Should I or should I not go out. The thought kept running in my mind. I walked towards the room door and placed my hand on the knob for the 87th time. I twisted it but let go of it and sat back on the bed. It was 9.47 am according to Sam's phone. She snored and rolled from one end of the bed to the other. The pillow on the edge saved her from falling down.

My stomach grumbled and the noise kept getting louder. I could bear it no more. I slowly walked out of the room  and closed the door behind me. The next room was closed. Is he inside or not? I could open the door and see for myself. What if he was inside when I open the door? What will I tell him? Before I could process the thought, my hands rattled the door knob. It didn't open. He must be still sleeping. Phew! No disturbances.

I stepped down the stairs and walked to the kitchen. If Daniel lives here, there must be something to eat. I opened the lower dark cupboard. It had strange things which hardly looked like edibles. The cupboard on the top wouldn't open. I placed one feet on the lower cupboard for support and pulled the door with all my strength. It popped open and I went off balance. My body fell backwards but someone caught me in their hands. It was Daniel.

"Are you okay?" He lifted me up.

"I'm fine." I nodded and straighten the ruffles on my skirt. "I thought you were sleeping."

"Nope. Went out for groceries." He pointed to the big paper bags on the white counter.

"Ooh.." I rubbed my neck. " I'll head to my room then." I smiled and began to walk out of the kitchen.

"I'm making hot chocolate. Do you want some?" Daniel took a box from the cupboard and walked to the stove beside it. I stood there for a second. "Feels really good in the cold", he turned back and leaned against the slab. Yes or no? He raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer. Hunger vs fear? Hunger always wins.

"Okay." I nodded. He smiled and motioned me to the stools in front of the counter, "Be my guest." I sat on one of it. He took some things from the paper bag and turned to the stove.

"I think we didn't get properly introduced yesterday. So hi, I'm Daniel d'silva. And you are?" He turned and held out his hand from across the counter.

"Catherine La...", I shrieked my eyes and banged my hand against my forehead. "It's... Just Catherine." He narrowed his eyes and stared for a minute. He then turned back and poured the hot chocolate from the pan to the two black mugs. He placed the mugs on the counter and sat on the stool across me.

"Where are you from?" He sipped his drink.

"India."

"So what brings you here?"

I blinked and opened my mouth but words struggled to come out. I lifted the mug and sipped the drink instead. The warmth of the chocolate soothed my cold mouth. The drink moved in slow, smooth motion through my throat. I closed my eyes and inhaled the deep aroma. A smile crept on my lips. I opened my eyes. Daniel smiled at me.

"This is really good", I pointed to the mug.

"Thanks. You still didnt...", he stopped hearing the sound of a door open. I turned towards the kitchen entrance. "Breakfast is ready", Michael entered, waving a takeaway bag. He turned towards me and his grin widened. "Looks like we have company." He sat in the stool beside me.

"Good morning." He smiled at me. I nodded and sipped my drink. Just then something came in my mind. He said he knew something about me. Something like a secret. My body stiffened at the thought. I asked Sam about it earlier when we returned home but she dismissed it as nothing. If it was nothing, why did he say that?

Daniel waved his hands in front of my eyes and I blinked. "Are you okay?" He looked concerned.

"Yeah", I sat more comfortable on the stool.

"Okay. I'll get the plates." He walked away. Michael opened the bag and unloaded the food onto the counter.

I cleared my throat, "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything babe." He winked.

"Please just call me by my name." I gritted my teeth.

"Okay sugar." Doesn't he just get it?

"Whatever", I shook my head. "Did Sam tell you about anything?"

"She tells me a lot of things. Which one are you asking about?" He unwrapped the cover from the sandwich and stuffed half of it into his mouth.

"I meant about me."

"Ooh.. That too is a frequent topic among us", he muffled, chewing the food. "So you got to be more specific if you are prying for information." He took another bite.

I let out a heavy breathe. "You told me you knew a secret."

"A secret. That's interesting", Daniel sat back on his seat and placed the plate for each of us.

"You want to know the secret huh?" Michael raised his eyebrow.

"Yes", I hoped he would just spit it out. He rotated the stool, facing me. He stared at me like he was thinking and then smirked. He motioned his index finger, indicating me to come closer. I hesitated but moved forward. "Kiss me and I'll tell you", he grinned.

"What?" I moved back. Did he just say what I heard?

"I was just kidding. But you can if you want to", he smiled and leaned forward towards me.

"Mike you're such an asshole." Daniel pushed him away from me.

"You know I'm not", he chuckled.

"Then stop acting like one", Daniel gritted his teeth.

I stared Michael in the eye for a second and got off my seat. I walked out of the front door and closed it with a bang. Tears filled my eyes. "No Catherine, not anymore", I whispered to myself and closed my eyes, letting out a deep breathe. The beautiful yellow and red flowers in the garden caught my attention. Goosebumps surfaced on my skin. I covered my arms with the scarf. Should have come out with a sweater. The thought of going inside to get it crossed my mind but I'd rather die in the cold than be around him.

A black leather jacket crept on my shoulders. The instant warmth soothed me. I turned to the side. Daniel smiled at me and handed over a mug. "You didn't finish your drink."

"Thanks", I took the mug from him.

"Just so you know, he is not a pervert. He doesn't normally behave like this."

"Then why do I find it hard to believe?", I mumbled.

"Trust me, you will like him too. Nobody can ever hate him."He smiled, trying to convice me.I couldn't agree with him but I didn't want to oppose him either. So I smiled back at him. The door opened. My smile vanished, thinking it to be Michael. But it was Samantha.

"What's going on?" She yawned and stretched out her arms.

"I'm going inside", Daniel said with a stern face and walked inside the house.

Sam walked up beside me and placed her hand across my shoulder. "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Nothing", I turned away.

"Really?" She turned my face towards her and raised her eyebrows.

I let out a sigh, "I don't want to be around him."

"Yeah, me too", Sam nodded. I looked at her in surprise. "I'll talk to Michael about shifting him away from here."

I blinked. "No, I meant Michael. He is annoying."

"What?" She scowled. "I thought you were talking about Daniel."

"No, he is fine. But Michael, the way he speaks is so..." I struggled to find a word.

"Cath, he is a really great guy. He just says some stupid stuff that he really doesn't mean." She touched my forehead. "You're getting cold, come lets go in." She pulled me inside the house.

Michael stepped out from the kitchen. He smiled at me but this time it was different from how he did earlier. I turned away and sat on the sofa. Sam settled beside me.

"Let's have a party Sammy", he jumped on the sofa next to her.

"Party? What for?" Sam asked.

"What else? You're back! Shouldn't we celebrate it?" His black eyes beamed.

"Maybe another time", she said dismissively.

"O come on Sam! It's a chance to catch up with our old friends. And there is someone I want you to meet", he whined like a small kid.

"No Mike!" She shrieked.

"Why?"

"Cath hates parties."

"It's just a party. What is so bad about it. Please!" He pleaded.

Sam turned towards me. I could see that she wanted to go but hesistated because of me. "You should go Sam. I'll stay at home."

"No", her voice turned angry. "I'm not leaving you alone."

"I'll stay with her", Daniel walked in from the kitchen and leaned against the wall.

"Especially with you", she smirked at him. He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to speak. But I cut in before it turned out in another fight, "Please go and have some fun."

"Not without you!" Sam narrowed her eyes. I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off, "And that's final." I knew I could not fight her back.

"Caty girl, please! It won't even be like a party. Just a simple get together with a few of my friends!" Michael leaned past Sam to look at me.

"What makes you think I want to meet your friends?" I asked.

"Ok fine. I'll make you a deal", he stood up and walked towards me.

"What?" I blinked. What could he possibly say that would change my mind?

"If you come, I'll stop being an idiot all the time." He smiled and sat on the brown coffee table. Which one is bad? A few strangers or Michael. Definitely him.

"Fine", I sighed "and you should stop calling me by stupid nicknames."

He clapped and held out his hand, "Deal baby girl."

I narrowed my eyes and he lifted his hands in surrender, "Okay, Catherine."------------------------------------------------Any comments or suggestions?