DIANA'S POV

"What are you doing?"Salome asked when she brought me my lunch at the counter like she always did.

We were still doing the healthy eating diet thing so lunch for the day was a chicken salad. It looked delicious though, better than the kale smoothies we'd had for breakfast. Those were yuck.

"Staring at my phone waiting for Kareem to text or call."I replied honestly.

"He's still not talking to you?"Salome inquired.

"Oh he is, just short cold texts that make me feel as if I'm texting with my dad and not my potential boyfriend."I answered feeling very frustrated.

Ever since my date with Kareem a week ago where we had ran into his family, he had been behaving very weird. We barely talked anymore, didn't see each other and whenever I suggested that we meet up he always had an excuse as to why we couldn't.

The first few days it made me feel insecure that maybe besides his family I'd done something to make him pull away from me. I mean it was the first time we'd kissed and it had been amazing according to me. I was still dreaming about our kisses yet Kareem was acting like that night never happened. Salome had knocked some sense into me when she saw me doubting myself and made me realize that what Kareem was going through had nothing to do with me.

Seeing his family after so long when they'd completely cut him off must have been hard for Kareem. I just wished he'd talk to me about it so I could help him get through it. I wasn't his girlfriend yet but we were getting there and were a lot closer than we had been at the beginning. It wasn't my place to push so I just left him alone with the hope that he wouldn't completely shut me out. Kareem and I had something good going and I didn't want to loose that.

"Kareem will be fine and he'll be back here to woo you before you know it but for now eat your food."Salome demanded pushing the plate of leaves, chicken, boiled eggs, tomatoes, onions and some other stuff I couldn't tell closer to me.

I forced a smile and picked up my fork digging in. It was surprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be. I still couldn't stop thinking about Kareem and how the poor communication would affect our relationship but I had to try and be positive. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt because everything had been going great before we ran into his family.

After lunch I made myself busy by unboxing some books I'd purchased and arranging them on the shelves. I always enjoyed doing that but I wasn't feeling it, just forcing myself to do it since no one else would do it for me.

The bell at the door rang indicating a new customer but I didn't move to go serve them. Sophia was around so she would do it for me.

"Hi is, Diana around?"The unmistakable voice of Kareem asked.

My eyes widened in surprise since I had not expected him to drop by suddenly without calling or texting first. I didn't hear what Sophia told him until I heard the heavy steps of his boots headed my way. I could even see the top of his head from above a few shelves that were separating us. Finally he found his way to me and suddenly the one week I hadn't seen him felt like an eternity. Unable to stop myself I dropped the book I had been holding back into the box and walked towards him wrapping my hands around his waist burying my face into his chest. It was definitely Kareem alright smelling like engine oil, pine trees and an undertone of the mango scented soap he used.

Kareem was not expecting my hug since he stood rigid for a few seconds before he finally hugged me back wrapping his big, warm, strong hands around me.

"Why aren't you more mad at me?"He whispered against my hair.

"Because you don't deserve my anger. I have no idea what you're going through and I can't make it worse by being mad at you."I replied.

Kareem didn't answer, just hugged me tighter against him. It felt so good to be back in his arms again. I was glad that he had found his way back to me and I hoped he would let me help him get through his current situation.

"I missed you."He admitted pulling away as he kissed my forehead.

"I missed you too."I replied honestly.

"I brought you this as an apology."Kareem said handing me a plain brown bag.

I peeped inside to reveal a burger king take out delivery bag.

"Are you crazy? Why would you bring me this at work?"I whisper yelled behaving like an inmate who has just received contraband.

"Because I know for a fact that Jamila is still feeding you leaves and diet juices."Kareem replied.

Taking his hand I led him through the numerous shelves and towards the back where there was a small store room that I used to store excess books and empty boxes. I turned on the light and cleared the boxes of the table and the chairs in there so we could find a place to sit.

"How huge is this place?"Kareem asked looking around.

"It's actually quite big, I was lucky to have found when I did."I replied opening the bag to see what Kareem had brought me.

I'd only just had lunch but the sight of burgers, fries and milkshakes had my taste buds watering immediately. Kareem had also put some thought into what he'd brought me so I couldn't say no to him. The food was enough for two so I assumed Kareem had bought some for himself as well.

"This looked really good, thank you."I addressed Kareem unwrapping a burger.

"My pleasure, it's the least I could do after how I've behaved with you during the past one week."Kareem replied picking up a milkshake.

"I'm not going to judge you or hold it over your head Kareem."I assured him.

"Thank you."He replied looking relived that I wasn't mad at him.

"So how are you doing really?"I asked hoping that he wouldn't avert the question like he had been doing.

"I'm in a better state than I was that night. Seeing them disoriented me both mentally and emotionally. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all but I'll be fine."Kareem replied.

"Thank you for sharing, I'll be here whenever you want to talk."I offered.

"I appreciate that."Kareem replied with a smile.

I wanted him to open up to me more but I wouldn't push him since there were still a lot of unspoken things between us. We would cross that bridge when we got to it and not a second earlier.

"So there's another reason why I dropped by."Kareem said.

"I'm all ears."I answered popping a fry into my mouth.

"Vihaan and his wife had booked a weekend getaway at the Tree top hotel but his wife got sick so he offered me the reservation. I haven't said yes yet but if you're willing we can go. It'll be a chance for us to bond, talk over a few things and actually get to pick up where we left off last week."Kareem explained.

A whole weekend away with Kareem in a fancy hotel. It was quite tempting but were we ready for that step. We had already admitted that we liked each other but was that foundation strong enough to go away for a whole weekend together.

"I known it's sudden but I miss you and really want some alone time together."Kareem added taking my greasy hands in his.

I looked at his brown orbs, the desire to say yes increasing by the second. Kareem and I needed really to talk about a lot of things. A weekend away in a fancy hotel didn't sound so bad.

"Okay I'll go with you."I said giving in.

Kareem's face stretched to a happy grin when he heard my reply.

"Thank you, you won't regret this."

"I better not."I replied returning his smile.

"So we'll have to leave this Friday, stay over on Saturday and drive back Sunday afternoon."Kareem explained.

"Sounds good to me."I answered.

It was a bit impromptu but it's not like I had any plans for the weekend. It would be good for us and having some fun in the process couldn't hurt.

Kareem's phone rang in that moment so he had to let go of my hands to pick up. I resumed eating as I waited for Kareem to finish his phone all. All I could hear was Kareem's side of the conversation which was quite interesting actually.

"Noel hi, thanks for getting back to me. What's going on man? You haven't delivered yet."

.........

"That shipment was supposed to be here a week ago. I have three angry customers breathing down my neck and a boss who won't take any more excuses."

..............

"That is not my problem."

..............

"Damn it Noel, what do you want me to do?"

..............

"Give me half an hour to figure it out, I'll let you know what I decide."

...............

Kareem hung up the phone looking very frustrated.

"What's wrong?"I asked.

"Nothing, just someone messing up with their job and expecting me to pick up the slack."Kareem replied.

"I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?"I insured.

"Thank you but no, I'll handle it. Do you mind if I make a few calls?"He asked.

"Go ahead."I replied taking the opportunity to finish the delicious food Kareem had brought me before Salome found out.

Kareem made numerous phone calls and all I could get from them was that there was a shipment at the Mombasa port that needed to be delivered to Nairobi but hadn't arrive yet. Kareem looked mad since other people were letting him down. He kept pacing through the tiny space running his hand through his hair and pinching the bridge of his nose. Twenty five minutes later a very angry Kareem sat down in a huff looking like he wanted to punch the wall.

"Is everything okay?"I whispered hoping not to upset him anymore.

"No it's definitely not okay. Someone's incompetence just cost us our weekend getaway."Kareem replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I have to travel to Mombasa within the next two days and won't be back for about a week or two depending on the situation I find there."Kareem explained.

I felt disappointed but this was his job and I couldn't interfere with that.

"It's okay, we'll find some other time to go."I assured Kareem.

"I'm really sorry, I wanted this more than anything so we can make things right between us."Kareem apologized.

"It's not your fault, I'll be here when you come back."I promised him.

"Fuck."Kareem cursed running his hand over his face to show how frustrated he was.

"Hey it's okay, Mombasa is after all the city of fun. You can make it a road trip and make it worthwhile besides all the work stuff."I said trying to console him.

"A road trip is not fun when you're on your own."Kareem grumbled definitely not happy with my suggestion.

Instinctively wanting to offer him comfort, I got off my chair and sat across Kareem's lap giving him a hug. He buried his face into my chest and my off shoulder romper gave him access to my chest so that his breath was teasing the top of my breasts.

"You're perfect."Kareem mumbled the vibrations of his voice travelling from the nape of my neck to the top of my toes.

"Are you saying that to me or to my breasts?"I asked with a laugh trying to hide how much his touch was affecting me.

"Both."Kareem replied placing a chaser kiss to my cleavage.

My fingers tightened around his hair because I had not expected him to do that. Kareem didn't stop there though, he peppered kissed from the valley of my breasts, to my chest, along my collar bone until his lips found my neck.

"Kareem."I moaned unable to hold it in.

I didn't know if I wanted him to stop or keep going but the fact that I wasn't pushing him away was proof that I wanted him to continue.

Kareem sucked on my neck leaving a mark before his lips found mine in a wanton kiss that had us both going crazy. Our first kiss had been magical but the one we were sharing was just purely primal between two people who desired each other greatly. Kareem's tongue dominated mine as his hands softly kneaded my bare thighs.

I could feel the air around us charge with electricity as our tongues moulded together. Kareem's hands on my body felt rough against my skin driving me crazy. His hair was soft under my fingers and the more I tugged at it in the heat of the moment, the more Kareem moaned. Hearing those voices rumble from his throat drove me wild as I grinded my ass on his lap.

I was about to adjust myself so I could straddle him when the door burst open.

"Diana where....... Oh shit sorry."Salome the girl with the worst timing barged in on our private moment.

Salome walked out just as fast as she had walked in. Kareem and I pulled away our moment ruined. I laughed feeling very embarrassed burying my face into his neck. I thought Salome was gone for good until she barged back in pointing an accusing finger at me.

"Is that burger king I smell? Yes it is! Diana you traitor! How could you? And you Kareem, shame on you."Salome spat looking very offended.

She walked out again and slammed the door behind her.

"We're in so much trouble."Kareem breathed.

"She'll get over it and besides its not like I haven't seen her eating cupcakes in the kitchen when she thinks no one is around."I replied.

"So she's not going to be mad at you?"Kareem asked.

"Oh she will be but there's nothing she can do to me."I said with a shrug.

"I better get going then but can I come by later so we can hang out before I have to leave for the coast."Kareem requested.

"Of course."I agreed nodding.

Kareem kissed me one more time before getting up with me in his arms. He hugged me before he kissed my forehead and left. I decided to clean up the mess we'd made before Salome found another reason to be mad at me. Just as I was about to start cleaning up a thought invaded my mind. Kareem was leaving for two weeks and I wouldn't during that time. We'd talked and he'd cleared stuff up but I still felt like there was a bridge between us. If he left for that long would we be able to find our footing again considering how rocky things were between us?

I rushed out of the store room hoping I'd catch Kareem before he left. I found him by the counter trying to sweet talk Salome who was having none of it. I knew she wasn't really mad since I was allowed one cheat day a week.

"I'll go with you."I blurted out attracting both their attention.

"Go where?"Salome asked the same time as when Kareem said"Really?"

"Yeah."I said.

"I'll be gone for more than a week."Kareem reasoned.

"It's okay, I'm due for a road trip anyway."I replied with a shrug.

I hadn't really thought about it but I knew for a fact that Kareem and I couldn't go for another two weeks apart with how things were between us. It'd drive us further apart and I didn't want that.

"Will someone please clue me in."Salome demanded.

"Okay I'll see you this evening with all the details planned."Kareem agreed leaning in to quickly kiss my lips before he left.

"Diana what's going on?"Salome asked.

"Kareem and I are going to Mombasa."I replied with a shrug before skipping to the back room.

"You can't just drop that on me and walk away, come back here young lady."Salome yelled after me but I paid no attention to her.

Two weeks in Mombasa was a lot compared to a weekend getaway but Kareem and I needed it plus it would be fun.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

It was hot in there for a minute. Definitely looking forward to the next few chapters because I personally love road trips.

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Love@Lyssah.