I know! I know! I am sorry.

Things have been crazy lately, but as an apology - YOU GET THREE CHAPTERS! 

Enjoy you beautiful nerds!

Chapter 11.

You think they going to do the nasty?

~~~

It had been three days since Lima had threatened them, demanding a factually impossible perfect design. Olivia was prepared, mentally and physically. She straightened her back and set her papers neatly across the table, taking deep breaths to settle her nerves.

"You okay?" Alesha asked in a worried tone.

Olivia nodded, she had worked for two days straight, barely eating, hardly sleeping, occasionally crying. She had drawn over 50 designs before finalizing one, and now she was certain that she had made the perfect choice. She wasn't going to go down easy this time. "Yes. I am more than ready."

Alesha smiled at her friend proudly. She patted her back and shoulders. "Good. Be strong. You got this babe."

Viaan offered her a cup of coffee. "Here, drink this."

Olivia took a sip and spat it out, wincing at the bitterness. "Why do you guys keep forgetting that I like sugar?"

"Oops." Viaan said sheepishly, quickly grabbing the cup back. "I'll add sugar."

Alesha glanced at Rishit who was leaning back on the chair without a worry. "Is your design ready?"

Rishit shook his head, his arms behind his head as he stared aimlessly at the ceiling. "Not the final one. That stupid man is living in the room on the second floor and Lima hardly lets me enter her room, how can I design anything if I don't even see the rooms?"

Alesha hummed in thought. "Well, have you asked her if you can enter her room for the sole purpose of doing the job she has hired us to do?"

He hadn't. "Yes."

"Liar." Olivia snorted, rolling her eyes.

Rishit ignored her mocking gaze. She knew that he was avoiding Lima as much as he could, which was difficult considering they lived under the same roof and she was his boss. He'd escape the kitchen when she walked in, he'd pretend to be in a call when he passed her, he'd rush back to his room after dinner ignoring Lima's stares. And it seemed like Lima knew that he was avoiding her but she did nothing to rectify it. As if she was glad that he wasn't interacting with her anymore.

Benny strolled into the room, decked in casual boxers and a beach t-shirt. Too weird for a castle in the mountains.

Rishit scowled at him, he couldn't get over his annoyance for a man he'd hardly talked to. "Why are you here?"

Benny sat on a chair, stretching his arms like he owned the place. "I came to see the designs, of course."

Rishit gritted his teeth, straightening in his chair. His shoulders instinctively straightened and his eyes narrowed. "Yeah, well I don't think Ms. Fox would appreciate you staying-"

"He can stay." Lima held, walking in with a huge cup of hot coffee.

Rishit pressed his lips together, glaring at Lima. Benny smiled smugly, relaxing further into the chair. Lima looked at Olivia, not sparing a glance towards Rishit. Olivia shook nervously. "Olivia, I assume you are ready today."

Olivia gulped and bobbed her head. "Yes, you won't be disappointed."

Lima sat on an empty chair next to Benny, facing the three. She took a long sip of the coffee, sacking her lips to relish the taste. "Go ahead then, make me not disappointed."

Viaan was just entering the room with a fresh cup of sugar coffee for Olivia but once he saw Lima, he promptly turned around and walked back into the kitchen, not ready to face Lima and her infamous temper just yet. He'd pretend to be busy for a while longer.

Olivia cleared her throat fretfully. She spread three designs in front of Lima. "One is a G-shaped kitchen layout, a little similar to last idea." She pointed at the next design. "This an L shaped layout." She pointed at the third paper. "This is your current one, we can just change the color and cabinets. You choose which one you like and I'll explain it in detail."

Lima hated to agree that she was a little impressed with her thorough work. Olivia seemed prepared today, confident even. She took another long sip of the coffee, letting the silence spread out. "The L shaped one."

Olivia smiled, removing a few papers from a blue folder. "This is L shaped design idea." She started explaining in depth, the design, the color, the cabinets, the idea to extend the doors so that they can open directly into the garden. Lima didn't say a word until she was fully finished with the brief.

"The final outcome would be something like this." She placed a printout in front of Lima.

Lima looked at the color combination and hummed in thought. "I don't like the yellow here."

"How about shades of brown?"

Lima nodded slowly, clicking her tongue at the top of her mouth. "Okay. Sounds good."

Olivia's lips opened to retort and then snapped back, she hadn't expected an agreement. "Huh?" Lima leaned back, smiling a little at Olivia's surprised face. "Sounds good. I like it."

Olivia blinked, letting the words slowly sink in, she smiled, pressing her lips in a firm line to stop from grinning like a fool and tapping her feet to stop from jumping up and down like a crazy woman filled high on ecstasy. She settled on doing a mental victory dance for herself.

Viaan chose that moment to come back in and take his sit. Lima glared at him but didn't comment further on his long absence. Alesha and Rishit were smiling too, glad that at least one of their designs had been approved. That was a major success especially considering who was validating them.

Olivia's phone rang at that joyful minute and the second she saw the caller's name, her smile fell and her shoulder dropped down.

"If that's Jeffery, don't pick up the call." Alesha warned.

Olivia bit her lower lip in deep contemplation. It was Jeffery and she desperately wanted to hear his smooth voice but with that also came a ton of lies.

Lima studied the look of hesitation and distraught on Olivia's face and sighed heavily. She put her palm out. Olivia frowned at it.

"Your phone." Lima stated firmly. "You are working right now, I suggest you keep your personal issues out of my designs. Give the phone."

Olivia's eyes widened at the demand and she gulped, with shaking hands, she placed the phone in Lima's hand. Lima glanced at the caller ID – My love. A scowl drew on her face and she rolled her eyes. What was she, 12 years old? Who even kept such names anymore?

Lima didn't care enough to ask for more details. She turned it on silence mode and kept it under the table on her lap. "You'll get this back later."

Olivia could only nod her head in response. A part of her was glad that she didn't have to face Jeffery just yet but apart was also annoyed because she missed him. "Um, the next is study room."

After two hours, Lima stretched her arms and rolled her neck, stifling a yawn. "I am so bored." She muttered under her breath. "Let's take a break."

They were all equally exhausted and sagged into their chairs with relief. Olivia's designs had been approved with quite a few modifications but 75% of the work was done. Alesha's had been approved too, with multiple revisions. The only designs left was from Viaan and Rishit. And they were both taking their sweet time making it.

Lima got off the chair, rubbing the back of her stiff neck. "We'll discuss the rest tomorrow. Go to some club or something. Take the night off. Have fun." With that she strolled out of the room, Benny following her closely.

Viaan whistled after they were both out of earshot. "You think they going to do the nasty?"

Rishit's eyes widened and he jerked in his seat and slapped Viaan on the back of his head. He didn't even want to think about it, it was far more horrifying than Lima falling down a cliff. Just the thought made him shudder in disgust. Lima could do so much better. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Look at it this way, she's sending us all away." Viaan perceived, humming in wonder, completely oblivious to Rishit's rising irritation. "She wants the house to herself. Why? – because they are going to do it!"

Rishit hissed at Viaan, lightly punching his shoulder again. "Don't make stupid assumptions." Rishit scolded, not liking the slightest possibility that it might be true. "They are not even dating. There is nothing going on between them."

Viaan shrugged his shoulder in indifference. He didn't care what Lima did and with whom. "Whatever dude. I am just glad to get out of here."

Alesha and Olivia nodded in enthusiasm. "Yeah, let's party. I need to get drunk." Olivia said.

Alesha groaned, every time Olivia got drunk, she screamed and threw things and didn't sleep a wink. It was horrible. How could someone create so much havoc when drunk? "Can you not get drunk?" she pleaded.

Olivia shook her head with a small pout. "Nope, I am going through a tough time. I need to get drunk. I need alcohol to numb my senses."

Alesha sighed heavily, knowing it would be a long night. "Fine, but if I have bear you all night then you are buying me drinks."

Olivia put her arm across Alesha's shoulder, as they strode towards their room to get dressed. "Sure, if you let me wear those sexy ankle black boots."

"But they are my favorite." Alesha whined. "Ugh fine, but I'm wearing your silver chain, the one with circles."

"Deal!"

The two boys looked at them with raised eyebrows. "I am wearing your t-shirt right now." Viaan informed Rishit.

"I know." Rishit replied. "I wore your shoes yesterday."

"Cool."

They gave each other a short nod and went to their room to get dressed as well.

After an hour, Lima came into sight. She was dressed in a long sleeve velvet bottle green dress, that just about reached her mid thighs, she wore long silver dangling earrings that touched her shoulder and ankle strapped silver heels that made her look taller and leaner than she was.

Rishit couldn't look away as she cruised down the steps, The fabric caressed her silhouette, clinging gently to her slender frame, highlighting every curve and contour that he ached to touch. It was a modest yet sensual design and he was sure she wore it to drive him crazy with desire. He was already holing on to a very thin thread of self-restraint and this wasn't helping.

"Damn." Viaan whispered, breathless as he stared at the vision of elegance and mystery. "She is crazy hot."

"She is." Rishit agreed, his heart skipping a beat before racing against time. He couldn't take his eyes off her, he didn't want to. Oh, the things he'd do to get just a chance to touch her, kiss her... feel her.

Lima looked at the two men dressed in casual wear, Viaan was wearing a white tee with a jacket over it and blue jeans, and Rishit, he stood tall and commanding, staring at her darkened eyes.

His dark hair was artfully disheveled, and he adorned a hint of a five o'clock shadow. She wanted to run the tips of her fingers along the roughness, see if it'd prick her skin or be soft under her touch. He wore a perfectly tailored black shirt, which hugged his broad shoulders and defined his lean physique, two buttons open, giving a teasing glance at his muscular chest.

The air around Lima seemed to get hotter and her step faltered at little at the stormy intensifying charm he effortlessly exuded but she managed to hold the rail and steady herself yet her heart remained unsteady.

She could feel his eyes on her and it thrilled her, to see the hunger and lust in them. It matched what she was feeling right now. It was a tough battle to not cross that professional line and maintain the walls she had built around herself.

She gained her control once she reached the last step. She winked at the two handsome men. "You two look hot."

Viaan blushed like a high school boy while Rishit smirked, his eyes still glued to her gorgeous face.

"You look hot too." Viaan observed. Lima shrugged. "Don't I always?"

Viaan nodded after a pause. "True that."

Lima waited to get a compliment from Rishit but he didn't dare say all the naughty dirty things running in his mind. "So where are you going?" Rishit voiced out his curiosity.

"I am craving Thai food." Lima answered with a shrug. "You?"

"The Night Nine Club."

"Oh well, enjoy." Lima said as Benny joined them, wearing a fancy navy-blue suit. He looked different, confident and... attractive.

"You are going with him?" Rishit's lips twisted into a scowl as he spat out his words.

Lima raised an eyebrow, wincing at his harsh tone. "Should I be taking you?"

Rishit gritted his teeth, an upsetting emotion settling in the pit of his stomach, it had been a regular customer today. The more he looked at Lima and Benny, the more he was certain that they were going on a date and he didn't like that – not one bit. He had never been the jealous kind but Lima seemed to bring out a side to him that even he didn't know he had. He couldn't let this happen, he couldn't let Lima go with Benny alone – not dressed so gorgeously. Any straight man would have difficulty keeping his hands off her. He was certainly struggling with it.

And the thought of Benny touching her – oh, hell no!

Without thinking he blurted out. "Come with us, to the club."

Viaan's head snapped to him in horror, eyes popping out of their sockets. "What?" Viaan's first thought was, is he completely insane?

Lima blinked, taken aback by the offer. She wasn't sure she'd heard right. "Huh?"

Benny looked at his suit, he was overdressed for a club. Club meant jeans and shirts and he was wearing his best suit. Plus, it would mean no alone time with Lima and he needed some time with Lima so he could work his charms and persuade her to finally give him a chance. This was supposed to be their date. "No, no clubs." Benny replied instantly.

Rishit acted like he didn't hear Benny, he continued to look at Lima, urging her to change mind. "Come with us to the club, they must have Thai food there. Otherwise, Pizza is good too, and burgers. We'll have fun."

Viaan forced out a chuckle, he lightly pulled at Rishit's sleeve. "Dude." He whispered in warning, wondering what his stupid friend was doing. The reason they were happy was because there'd be no Lima and here, he is inviting her to join them. Why? She was their boss, that'd just be awkward!

Lima smiled flatly, taking note of Viaan's troubled expressions. "I don't think I am welcome."

"You are always welcome."

Lima looked away from Rishit, not even pausing to think about the offer. "As exciting as it sounds, partying with you four. No, thanks." Without waiting to hear Rishit's protests, she walked out of the front door, a beaming Benny sauntering happily behind her.

Rishit looked at them leave and his mood worsened. Was that ache in his stomach from eating too much? Or was it from something worse – possibly possessiveness?

"Dude, what the hell were you thinking?" Viaan demanded, scowling at him. "She's hot but she's still our boss. We don't want her at the club with us. This is our night, our chance to have fun!"

Rishit rolled his eyes, a little annoyed by Viaan. "Why not? We go to clubs with Ms. Blaze."

"Yes, because she doesn't threaten to kill us or cut out our tongues." Viaan disputed, oblivious to Rishit's inner jealousy and mental battles. "We need this night to dance and drink and not think anything else, for Olivia's sake."

Rishit closed his eyes and forced the images of Lima and Benny on a romantic date out of his mind. He sighed, weaving his fingers through his hair, messing it up even more. "You are right. She shouldn't see a drunk Olivia, it would be a mess. She'd kick us out of here the very next day."

"Exactly." Viaan patted Rishit's back in relief that he'd gotten the message through to his friend.

"Dammit." Olivia cussed, running downstairs, two steps at a time. "Do you know where Ms. Fox is?" she appeared in a strapped bodycon dress which showed her bare shoulders and tanned legs. Her feet decked in Alesha's black boots.

Viaan pointed his thumb at the door. "She just went out with Benny."

"Crap!" Olivia groaned loudly, slapping her palm to her forehead. "My mobile is still with her. I forgot to take it back."

Alesha followed her downstairs. "I keep telling you, don't look at it for tonight." She advised. "Just enjoy this night, no calls, no messages, just you and dance and fun and drinks."

Olivia pouted her lips, fluttering her eyes at Alesha. "But photos."

Viaan rolled his eyes. "I have a better phone than yours. You can take your photos in mine." He passed Olivia his phone.

Olivia wasn't overly happy with the way the situation had turned out. She was hoping she'd sneak a message or even a call with Jeffrey but that plan seemed to have gone down the drain now. "Okay then."

Alesha smiled, rubbing her palms. She wore a lace little black dress with Olivia's long silver chain. "Let's party!"

"You look good." Viaan murmured into her ear and Alesha blushed, her cheeks tinting pink. She sneaked a glance at Viaan and smiled shyly. "Thanks."

Rishit and Olivia exchanged a mischievous glance, they still remembered the bet they had made on their first day here and if things went well, it wouldn't be long before one of them won it.

Lima sat in the passenger seat, looking out of the window while Benny drove the car. She felt like there was something missing... or maybe someone.

"Who's that guy?"

Lima knew who he was talking about but she feigned ignorance. "Which guy?"

"The guy with that funny nose."

Lima chuckled, smiling as she remembered Rishit's nose. "And hazel eyes?"

Benny watched Lima from the corner of his eyes. "What color are my eyes?"

Lima's head turned to face him, she tilted her head, trying to think but she couldn't even picture Benny's eyes. She tried to get a peek but Benny wasn't facing her. "Um, black?"

Benny smiled softly, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead. "It's actually light gray."

Lima shrugged a shoulder dismissively. "Eh well, still a shade of black."

Her purse suddenly started vibrating and a shrill loud noise echoed in the car, startling both of them. It took Lima a few seconds to figure out what the unfamiliar ringtone was. "Ugh." Lima screeched, removing the mobile from her purse.

"Isn't that Olivia's?"

"It is."

"Why are you carrying it?"

Lima stared at the caller ID – My Love. "Because I can." She responded haughtily. There were already over 20 missed calls. She hated such pathetic guys who used girls to boost their egos.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up the call and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Oh, thank God! You picked up." Jeffery breathed out in relief. "Baby, I am sorry. That was just a kiss. It didn't even mean anything. You know how much you matter to me, right? She was just a girl who came on to me, how could I resist? It was just one time, you are forever."

Lima didn't react, she stared ahead impassively, mentally scoffing at his words. She hadn't been around men in a while and if this is what she was missing, she was glad about it.

"Olivia, baby." Jeffery turned on his sexy husky voice. "I miss you. When are you coming back? I have a surprise for you, pumpkin."

Silence.

"Babe, are you angry? Come on, it's me. Your one and only love."

Silence.

Jeffrey was starting to get pissed off now. His voice turned hard and louder. "What the hell? Are you seriously not replying to me right now? Do you know how fortunate you are that I called you so many times? 20 times! And you didn't pick up even once." Jeffery sneered. "You are the one who used to beg me to call you and now that I am, you are not replying. How dare you ignore me! I should have done more than just kiss that woman; that would have put you in your place. You bitch!"

Lima had enough, this was not in her itinerary for the evening – listening to a narcissistic jerk talk shit about his own girlfriend and pretend that it was acceptable to be so crude and disrespectful. She stared at her manicured nails. "The person you are calling no longer gives a fuck about you." She stated in an emotionless robotic tone. Then she cut the call, switched off the phone and threw it in the backseat.

Men, how dare they think they can own a woman? How dare they think they can order a woman, tell her what to do, teach her how to live her own life, calling their ridiculous actions as love and care?

He was the one who cheated and yet he dare play the guilt card!

She was fuming internally, if that man had been in front of her right now, he'd be standing with a cut tongue, unable to spew such garbage at others.

"Um, should you have done that?" Benny questioned with a worried glance at Lima's stiff expression.

"I don't understand how men like him don't die sooner." She muttered, looking out of the window. "I also won't understand why women date men like him. How can they? Do they have zero self-esteem?"

"Well, love is blind."

She sneered with a hiss. "Stop insulting love for the stupid mistakes and choices humans make."

Benny knew better than talk back when Lima Fox was in a rotten mood, which was most of the time but this seemed worse than usual. He drove silently until they reached the restaurant Lima wanted to go to. He stopped in front of their door waiting for Lima to get out of the car.

"So." Benny tapped on the steering wheel. "I have booked a table for us, facing the pool. You go in, I'll park the car and join you."

Lima didn't move, she continued to gaze out of the window, lost in her own thoughts.

"Lima?"

"Take me to the Night Nine Club."

"Huh?"

Lima looked at Benny's astonished expression. "The club, I want to go there."

Benny swallowed, furrowing his eyebrows. He pointed at the restaurant. "But, bu-but you wanted Thai food."

Lima shrugged a shoulder. "Now I want drinks."

Benny sighed, breathing out heavily. "Do you really?" He had an inkling as to why or who was the cause of this sudden change but he hoped that he was wrong.

Lima glanced at the switched off phone lying on the backseat. "I should also return this to Olivia."

Benny knew that wasn't the reason. She did not care about returning things, never did. If she took or found something, it was hers to keep. "If it is because of that guy with funny nose then-"

"It's not." Lima opposed frantically, she didn't know who she was trying to convince, Benny or herself. "If you are not taking me there, get out of the car, I can drive myself."

Benny looked upwards and closed his eyes, sighing heavily. Without another word, he started the car again, taking a U turn to go towards the club.

"Don't regret this later." He warned Lima as they reached their new destination.

Lima didn't reply but the words rang in her ears. She didn't quite know why she wanted to go to the club all of a sudden. Was it to see Rishit? Or just to get a sense of how it feels to be in the middle of dancing bodies and drunken minds? It had been years she had set foot inside a night club. It's not something she did on a solo basis.

She reapplied her lipstick and powder. Benny looked at her with an inquisitive gaze. "You look pretty, don't overdo it."

Lima kept the lipstick back in her purse, suddenly confused as to why she was feeling so eager and nervous. Her heart pounded with excitement. "I know I look pretty. I always do."

Benny smiled, shaking his head with mild amusement. He stopped the car in front of the club. "Are you sure?" he asked again.

Lima got out of the car, standing straight on her heels. "Very sure." She guaranteed Benny. "Park the car and come, I'll wait here."

Benny gave her a brief nod, driving towards the parking lot.

Lima waited impatiently at the side of the club, her left feet tapping on the ground. The club looked huge behind her, decked up in bright lights. She could hear the loud music that was playing inside the club. Three giggling girls, dressed in skimpy clothes walked past her into the club. Just to her right was a small alley covered in darkness due to the tall trees that blocked the light from the club, leaving the alley completely covered in shadows.

She heard a footstep just behind her and then the stink of cigarette smoke reached her nose. Her back stiffened and the grip on her purse tightened. Her ears strained to hear another sound and then she heard it, another step close to her now, the smoky breath fanned the back of her neck.

She lifted her chin and twisted, swinging her purse around to smack the unknown prowler. But it was too late. One firm hand caught her wrist swiftly, blocking the attack like a professional. Her purse dangled in the air, hopeless and useless now. His other hand slapped strongly against her open mouth, muffling her screams for help.

With tough masculine force, the man pulled her inside the darkness of the alley. He pushed her against the rough stone wall. Her head and back hit the stones with force and she winced as pain erupted in her upper and lower back. She stared at her assailant with wide fury filled eyes.

First time going to a club in years and she had already been attacked.

Talk about having a memorable night.

~~~

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