Chapter 8

After breakfast, Kimberly went out to get some groceries while Ian remained at home. On her way to the supermarket, she couldn t help but think back to their love making earlier that morning. Ian 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 Ian. She s satisfied with the gentle and passionate Ian 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 Ian walking a black haired guy who looked quite familiar to the door. "Hey babe." Ian greeted as Kimberly climbed out of her car. "Hey." She replied with a smile, placing a kiss on Ian 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 Ian s heart." "Thanks." She shyly replied, already blushing red from Simon s compliment. "Hey man, that s enough." Ian playfully glared, separating their hands. Simon laughed at his best friend s action. "Someone s scared." Simon teased. "Dream on. You are not a competition." Ian 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." Ian 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 Ian 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." Ian 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 Ian 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 Ian 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?" Ian asked. "It s nothing important. Don t pay any attention to me… Um, s-so why was Simon here? She asked changing the subject. Ian 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." Ian said with a mischievous smile. Kimberly tried to process what Ian had just said. Did he say camping? She thought, as it rang several times in her ears. "That s impossible." She blurted out, making Ian 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- I 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 Ian couldn t understand her. Ian 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 couldn t 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 Ian. It s just too early to start fighting over trivial matters. Ian was fuming inside because Kimberly wasn t giving him any reasonable explanation as to why she 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. Ian 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. Ian 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?" Ian pressed, in a sarcastic manner. "Ian, please stop." She sobbed. "No, you stop this bullshit!" he barked before storming out of the kitchen, leaving a sobbing Kimberly by herself.