Chapter Ten

Kim slowly opened her eyes and wondered where she was. Her bed? Oh my god! She nearly jumped out of it, before she realized she was alone. Jon didn’t stay. Groaning she let herself fall back again. How could she fell asleep? Dammit!

Checking her alarm clock she realized that it was nearly time to get up. It wouldn’t make any sense to sleep longer. After a long warm shower she dressed in some black jeans and a light blue pullover. She would put on her working clothes later at the hospital. She was famous for her funny t-shirts with cartoon characters. The kids loved them.

Entering the living room she saw that Jon even cleaned up the table and closed the patio doors, so the dogs wouldn’t be out side over night. She smiled. What should she do now? Should she call him?

Before she could make a decision her door bell rang. Curious she walked to the door and wondered why the concierge didn’t call. When she checked the peephole all she could see were two Styrofoam cups with the green Starbucks emblem on it.

“Who is there?” she asked loudly through the door and alarmed her dogs with her lightly nervous voice. Immediately they showed up next to her and sniffed at the door. Surprisingly they didn’t bark. Kim frowned.

“Kimi? It’s me Jon!” was the muffled reply through the door. She breathed out relieved and opened the door.

“Breakfast!” Jon announced cheerfully, but his smile faded when he saw her scared face.

“Honey, are you ok?” he asked concerned while he entered her apartment.

“Yeah, yeah...I’m fine. It’s nothing.” Kim tried to assure him, but he didn’t buy it.

“I scared you right?” he asked softly. Kim sighed deeply and nodded hesitant.

“Oh, honey I’m sorry.” He put the coffee cups and food bag on the table and pulled her into his arms. She tried to relax, told herself that she was safe, but somehow it didn’t work. “I asked the concierge not to call up, because I wanted surprise you.”

“That’s sweet.” She mumbled against his chest and tried to push her fear away.

“Did you have problems in the past?” Jon wondered. “I mean with people showing up at your door.”

“It was a long time ago.” Kim tried to avoid the answer and left Jon’s embrace to carry the cups and food bag over to the kitchen.

“Kimi?” Jon followed her, but she didn’t look at him. Softly he lifted her chin with his hand and was surprised by the fear in her eyes. “What happened, honey?”

“I was nearly kidnapped twice. Once as a kid…they tried to push me into a car when I left the school building and the second time they were at our door, I was fourteen, I think.” Jon stared her shocked.

“Both times it was my dad who prevented the kidnapping.” She sighed. “Shortly after my parent’s death I realized I didn’t feel safe in my apartment anymore. That’s the real reason why I got Kidd and Sambo. They are my bodyguards and they can be deadly.”

Jon gulped and looked at the two dogs who were sitting peacefully a couple meters away from them watching their mistress carefully. One word from her and they would attack him.

“But they only react on your commands, right?” he asked nervously. Kim looked at him surprised and followed his gaze over to the dogs. She grinned.

“Yeah. You don’t have to worry.” She smiled at him. “Now tell me what you’ve got in the bags?” she asked.

Jon groaned. “You can’t be hungry again. There were no leftovers from the Chinese food. We ate everything.”

“I’m always hungry. I thought that would be clear by now.” Kim said chuckling and put the croissants, bagels and donuts on a plate.

“So, I always have to make sure to have something to eat at my place.” He teased her and offered her one of the coffee cups. She grinned and took a long sip from the warm liquid.

“Jon…” she said hesitant. He looked at her questioning. “Thanks for carrying me to bed last night and cleaning up down here.”

He smiled softly. “You are welcome, honey. I really enjoyed tugging you in…maybe we could do it again someday…with you still awake.” He added smirking.

Kim watched him for a second, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. She knew very well what he hinted. Was she ready for that? Well, he doesn’t want to do it right now, she told herself.

“Yeah, maybe someday.” She agreed with a little flush on her face. Jon smiled and squeezed her hand softly. He already thought he went too far with his teasing.

“So, tell me to do have to work tonight?” he asked while eating one of the bagels.

She sighed. “Unfortunately yes. And honestly I have no idea whether we are able to see each other during the next week. Two of my colleagues are sick and I have to prepare for a seminar which I will host from Friday to Sunday at Columbia University.” Kim told him with a sad look on her face.

“Sounds like a busy week for you.” Kim nodded and looked at him worried. Would he understand it?

He got up and hugged her. “Kimi, I know that feeling. When we are doing promotion or touring my days are loaded with work as well.” He kissed her softly. “It’s sad that we can’t see each other for a couple days, but I think we need to get used to it, right?” She nodded smiling.

“And it has one good thing. Rich and I should get some work done as well, which means Fran won’t be angry at you anymore when the new album comes out.” Kim laughed out loud.