Six

CHAPTER SIX

Isabella's POV

"What do you do in your free time?" There was a little smirk plastered to his chin as he asked.

"Reading," I said, shifting my gaze from his eyes, "Writing. I do both. Actually."

"And dropping presents to the doorstep of a stranger." He added, and I dropped the coffee drink. It almost spilled but I quickly reached for it.

"Oh, oh, careful." He said with a deep voice, helping with it. "Maybe I was wrong. It could be someone else. Just that I smell something familiar whenever the gifts are being dropped to my doorstep."

"Were you always standing behind the door when the presents are on their way?" I asked, rolling my eyes in my head.

He sipped coffee from the cup and downed it after the first taste. He must love coffee much more than I do.

"Did you come here alone?" He changed the topic of the discussion. I let out a quiet sigh and followed the flow.

"Actually, yes."

"No friends?"

"No friends." I replied sternly.

"Not planning to make any friends?" He raised his brow now and fixed his eyes on me. It felt threatening so I had to lower my gaze.

"Maybe not so soon. But making new friends is actually exciting. And being with creepy people can be stunning as well." I replied but he scoffed and dropped the coffee cup.

"I live in the largest old building close to the cozy little cottages around this outskirts of the town. Is there any chance to see you again?" He asked. He spoke like though he has memorized this speech and was trying to get it out of his head right on time.

"I know where you live."

"I know that you do. You bring me presents. But I think that's another way to introduce myself to you properly." He said, and I offered a hand to shake him as it was getting late again.

"My hands are cold and I don't want to change the temperature of your body. I'm sorry." He coldly said and didn't accept the handshake. I shamefully took my hands back into my pocket before getting up.

"I'm running late." I said.

"I can drive you home when we are done." He retorted but when I noticed the number of people leaving this place already, I made the proper decision.

"It's very nice to meet you, Noah, and thank you for saving me, but I need to go. Like, now." I said and a bright smile shone on my lips.

He got up as well and made the first move. "If you need to leave now, I will see you to your destination."

"I can get home myself, but thanks for the help." I said and chuckled softly.

He pointed towards the other side of the road. "I wasn't going to follow you home since it is inconvenient. But that's your friend. She will be happy to take you home."

I gazed at him quickly. "What friend?" But his fingers remained pointed to the car parked on the other side of the road. I waited for the woman to come out of the car and when she did, I realized that it was Sienna, the girl that I met at the closest coffee shop to my cottage.

"Thank—" I wanted to appreciate him but he was nowhere in sight. I let out a deep breath and quickly crossed to the other side of the road. I stood behind Sienna and tickled the back of her neck with my fingertips.

She screamed and almost tripped as she quickly turned to look at me. Her angry expression melted into a playful one when she noticed me

"Argh. The most awkward way to greet a new friend." She qualified and I pulled her up. There was a smirk etched to her lips which signified her excitement to see me again.

"Where are you headed? I'm sorry for leaving you at the coffee shop the other time. I was damn nervous." I said, and she pulled me by my hands and led me to the car. We were seated before she replied to me.

"This is how my friends talk to me. Not standing by the roadside and chatting like villagers. I'm sorry for making you feel inconvenient the other time. I thought you were crushing on the quiet guy. How have you been?" Sienna replied to me and turned on the A.C. It felt new to me but I tried to hide that fact.

My father had a fleet of cars but the worst Camry he's ever driven was given to me. My stepmother, Natasha, deliberately hindered me from having any of the modern cars. Who drives this sixteen Century Camry in this age? That was exaggerative but the car was indeed old.

"It's been a boring life since I arrived this town, but I think there's a little life in it now. I've got this red haired crazy girl who prefers to make me convenient before listening to me." I said and there was a little smirk on her lips.

"I love it when people flatter me because I don't get to believe any of it."

"Ooh. That wasn't any flattering words. Anyway, where were you headed? Perhaps we can go there together?"

"Actually, I was meant to go alone for some reasons best known to me, but do you really want to come?" She asked, her eyes hinting at something more.

"What's it like? Going to see a boyfriend, your dad, or something else?"

"I don't have a boyfriend. I don't have a dad. But I've got something else." She said and we both laughed it off.

"You really must be a joker. Turn the keys. My instincts say, Sienna will not drive me into the woods." I said.

"Always trust your instincts. That's the spirit." She said, turning the keys. "We're going to have fun with someone important to us."

"Who are you talking about? Your dad maybe? A nice guy?"

She hit the steering wheel with her palms frustratingly. "I've just told you that I don't have a father. I'm an orphan and I stay alone."

"Aw. I'm so sorry. I thought that was a mere joke." I said and looked at her lips beaming with smiles again. Why was she so happy if she was indeed fatherless and without a boyfriend? Maybe she has a lot of friends?

"If you're going to come to a party tonight, you should get dressed. Really. So, we're visiting the boutique first and then we'll head to the party." She said, but it felt too sudden.

"A night party?"

"I think you're an insider. I'll make sure you're fine. And yes if you're not cool with it, I can drive you home and we will get to see each other tomorrow."

I paused for a second while weighing my options. "I don't think it's a bad idea, but what happens to my car?"

"You can drive your car while I drive mine. Follow the same path that I follow." She said and I scoffed, shaking my head in disagreement.

"I can simply go back home. I'm anxious." I said and after few exchanges, I got down from the car and got into my own car. I said my goodbyes and father than zooming off to her direction, she followed my route.