CHAPTER 19: That Red Car

Catherine's POV 

I tried to give in to his demands to get into the car, but then I heard it loud over the body of his car.

Fear tightened around me. My heart sank. My entire body remained frozen in place, but somehow something stirred in my heart when his hands dragged me into the car, like a flash.

The car's door went shut and the driver sped off, turning in the distant direction.

The air around the car seemed suffocating. Silence stretched out except for the beating of my heart that seemed to be in great panic.

I looked at the screen of the car as it sped into the streets. Jack never said a word. He never flinched nor was he scared.

I could sense it in his darkened expression, which was just unreadable. Everything about him was just as mysterious as when in the plane together.

Barely having the time to think, to go through what was ringing in my heart, when he turned to meet me, his hands reaching for mine, slowly brushing over mine.

"I'm sorry for that, I know you are startled, but I warned you about the area. You would have just put yourself as well as all of us in danger," he said, his voice cold as normal.

I nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry for that," I pleaded, turning away, my heart still racing. Something about him is still unsettling in my heart.

He never said a word after then. Moments later, we were parked in front of my house. I turned to unlock the car door, but slowly shifted my gaze to meet his gaze.

"Thanks for saving me today. I'm grateful," I said, before getting out of the car and slamming its door behind.

I had expected him to say something, but he never did, making me disappointed slightly in my heart.

Walking towards my gate, I stopped and watched his car drive into the streets. I sucked in a breath, walking into the compound and then into the living room.

I slumped onto the couch, its soft foam bouncing back.

My entire body reeling from the shock earlier. That wasn't damn funny, it was just absurd and scary.

My mind drifted to Jack. His thought lingered in my heart. He was handsome and breathtaking. His well-shaped muscles matched perfectly with his strong, sharp jawline, showing off his unique and striking looks. Every woman's dream.

But then, I needed no troubles." I whispered to myself, but somehow, I felt different, my body reacted differently.

******

The morning sun shone gently on my sleepy face through the window. I slowly got out of bed and hurried to get dressed for work.

No matter what, I had to show up. It was only my second day. Like the saying goes, one day isn't enough to decide if you should quit or stay.

I rushed through my morning routine, freshened up, and soon I was dressed and heading for the door.

When I opened the door, about to step outside, something caught my eye and made my heart lift.

A bouquet of red and white flowers lay there, along with a matching gift bag. A smile spread across my face as I picked up the bouquet. Its sweet scent sent a soft chill down my spine.

I looked around, but no one was there, except my car parked nearby. I checked the bouquet for a note and found one.

"Good morning, pumpkin, I know you slept just fine and your morning is as beautiful as the early morning petals. See you soon."

I closed the leaflet, my heart soared. Without being told, I already knew who it was. My smile remained as I sucked in its fragrance, drawing it onto my nostrils.

I ordered the security at the entrance to take the bag inside while I walked over to the car and Levi drove off.

When I reached the large hospital, my heart felt excited for reasons I couldn't explain. I tried to push the feeling away, but it stayed with me. Still, I forced myself to focus and walked into the building. Soon I was in my department, ready for the day's work.

*****

It was already past 5 p.m. when I was done, and I hurried out on time.

I never wanted Jack to spot me or insist I go with him. I figured if people started seeing us together, it could create unnecessary murmurs and gossips, and besides, I didn't know much about him.

Fortunately, as I got to the car lot of the hospital, his usual blank-tinted SUV wasn't there.

I heaved a sigh of relief, got into the car. My hands wrapped around my chest as I undoubtedly nudged myself for the pressure I had unwittingly created within me.

As the vehicle drove into the distance, my heart somehow felt a little relief, but my emotions betrayed me.

His handsome face kept showing up in my mind over and over again, despite my attempt to shove them off. But then the resistance.

Rick Andy. I knew I had made up my mind to move on with my life and forget everything about New York, the reason I had thrown away my formal lines and replaced them with new lines. But then, I felt I was a little too harsh in my decisions.

He deserved to know what steps and decisions I took, notwithstanding if he was guilty or not. I shrugged the feelings away and fixed my gaze instead on the bustling streets and racing cars that seemed to increase during these hours.

But then, the car jerked. And another, and it stopped.

"What's happening?" I asked Levi, who was looking at the car's controls.

"I don't know, ma. Let me check," he said, stepping out and closing the door behind him.

I watched as he opened the bonnet to check the engine.

My heart sank. The car had just been fixed the day before.

I winced, pulled out my phone, and put on my earpiece to calm myself.

Levi got back into the car and tried to start it, but nothing happened. I took the earpiece halfway out and watched him.

"I thought this car was fixed yesterday. Why is it breaking down now?" I asked.

"Ma'am, I don't know. I'll call the maintenance team to check it out," he replied, stepping out again to make the call.

I watched him speak on the phone, and after the call, he put the phone back in his pocket and stood by the car, glancing around.

I put my phone away and took off the earpods, then stepped out of the car.

The evening breeze blew hard. The weather felt like it was changing, and it seemed like rain was on the way.

"Ma'am, it's safer if you stay inside the car while I get you a cab," Levi suggested, his voice full of concern.

I glanced around; everywhere seemed busy with activities, which was a slight relief from yesterday's experience.

"Alright," I replied, about to open the door, when a red-tinted Benz car drove just past and stopped in front of my car.

I would have ignored it, but somehow I recognized that car.

I had seen it somewhere today, but I couldn't wrap my head around where I had seen it.

I stood firm, my

gaze fixed on it, and just then a man walked out of the car…