The black car peacefully rolled under the hot morning sky in the middle of the highway. Soon enough we would reach our destination—the airport— which is only one hour drive away from the Crawford Mansion. I sunk deeper into the front seat, clinging to the available warmth I could take to console myself from my unknown fate.
The thought of leaving was enough to rattle my nerves and I fidgeted on my seat, anxiety and fear eating inside. Until now, I couldn't believe I'm leaving Cordova. God knows how long it would be before I could successfully return, perhaps it would take a year or two to co back here.
I cuddled Faith Vienne closer to my chest and forced my attention to linger on the passing green sceneries outside the window. It would help divert my attention from cowering at the last minute and drive back ho. Don't want to disappoint my father, my grandmother, and my eight brothers.
I was thankful I did a good job convincing them not to drive to the airport since it would make feel worse inside. As a result it was Carter who acted as my driver to take to my destination. Looking at him now, it seems I made the wrong decision.
Seated on the driver's seat was the demigod who tended Clarissa's well-loved garden with care. As usual, he wore his regular uniform, a plain white t-shirt that made him look quite regal and a pair of ripped jeans I couldn't get tired of looking at especially when he looked like a fashion model within it. He has a somber expression on his handso face. It made wonder if soone died.
His thick eyebrows seem to rge in a straight line while he drives in concentration.
His tensed strong jaw was clenched tightly and he was gripping the steering wheel firmly enough to hinder the flow of blood from his fingers. His strange reaction gave the impression of a man who just fought and lost a war. The mont he entered the car, he uttered not a single word which suddenly made wonder if he was obliged to drive to the airport against his will.
But if he was opposed to the idea, he did not say it out loud and I am in no position to ask him the question.
I shrugged my shoulders and tore my attention from his distracting handso features. Despite the darkness that envelops his face he managed to appear so appealing to . It was not his physical appearance which made drawn to him, there's sothing deeper and stronger than physical attraction. Love perhaps? I shuddered at the thought and quickly vanished the thought out of my mind.
Love is an overstatent but I could consider it a close description.
Soon I would leave this country. Whatever strange tender I feel towards him, it would vanish in ti from his absence. But even after I told myself I would forget him still I wasn't entirely convinced I would. What I felt towards him was no fleeting fancy. It was clear that no man alive has ever made feel so high and no amount of drug will.
The hours seem shorter than usual. So much to wish ti would slow down. We arrived on the airport earlier than expected. The car pulled into a stop and he clmibed out of the car to open the door for . Slowly, I climbed out with Faith Vienne still in my arms. Carter opened passenger's seat and lifted the stroller out.
"Thank you." I whispered and lowered my daughter down the stroller.
I was stretching my numbed arms when he pulled a large suitcase out. It cointains my clothes and Faith Vienne's too. Papa insist that I would bring few clothes with so it wouldn't be difficult for to travel. He said that I could expand my wardrobe once I'm settled in Brittania. I couldn't agree more with the idea especially that I have a child with . Faith Vienne's safety is my priority.
Aside from the large suitcase, I also carried a small backpack with which contains milk and baby necessities.
We are entering the airport to catch my flight when I heard the announcent on the speak: "Attention passengers on Royal Air flight 232 to Brittania."
That was my flight! I mumbled with a jolt of surprise, my gaze shifted to the large flight monitor while Carter followed behind carrying my backpack behind his left shoulder and pulling my large suitcase on his vacant hand. My eyebrow scrunched in confusion when I saw that my flight was rescheduled.
"This is an announcent for passengers on flight 232 to Brittania. The flight has been delayed due to chanical issues. . Our new departure ti is 3:00 pm. Please be patient. Thank you."
My flight would he delayed for another four hours. I accidentally caught Carter's eye. For a fleeting mont, emotion flickered on his eyes, I wonder if it was relief I saw. but before I could fathom what it was it vanished so fast that I wonder if it even existed.
"There's a mall nearby, only walking distance away from here, I suggest we go for a walk before waiting could bore us to death." It was the first ti Carter spoke. He was intently looking at and I I beca self-conscious. I wondered if there's so dirt on my face.
My eyes wander on the crowded airport, and consider that it was a brilliant idea. I have more ti to spend with him. The thought nearly made smile. I sure I would never feel bored with him as my company.
"My suitcase—shall we bring it?" My eyes shifted to the suitcase on his right hand. It would be a burden to stroll inside the mall with such a heavy baggage.
"I shall leave your large suitcase on the baggage counter Madam." He offered and I must admit it was a wise idea. I watch him walk to the counter. Heads turned as he made his way, majority of the onlookers were won throwing him curious and admiring glance. He seems not to notice the looks he was stealing. I smiled to myself while watching the scene with amusent.
Carter could wear anything, even a rag, but still could manage to appear dashing.
The soft breeze ruffled his hair as we stepped outside. We walked in silence, as we do so, the crowd seem to disappear and there was only the two of us. I could continue to look at him and not feel tired all.
"I'll help you Madam." He said, and before I could object, he gently pulled the stroller to do the the task. His large hands accidentally touched mine and I flinched in response as the simple gesture burned my skin. How odd, the simple touch was enough to sent shivers down my spine. Realizing that I was still holding my breath, I let it go before I could die of suffocation.
We entered the mall. Music from the speaker filled the air. People seem to rush all around us while we move in incredibly slow speed but he didn't seem to mind. Tenderness welled inside watching him push the stroller in front. Who would have notice that he wasn't the father of the child inside the stroller. He appeared blissfully happy as if was enjoying the mont the way I did.
I allow my illusion to take over. For a short ti, I would pretend he was my husband and the father of my child. But then I didn't neet to pretend at all since I actually feel inside that were a real family.
We pass so clothing boutiques, hair salons, jewelry shops, food stalls, and various stores selling their best products but we barely seem to notice any products on display. We are wrapped in our own thoughts and intently observing one another. Everything seem so right that for a mont I forgot that sothing was missing in my life.
For the first ti, I am perfectly content the way I'd never been before.
When we found ourselves overco with hunger, we found ourselves entering a pizza parlor. Carter ordered Hawaiian pizza and two pineapple juice while I waited for him on our table. Shortly he returned with our orders in hand. We share the food in silence, no one attempted to speak, both of us are content with the situation.
When Faith Vienne cried, he mived quickly to pick her inside the stroller and settled her into his arms. She stopped crying and contentedly stared at him with her wide innocent eyes. He continue to eat while holding her. Carter was only helping , I reminded myself whike crushing any assumptions.
We strolled on the mall once more and waited until it was ti to return to the airport. When it was ti to leave my tears almost fell but I bit my lips to conceal them.
"Goodbye Beatrix. Take care." He said for the first ti calling on my first na.
The mory of his smile was the only thing I have in mind as I walk away. I know that it would take a long ti to recover from my feelings for him. I must definitely admit it—I realize I was inlove with Carter, our gardener.
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