She should have known something was up when she heard "Anywhere" by 112 playing in the room she shared with Kevin.
"Ok I'll see you guys. I really had fun tonight," Christel said as she stood at the door to her room. She actually did have fun. Brian, Howie, and Nick decided to kidnap her and take her out to have fun with them, claiming they didn't spend enough time with her.
"Ok goodnight Christel we had fun too," Howie said.
"Yeah Christel, it was fun," Nick replied.
"Goodnight Christel. That is if you go to sleep at all," Brian said suggestively. Christel just looked at him wordlessly as she opened the door to her room.
"Well goodnight to you guys too," she waved as they went into their rooms. The smell of scented candles was the first thing she noticed as she pushed the door open. She gasped at the sight the room made before her.
The room was lit only by the candles, which were scattered in various parts of the spacious suite. The bed was covered in crisp, clean red sheets. Christel scanned the room and didn't see Kevin anywhere. Quietly, she closed the door behind her. When she turned to face the room, Kevin emerged from the bathroom clad only in red boxers that matched the sheets. Christel's mouth went dry as her eyes roamed his body.
"Good evening," he said dropping the tone of his voice.
"Hello. . . yourself," she stammered letting her eyes travel down the length of him one more time.
"I know you're wondering what's going on," he said.
"Actually I was wondering if I stepped into the Pleasure Place," she replied.
"Well I said I would have you purring before the week was out and I meant that, kitten," he laughed coming to stand before her. Slowly he pulled her leather jacket off to reveal a red T-shirt and a short black leather skirt with knee high black boots.
"New outfit?" he asked against her ear.
"Yes," she breathed as shivers ran through her body. Kevin tossed her jacket on a chair, took her by the hand and led her to the bed. Christel sat at the foot of the bed as Kevin got her something to drink.
"You have fun out with the fellas?" he asked. Christel wasn't paying close attention to what Kevin was saying but his ass had all of her attention as he bent over to retrieve a glass from the cabinet.
"Oh huh? What did you say?" she asked.
"I asked you if you had fun with the fellas and what did y'all do," he repeated.
"Oh they took me to some club. We danced and ate and stuff. Nick actually has some moves on him, if that's what you want to call it, Brian too. I didn't think I'd actually have a good time with them but, I did," she replied.
"Yeah Nick and Brian break out their "moves" when you least expect it," he said bringing her a glass of Coke. Christel downed the Coke as Kevin climbed onto the bed behind her and started massaging her shoulders. As Kevin worked on her shoulders the tension in her body slowly receded.
"God I needed that. That feels so good," she breathed.
"Needed what the massage or the Coke?" he asked seductively.
"Both," she breathed. Slowly Kevin removed his hands and replaced them with his lips, trailing small soft kisses at the nape of her neck. Christel sighed in pleasure.
"You like that?" he asked. She could only nod her agreement. Kevin leaned over her shoulder and grabbed the hem of her shirt pulling it over her head and tossing it across the room. The glass slipped from her fingers completely forgotten as she stared in the face of true passion. Christel turned to him and they were instantly in each other's arms devouring the other's mouth with their own. Kevin pushed her down on top of the bed and pulled away to look at her. She was wearing a black bra and with the leather skirt and boots it made an irresistibly erotic contrast, one that Kevin couldn't help but notice.
"Don't you look delicious in your black and leather," he said running his hands up her thighs. Christel thrashed as his hands reached higher and higher to the waistband of her panties under her skirt. In one fluid motion he pulled them off tossing them over his shoulder. The desire was so hot and apparent in both their eyes it was a wonder the room didn't catch on fire.
"And don't you look mouth-watering in your red boxers. Reds my favorite color you know?"
"I know that's why I'm wearing them and that's why the bed is red. That and I wanted to see how you would look lying naked on top of them but now I think I like the idea of you wearing the leather and black instead."
"So you're not going to undress me?" she pouted.
"Maybe later," he replied. Christel let out an exasperated sigh as Kevin stood from the bed.
"Where are you going?" she asked panicked.
"Come here," he drawled taking her hand and pulling her to stand in front of him. He walked her to the full-length mirror standing in a corner of the room. Christel didn't know where this was going but for some reason she knew she was going to like it. He stood her in front of the full-length mirror while he stood behind her. Gradually he pulled her skirt up all the while his eyes were locked with hers. She couldn't look away even if she wanted to, his eyes were just so piercing. He started kissing her on her neck and nibbling on her ears, still keeping his eyes locked with hers. The sensations that were building in her were almost too much to bear as Christel closed her eyes in ecstasy.
"Open your eyes," he whispered into her ear. Christel opened her eyes only to be met by the apparent lust in Kevin's eyes, which had turned a dark forest green. "I want you to keep your eyes open. I want you to watch what I do to you and your body and I want to see you. . . all of you, especially your eyes."
Christel couldn't find her tongue and decided nodding would do for now. Kevin started pulling her skirt up around her waist and slipping his knee between her legs to spread them apart. Without touching her Kevin began to slowly run his fingers down her body in the most sensual way that her excitement could do nothing but build. As his fingers inched their way ever so slowly down her body she thought he was going to take the plunge instead he quickly diverted his path back up to her breast. Christel gasped as he grabbed her left breast, not hard but firmly into his right hand. Kevin began to trace delicate circles around her nipple causing Christel to whimper in pleasure. With his right hand he grabbed her left breast kneading them and holding her closely against his hard hot body. Before she knew it he was unhooking her bra and pulling it from her. Christel moaned as the satin fabric of her bra left her skin to be met with Kevin's warm hands. He continued nibbling at the soft flesh of her neck and earlobes all the while caressing her breasts with his big warm hands. Kevin began laying kisses down Christel's back, across her shoulders and at the nape of her neck. Christel started to close her eyes in ecstacy again but Kevin made them pop open by saying,
"If they close I'll stop." Kevin pulled his left hand from her breast making Christel moan in protest,
"Aaawww no fair."
Kevin continued to caress her left breast with his right hand while his left hand made it's way back down to the joining of her thighs. The sensation of his hands caressing her sensitive flesh made it hard for Christel to keep her eyes open. Kevin was caressing her everywhere but, the one place they both knew would drive her wild. Her eyes began to close and Kevin dropped his hands causing Christel to sway. He caught her about her waist saying,
"Keep them open sweetie, there will come a time when you can close them." Christel was too light-headed to argue. Kevin was playing on dangerous ground here. She was almost over the edge with pleasure. She wanted to just throw Kevin to the floor and fuck him from here to next Tuesday but he was really stretching the four play to its limits
"Ok ok, just don't stop," she breathed as Kevin resumed his torment upon her body. He continued tracing designs on the tops of her breast with his fingertips emitting soft moans from Christel. Kevin's left hand slipped from her breast without her even knowing. She was trying really hard to keep her eyes open and locked with his when she felt his fingers graze her outer lips. She inhaled not knowing what exactly was to come but expecting it to be mind blowing. Suddenly he started stroking her back and forth, back and forth in the most achingly slow technique that she thought she would scream from the intensity of it all. Without warning he entered a finger making sure not to touch her clit. Then he entered another finger this time just barely grazing her clit causing Christel to inhale sharply. Kevin leaned her back and lifted her chin saying,
"Ok now you can close your eyes," and kissed her. Teasingly sucking on her lips at first and then thrusting his tongue into her mouth almost as a prelude to what was to come. She kissed him back with all the pent up desire she had within her. He ravished her with his mouth while pumping her slowly with his fingers. With his thumb, he stroked her clit slowly. He entered another finger and she moaned into his mouth as much from the shock as from the pleasure. Kevin continued stroking her clit and pumping her with his fingers all the while ravishing Christel's mouth with his own. Christel's senses were heightened. She found herself extra sensitive to Kevin's onslaught and she wanted to scream because of it. Suddenly Kevin pulled his hand away from her bringing a sob from Christel. She felt like a trapped bird that just wanted to fly. Kevin pulled his mouth from her and whispered,
"Don't worry darlin' there's more to come. You're gonna like this even more."
Kevin ran his mouth up and down her spine before dropping to his knees behind her. Christel suppressed the urge to squeal from joy. He started kissing up the inside of her thighs making Christel want to shriek as he neared her center. His kisses were getting closer and closer to the spot that would make her scream and she loved every minute of it. When she felt his hand slowly parting her lips, her knees went weak. Kevin ran his finger over her lips slowly back and forth then inserted all three of his fingers at the same time. Christel gasped at the half pleasure half pain she felt. She all but fainted when she felt Kevin's tongue just where she wanted it. Kevin pushed her a little forward to get better access, causing Christel to brace herself against the mirror. Kevin lapped at her slowly first, building a feeling of need and urgency within her. Christel was holding on to the mirror gasping for breath. Kevin continued his torment lapping and pumping her with his fingers as Christel dug her fingers into the sides of the mirror trying to keep her balance. Her knees were fast becoming putty as Kevin licked, lapped and toyed with her clit. She wanted to scream but suppressed the urge to do so. Kevin was relentless he wanted to do this for awhile now and he was going to have her purring in no time and was thoroughly pleased because of it.
Soon the familiar feelings that Kevin brought out of her every other time they slept together began to come back to her tenfold. She began to feel herself spiral and her walls began to contract and clutch greedily at Kevin's slender fingers. She thought she was dying but if she was she knew she was on her way to heaven. Soon she was spiraling out of control as Kevin pumped her with his fingers she began to try and meet him thrust for thrust. Christel was shivering all over and moaning uncontrollably. Suddenly, she went over the edge, screaming Kevin's name and gripping tightly to the mirror as her orgasm hit her full force leaving her shuddering as she fell into his arms. Kevin caught her and held her in his lap nuzzling her neck before picking her up and carrying her to the great bed behind them.
He laid her on the bed and sat down beside her. Kevin began kissing her on her neck before Christel pulled his head up to her lips for a searing kiss. They kissed passionately and deeply as Kevin worked her skirt down her hips and off of her. Kevin began caressing her everywhere building the same fire he started earlier.
"Oh no you don't. It's my turn to play Mr. Richardson and I'm going to play," she said pushing him down on his back. Christel began to kiss Kevin on his lips and then his chin before making her way down to his neck. She lavished kisses all over his neck and laid a kiss on each shoulder before making her way down his chest. Kevin inhaled sharply as she flicked out her tongue and licked down his chest from neck to navel. Kevin groaned slightly as she darted her tongue in and out of his bellybutton before moving back up over him and claiming his mouth with her own. Christel straddled Kevin's stomach and leaned over him.
"Now Kevin you've been such a good boy I think you deserve a treat," she purred against his mouth. Kevin took the bait and lured her lips into a torrid kiss. Christel broke away first with a devilish grin and slid off him. She hooked her fingers in the waistband of his boxers and slowly began to pull them down, keeping her eyes locked with his. Soon his hard erection sprang from his pants into her hands. Kevin's eyes rolled into the back of his head as she grasped his long hard length. Christel began to stroke him unbearably slow. She was growing more and more excited by the groans she was receiving from Kevin's parted lips. Before Kevin realized it, she was licking the tip of him like a lollipop while still stroking him. Kevin was almost lost. His heart rate and his breathing quickened his mind a blur. Christel took his tip into her mouth, sucking gently she took him further into her mouth. Kevin groaned deep within his throat making Christel smile deviously. She started to take him further and further into her mouth and then pulling him out before starting all over again. Kevin had all kinds of sounds coming out of him then. First he would groan then, he would moan, and when she withdrew him from her mouth he would whimper. She knew she was playing him like a fiddle and she loved it. She started grazing him with her teeth as she pulled him slowly out of her mouth.
"Alright you lil' tease, c'mere," Kevin said reaching for her and pulling her up to him. He had to take some part in this. He kissed her and rolled her beneath him positioning himself between her legs. Christel smiled seductively up at him.
"Ah ah ah, Kevin stop right there," she breathed. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Kevin looked puzzled before it dawned on him. He reached into the drawer of the night stand and pulled out a condom.
"Ooohhh. . . the tuxedo kind, someone went all out for this," she laughed. Kevin shot her his usual sexy smirk and slipped the condom on.
"I hope you're prepared," he countered as he traced her lips with his finger. Christel sucked his finger into her mouth and sucked on it vigorously before replying,
"I've been ready for this since I got here."
He leaned down, kissed her then led a fiery trial down her neck to her breasts. He suckled on one breast and then the other before moving down her body to her center. Kevin began to trace her lower lips with his finger and open them slightly. He dipped his tongue into her center and lapped at her like a cat lapping at milk. Christel squirmed beneath his onslaught as Kevin took her clit into his mouth and sucked on it vigorously. She arched up off the bed in utter ecstasy, moaning Kevin's name. Christel reached out and ran her fingers through his hair then grasped his shoulders as he plunged his tongue inside of her. Kevin set a slow and easy pace with his tongue. All Christel could do was moan, groan and writhe beneath Kevin's questing tongue. She began to move her hips in time with Kevin's lapping as he started to pick up speed.
"Oh God Kevin," she moaned.
"You like that, sweetie?" he asked.
"Yeeesss. . . oh God yes!" she moaned as her orgasm blind sided her. Kevin moved up over her taking her mouth with his, he entered her smoothly and easily. Christel gasped into his mouth and dug her fingernails into his back as he thrust his cock inside of her to the hilt. His size seemed to be greater than usual as he stretched her to fit him completely. Kevin slowly started to move in and out, in and out building Christel to frenzy.
"Oh God Kevin. . . don't stop," she breathed as Kevin began to pick up the pace as he moved his hand between them to toy with her clit. She could feel her third orgasm for the night nearing and knew it would be a powerful one. She was almost mindless with pent up passion. Christel started meeting him thrust for thrust, raking his back with her nails. Their mouths met in a heated ardent kiss that lasted until they went over the edge into oblivion together. Their mouths parted as they cried out in unison screaming each other's names into the night. When they finally came down from space Kevin looked down the length of their entwined bodies and replied,
"You still have your boots on."
"Well maybe you should take them off," she replied devilishly.
They spent the rest of the night getting reacquainted with each other's bodies. Eventually, they fell asleep in each other's arms exhausted from the night's exertion. Kevin tucked Christel's sleeping form close to his body as he whispered,
"I love you, Christel."
******
Early the next morning, Christel awoke to find Kevin not in bed beside her. She sat up and found him standing at the window clad in just his boxers. Quietly, she slipped from the bed wrapped in the sheets.
"What are you doing up so early?" she asked coming up behind him.
"Just thinking," he replied.
"About what?" she asked.
"A lot of things, mainly you though," he said glancing at her.
"All good I hope," she replied wrapping her hands about his waist and leaning into him. She couldn't help but notice the red marks on his back from where her nails raked him. She smiled to herself thinking, I did that. He didn't answer; he simply held her hands tightly to him.
Kevin was lost in thought. He knew he loved Christel but he couldn't bring himself to tell her. Then at the same time he wasn't sure of her feelings for him. Did she love him, too? Was it all just great sex to her? Or was she simply doing this to get back at AJ? That he knew couldn't be true. Christel wasn't that vindictive, especially, to the point of hurting someone else, and that someone was him. He was afraid to tell her and not have it said in return, which was making him miserable.
Christel couldn't help but notice how tense Kevin was. She could feel the tautness in his muscles beneath her fingertips and it brought back a flood of memories from the night before. The way his lips burned a trail across her skin, his body pressed so close to hers and his hands caressing her from head to toe. All of these memories flooded over her causing her to shudder.
"You're cold," Kevin said turning toward her and looking down into her eyes. Christel, so caught up in her memories, didn't have a chance to reply.
"Look at you standing there wrapped in that sheet. Aren't you adorable," he said running his fingertips over her cheek.
"Well thank you," she said beaming. "I'm going back to bed. Care to join me?"
"I think you know the answer to that," he said grabbing her by the waist and lifting her off her feet. Christel squealed in surprise as Kevin carried her to the bed and deposited her in the middle of it. He climbed in after her pulling her into his arms. They were instantly in a passionate embrace kissing each other deeply.
******
Some hours later. . .
"I'm going home," Chinita said. AJ just stared at her in mute shock.
"You can't go home. What about your ankle?" he stuttered.
"I can and I will. I talked to the Doctor at the hospital and he said it would be safe for me to go home in a week or so," she replied.
"Oh really? You can't go though," he said.
"Yes really and I am going home there's nothing you can do to stop me. I came here to support you. I supported you now I'm going home," she said getting irritated.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I can't live like this. I want to go back to my own house. With Christel on my back, my ankle a mess and my feelings for. . . I just want to go home ok. Europe doesn't agree with me, ok?" she said stopping herself before she revealed too much.
"You can't go home."
"Why do you keep saying that? I said I was going home and I am, AJ! There is nothing you can say that's going to change that."
"I'm going to go take a shower," AJ said before slamming into the bathroom. Chinita just stared after him. She knew she was going to have to fight her way home. For some odd reason AJ didn't want her to leave. She decided he was just being too overprotective because of her ankle injury. Chinita sat up straighter, she had to make arrangements if she was going to go home as soon as possible.
******
They laid together in silence after having sex but this time it was different. Kevin seemed like he was trying to prove something. It was passionate as always, just seemed like there was another emotion involved that she couldn't identify. She lay in his arms as he stroked her hair and back. The tension in the room was thick enough to get caught in it. She could tell he was deep in thought about something without even seeing his face Christel finally couldn't take the tense silence anymore. She sat up in bed. Kevin sat up with her.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Is something wrong?" she asked ignoring his question.
"No, why do you ask that?"
"Because we've been sitting in this bed for a good while now and you haven't said two words to me. Kevin I can tell when something is bothering you, just like you can tell when something is bothering me. Now I want to know what's wrong and you tell me nothing. . . after the night we spent together," she said.
"I was just wondering something. You know me, I think too much."
"Kevin stop beating around the bush and tell me what's wrong with you." Kevin looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. It's now or never, he thought.
"I love you. . . more than I thought possible and I was wondering if you had the same feelings for me. I mean I wanted to tell you and I was afraid of how you would respond or if you would respond with the same feelings." Christel just looked at him like he had grown wings and began to fly around the room. Kevin stared back at her. He was afraid of this kind of response. While Christel felt like beating him in the head. She flew half way around the world just to get their relationship back together and they had spent the most passionate night together that she had ever spent with anyone and he had the nerve to question whether she loved him or not.
"Christel?" he said placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm going to take a shower," she replied blankly.
"You're going to take a shower. Don't you have something to say?" Kevin asked completely confused.
"I'll talk to you when I get back because if I speak to you now I don't think you're gonna like me very much afterward," she said climbing from the bed and dragging the sheet along with her. Kevin just stared after her. He was afraid of this. He knew he loved her and to have her love him in return would be bliss but she didn't love him. Her actions made that abundantly clear.
Christel sat in the bathroom just looking at nothing. The more she thought about it the more she wanted to really hurt Kevin either that or cry. I flew almost around the fucking world and he's not sure whether or not I love him. My heart was hurting so bad for him that I couldn't do anything but think of him and he's not sure whether I'm in love with him or not. I've been one of his best friends for a year now and HE'S NOT SURE WHETHER I LOVE HIM OR NOT, she thought. Christel couldn't believe this. She sat in the bathroom trying to calm her nerves. While sitting in the bathroom she thought more and more about what Kevin said to her and she jumped from her seat and flew into the other room causing the door to slam against the opposite wall. Kevin's eyes flew in her direction.
"I can't believe you just said that to me," she replied.
"Said what? That I love you?" he asked feeling a little defeated.
"No, that you aren't sure whether I love you back," she almost screamed. "Kevin, I flew half way across the fucking world to be here with you and to get our relationship back and you're not sure whether I love you or not. What the fuck is that all about? I went through hell because I love you and didn't want to do anything that would hurt you." Kevin got up from the bed and strode over to her completely nude. He reached for her to pull her into his arms but she shrugged away from him.
"No, leave me alone. I'm going to take a shower. . . and get dressed," she said turning away from him. She hadn't turned away before Kevin saw the hurt in her eyes.
******
AJ emerged from the bathroom to find Chinita on the phone.
"Yes, a one way ticket please," she said. She sat on the bed with her back to him. He took the opportunity to look his fill of her without being noticed. He stared for a moment. She had her glasses off as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"I want it for next. . . yes, departing from here to Orlando, FL, USA. Anytime next week will do. Ok, do you have something for. . . Friday. . . Friday of next week," she said into the phone. AJ tore his gaze from her and started to dress.
He wasn't sure why he reacted the way he did to her news of going back home. He knew he was happier when she was around but she had her own life to attend to. She couldn't just be hanging around Sweden all the time for his sake. Making an album, a Backstreet Boys album at that, took time and he didn't know for sure when they would be done in Sweden. Then he couldn't drag her along with him to New York. He was going to have to let her go home, even if he didn't want to. Although, if he could persuade her to stay that was something entirely different.
"You really want to go don't you?" he asked not looking at her.
"Yeah, as soon as possible," she looked at him and couldn't help but notice the look on his face. "Although I had a nice time and thank you for inviting me, I think I've worn out my welcome here."
"You haven't worn out your welcome with me," he muttered. Chinita pretended not to hear as she went on.
"I just can't stay AJ I have to go back to work and all that stuff. The only reason I was able to come in the first place was because I came back from my mom's early and still had vacation time. So it was either here or go back to work before I actually had to," she rambled on.
"So no matter what I say you're set on going home aren't you?" he asked.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"Why are you so set to leave? I don't think you should go just yet. What about your ankle, how are you going to support luggage and yourself on one good leg?" he asked trying to maintain some control over his temper.
"I don't want to stay here anymore. I'm tired of Christel's shit," it was a lame excuse but one that she was going to hold on to for dear life. She knew that for whatever reason Christel had decided to simply ignore her rather than pick a fight with her. Apparently, AJ knew it was a lame excuse also.
"Oh come on, Chinita I know you aren't afraid of Christel. I've seen you two fight before and you were never afraid before. What makes now so different?" he said.
"I'm not afraid of her," she said between gritted teeth. "I just don't want to deal with her shit anymore."
"I don't believe you. I think there's more to this rush to get home. Have the guys been bothering you or something?"
"No the guys are great."
"Besides her usual mood when it comes to you, has Christel threatened you or something?"
"No, I think she's ignoring me now."
"What about Kevin has he bothered you or something like that?"
"No I haven't said two words to Kevin and vice versa."
"Then what the hell is it? Is it me?" Chinita just looked at her hands thinking bingo before quickly saying,
"No you've been a great friend."
"I don't think I understand. No one has been really bothering you except Christel and I think you can get over that. The guys are fine with you, Kevin hasn't even talked to you and it's not me so, what is it Chinita? Why are you so hell bent on getting out of here?"
"Look I just miss my home ok? I don't have to explain anything to you! I said I am going to leave and that's what I'm going to do. So AJ why don't you just stop trying to get me to stay because it's really no use," she said getting annoyed by his questioning.
"Fine, go!" he said getting up and storming from the room, slamming the door with a loud bang.
"Fine I will!" she shouted after him.
******
Once Christel had the door closed securely behind her she let the tears fall. Her anger vanished but, not forgotten as it gave way to sadness and confusion. She sat on the edge of the tub and let it out. Kevin didn't think she loved him. The thought was too much for her to bear. How could he not, she thought, when every waking moment my mind is focused on him. I love him with all of my heart and he doesn't think I do. Christel began to cry bitterly as she started the water for her shower. Slowly she peeled the sheet from her body and eased herself into the shower letting the warm water rush over her entire body. She felt numb.
Christel came out of the bathroom wrapped securely in a plush red towel without saying a word to Kevin. Quietly she went through her suitcase to find something to wear. Kevin watched her intently. She carried her clothes back to the bathroom dressing quickly. When she came out she went straight for the door.
"Isn't that my sweatshirt?" Kevin asked referring to the Georgetown Hoyas sweatshirt she had wrapped around her waist.
"You never wear it," she snapped. "I found it in the back of your closet."
"Oh. Where are you going?" he asked.
"Out for a walk," she replied opening the door and stepping into the hall. Kevin would have suggested she take Carlos with her but judging by her mood he decided to keep his suggestion to himself. Kevin couldn't help but think that maybe he misjudged Christel's feelings for him.
******
AJ went straight to Howie's room. He really needed someone to talk to and knew that Howie would be his best bet. He banged loudly on Howie's door until it swung open to reveal a slightly sleepy and annoyed looking Howie.
"AJ. . . are you trying to wake the dead?" he asked.
"I need to talk to you, D," he replied seriously.
"Ok, ok, AJ I think this is the most serious I've ever seen you. What do you want to talk about?" he asked ushering him inside. AJ plopped down in an armchair with a heavy sigh.
"Chinita's leaving," he said simply.
"Oh. . . so she told you. Why is that bothering you?" Howie said.
"She told you? Did you know she was thinking about leaving?" AJ asked.
"Uuummm. . . yeah. She came to me for advice," Howie replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't think I had to and she asked me not to tell you. Why do you care AJ?"
"I don't know," he sighed jumping out of his chair. "I don't know what's come over me. Lately, I've had these thoughts about Chinita that. . . oh I don't know. It's complicated."
"Ok. . ." AJ turned to leave. "Where are you going, now?"
"I don't know I need some air," he said stepping into the hall.
******
Christel walked quickly down the hall to the elevator. She noticed that Carlos was on post, something they had been able to avoid doing until earlier that week.
"Hey Christel, are you going somewhere?" he asked coming towards her.
"Yes I'm going for a walk. Don't worry Kevin won't be coming with me so I won't need you to accompany me. I think I can handle myself," she snapped pushing the down button on the elevator.
"Ok. . . but I think I should warn you. There are a few fans hanging around in the lobby today," he said.
"So that's why they have you posted here today," she muttered.
"Yeah. . . but be careful," he replied.
"Ok. . . I will, Carlos," she replied. As she stood waiting for the elevator AJ came out of Howie's room and was heading in her direction. She was praying he wouldn't get on the elevator with her. He stopped and talked to Carlos briefly before heading right for her, quickly she averted her gaze. Just what I need, she thought, for him to get on the elevator with me. Could this day get any worse? AJ stopped right beside her that's when the elevator decided to arrive. They both boarded the elevator.