Episode 9

After enjoying a fun Saturday with her kids, Arya agrees to meet up with her friend Lea on Sunday afternoon. Following lunch at her mother's house, she leaves the children with her mother and heads to the mall. They catch a movie and afterwards, go out for a snack.

"Noam said he saw you around a few days ago, but when he returned to that place, you were gone," Lea says with a sheepish smile.

"And what did you tell him?" Arya asks, not particularly concerned with her friend's comment.

"I told him it was just his imagination," her voice sounds slightly sad.

"I'm glad you responded that way because I have no desire to see him," Arya states flatly.

"I don't want any contact with him; everything we shared is in the past, and I don't want to revisit any of that."

"I think you should meet with him," Lea suggests, studying her friend.

"I don't get this fixation you have on me seeing Noam; I've told you time and again that I have no interest in seeing him again," Arya says angrily, startling her friend.

"Sorry, but I thought you still had feelings for him," she says, a bit apprehensively.

"So I'll say it one last time, and I hope you understand once and for all, I DON'T LIKE NOAM, I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM, AND EVERYTHING IS IN A PAST THAT I DON'T CARE ABOUT, I hope you get it now," she lets out in an exasperated breath.

"And... I get it; I won't bother you with this subject anymore, I hope you aren't mad at me," Lea says, embarrassed.

"I'm not mad, just annoyed by your senseless persistence," Arya replies, her voice calmer.

After talking with her friend, the topic changes to Arya's life in Europe and Lea's in New York, and they take the opportunity to do some shopping. As dusk falls, Arya returns to her mother's house.

"My dear, why don't you stay here tonight?" her mother sweetly suggests.

"I have to work tomorrow, and the kids have school; we don't have our clothes here, mom," she laughs at her mother's curious face.

"But the kids are already sleeping; it's not fair to wake them from such a sweet slumber," the elder suggests, her voice tenderly persuasive.

"Okay, you win; I'll run home to grab our things, and it won't take long," she says, laughing at her mom celebrating with clapping.

"Don't worry, take your time; I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"You're right, mom; I won't be reckless, don't worry, I'll take it slow," she responds and leaves to fetch their belongings.

When she arrives home, she decides to take a bath. After filling the tub, she removes her clothes and immerses her body in the warm water, relaxing, but her thoughts drift back to her conversation with Lea.

"I don't understand her desperate interest in my feelings towards Noam, but I hope she doesn't tell him about my return, or he will make my life hell," she whispers to herself, a hint of concern in her voice.

After her deserved bubble bath, she slips into her purple silk nightgown, and calls her mother.

"Hi my daughter, is something wrong?" her mom inquires upon answering.

"Mom, I think it's better if I pick up the kids there tomorrow morning, it's really late, and I'm too tired to drive," she says once her mother picks up.

"Alright, my dear, don't worry; see you tomorrow." The elder reassures her daughter.

"Okay, mom, good night see you tomorrow."

"Good night sweetheart, have a good rest."

Shortly after hanging up, Arya lies down and turns on the TV. Her phone rings, displaying Kilam's number again.

"Arya, I'm in front of your house, we need to talk now!"

"Mr. Pagano, it's midnight, this isn't a time for you to be here, please go away," she replies with a firm voice.

"I know it's late, but the matter is urgent," he implores.

"Fine, I'm on my way down," she relents and hangs up.

Arya slips into a robe matching her nightgown, puts on her slippers, and descends the stairs. Opening the door, she finds Kilam leaning against his car, donned in a navy blue dress shirt with a few buttons undone and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black trousers, disheveled hair, and a roguish smile - a vision of sin incarnate.

"Sorry for the late hour, but it's really urgent," he says, with Arya noticing the scent of alcohol.

"Okay! Come in, it's cold," she says, allowing him inside.

Once he enters, she closes the door and gestures toward the couch, but Kilam surprises her, pinning her body against the door. They lock gazes for a moment before he captures her mouth in a desperate kiss. She reciprocates, wraps her legs around him, and leads the way to the bedroom. Upon arrival, he lays her down on the bed, showering kisses from her mouth down to her neck, leaving marks as he meets her skin, causing her to breathe heavier. His large hands roam her body as he returns to her lips, while her hands are tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. Then Arya hears a distant familiar sound; her eyes snap open to see her alarm clock, pulling her from her dream with her boss. She rushes to the bathroom, strips off her clothes, and takes a cold shower to gather herself.

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