"David?" I inquired softly as we walked towards his car. I recalled him saying his name to my father just the night before.
"Yeah, that's my name," he responded swinging the car door open.
Slipping into the passenger's seat, I settled in, making myself comfortable amidst the soft upholstery. "I've never seen you once in church" I remarked, my words tinged with a gentle curiosity. "I suppose you don't come all the time." With an observant gaze, I watched him carefully place the key in the ignition and turned it to start the car up.
"I don't come at all, I was at my grandma's for Christmas so I opted to stay until New Year" he replied glancing over his shoulder as he skillfully reversed the car. His profile gave off sexy; his narrow jawline and defined cheekbones accentuated his ruggedly handsome features, complemented by the dark stubble that adorned his face. He appeared both dangerously alluring and irresistibly innocent at the same time. Shifting his attention forward once again, he patiently waited for the security guard to open the gate, his eyes fixed on the entrance.
"So, this was your first time visiting the church?" I inquired, unable to resist my growing curiosity. Typically, I'm not one to engage in lengthy conversations, but there was something about him that intrigued me, I wanted to know every little bit of him if he would permit me to.
"No, it's not, I spent my childhood days in Wollongong" he responded while he kept his attention on the road.
"Oh, it makes perfect sense" I uttered, my voice filled with a touch of awe and realization. "Thank you for allowing me to stay," I added, swallowing my pride and expressing my gratitude. I noticed that he silently acknowledged my words as he smiled subtly.
The journey continued in silence, yet felt comforting rather than awkward. With him, I felt an unexplainable sense of ease and familiarity, like we had known each other for a while.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the park. He skillfully maneuvered the car to a stop, and we got out. The park appeared somewhat desolate. It was the dawn of the new year, after all, and it seemed that most people had chosen the comfort of their homes over embarking on journeys.
"Wollongong," David said softly to one of the bus drivers, his voice tinged with anticipation.
"No Wollongong buses, sir," the driver replied "Have you not been following the news?"
"Uhm! No! Why?" David questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"A major accident occurred and emergency services are responding to them so the road has been temporarily blocked until the situation is resolved and any necessary cleanup is completed." The driver narrated.
"What?" David questioned in a disappointed tone, his voice laden with frustration and confusion. He rubbed his forehead with his palm, displaying the weight of his thoughts. Turning his attention towards me, his gaze locked with mine, but it was obvious that he was immersed in his own thoughts. Gradually, he shifted his focus to the driver. "Alright, thank you sir." He made his way towards me, closing the distance between us.
Frustration clouded my thoughts as I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "What do we do?" I asked "It means I won't be able to return home within the next two days, or it could possibly be even longer" I frowned.
"Call your dad and explain to him" he suggested "Do you have anyone here in Sydney you can stay with?" he asked
"No" I replied, pondering his question, I inwardly questioned whether I had anyone in Sydney I could turn to.
His gaze lingered on me, his eyes filled with concern as he sought to comprehend our options. "You'd have to stay in a hotel?" he inquired, his voice carrying a mixture of worry and curiosity.
"I'm not sure". Contemplating the possibilities, I reached for my phone, to contact my dad once more.
"Let's get into the car," he said.
I nodded, silently acknowledging the need to follow his lead.
"Hello Dad" I said to my dad over the phone as I fastened my seatbelt. Despite my attempt to explain the circumstances to him, it appeared that he was already well-informed about the issue at hand.
"I'll talk to Mr. Kingsley," he assured me before abruptly ending the call.
"What did he say?" David asked starting the car's engine.
"He said he'll talk to your dad," I sighed, feeling my frustration rise as I ran a hand through my hair. The situation seemed to be deteriorating by the minute, casting a shadow over my plans for the new year. I had eagerly anticipated the arrival of my favorite cousin, Lisa, who also happened to be my closest confidant, our bond was unbreakable and she was slated to spend this cherished time at our house along with other family members. Among our grand plans was a visit to the Zoo, a tradition we had upheld year after year. However, now I found myself inexplicably trapped in this unfamiliar city with David Kingsley of all people.
After a while, I decided to break the silence. With a curious tone, I mustered the courage to inquire, "How is it that my father knows you, despite your infrequent attendance at the services held at Wollongong?"
"You should know Mr. Kingsley" he replied.
Suddenly, after all these while the mention of the name this time triggered a memory within me, and I recalled Mr. Kingsley the distinguished figure who served as the Head of the Security Unit.
"Oh! So, you must be his son then?" I exclaimed in astonishment. I hadn't anticipated such a familial tie between this hard-headed young man and the respected Mr. Kingsley. I couldn't help but express my admiration for the kind-heartedness of my father, for he seemed worlds apart from this person before me. "Who would have thought? Your father is such a noble person, and yet, you possess a distinct character. You're nothing like him."
"I'm glad you know that" he said plainly, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. I'm taken aback by his flippant response, how could someone be so impolite?.
"So, tell me, how much have you engaged in any morally or ethically dubious acts?" my curiosity getting the best of me
"You might have forgotten we are not friends" he responded
Undeterred, I pushed back "Well, I need to know who you are to be on the safe side," I asserted firmly
"And that's why I told you the son of whom I am. I hoped that would help you relax a little." He responded, sounding a bit languid, as if he had already revealed enough information about himself.
"Oh, it doesn't," I replied with a touch of defiance, but my words fell upon deaf ears as he remained focused on the road ahead. Frustration welled up within me like a tempestuous storm, and I let out an exasperated huff, casting my gaze out of the car window. In that fleeting instant, If I ever had the chance, I imagined how satisfying it would be to choke him.
Soon enough, we arrived at his residence, and he turned towards me "These are the keys," he emphasized. "I don't know how long I'll be at work, while I await your dad's call, do not feel at home", he warned in a soft tone as he handed the keys to me.
I scoffed inwardly at his warning. Clutching the keys in my hand, I muttered a nonchalant "Whatever" under my breath. Deep down, I knew he had no true understanding of what he was saying. What did he expect me to do? Sit idly, waiting for his return, like a prisoner awaiting her captor's next move? There was no way that was going to happen.
I strode into the front door, not ready to succumb to his words.
As I heard the sound of his departure echoing in the distance, I quietly closed the door behind me, ensuring its lock engaged firmly so that no one, apart from him, would be granted access.
I positioned myself near the door, ensuring its closure behind me, as I pondered my next course of action. A sense of unease started to settle within me, I needed to take a shower
I made my way into the bathroom of my temporary room. The water cascading from the faucet offered a soothing warmth. For nearly an hour, I immersed myself in the rejuvenating embrace of the bathtub.
Emerging from the water's embrace, I reached for a conveniently placed towel, gracefully hanging from the rod. It tenderly caressed my skin as I meticulously dried myself, before gently draping it around my chest.
I opened the wardrobe in the hopes of finding a different outfit to wear. Unfortunately, my search ended in failure when I encountered a void devoid of any appropriate clothing. 'How lovely' I said trying to contain my frustration.
For a split second, I considered going into his room, but the moral dilemma of entering his personal space quickly eliminated that idea. It was still unclear whether his door was even opened, which made my situation even more difficult.
"The washroom!" I exclaimed, my voice resounding with a sudden burst of excitement as if I had just stumbled upon the elusive answer to a complex puzzle I'd been struggling with. I should be able to find some dry and folded clothes there, the problem was I had no idea where the room was.
I walked out of my supposed room with the towel wrapped around my body and made my way toward the kitchen looking for a room labeled 'washroom or laundry room'. I gestured towards various doors I passed by, attempting to decipher their significance in this huge house, uncertain of their purpose or relevance. Some rooms I dismissed with a nonchalant wave.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of exploration, there it stood, the laundry room, nestled comfortably adjacent to the back door. A wave of relief washed over me. I stepped into the laundry room, greeted by the sight of neatly organized shelves laden with fresh clothes. At the center of the room stood the sturdy washing machine and dryer. I noticed his soiled clothes were nicely folded in a basket.
My eyes wandered over the assortment, searching for something suitable to wear amidst the limited options. Eventually, I settled for a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt from the stack of clean clothes. Although the shirt was undeniably oversized for my petite frame, I found myself with no other option but to don them.
I made my way to the comfortable confines of the sitting room, with the intention of enjoying a leisurely television watching session while also awaiting my Dad's call. The thought of having no housework to do and just relaxing seemed like a little slice of heaven, the new year wasn't going so bad after all.
I spent hours immersed in the magical world of Disney, but eventually I gave in to tiredness and fell asleep.
When my eyes fluttered open, the clock on the wall sternly announced the time: 4:35 PM. My stomach grumbled audibly, reminding me of how hungry I was.
As I waited for his arrival, I got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen, hoping to get something light to eat. However, my intentions were abruptly halted as the front door swung open causing me to let out a sigh of relief. "Finally," I mumbled, relieved at the prospect of his arrival. It seemed I had missed his presence more than I had anticipated. But as I turned toward the source of the sound, a wave of surprise washed over me. Instead of encountering the familiar face of David Kingsley, my gaze fell upon a young lady of striking beauty. Her fair complexion glowed radiantly, perfectly complemented by her choice of outfit, a form-fitting pair of jeans and an alluring wrap top, her hair elegantly gathered in a ponytail accentuated her features, and she exuded an air of confidence.
She stood frozen, just as astonished as I was. The thought crossed my mind that she must be his girlfriend. I couldn't help but imagine the adorable children they might have together.
"Who are you?" Her voice, calm and sweet, cut through the room
As I stood there, unable to utter a single word, wondering who I was, the door swung open once more, revealing the figure of David. My gaze shifted from the lady's piercing eyes to David, whose entrance had disrupted the stillness of the room. With his arrival, a glimmer of relief washed over me. "Nice," I whispered under my breath, a tinge of irony lacing my voice "You have some explaining to do, young man,".
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A/N: Heyyy besties, it's me again.
Had to cut this chapter because it was getting too long. Please let me know your thoughts.
What do you think thus far about Jane?
And I would love to know your opinions on David. How does he come across to you?
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