keziah. But arguing with him would keep him here longer so I decided to keep my thoughts and what I really thought about his private.
'Sure, but tell her when we get Incheon, okay?'
He paused and looked back at me with pleading eyes.
'I already told her this, but can you tell her that I love her and I'll call her?'
'Sure, sure whatever.'
I closed the door and walked into the house.
'Welsh, what email were you talking about.'
'Tommy is gone, says he loves you and have a goodnight, make sure you go to bed really early.'
What? Playing the devil wasn't beneath me at all.
I tossed and turned all night recalling the uncharacteristic level of patheticness Thomas Kennedy bore. That man was good because by some trick that man had me feeling sorry for him too.