Chapter 10

Kimberly stared at Mr. Gareth with confusion written all over her face. How did he notice? Was it

that obvious?

“If you don't feel comfortable talking here, we can go outside” he suggested, making Kimberly

realize that she can't find her way out of this one, because Mr. Gareth wasn’t willing to drop the

subject.

Although, Kimberly is open with of lan’s parents, she doesn't know how lan would react if he found

out she told his dad about their fight, but she desperately needed someone to talk to at the

moment, so she nodded in agreement and they left the party.

Kimberly and Mr. Gareth walked out of the house through the back door and arrived at the pool

area. She felt herself relax as she was now in the fresh air, away from the crowd. It made her feel as

if she had nothing to worry about, which was far from the truth but she couldn't help it, she always

felt that way when she was somewhat close to nature.

“Let's take walk” Mr. Gareth said

Kimberly had totally forgotten that she had come out here with him in the first place. It seems her

fight with lan was taking a huge toll on her without her realizing it. Was it because she couldn't find

a way out of this one? Kimberly had thought of several options or excuses but she couldn't come up

with anything other than the only two options that kept replaying in her head. It was either she

disobeyed her dad and go on this camping trip or lose her fiancé. She could see that slowly coming

to reality if lan keeps up with this act.

If you ask Kimberly, she would say both weren't an option to take because she doesn't wish to

disobey her dad neither does she want her relationship to have the slightest crack, not to mention,

coming to an end. This was really nerve-wracking, who even came up with the stupid idea of

camping?

Mr. Gareth carefully watched Kimberly as she was internally fighting with her thoughts. What has

gotten her this worked up? He wondered before taking her hand in his. His action took Kimberly by

surprise and she immediately came out of her trance, she guess he must have noticed her

nervousness. She thanked him with a polite smile as they walked along the garden at the backyard

of the mansion.

The garden was filled with all kinds of beautiful flowers. It's green grasses were neatly trimmed to

spell out the name “GARETH’ making it look like paradise.

“So... what's going on?” Mr. Gareth finally spoke up when he noticed that Kimberly had relaxed a

bit.

Kimberly's sad face returned at Mr. Gareth's question, bringing her to the real reason why there

were out here in the first place.

“lan and I had a fight this morning...” she began

“He wants us to go camping, but... I don't want to”

“Is there any particular reason behind your refusal?” Mr. Gareth in a calm voice

Kimberly sometimes wonder whose father Tony actually was because of the way he acted towards

her which was totally different from how he behaves towards his son lan

“I'm forbidden to do that...” she said, taking a deep breath

“Ever since I was a little girl, my dad never lets me go camping. He told me the woods was a

dangerous place to go to and he didn't want me getting hurt, so he forbade me from going there...

I've never been to summer camps, although it made me sad, I couldn't do anything about it... lan

and I fought over this in the morning and now he hates me, I mean it's my fault...” she explained,

her eyes already filled with tears.

“I'm scared I'm gonna lose him” Kimberly burst out in tears as she couldn’t control her emotions

anymore.

Mr. Gareth took her in for a hug

“I'm going to lose him over something trivial” she sobbed into the hug

“Shh. Don't work yourself up over nothing” Mr. Gareth said, soothing her

Kimberly felt so embarrassed for letting herself break down this easily. She wasn't an emotional

person, hell, she couldn't even remember the last time she cried this much. She couldn't help it,

there was something about Ian's anger today that scared her. She felt like she was slowly losing her

fiancé which was one of her biggest fears.

She slowly pulled away from the hug, not wanting to look like a cry baby even though she hated the

lack of warmth she was currently feeling from the hug. Kimberly looked anywhere but Mr. Gareth as

she felt so embarrassed for letting him see her in her most vulnerable state.

“You know... when I was younger, I couldn't do some fun and adventurous things no matter how

much Melissa begged me to..." Mr. Gareth began, gaining Kimberly's attention.

“I was so engrossed in my duty as a soldier that I gradually lost my social life...

When I actually retired and thought I could make up for my absence, it was too late. We were past

the age for fun things and had to think of more important things” he explained

Kimberly could see the sadness in his eyes as he talked but he immediately masked it, straightening

himself once again.

“I'm in a dilemma... right now I have no idea what to do. I don't want to lose my dad's trust nor do I

want to lose Ian's love” she said, frustrated

“I understand how you feel, but you know there isn't very much time to think about it... if you like I

can speak to your dad-"

“No pleasel... He'll never say yes to it, there's no point telling him. It will only make him feel

disappointed in me for choosing not to understand his point”

“Fine, if that's what you want... but please don’t make the same mistake I made because you'll

forever regret it"

“Thank you Tony. I'll keep that in mind”

Kimberly gave Mr. Gareth a hug in appreciation, enjoying the warmth his body gave. It was

moments like this she cherished the most. Mr. Gareth gave her forehead a light kiss before asking

"Are you good to go back in?”

“I think so" she replied with a smile and they walked back to the mansion.