Chapter 117

***Kenya.***

***Present day***

*Whoever knew shooting a movie could be difficult?*

I never knew the words 'repeat scene again,' could be so irritating.

Finishing my shoot for the day, I went to freshen up in my cabin. It was Monday, 16th September. First day of shoot.

At two in the afternoon I was tired, my legs barely climbing out of the trailer to walk into the cab.

I had another shoot on Wednesday and I was to practice tomorrow with the choreographer. Today's scene was just my character, Katrina, dancing absently in the rain. Fascinated by the entire set.

In the car, I took out my phone and saw missed calls and texts from Alec, Andrea and a text from K.C. I felt nervous finally getting a text from K.C.

Phoning Alec, he gave me directions where to meet tonight for dinner. I was relieved he allowed me rest.

Andy's message was more of an update on how rehearsals were going. She was in charge, while I was away. She equally told me of some emails she sent that needed me.

***K.C: Hey Beautiful. How have you been? Sorry I haven't been responding to your messages. Had an overseas assignment for work. How have things been with you? And is your husband still making you cry?***

I stared back at his last enquiry. For hours I had managed to banish all displeasing thoughts of Levi. Only good ones streamed in. Like his smile, his jokes. Now my heart felt sad again.

***Me: He's in New York. I am in Baltimore. We had another fight.***

Tears slipped down my eyes. I couldn't deny I missed Levi. But I couldn't continue to live, feeling threatened for my life. Not like he had ever hurt me. Still, I couldn't ignore the fears. *What if he someday did?*

***K.C: Should you be with a man that causes you pain? These days, marriages are easier to leave.***

I understood his words. But I didn't even want to consider them. Leaving Levi would be leaving a part of me.

***Me: I only need distractions. I don't want to leave him.***

***K.C: Okay. I'd gladly be your distraction.***

He told me about his work. His family. Working for an oil company stationed in Alberta. He usually came home to New York to be with his parents and sometimes do some works in New York for his company. He sent me photos of him and I couldn't deny he was good looking.

Even when I reached my hotel suite, we continued chatting. I wanted to call, but he said he was at work. Stealing moments to chat. Would call back when he was free. I found that reassuring. I tried resting and couldn't. I was happy.

In a beautiful hotel, courtesy Alan. Would be with an old friend in a few minutes. I smiled. At least something normal for a change.

Mum called. We talked a bit and I had to keep dismissing her inquiries about Levi. I told her I was in Baltimore working on the movie and she was ecstatic. Giving me peace about Levi. We talked about Amanda and I was happy to learn that she was better. The doctors suspected a psychological event or something.

I finally fell asleep and woke up when my phone blared with Alec's calls. He was already on his way to the restaurant. Hurriedly, I got ready.

Picking a beautiful, pink maxi gown, just to distract eyes from my limp. During filming today, I had felt cautious about it. Somehow Levi's words had filtered into my ears, encouraging me.

'*You're beautiful.'*

He was the only man I wanted to see me as beautiful. But I couldn't, because he was unrepentant.

I reached Mystic on Clipper Park Road, a few minutes later. A classy restaurant. I had looked up the reviews online and had been impressed. Their Lebanese dishes were well talked about. I loved great Lebanese cuisine.

Alec cleaned up nice. Dressed in a white blazer, white shirt and black slacks. His hair tussled, he looked good. We sat down and ordered our Lebanese Shish Tawook dishes. Mine, extra spicy.

By the time our dishes arrived, we had talked of so much. Alec making me laugh till my ribs cracked. I never knew he was funny.

Currently doing his residency in Pediatrics.

"So why go into Pediatrics Medicine?" I asked, my mouth full. "I never saw you to be a Hopkins enthusiast. You were always the bad boy, back in high school."

My words seemed to amuse him as he struggled to suppress his laughs. He sipped his wine, gulping down his giggles.

Holding my eyes, his intense stare boring into me, he spoke.

"My grandma always admired doctors, when she was alive. She used to wish that one of her kids had become one. But none had. Chose the family shipping business over saving lives," he said.

There was sadness in his voice as I listened. He had this charming voice pulling me in. Reassuring me that everything would be fine. No wonder his field of practice. I wish I was a kid and he was my doctor.

"Treating grownups wasn't a challenge to me. I wanted something that would link me to my inner self, which had been buried under dad's years of disparagement. I wanted to feel useful to people who barely knew their own voice," he said. A smile, which didn't touch his eyes, danced on his lips.

"That's brave," I said, appreciatively.

Here was a man, who had been injured by his father; deprived, belittled and yet he hadn't taken the wide road. He had chosen life. To be brave. Standing strong and saving little ones. Giving them hope. Their Superman or Batman. I just couldn't describe the admiration for him. Getting into his heart. Alec wasn't was more than I expected. Kind and brave.

And most importantly, he was currently staring at me, like I was the only girl in the world.