It's been five weeks since I had the photo shoot with Kimberly. I have to say that I really enjoyed it, but that's mainly because it was a lot of fun with Kimberly. The photos turned out really well, by the way. Sem even thought I looked like a real fashion model. He was surprised that I was on it with Kimberly. He knows her from television and was absolutely thrilled that I knew her. I tried to explain to him that she is also a human being just like us and that if he meets her once, he should treat her normally. I am sure they will meet one day. I hope it doesn't get uncomfortable then. In the six weeks that I've been working for her father, Kimberly and I have built up quite a friendship. Kimberly comes by almost every day to have lunch with Frederick. It only took me a few days to join them. Even if Frederick is not there, Kimberly will still come to the office to have lunch with me. I notice that she gives me a feeling inside that I've never had before. I just can't understand what it is yet. At least I know I like it when she's around.
It is now Friday and the working day is almost over. Well, the normal working day then. Today I'm going to a gala with Frederick for the first time. Before then, we will have dinner together. "Shouldn't you get ready yet? ". It's Frederick who asks me as he gets off the elevator and walks to his own office. "I was already shut down the computer". I shut down my computer and head for the shower. I look at the elevator, when I hear the doors open again. Kimberly comes out of the elevator at that moment. I can't take my eyes off her for a second. "Wow ". Is all I can say. I see a glint in her eye. "D-didn't K-know that y-you also went w-with us". Earth to Julia, resume normal functioning. "Not good?" Kimberly asks with a smile. "Do you also bring security? ". I still can't take my eyes off her. "No, why? ". She looks at me questioningly. "To knock everyone off you". We stare into each other's eyes for a moment and there is a silence. "But I already didn't know what to wear, but now I don't now at all," I say. I think we'll still be like this in an hour. Kimberly laughs. "Go take a shower quickly. Then I will find something for you". I nod and don't know how fast to run to the shower. What the hell am I having trouble with.
Without thinking I walk into the dressing room after showering with only a tied towel. There's Kimberly. She looks at me from bottom to top. She bites her lip. "You may go this way." Smiling, I shake my head. "What have you picked for me? ". I walk towards her. I can't bear to look at Kimberly anymore, but I can feel how she's looking at me. I just hope she can't see my back. "That red dress and your black heels," she says very softly. I look her in the eye again. I can still see hers glistening. We stand like this for a while, close to each other and without saying anything.
"Could you leave me alone for a while so I can get dressed? " I say quickly, when I feel that a certain tension that now hangs between us is getting worse. "Oh yes of course. I'm waiting at your office". As soon as Kimberly has left the dressing room I let out a deep sigh. Was I really going to kiss her? If so, was it because of the moment or is it really because of her. Is that the feeling she gives me? A lot of things go through my head when there is a knock on the door. "Julia, are you almost done? We have to go". It's Kimberly on the other side of the door. "Uhm yeah, I'm almost done". I quickly start getting dressed. "Or do you need help? ". I hear her ask. "No, no better not".
Not much later I walk out of the dressing room. "Yeah, can I go with you this way? ". Kimberly nods. I could see from her eyes that it had been approved. "Come on, my father is already waiting in the car". Instead of walking to the elevator, she comes closer to me. "Why was it better that I didn't help you?" she asks with a smile. I feel my cheeks turning red. "I can do that faster myself, but we really have to go. I have made your father wait far too long". With that said I walk to the elevator. "Did I tell you that you look beautiful?" Kimberly says when we're in the elevator and she takes another good look at me. "Not with words, but you can also speak with your eyes." When I say that I see her blush and the elevator door opens. We quickly make our way to the car. I try my best not to think about what just happened.
We had a wonderful dinner and have now arrived at the gala. Fortunately, we are sitting at a table with clients that I have seen before. I really enjoy my job, but this kind of thing isn't really for me. We've been there for three hours now, I think. Kimberly has been talking to some people for a while now. I enjoy watching her work, but I liked it more when she sat next to me. "Julia, do you mind showing yourself on the dance floor with your boss? ". It's Frederick who pulls me out of my thoughts. "If I said yes, would that fall under refusal to work? " I ask with a smile. "You give me an idea there. But no, if you don't want to, that's fine." But I've already got up and together we walk onto the dance floor. It is a welcome distraction.
"Can I take over for a moment? ". I hear Kimberly ask after a while. "Of course," I say and want to walk away. I feel her grab my hand. "I did not mean that ". I look surprised and see that Frederick has already sat down at the table. "Oh". I can't get more out of it. She puts her hand on my lower back and pulls me so close to her. "Or you should rather want to dance with one of those guys. They just couldn't stop talking about you. I think they hate me now because I'm too fast for them". I shake my head. "They should be thankful to you". She looks at me questioningly. "And why is that? ". I smile. "You saved them a rejection". Now we both laugh. "So you won't reject me? ". I shake my head.
After we've been dancing for a while, Kimberly puts her forehead against my collarbone. She lets out a deep sigh. "Are you OK?". I feel her nod. She grips me a little tighter. I put my head against hers and wrap my arms around her a little tighter. "What is?". She shrugs when I whisper that to her. "I think I just needed a hug." That answer brings a smile to my face. "Please just a minute," she says somewhat uncertainly, when I want to let go of her after a while. So instead of letting her go I grab her tighter again. In a pleasant silence we keep moving along to the music for a while.
Kimberly has gone to the bathroom and I'm waiting for our drinks at the bar. When I feel something on my buttock, it's gone already. I look next to me and see Kimberly pushing a man a little to the side. "But... ". "Nothing but. Get yourself out of my sight before I make it clear to you less kindly. You don't touch a woman without asking". After Kimberly says so, the man leaves. "Thank you," I say. "Are you OK? ".I nod. Fortunately, the smile returns to Kimberly's face. "Are you having a little fun? ". I shrug. "It's not really my thing, but I'm getting through it pretty well. It makes a lot of difference that you are there too". I'll answer her honestly. "Would you rather go? ". I shrug. "What I have understood is that I am expected to stay until the end". Kimberly shakes her head. "That is what is expected of my father. I think if I ask him if you can leave it won't be a problem at all. So should I ask him to call his driver for you? ". "It is not necessary. I live around the corner, but does he really think that's no problem? ". She shakes her head. "What is expected of you? ". She looks at me questioningly. "What do you mean? ". I give her a small smile. "Are you expected to stay until the end? ". She shakes her head. "No, I do not think so. Why? ". I don't know why, but I'm getting a little nervous now. "If you are looking for a reason to leave, you can come with me. If you wish of course". Kimberly's smile widens again. "I think that's a very good reason. My father will agree that I cannot let you go home alone. I'll report it to him. Then I'll see you at the exit". I nod and we both walk in opposite directions.
"Wasn't it a problem? " I ask when Kimberly comes walking towards me again. "He was right with us. He just didn't like the fact that we would go walk the street together like this, so we have to take the car. The driver is already ready for us ".
"We're here," I say when we arrive at the apartment complex. I get out and see that Kimberly has doubts. "Aren't you coming in? ". She looks at me for a moment. "Wouldn't you rather go to bed already? I do not want to intrude ". I shake my head. "I am still wide awake and I asked myself if you came with me". A smile appears on her face again and then gets out of the car.
"Welcome. Feel free to look around. I'm sure you don't mind if I quickly change into something else," I say when we walk into the living room with open kitchen. "No of course not. You are totally right ". I quickly go to my bedroom. I put on a hoodie and shorts. I doubted whether I would wear something decent, but I just feel the best in this. When I enter the living room I see Kimberly standing by the fireplace. "Is that Sem?" she asks, pointing to a photo. "Yes, that's my pride". Now she turns to me. "He looks like you. I'm guessing he already has the girls after him". I sit down on a armchair and Kimberly plops down on the couch. We talk a little more about Sem. "Does he still see his father? ". I sigh when she asks after a while. "Shall we watch a movie? ". Kimberly looks at me with a small smile. "You don't want to talk about him, do you? ". I shake my head. "Okay, a movie sounds fine." I grab the remote control and together we choose a movie.
When the movie has been going on for a while, I notice that Kimberly has fallen asleep. Not much later her whole body shakes. "Help," she screams loudly in her sleep. I crouch down next to her. "Kimberly, wake up". I have to repeat it a few times before she wakes up. She looks at me with wide eyes and sits up straight. Tears run down her cheeks. "It's all right. The nightmare is over. Here you are safe". I gently wipe away her tears. "Sorry, I have to go home". I can tell she's really upset. "Are you sure? You can also sleep here if you want. I'll go into Sem bed then. Who sleeps at a friend". She shakes her head. "Very sweet of you, but I have to go home. I need to be alone for a while". She takes out her phone to call the driver.
"Iget it. If you need me you know where to find me". I say as soon as she hangsup the phone. "Thank you. Then I'll just go. The driver was still in front.I'm sorry I fell asleep". She gets up. Together we walk to the front door wherewe give each other a hug. "Don't worry about it. Now go home and let me know ifthere's anything I can do for you." She nods and kisses me on the cheek. Assoon as she has left I find my bed. I lie awake for a long time, thinking ofKimberly.