Lost In A Daydream

“Wrong. I just met him. How can I like him yet?” Asked Victoria, giving him a look. Colton looked at her with his eyes blazing with an intense fire.

“So if you meet him more, you’ll get to like him. Is that what you’re hinting at?” He fumed. Victoria’s mouth hung open hearing his absurd question. 

“Stop overthinking, for God’s sake, Colton, “ she said, placing the papers that Davion gave her on the table nearby. “I’m going home. Coming here was a mistake,” she said, walking away. Colton rushed forward and caught her arm, whirling her around to face him. 

“Am I overthinking? Then what was that talk about marrying Pete?” He scoffed angrily. 

“He was just kidding, Colton. Please get a grip over yourself, “ she scolded him.

“No, I won’t,” said Colton, stubbornly. “I want you to be mine, exclusively mine,” he whispered, pulling her closer, flush against his hard torso. Victoria’s eyes flashed with defiance and she struggled to break free.

“Don’t expect something which you can’t promise me back,” said Victoria, pushing at his chest. Colton gave her a smoldering look that could burn her completely. 

“And what if I promise the same thing back?” He asked her, his eyes dropping to her lips. Victoria was too stunned to speak. She was trying hard to figure out what exactly it was that he was asking for. Exclusivity in what? 

“What do you mean?” asked Victoria. Colton lowered his head and grazed his lips against her neck, sending a tremor down her entire length. His hot mouth and tongue trailed a wet trail up to her ear.  Placing a soft kiss there, he whispered hoarsely. 

“I’ll be the only one to kiss you. I’ll be the only one to touch you. I’ll be the only one to see you. I’ll be the only one to make love to you,” he whispered. Goosebumps appeared over her as she realized what he was asking for. For one moment she wanted to give in but then a strange feeling cautioned her. 

“No, I won’t be your property, Colton. What you’re asking for is impossible! I don’t sell my body. It’s for the one who I’ll truly love and marry,” said Victoria, pushing him away. Colton was a little startled. He was too wrapped up in his own world of desire and need that he didn’t expect such a response from her. 

“I didn’t mean it that way.,” he started but Victoria walked out of his apartment angrily. Colton held onto his head with despair. Why did this always happen with him? Whenever he talked to Victoria, she only misunderstood her. He wanted to propose to her and ask her to be his girlfriend but inexperienced as he was, he only ended up offending her! He had to think of a way of making her listen to him before running away. 

As Victoria walked out of Colton’s building she collided with Pete, who was just standing outside with his phone attached to his ear, busy talking to someone. He disconnected the call seeing her, his eyes glittering with excitement. “Hey, Victoria! What a surprise! We’re meeting again. It seems we’re destined for one another, “ laughed Pete. Victoria rolled her eyes at him.

“We didn’t meet. You just happened to stand on my way out,” she pointed out. Pete grinned. 

“Who’s the cause of this foul mood of yours?” he asked, leaning closer. Victoria ducked and walked away. 

“No one, “ she said, walking away towards Sofia’s house. Pete walked with her.

“Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?” he asked. Victoria looked at him suspiciously. 

“No, why do you ask?” she asked curiously. 

“I’m just going to the departmental store there to buy food for my pets. You could come along if you’re free,” he asked with a warm smile, pointing at the huge departmental store at a distance. 

“Pets? You have pets?” asked Victoria, smiling back. Pete nodded. 

“Five puppies, two macaws, a goldfish and two turtles,” said Pete proudly. “You’ll be amazed to see them. Do you want to see them?” he asked with a grin. 

“Yes, please,” said Victoria eagerly. 

“My home’s just a few houses away. You could come down and take a look,” offered Pete. Victoria hesitated a little. 

“Don’t worry, my parents would love to meet you,” he said with a wink. “If they like you, be prepared to get married to me,” teased Pete but Victoria’s eyes widened with shock. What? 

“Then I’ll let this go. I'd better return to my sister’s house,” she said. Pete laughed.

“Aww, aren’t you adorable? I’m just kidding. C’mon help me choose and carry the food for the hungry little animals,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He walked off looking at her, gesturing to her to follow him. Victoria grinned and ran after him, unaware of a pair of jealousy eyes watching their every move. After they walked off together to the departmental store, Colton punched the wall with disgust. 

He just couldn't understand how Victoria could so easily accompany Pete somewhere when he had been trying to woo her for weeks to go on a date with him and she refused every time. This wasn’t fair and he couldn’t let this happen. Victoria was his and he wouldn’t let Pete whisk her away from under his nose. He picked up his phone and wallet and dashed out of the apartment to see what they were up to. He walked into the departmental store and searched for Pete and Victoria. Finally, he saw them laughing over a packet of pet food, seeing some pictures upon it. Jealous and furious, Colton wanted to storm up to them and disrupt their happy bubble. Why could Victoria never laugh so candidly with him? Why was she always angry and defiant in his company? He kept himself hidden and followed them all the way out of the store but to his dismay, that wasn’t the end of their rendezvous. Pete led her to his house a little distance away. Seething with anger, Colton went to a pub nearby to forget his sorrows. 

“This is my mom, Suzy Douglas and my dad, Eddie Douglas, “ introduced Pete. “Mom, Dad, this is Victoria Blakesley. She’s from Las Vegas and visiting her sister here,” said Pete. 

“Hello, dear. So pleased to meet you. Come and sit with us,” said Pete’s mom, giving her a brief hug.

“Hello, Mr and Mrs Douglas,” said Victoria.

“Hello, nice to meet you,” said Pete’s dad, shaking her hand. 

“Victoria loves animals, so she’s come to meet all our pets,” said Pete. “Where are they? I don’t see them around here?” asked Pete with surprise. 

“Martin and Marina are giving them a bath,” said his mom. 

“C’mon, let’s go upstairs. My brother, Martin and his wife Marina are giving the puppies a bath. It’s a scene worth watching,” said Pete, pulling her up the stairs. They ran up the stairs and from the landing, they could hear the footsteps of the puppies as well as their yelps. Victoria stood surprised at the top of the staircase. Five little naughty Golden Retrievers were running away and being chased by Pete's brother and his wife. 

“Pete, catch Spotty, “ yelled Martin. Pete caught one with a white spot on his forehead and carried the struggling puppy to the huge washroom where a tub full of soap was waiting for it. Victoria giggled and followed him. Martin brought in two puppies and Marina brought two more. 

“Hey, Pete! Is this your girl? Won’t you introduce us?” asked Marina with a knowing grin.

“No, no. This is Victoria. Don’t worry, I’ll marry her soon,” chuckled Pete. Victoria gave him a pointed look. Was he crazy? 

“Hi! Don’t mind his crap. I just met him today,” said Victoria. Marina laughed.

“I’m Marina and that’s Martin, my husband and Pete’s brother,” she introduced herself. “ He managed to bring you home the first day he met you? Amazing progress, I must say,” said Marina. Martin chuckled and waved at her as he struggled with his two puppies.

“Fifi, Goofy, stop wriggling,” he scolded them.

Victoria loved Pete’s crazy family and his crazier pets. After bathing them all, she went to meet the macaws, Tipton and Pippi. “Kiss me, kiss me,” they sang in a melodious tune, making Victoria’s eyes pop out of their socket.

“Pete taught them that,” said Marina, leaning towards her. “He taught them dirty words too. You wouldn’t want to hear them. Let’s go and meet his turtles,” she said, leading Victoria away. 

“I love you, will you l---o---v—e me?” sang the macaws as she walked away. Pete laughed seeing her reaction. 

“They say what I can’t,” he leaned in and whispered into her ear. Victoria elbowed him away and he chuckled, following her to meet the turtles, Mini and Chompy. 

Afterwards, Pete’s mom forced her to have lunch with them. Finally Victoria was on her way home. She was in high spirits after having so much fun at Pete’s house. However, midway to Sofia’s house, she collided with none other than a drunk Colton, looking furious and menacing.