The sun shone brightly through the white curtains that hung in the bedroom portion of the hotel room. But that wasn’t what woke Kim up. It was the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She sat up in bed and stretched her arms out, feeling it everywhere. She covered as she let out a big yawn. Kim stepped out of bed, and looked herself in the mirror. Her hair was in disarray, and she looked like she didn’t have much sleep last night, which she didn’t because all the wine she drank.

Kim went to bed earlier than Gerald. He was still outside, sitting on one of the chairs instead of standing. She gave him a cup of hot coffee despite him saying he didn’t want any. For a brief moment their fingers touched, and she felt the tingles everywhere.

She called Erich before shutting the lights off, and told her everything; about the plane ride, the fight about the bed, the head injury, the elevator incident, the article incident, the Romeo and Juliet line he said to her. All she really remembered was laughing on the phone, most done by Erich. When Kim asked for advice, not really sure what about because Kim knew she couldn’t do anything despite the overwhelming attraction growing between them, Erich said to have fun, but not forget the job she needed to do. It didn’t really help her, since she knew it already, but it helped hearing her best friend’s voice. She promised to call Erich tonight again about her experience to come.

After she got off the phone with Erich, she gave Melissa a call, taking into consideration the time difference, and gave her a heads up that Gerald and her skipped the dinner, and surprisingly Melissa liked the idea, it gave the public a little mystery between the new player, Melissa said. [Does anyone know what team Gerald plays or played for? It would help because I’m kind of avoiding saying the name of his team. Or maybe some favourite basketball teams in general?] Melissa gave her a little pep talk about the upcoming press conference, and then it was night night for Kimmy. However, she heard the television downstairs, knowing Gerald wasn’t asleep. It wasn’t that the TV kept her awake; it was her loud thoughts in her mind that kept her awake.

Everything inside of her was screaming with desire to be near Gerald, but her brain was screaming everything opposite. And she couldn’t deal with what her heart was saying. She kept replaying dinner in her mind. Despite talking for an hour, he was able to avoid talking about anything that seemed too personal, so she wasn’t getting any closer to her desire of getting to know him. But today was a new day, and she knew if she wanted to get anything from him, she had to gain his trust; she had to be honest with him; and it didn’t involve any alcoholic drink of any kind.

Kim went downstairs after brushing her teeth, and applying very neutral make-up: eye-liner, a little bit of blush and lip gloss. She wore a pair of dark-washed skinny jeans and a boat neckline sweater. She found Gerald lying on the couch, channel surfing. She stood with her arms crossed, “How well did you sleep last night?”

His eyes immediately shot up and caught a glimpse of her beauty. The sun was so bright that it was reflecting off the mirror behind her, and Gerald squinted his eyes. “How well did you sleep last night?”

“Good point. So we have a press conference at 4:00, with an empty schedule until then.” She said, reiterating the itinerary. “And I thought, if you didn’t have plans, you might want to grab a bite to eat, and go sight-seeing.” She said, considering the fact that she proposed the idea in the elevator the day before.

He groaned as he sat up, and then stood up. “Actually, I already have plans.” He walked to the washroom.

“Oh?” She turned around, and poured herself a cup of coffee to hide her disappointment.

“I have plans with a really hot girl.” He peeked his head out of the door, and smirked. Kim stared at him with a curious look. “Don’t try to act like it was your idea, I asked you out first…on our first meeting. And if I recall correctly, you owe me a meal.”

Kim tried to hide a smile, but failed miserably. “I wasn’t asking you out, I was asking you to go on a get-to-know-you trip, not a date. And if you have any thoughts otherwise, I’m going to have decline again.”

He chuckled, and walked out after washing his face. “Let me ask you something, what is it you do on a date? Get to know someone?” Kim couldn’t help but satisfy Gerald with her smile. “Nice try on trying to put a business purpose to it, but admit it. It’s a date.”

“Fine, it’s a business date. Call me when you’re ready. I’m going to go have breakfast downstairs.” She said, getting her purse and opening the door.

“You wanna start this date early,” he . He saw Kim turn around, and give him a last glance of her irresistible smile. She chuckled when she shut the door, because he could see she was enjoying their little back and forth flirting. Once she left Gerald went to take a shower. If they were going on a date, he had to make sure he was fresh.

Kim went downstairs to the lobby, using the stairs again. She kept on smiling as she walked down each step. It was fun listening to Gerald flirt with her; it’s not like anyone was doing it lately. But also because it was clear that he liked her too. She sat in the restaurant, and looked over the menu. She wished Gerald was with her to order for her like he did the night before. He seemed to know all her favourite foods.

The waiter approached her, and asked if she would like to start off with anything to drink. “An orange juice, please.” The waiter nodded.

After eating her breakfast, Gerald met her in the restaurant looking good as ever. He was wearing long, beige walking shorts, and a purple-white striped shirt. “Ms. Chiu,” he cleared his throat acting like their chauffeur from the first day there. “Would you like to join a very attractive man to a tour of the city?” He even had the dark shades on.

“Really? Who is it?” She , and saw the smile disappear from his face. She started to look around the restaurant, searching for this “mysterious” man.

“Shut up, and let’s go,” he said, beginning to walk away.

Kim laughed. She stood up, and was about to take some money out, but the waiter stopped her. “Miss. It’s already been taken care of.” His eyes pointed to Gerald who was just leaving the hotel. She smiled. This little business arrangement was beginning to please her a lot more than she would’ve ever imagined.

She took out her Ray Bands, and put them on, jogging to catch up with Gerald. “Thanks, for breakfast,” she said, not looking at him.

A grin spread across his face. “Your welcome.” He paused, realizing how close their bodies were. “Where to first?”

She took out a brochure she picked up. “Well, for sure I want to go to Central Park, but first I want to go to the Met.” She said, looking behind her for a cab.

He smiled, “The Museum? Didn’t know you were an artsy person.”

“I love art,” she exclaimed. “How someone can evoke so much emotion through one picture; how it can mean so many different things to different people; it’s amazing.” She chuckled embarrassed. “How about you? Do you like art?”

“I’m more of a sports fan.” He replied. She rolled her eyes. “But I used to draw when I was younger.”

“You did? Like what?” They continued walking along the sidewalk.

He became a little uneasy, rubbing his head and making sounds making it clear he was becoming uncomfortable. “You don’t have to answer,” she said. Maybe it was little too much too soon. “When I was about fourteen, I painted this picture of an eclipse, and all my teachers loved it that they posted it at the front of the school, so when you walked in, it was the first thing you’d see.” She laughed at the memory. “My art teacher even sent it in to this contest, and I won second prize. I was pretty upset that I didn’t get first, but it was the first thing I was ever proud of, you know. Something I could say, ‘I did this all by myself’ to. It was pretty liberating.”

“I did sketches.” He admitted. “I had this phase where I would sketch everything I’d see. But my dad never approved of it, so I stopped.” He laughed. “But I never won anything like you.”

She smiled. “Winning isn’t everything, you know. I was more proud of what I did than actually winning second prize. It was money, so I spent it within a week, and the only thing I had left was the painting. So at the end of the day, it’s not what you gained, but what made you gain it.”

He was pleased with what she said. For so long, winning was what was in his mind, and his motivation. He never thought about taking a step back and figuring out what got him there. He took her hand, and he felt Kim jump. “Let’s go.” He raised his hand, halting a cab.

Kim’s eyes widened to the sudden closeness of their bodies, but eased into it. During the ride, Gerald took out his camera, and pointed it outside. Once he got tired of the scenery, he moved onto the image of the beauty beside him. “Gerald, stop it,” she warned him. But he didn’t stop. “Gerald, stop.” She put her hands in front of her face.

“Come on, the lighting’s so good.” He said.

“Right, now you’re a photographer? Stop!” But she heard the shuttering sounds. He was taking pictures of her. “Ge!” She said, taking her hands away from her face.

“Just one, please.” He said. “Smile!”

She gave him an angry face, but couldn’t keep it, so she started laughing. “Gerald!” She said trying to take the camera away from him. He kept taking pictures of her. She finally was able to get the camera from him, and took pictures of him, but he wasn’t reluctant. He was a poser of all kinds. She laughed at how silly he looked, how adorable he looked.

The next moment, they were taking pictures together. Gerald got hold of the camera, and they were posing together, laughing and just having fun. It was a good start to the day.

The driver dropped them off at the Museum, and took pictures of outside too, Kim no longer camera shy. They saw the works of Louis C. Tiffany, Artemesia Gentileschi, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Mary Cassatt, John Singleton Copley, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and John La Farge. During the tour, Gerald would whisper little jokes in her ear, and Kim would start laughing during the lecture on the artists. They were told several times to get a hold of themselves, but they couldn’t stop.

After the Met, they walked a few miles. And when Kim got tired of walking, Gerald would carry her on his back on a piggy-back ride. They ended up in this little park in a residential area. There was an ice cream vendor, and Gerald paid for her vanilla and chocolate twist, while he settled for a very traditional fudgesicle. She was able to get him to open up just a little bit. He spoke about his elementary years, the places he went to, and things he enjoyed doing, while she returned the favour, telling him all the things she could think of when she was a little kid.

He saw that there was an empty basketball court, and a rack of basketballs where you paid a quarter to get one. He put the coin inside, and starting dribbling the ball. “So you ready to show me some of your moves?”

She scoffed. “Oh, just because you’re a pro, you think you’re the best?” She held out hands, ready to receive the ball. He passed it to her.

“Go on, pretty girl!” He encouraged.

Kim dribbled a few times before taking a shot, scoring. She raised both her arms, “Yes!” She yelled in delight.

He caught the ball. “Pretty good. I’m surprised.” He said.

“I was taught well,” she said, walking towards him, trying to get the ball away from him, but he did a quick move, and went around her, taking a shot himself. “See, now you’re just showing off.”

He laughed. “Come on, pretty girl.” He called to her. She ran towards him, and snatched the ball away from him, doing a lay up herself. “Oh, wow. Ms. PR agent can handle the ball.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s Gerald Anderson!” Voices called to them. Kim turned around seeing a bunch of little kids. “Gerald! Gerald!” They were little boys, not older than ten years old.

“Hey guys!” He jogged towards them, crouching down to their level. “How are ya fellas?”

Kim stayed where she was watching Gerald with the kids. She was able to hear little chatter between them, mostly about how amazing Gerald was and how he was their idol. He then took out a marker from his pockets, and signed their shirts. He didn’t just run away from them, but he even asked if they wanted to play a game. The kids didn’t even think twice about saying yes. Kim threw the ball to Gerald, and walked to a nearby bench.

She watched Gerald play with the kids. He was so great with them; he would carry the kids on his team to help them reach the net and make a slam dunk. In the middle of it, it stopped being a game, and turned into a lesson. Gerald was teaching them how to properly throw the ball, showing them how to be in control of the ball. He even showed them little tricks. He was such an amazing guy. Everything he did would make up for being such a jerk before, and take her by surprise, causing her to like him even more.

The more she watched him with the kids, she couldn’t help but imagine what an amazing father he’d be to his kids. Then it hit her. Kid…article…press…press conference. The press conference. She looked at her clock and it was 3:00. They were all the way downtown; no way could they return back to the hotel to change, and get to the sports centre for the meeting in time. “Gerald!” She called, standing up.

Gerald looked up, staring at her. He saw her tap her wrist, and he looked at his watch. 3:00. “Sorry guys, but I gotta go.” He said, passing the ball to the guy in front of him who happened to be the smallest. He knelt down on one knee, and signed the ball in his tiny hands. “For you, buddy.”

The other boys groaned in disappointment. “I’ll see you guys later!” He called, while he jogged to Kim.

“We’re gonna be late.” She said, speed walking out of the park, and hailing a cab.

“Didn’t we already have this conversation? Faith, Kim. Have a little faith.” He said, sliding in beside her.

She scoffed. “We can’t even go back to the hotel and change.” She said, opening the window. She couldn’t think about what this would do to her career if she was late for her first public press conference she was in charge of. She took a deep breath, and looked over at Gerald. He was staring out the window, his finger touching his lips. She was so care-free, so laid back. Even if they weren’t in business together, they were so different. She was a type-A and he was a type-B; she was a stress-case and he was relaxed.

Kim let her mind race, and panic, hoping her face wasn’t showing any sign of it. She didn’t need another lecture from Gerald about taking a deep breath and staying calm. She didn’t even realize that Gerald told the driver to go to the sports center until the driver dropped them off in front of the building.

He paid the driver, and the two of them got out. “We can’t go in there looking like this!” Kim exclaimed. “What are we going to do? Gerald took her hand again, and pulled her towards the boutique across the street. “Gerald, what are you doing?”

They opened the door, and saw that the clock read 3:49. “You have 10 minutes to choose an outfit, and change into it before the conference begins. So I suggest you stop asking questions and choose something along that rack. It has your colours.” He told her.

She looked at the rack he was talking about and saw all sorts of different colours. Blood rushed to her cheeks, and she walked away from him to hide the colour change in her face. She chose the first outfit she could find: a grey pencil skirt and a red V-neck shirt. It was nothing she’d wear ever, but she didn’t have any choice considering the fact that she only had limited time to pick an outfit. By the time she changed into it, Gerald was at the register with his credit card in hand. “…And everything she’s wearing also.” He swiped it, and went to her to grab her hand. “Let’s go. We have 3 minutes.”

The arrived in the room just in time for his name to be called. He let go of her hand, and walked to where the rest of his team mates were.

10 minutes passed, and the questions were usually for the coach and another player, Matt, a good friend of Gerald’s. Lately he’s been seen coming out of bars drunk and with different women in his arm. The only reason she knew about him was because he was Melissa’s boyfriend. She prayed that the questions would continue to only target those two, but when she heard Gerald’s name being called and the same guy who asked her about Gerald the day before, stood up, she knew her prayer was not answered.

“Mr. Anderson. What do you have to say about the article written about you for being a potential father? What do you have to say to the parents of the children who admire and look up to you as an icon? You have such a strong fan base full of young kids, is this the example you’re setting for them?”

Kim’s face whitened. She just remembered that she didn’t have time to prep him, and he was on his own. She hoped he was right and he didn’t need people to tell him what to say or what to think; not only for his career but for hers too.

Everyone was waiting for Gerald’s answer. Kim looked down so afraid of what he was going to say. The reporter began to chuckle. “Do you need the hear the question again?”

Kim looked up. Gerald was smiling. ‘Why is he smiling?! Answer the damn man!’ Kim’s voice screamed in her head.

“I’m not going to sit here and speak to you about my life,” he started. Kim sighed, ‘This is it. He’s going to ruin it.’ She said. “As for the woman,” he continued. “what happened, happened. I can’t go back, and I’m not going to deny what I did. I am twenty-five years old; I’m successful and I’m young and I’m allowed to make mistakes. But I don’t think this is a mistake. When I’m done here, I’m going to go back home and take a paternity test. If I turn out to be the father, I’m going to do the responsible thing; I’ll raise that child, because it’ll be the best thing that’s ever happened. A child is a blessing no matter how the child was conceived.” He took a pause, and saw a surprised face on everyone in the room. “And as for the children who look up to me; that’s exactly how I’d want them to know me: I’m someone who’s going to make mistakes because I’m human, and I’m exactly like everyone else. But I’m also the type of person who will always do the right and responsible thing. How’s that for your article?”

Scattered applause started throughout the room. Kim couldn’t help herself but smile. She caught Gerald’s gaze and mouthed “Good job,” with a thumbs up and a genuine smile.

He nodded. Gerald didn’t care about the patting on his back, or the applause; all that mattered was the smile on her face.

The rest of the press conference went smoothly afterwards, sticking to their upcoming season as a basketball team. Kim’s phone rang, and she walked to the hallway and saw it was Melissa. “Hey, you watch it?” She whispered.

“Yeah, great job. You guys did fabulous. The speech he said about doing the right thing; you did exactly what we expected you to do.” Melissa said.

Kim could feel her smile through the phone. “Yeah, he did a fantastic job.”

“You did too, Kim. Don’t let him take all the credit.” Melissa said.

“No, it was all him. He did all of it himself. We were busy all afternoon that I forgot to prep him, so that was Gerald, the real Gerald.” She replied, knowing she was disappointing Melissa.

Melissa was quiet on the phone for a few seconds. “Wow, well tell him we all think he did great. Janet couldn’t keep her eyes off TV. Also, maybe we shouldn’t tell Janet about you not prepping him.”

Kim laughed, “Okay. Anyways, I should go. The press conference is almost over, and I want to congratulate him.” She said. “Thanks, bye.” She hung up the phone with Melissa, and walked back into the conference room. She was right, the meeting was pretty much over, and everyone was taking pictures of all the players. She couldn’t find Gerald. She walked over to Matt. “Hey, have you see Gerald?”

“Yeah, I saw him walk over outside.” He replied, walking away to another reporter.

“Thanks!” She called out to him. Kim pushed past the crowding people, and finally made it outside. His arms were crossed, and he was leaning against a brick wall. She made it beside him, but he didn’t acknowledge her presence. “Hey,” she said quietly. “You did great in there. Melissa just called me and said everyone is very surprised and happy for you.” She smiled, expecting him to return it, but didn’t. “Ge, are you okay?”

He nodded, “They’re vultures in there.”

She chuckled, “Yeah. I thought you knew that coming into the business. They tear your head off for everything you do; even if it’s good, they’ll change the story to make you seem like the bad guy. But that’s why athletes have publicists, to watch over you guys and make sure the vultures don’t eat you alive.” She nudged his arm laughing quietly.

“Her name’s Emma.” Kim stared at him. “The woman pregnant; her name’s Emma. We were together for a year and a half, and I broke it off with her because I caught her cheating.” He admitted.

She knew it was really hard for him to talk about that. She his arm. “Gerald, you don’t have to--”

“Even though she hurt me, I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now. The reporters are probably hounding her house right now. She never wanted to be part of this, the photos, the articles, the cameras, the stories; she told me she never wanted this to be her life. All the years I tried to come into the industry, she stuck by me despite her not wanting to, and now she’s in it.” He sighed.

“C’mon, let’s go back to the hotel.” She took his hand for the first time, and decided to walk to the three blocks to their hotel. The two of them took a shower before meeting back to the living room.

Kim found him on the floor. She sat on the couch behind him. “You have a basketball practice tomorrow.” She said quietly. “It starts early, so you might want to go to bed early. It’s at 7AM, until about 11?” Gerald stayed quiet. “Okay, Gerald, can you please say something. You spent the last two days talking, this is really weird.” Kim said.

Gerald chuckled, “I thought you’d enjoy some quiet time.”

“Yeah, well I guess I got used to the chatter coming from you. Talk to me. What’s on your mind. I have a degree in psychology, maybe I can help.” Kim offered.

“I thought you’re my publicist, now you’re my therapist?”

“Whatever you need?” She laughed. She got the door when someone knocked, and saw that Gerald ordered room service. She smiled and thanked the man, but had a tinge of fear that the events from the night before would replay again. She decided to keep that thought to herself. “You ordered food again?”

He smiled, “I was hungry. We did skip lunch.” He pulled the table towards him, and opened the bottle of Champaign. “And I thought we would celebrate the success of my first conference.”

She thought about it, and agreed to it. She sat back on the couch, and took the glass from Gerald. He poured himself a glass, and held it up. “To my very exceptional speech.”

She laughed, “To very conceited athletes.” She paused. “To your current success, and many more to come for someone who deserves it and much more.” She said on a more serious note. The two of them touched glasses, and drank.

Forty five minutes later, Kim was lying on her stomach on the couch, and Gerald was still sitting on the floor. They turned off the lights a while ago, and was stuck in candlelight. They were talking about his basketball career. He played basketball ever since he could hold a ball, and he won countless trophies in high school. Every conversation they had stuck to basketball. Even if it was about his life, it was about him playing the game during his spare time. She decided to take another spin on the whole situation. “Don’t you want to do something with your life other than play basketball? Or do something with the talent, like open a workshop? I mean the average athlete only stays on the scene until he…”

He waved his hand, “No, I don’t think I wanna know about the time I’m going to be a sell out.”

“Well you don’t have to be. Many athletes are doing it, they’re opening foundations, building homes. You can be one of those athletes.” Kim said, watching Gerald chuckling, shaking his head. “I’m not kidding. Those are the athletes who are more known. They are the ones who get more air time. Those guys show the public that they have more in mind than basketball; that their life isn’t centred on a game.”

He smiled. “I did have this vision once.” Kim raised her head, watching Gerald staring back at her. “I always dreamed of opening this community centre. You know, back in my old neighbourhood. I wanted to open up this place for young kids where they can go to for anything; have a room for a library, a pool, a soccer field, room for indoor sports, and of course a basketball court.” She laughed. “A place to escape the world, all the demands of people who claim to love you. Somewhere to get away from all the crap in the world, and be themselves.” He saw Kim look away, and put her head on the back of her hands. “What’s wrong with you?”

Kim stared away. She knew exactly what it felt like to need a place to escape. “I just think it’s a great idea. Some of us would really like it if they had that type thing when we were growing up.” She paused, feeling his eyes on her, waiting her to say more. “When I was younger, my mom and dad used to fight…all the time. Finally when I was 7 she just got up and left. I was stuck at home trying to figure how to hold together this big family. We lived off my dad’s pay cheque, so we had to make so many sacrifices. If I had a place to go to, to just be a kid, it probably would have helped me a lot.” She wiped away the moisture coming from her eyes. She never spoke about her mother, but Gerald did that to her; made her feel safe enough to share things she didn’t with anyone else.

“My dad doesn’t approve my me. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become a politician or something. He even said a doctor or a lawyer would be better than wasting your life on a game.” He confessed. “He must have a field day reading that article, about his son getting someone pregnant.”

She shook her head. “There’s another possibility, right? You may not be a father.”

“But I may be, and that’s all he’s going to care about. Another failure in his eyes.” He coughed, laughing away the embarrassment. She stared at him. He just revealed everything she wanted to know. She knew why he was sad, the pain behind his eyes and emotions. He was living in the shadow of his father, and had to figure out a way to live with the failure he was pushing onto him.

Their gazes locked, and she felt his hand on hers. His touch was so warm, so comforting. He was facing her completely now. She didn’t move her gaze, she kept her eyes on his. He wiped the tear from her eyes, and left his hand on her neck, caressing the smooth skin. Nothing was stopping him from what he was about to do. He was done with flirting, done with the rules. He shared the most important secret he kept with her, why shouldn’t he do what was about to happen.

They just met, but they knew each other now. He leaned in, and she could feel his breath on her lips; his masculine smell. She wanted him, never wanted anything more. “Gerald, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

He put his finger on her lips. “Don’t think,” the space between was enclosed by their lips.

The kiss was soft and gentle. He went on her knees, pulling her up from her position. His hands pressed her body against his; her hands on the side of his face. He tasted so good. She did exactly what he told her to do, not think, she let her senses take over. They each wanted to get to know each other, and they were both given the chance of knowing each other completely.

The kiss intensified. Gerald had one hand on the back of her head, entangling his fingers within each strand of her hair. Her soft, perfect lips moving in unison with his was exactly what he needed. He wanted her so much to the point of actually needing her; something he never experienced with anyone.

Kim was the one who broken the kiss. She was breathing heavily, her eyes still shut, trying to compose herself from what just happened. “I’m sorry,” he said. She stood up, and took his hand, leading him up the stairs. He couldn’t help but smile. They were in the bedroom, and she turned around to face him. Kim grabbed his shirt and she was the one who initiated the kiss this time.

He put his hands on her tiny waist, and pulled her against him, getting as close as possible. He leaned down, never parting their lips, and picked her up. She held onto him. She didn’t care how wrong this was, all she knew was that it felt so right.

Gerald gently placed her on the bed, and they separated for a brief moment, as he removed his shirt, she did the same, leaving her in her bra. He crawled on top of her continuing what they started. Kim hooked one leg around his waist. She could feel his hands on her body. His hands wandered all over, feeling her, worshipping her. He never imagined it feeling so good before.

He moved his lips onto her neck, tracing her collarbone. A low moan escaped from the back of . Her hands were on his head. His lips felt good on her skin, he made it back to her lips, and somehow they were in the covers. He looked up at her, and saw a blank stare. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

No one has ever asked her that before. He was such a gentleman. “Don’t think.” She gave him and smile, and lifted her head to reach his lips, capturing him in the most intense kiss. Her body shook as he gave her the pleasure he knew he was capable of giving her.