But to see her was to love her, love but her and love for ever.

by Robert burns

***

Her lips quivered with fear barely able to stay still.

"No... please... stay away from me." She managed to state out, as she took shaky and slow inconsistent steps backwards. She could barely recognise her own voice, then filled with fear. All she could think of, at this very moment, was for someone to save her. Anyone. The tall figure in front of her drew closer and closer with each step she took backwards. Her heart was racing a thousand miles. Her own blood pumping in her ears. Her hands shivering in the process, as different possible outcomes of this present moment ran across her mind. Tears gathered her eyes and eventually trickled down her cheeks. She looked up to the monster that threatened to devour her and wished more than anything for a saviour.

"Please... No." She pleaded once more, as she slowly shook her head. Her own words were unable to come out as bold and usual. Her steps were still going backwards. Suddenly, she hit something hard behind her. She instantly knew she had hit the wall.

Her breathing heightened filled with fear. Her eyes widened as she noticed the wide grin on this monstrous face. Her lips quivered more as it dawned on her that this was the end of the road.

"Finally... Nowhere else to run." He stated, his voice sounding rough and uneven. Before she could think of anything else, he pounced on her, causing her to let out a loud scream.

Kiana gasped as if searching for air, as she immediately sat up on the bed. Her eyes were wide open. Her breathing was rapid. Sweat lingering on her forehead. Her heart was racing nonstop. She only calmed down when her eyes lurked around and she realised she was back to reality. Safe away from her consistent nightmares. Tears gathered her eyes as she brought her knees to her chest, her arms now wrapped around them. As the tears trickled down her cheeks, she wondered when all this would eventually stop. When was her past going to stop interfering with her present? When is it all going to end? She sobbed some more as she rested her head on her knee. She was tired of it all; carrying this burden for years. Years filled with horror. What does she have to do in order for that terrible night to stop hunting her?

Finally, Kiana raised her head after a while of sobbing. She took a look around her and slowly, the present reality hit her. She was still in Enrico's home. Kiana quickly wiped her face of any tear stains before she checked for the time from the alarm clock set on the bedside table. She let out a sigh of relief as she realised it was past five in the morning. Perhaps, it would be better if she gets ready as early and quickly as possible. She did promise to leave his home by morning and was going to do just that. Kiana got off the bed and just as she walked towards the bathroom, she felt like a little something was caught within her nose and before she knew it, she sneezed. She stood still as she felt light headed for a few seconds, while she covered her mouth before eventually sniffing and venturing further into the bathroom.

By six-thirty, Kiana had packed her stuff, dressed and was ready to leave. She opened the door with one hand, while the other held on to her luggage. Her handbag hung on her shoulder. She gently shut the door behind her before taking careful steps further away from the room. She only stopped when she was by the staircases. She sighed as she wondered if she should wake him up and let him know that she was leaving. As she turned towards the stairs, suddenly, she stopped. She lightly bit her lower lip as she shook her head. She thought of the fact that he might get mad at her for waking him up this early, then she decided it would be better if she left before he wakes. She turned away from the stairs and took two steps forward.

Suddenly, she came to a halt once more. Her brows furrowed at the thought of him thinking of her as ungrateful. Leaving without saying at least thank you or a proper goodbye. What's wrong with her? Kiana wouldn't deny the fact that she was having a hard time making a decision. Should she leave without letting him know or just disturb his sleep and let him know that she was leaving?

"Are you trying to sneak out?" She immediately turned, a bit startled upon hearing his voice.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she let go of the bag she held onto. It fell right to the floor. She was stunned and, at the same time, frozen at the very spot she was. Kiana knew she had to look away from him at the very moment, especially as he was shirtless. He stood close to a corner she hadn't noticed was there last night. He held a towel in his hands, as he tried to wipe off the sweat that trickled down nearly every corner of his entire body. His wet hair stuck to his skin. Finally, she was able to see these muscles that had always threatened to rip through his shirts. His abs were well in place. His chest drawing her to place just a hand on them. Enrico looked so fit and Kiana wouldn't deny the fact that, at the very moment, any woman could be attracted to him. How could she have forgotten the fact that he was no longer that young boy of yesterday? He was a grown man. She truly hadn't expected him to turn out this way. The only thing that reminded her of the fact that he was the same Tyler she knew were the glasses he had on. He still couldn't see without the help of his glasses.

Enrico slightly tilted his head to the side, as a sly smile drew by the corner of his mouth. He had noticed how quick she let her bag go upon seeing him and then, she couldn't look away. He looked away from her for a second, feeling quite amused by the whole situation before taking steps towards her.

Kiana, just look away!

She ordered herself, but it seemed that her body chose to counter the order of her mind, so there she stood, eyes wide open as he approached her.

"You weren't planning on sneaking out, were you?" He asked, his breathing a bit ragged, as if trying to catch his breath as he spoke up.

Kiana slightly opened her mouth to speak up, but nothing came out. Perhaps, the shock of seeing him this way still affected her a great deal.

Look away!

She ordered herself. Immediately, she shut her eyes before turning her head away from his face. Realising just how much she had messed up, Kiana wished the ground could just open up and swallow her; save her from this embarrassment. She knew it was quite obvious that she had been ogling at him. For goodness sake, he's her boss, as well as an old friend who was no longer a friend. She really didn't want him thinking that she was attracted to him just because of his great features or... was she?

Kiana slowly opened her eyes before unwillingly turning her head back to him. At first, she hesitated at looking up at him. She felt irritated, annoyed, frustrated and strangely hot, all at the same time, as her eyes met his.

Enrico noticed her present situation which amused him and for once, he was loving this effect on her. After all, Kiana was a woman. She would feel just as any other woman would. He was so loving this. Enrico buried a hand into the pocket of his trouser before suddenly drawing his face closer to hers, quite taking her by surprise. Her eyes widened once more. Damn, her cheeks burned as well. The worst part, she couldn't look away. Her eyes felt magnate to him. Their faces were barely three inches apart. Suddenly, a wide smile grew on his face.

"Do I make you uncomfortable, Kiana?" He asked a question, which clearly had an obvious answer to it. He noticed just how hard she tried to move her lips and have a word escape from her mouth, but that was to no avail. On purpose, he lurked his eyes from one of hers and to the other, before taking a look at her cheek.

"You're blushing again." He stated another obvious. Suddenly, something clicked and Kiana realised he was making a jest of her, so she gathered up her strength as quickly as possible and with both her hands on his shoulder, she pushed him away. He was forced to take involuntary steps backwards, but that didn't stop the laughter he held within from eventually surfacing.

"What, on earth, do you think you're doing!? Do you usually roam around shirtless?" She asked, all at once, finally finding her voice and hating the fact that she had lost it for a few minutes just because of him. Kiana was fuming mad at him. He was being disrespectful and annoying. It pissed her off. She couldn't fathom why seeing him this way rendered her weak and subtle. She had seen a half-naked man on television and a few places before. Perhaps, not one standing directly in front of her, but anyways, she had seen one before. None made her feel this speechless; this weak. How was it possible that Enrico affected her this way?

"Not really, except for mornings when I work out in my own home." Enrico explained after he was done with his laughter. He pointed to her luggage on the floor.

"You were planning to leave without letting me know, right?" He asked as he placed the towel around the back of his neck. She gulped down, as she looked away from him for a minute.

"Not really. I did promise to leave by morning, so I'll just go. Thank you for everything." She stated as she took hold of her bag once more and turned to walk away.

"Are you saying you have somewhere to stay?" He asked her from behind, which made her eventually come to a halt. She slightly turned to him and stared for a second, thinking of a responsible reply. Enrico stood with both hands buried within the pockets of his trouser, as he waited for her perfect reply.

"No. Not yet, but I eventually will... Somehow, I'll get it." She stated before turning away once more to leave, while Enrico gave a strange continuous nod at her comment.

"What if I tell you that I have a proposal just perfect for you? Would you take it?" He asked, causing her to come to halt once more. She let out a silent sigh before turning to him.

"What proposal?" She asked, a bit interested. Enrico gave a simple smile before he walked up to the stool by the kitchen counter, a few steps away from where Kiana stood. He had his seat on one of them.

"I just need to let you know that this isn't my style... You need a place to stay and I... Well, I need a maid, someone I know and not a stranger, so would you work for me as a maid and in return, you get to stay here for free." He explained with his eyes fixated on her, trying to understand what she was thinking.

Kiana's eyes slightly widened as she stared at him. Her brows slightly furrowed in confusion. She looked away from him for a minute trying to understand why he would want to help her. Didn't he hate her? Was he over the past? Why is he doing this?

"Why are you... helping me?" She asked as she looked up to him. Her eyes held so many emotions at once. Enrico noticed how serious she had suddenly got. She wasn't supposed to see things that way. She was just supposed to accept his proposal and move on. He looked away for a second as he chuckled.