8. Just a millionaire

171K 6.9K 1.2K
                                    

Warm sunrays disturbed my peaceful sleep. I yawned in a very unfeminine manner and rubbed my eyes to clear my vision. The crowded road had shifted into a tranquil highway. To my right in the distance, I could see the remnants of a dead forest, the dark trees lining the border separating it from the highway.

I turned my attention to Xavier who was completely absorbed in driving, unaware of my presence. I took the moment to appreciate how beautiful his facial features were.

His long eyelashes touched his high cheekbones everytime he blinked. His jaw looked like it was carved with granite. And his hair, his soft shiny dark brown hair, my hands were itching to run my fingers in them.

"It is unethical to stare Miss Martin.", He said smugly and I felt like a culprit. I could feel my face heating up.

"Don't worry, your virtue is safe with me. And I was just noticing your resemblance with Anna. Nothing else."

Not a bad excuse, hazel. I am impressed.

His smirk instantly vanished and he focused his attention back to driving.

"Have we reached?", I asked, changing the subject.

"It's a 16 hour drive. And you have been sleeping for just 1 hour.", He informed.

"What? It means there are still 15 hours left. Ughhh. I am hungry." I whined and he looked at me with amusement.

"Hey, no need to laugh at me.", I groaned.

"I am not laughing.", He mocked in an amused tone. Unfortunately, it was true.

"Well, whatever. I am hungry. I didn't even get a chance to eat my breakfast."

"I'll stop at a cafe. Now, stop complaining.", He said solemnly and I snorted and turned my face to the window.

Rude.

The sun soon hid behind the veil of clouds. I thanked to God at the pleasant change in weather. The wind was hitting my face through the open window, refreshing my exhausted mind and body.

The wind flew through my button holes, chilling my skin beneath and tousled my already wavy hair. I took a hair clip out of my bag and pulled me hair in a loose bun over my head. Few tendrils escaped and were now framing my face. But I couldn't care less as I was too busy relishing the cool breeze.

The car came to a halt and I turned to Xavier, only to find him unstrapping his seat belt.

"What?", I looked at him in confusion.

He pointed towards a small cafe situated at his side of the road. I hurriedly stepped out of the car and strolled into the cafe. It was a small cozy place with purple and pink color covering its walls. The appetizing aroma of coffee was already making my mouth water.

We sat down in a corner booth. A waiter approached us soon and handed us the menu.

I had only few dollars with me so I settled on a cup of cappuccino. Though, the chocolate crepes on the menu looked delicious but I couldn't waste all the money here.

"You don't want anything to eat?", He asked.

"Uhmm. I am not that hungry any more." I lied.

Xavier ordered coffee and the same crepes my eyes were focused on.

"So I've heard you are one of the most sought after lawyer in our city. Is it true?", I started and prepared myself for the imminent insult.

But to my surprise, he chuckled, showing his perfect white teeth.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but people just exaggerate. I am just a normal lawyer.", He replied after noticing my confusion.

"So you are not a billionaire?", I asked in surprise.

He leaned back in his seat and replied in a no.

"Just a millionaire.", He stated like being a millionaire is a normal thing. I narrowed my eyes at him and he just shrugged in return.

The waiter returned soon and served us our food. The sight of chocolate tricking down the crepes with a vanilla ice cream scoop set in the middle was enough to make my stomach do somersaults inside my body.

I stopped eying the crepes and diverted my attention to the coffee.

"Is there peanut butter in these crepes?", Xavier asked the waiter.

"Yes sir, it is mentioned on the menu.", He replied nervously.

"Ok you can go." He told the waiter.

"I am allergic to peanuts. Now, what should we do with these crepes?", He looked like he was in deep thought.

"I don't want to throw them in dustbin. Well maybe I have to. Since I can't eat them and you are not hungry." He muttered, furrowing his eyebrows.

No. I won't let this chocolatty heaven go to waste.

Come on, hazel. You are just doing a favor to him.

"You don't have to throw them. I think I can manage these small crepes in my stomach.", I voiced and he pushed the plate to my side immediately.

We both indulged in our food silently after that. Well, as silently as a "lady" like me can.

...

After paying our bill, we left the cafe and continued our drive to Red Rock town. I paid for the coffee and Xavier pushed to pay for crepes because according to him, I just took his load off by eating the crepes otherwise he would have to waste them.

Stupid boy.

The next hour passed peacefully. I spent the time reading the copy of Little woman by Louisa May Alcott and he was listening to some sports related crap on radio.

We were both busy in our own way when the white clouds started melting into steel grey color. Out of nowhere, came a brilliant flash of lightening that flickered and died.

Please God. No rain. Just for a day, delay this rain for a day.

Moments later, there came the loud thunder and as if on cue, the rain began to fall from the sky.

"What now?", I asked Xavier.

"Let just pray we reach Red Rock alive and in one piece.", He murmured when another bolt filled the sky with radiance.

**************************

Please vote and comment.

And please check out my other book "perfect scars"

By the way, how was the chapter?

What the heart wantsWhere stories live. Discover now