Chapter 7

After breakfast, Kimberly went out to get some groceries while lan remained at home. On her way

to the supermarket, she couldn't help but think back to their love making earlier that morning.

lan was a totally different person in bed that morning, one she couldn't recognize. It was like she

awoke some kind of beast in him. The bite marks all over her body were proof of his actions which

she doesn’t want to look at for the time being. She got what she asked for.

The sex was amazing, she could still feel the effect on her lower region. She had to be honest to be

honest with herself, she didn't like that lan. She's satisfied with the gentle and passionate lan she fell

in love with. But she couldn't help feeling kind of proud and moved when she saw the look of

content on Ian's face as he devoured her.

Maybe, she would let him have his way once in a while, that would help spice up their relationship.

When Kimberly was done shopping, she headed home. On her arrival, she saw lan walking a black

haired guy who looked quite familiar to the door.

"Hey babe.” lan greeted as Kimberly climbed out of her car.

“Hey.” She replied with a smile, placing a kiss on lan’s cheek.

“Meet my best friend, Simon. You two have met before but haven't been properly introduced.”

No wonder he looked so familiar. Kimberly thought to herself, as she took Simon's outstretched

hand in hers with a warm smile, for a handshake.

“It's my pleasure to finally come face to face with the queen that has stolen lan’s heart.”

“Thanks.” She shyly replied, already blushing red from Simon's compliment.

"Hey man, that's enough.” lan playfully glared, separating their hands.

Simon laughed at his best friends action.

“Someone's scared.” Simon teased

“Dream on. You are not a competition.” lan countered back.

“You think so?” Simon asked with an eyebrow raised at his best friend, as if to say he didn’t sound

convincing.

"Alright guys, that's enough... would you mind staying over for some snacks?” Kimberly asked,

interrupting their bickering.

“Thanks, but I need to run some errands. Maybe, some other time.”

"Okay."

"Give me a call when you and Leo are done talking.” lan said as they exchanged bro hug.

“Sure thing. Once again, it was nice meeting you Kim.” Simon said as he warmly shook hands with

Kimberly again.

“Bye Simon.” She waved him goodbye as he jogged to his car.

“Let's get the groceries out of the car.” Kimberly then said after Simon's car was out of view,

grabbing lan’s hand and led him to her car.

“So, how long have you been friends with Simon?” Kimberly asked Ian, as she was arranging the

groceries she just bought, in the pantry.

“We met while in training.” lan replied, helping himself to an apple.

“That's quite awhile.” She said amused as she was now placing the cartons of milk she bought in the

refrigerator.

"Yeah.. cool, right?”

"Yeah. I can barely keep a friendship for two years cos they all complain about how uptight and busy

I always am.” She explained with an half hearted smile as she took a seat on one of the stools.

Kimberly had always envied people who made friends quite easily, since she wasn't a social

butterfly. Being introverted was one of her greatest flaws and she couldn't do anything about it.

She sometimes wonder how she has been able to keep her relationship with lan for the past three

years. It scares her sometimes, when she thinks of the future ahead.

They would be getting married next year when Ian finally returns from sea, because that will be his

last year at sea.

After his return and their wedding, he'd be sent to work on land. Then, she'd get to see him more

often.

Would he be interested in her then, like he is now? Or would he like everybody else get fed up with

her tight schedule at the hospital?

Oh God! Why is she having these thoughts? She wondered.

She was suddenly brought out of her thoughts by lan snapping his fingers in her face, causing her

to flinch.

“Um.. I- I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts.” She murmured with an apologetic smile.

“May I know what you were thinking about?” lan asked

“It's nothing important. Don't pay any attention to me... Um, s-so why was Simon here? She asked

changing the subject.

lan gave her a skeptical look for a few minutes before answering.

"He came to say hi and to talk about the trip we planned on taking.”

“You guys already planned to embark on a trip?”

“Yeah, we did that on our way home. It's just going to be the three of us and our partners.” He

replied, taking a bite from his half eaten apple.

“Oh.”

"We'll be going camping for a week.” lan said with a mischievous smile.

Kimberly tried to process what lan had just said. Did he say camping? She thought, as it rang several

times in her ears.

“That's impossible.” She blurted out, making lan furrow his brows in confusion.

"And why is that?” he asked, trying to stay calm but there was a distinct edge to his voice.

“I- 1 can't go camping. I've never done it before. I th- thought I told you that?”

“I don't get you Kim. There's always a first time for everything.”

“You don't get it, do you? I can't go to the woods.” She countered, running her hands through her

hair to stop them from shaking, as she was already frustrated with the fact that lan couldn't

understand her.

lan let out an irritated laugh, as he was trying really hard to control his anger.

“I've already made preparations. We'll be leaving in three days.” He said through gritted teeth.

“I can't go with you, I'm sorry.” Kimberly replied, shaking her head like she was trying to remind

herself that she couldnt go.

Distracting herself, she stood up and walked to the refrigerator, her hands reached for anything she

could make because she didn’t want to argue with lan. It's just too early to start fighting over trivial

matters.

lan was fuming inside because Kimberly wasn't giving him an reasonable explanation as to why

can't go camping, she rather chose to ignore him, which killed him even more.

“Can you give me one good reason why you're ignoring this conversation?” he suddenly asked with

clenched teeth, hoping she'd enlighten him more on why she was against the trip. But didn't get a

response from Kimberly, who instead of answering his question, totally ignored it.

That was it! He can't tolerate her acting like he didn't exist.

Storming to her, he grabbed her by the arm, making her yelp in pain.

"Answer me God damnit!” he fumed

“I'm forbidden from going to the woods, okay?!" she yelled back, her eyes already filled with tears.

lan angrily let go of her arm, taking few steps back. He couldn't believe his ears, his fiancée didn't

want to go camping because of a stupid rule?

And here he was, thinking she had once experienced an awful incident there.

“I can't go to the woods with you because my dad won't let me. I've never disobeyed him and I

don't plan on doing it now.” Kimberly further explained, already in tears.

lan scoffed at her explanation.

Was she being serious right now?

“Are you listening to yourself? You sound like a fucking teenager!” he yelled, gripping his hair in

frustration.

"What else do I need to know? Tell me. Do I need your dad's permission to get you pregnant and

start a family?” lan pressed, in a sarcastic manner.

“lan, please stop.” She sobbed

“No, you stop this bullshit!” he barked before storming out of the kitchen, leaving a sobbing

Kimberly by herself.