Chapter 3

I left the coffee shop and headed down the road in search of a mechanic shop. The stranger had disappeared.

After 15 minutes of walking around like a headless chicken, I finally found a mechanic shop. Out front had a sign decorated in red lit color with the logo Greg repairs. I entered the shop call and waited.

"Are you following me?" I heard someone ask. I recognize that smooth baritone voice. I look up and there he was. My face must of shown the shock I was in because he smirked at me. "no " I answered shyly tucking my hair behind my ears. "What are you doing here?", "What's your name?" I asked

He chuckled " My name is Sebastian Greg, the owner of this shop. And you are?"

"My name is Jane, I am actually searching for a mechanic, my car broke down outside of Burlington"

" well you are in luck, give me a few minutes let me grab my keys". He had a tow truck parked out front , I got in so we could go pick up my old Honda.

We sat there in awkward silence. My eyes slip to his left hand briefly and I notice he wasn't married, at least he wasn't wearing a ring. Just then he stop the truck open the door and got out to hook up the Honda.

Heading back into the Town I asked him how long it would take to fix the car and he said three days. A look of worry came over me. Three days was too long to be in the same place. What if Chris knows I am here, I cannot be here for that long, I thought to myself. " can't it be finish before then ?" I asked.

" I can do my best, are you in a rush to leave?"

"No" I answered. Not wanting him to notice my eagerness to leave.

" Great, Burlington is a great town you should stay a few days and get acquainted"

"ok, is there a motel around here that I can Stay?" I asked still worried about Chris finding me.

" Yes, I will take you there after I drop the car off by the shop.

"Thanks again for saving my life". The pleasure was all mine he said. I shivered at the implications behind is voice. Just those five words sent me on mental seduction. Was he flirting with me ? What the heck is wrong with me? It had been too long? I had never reacted to someone like this before, much less someone I just met. Those thoughts took me to a place I have never been in a long time. why now? what was it about him? I began to feel unbearably uncomfortable, the truck stop, I open the door. I tried not to run out. I gave a hasty bye with a polite smile but he called to me. "Jane" I stopped and turned around to him with a curious look. " It was nice to meet you, I look forward to seeing you again". With one last smile I turned and walked away. I was so tempted to turn and see if he was looking at me but I denied myself the satisfaction.

The room was clean, the bedding was fresh, for a motel in this area it was actually pretty good. I flopped onto the bed and immediately my mind started to wander. My memory brought me back to the near accident but this time my mind stayed on him. The sensations of his hands firmly gripping me on the sidewalk led me to tracing my skin with my fingers where his hands lingered . I could still smell him. Vividly in my eyes was his mesmerizing deep brown eyes and his tousled hair. "is it possible that he liked me? " I questioned myself , "could he?" "of course not look at me" I quickly rejected the thought." I mean look at me" I once again said and this time making my way to the mirror. I looked in the mirror and all I could see was brokenness, anger, hurt and pain. 'no one will ever love you, slut, bitch, fatty' Chris' words of insults washed over me in waves, that's all I could hear, it was like a CD on replay. Strong emotions of self hate consumed me and my insides began to churn, quickly turning from the mirror I brought my hands behind my back for a frustrating stretch and made my way over to the bed where I snuggled to my pillow and fell asleep.

I think I was having a good dream before it was abruptly ended by the alarm on my phone going off. I was shaken back into reality. I slowly open my eyes and of course would have to face my first misfortune of the day which was one of my eyelashes being stuck to my eyeball. "ouch" I internally screamed while I roll on the slovenly sheets. The sunlight from the small window hissed at my face beaming its ray of light into my one good eye "pouah" I scoffed, my disheveled, dark hair was scattered across my pillow, and every breath I exhaled smelled faintly of ammonia. Luckily there was no one here to share this putrid moment with. Slowly I found the strength to push myself off the bed allowing my feet to hit the cold floor.

After worming myself out of the bed I spotted the bathroom and took advantage of it. When I was done, I slowly crept to the window and peeked out. I couldn't help but notice the incredible surrounding. The streets of the town had been added as petals to a sugar-rose, for they arched inorganic swirls around the aromatic market place. There was an expanding of the colors of the town, brightening as the day strengthened. The wind chattered through the streets and the morning sun contrived to keep the town in ever-glow. I sneered at the view, the wooden floor gleamed beneath my feet. People walk back and forth weaving chatter as they go. I watch them, some heads down and lost in thought, others noticing the sun. Not everyday you come across a town that seems so friendly and pure. I mused as I step away from the window. My breath caught in my throat as I heard a knock on the door. 'Chris' my mind screamed out at me, trying to get control of myself, "he's in prison Jane, calm down" I said to myself, 'wait what if he got out and now he's here'. I felt the panic attack begin like a cluster in my abdomen, tension grew in my face and limbs, my mind replaying my dark moments with Chris. I started to breathe rapidly. There was the knock again a bit louder, I had the primal urge to flee, my heart started racing.

My thoughts accelerated inside my head. I wanted them to slow down so I could breathe but they wouldn't. My breaths came in gasps and this time I felt like I would black out. The room started to spin and I squat on the floor , trying to make everything slow to something my body and brain could cope with.

"Jane" I heard someone called. 'Sebastian, Sebastian Greg!' recognizing the familiar voice I immediately calmed down , got myself together and went to open the door. He had in his hand a cup of coffee and a sandwich, he smiled at me, His hair was mussed and was sticking out as if he too just woke up. Like a moron I stood there nervous . His eyes widened as he took in my appearance and a good morning escaped his lips.

"Hey beautiful look like you slept well last night"

Did he just call me beautiful.

Oh, God.

" why are..... why are you here?" I was stuttering, 'not again Jane'

His eyes were laughing at me, dimples popping out, he seemed to find joy in seeing me nervous around him.

"I brought you breakfast" he held up the food and stepped forward, I moved back and said, " Thank you"

He leaned against the door edge and crossed his arms across his impressive chest, looking at me with his head tilted to the side as if he was studying me. The muscle in his arms bunched. "Aren't you going to let me in?"

" Yes, come on in" I said quietly, but I was still feeling a bit nervous. When you grow up not knowing kindness or love especially the nine years experience with Chris, kindness doesn't come naturally to you.

"What are you doing today?"

"Stayin in" I said

" mhmm okay, I have to go see you tonight?"

we both stood there like kids whispering secrets to one another.

"Sure "I answered.

He cleared his throat. " Later Jane" he said softly.

*

A/N: Hey guys let me know what you think about this chapter :)