His Island Girl

Chapter Thirteen

Though she had only spent little time with Dave, it was enough for her to know that he is a good man and his intentions towards her are not bad either.

"What's wrong?" He said while still holding her chin as his eyes searched hers. He knew there was something abnormal about her demeanor and her eyes didn't hide the fact that something was going on in her inner mind.

"Nothing. I'm just exhausted" she replied with a sigh, making her voice to sound like someone who was really exhausted.

In truth, she was really exhausted. She was exhausted from thinking a lot lately. Throughout the weeks she had been waiting for him and praying to God to protect him from her father. She would not forgive herself if anything should happen to him because of her.

She didn't want to tell him about the situation on ground and how his life could be in danger all because of her yet on the other hand, she couldn't tell him to stay away from her because she isn't sure if she can stay without him as well. All of that exhausted her the more especially when she thinks about whether to let him know that her father has been waiting to meet him.

"I've missed you" she heard him speak again and the tone of his voice appeased her ears.

His thumb gently rubbed the skin below her lower lip as he still held unto her chin and her lips parted as a result of the sweet sensation it brought. She just didn't know why she'd always allow him that much access to her or why she'd always loved it.

"I've missed you too" she replied in the same tone and then the intent gazes filled with untold emotions from both of them followed. The atmosphere was becoming more tense and she had to stylishly look away because the more she stared into his eyes, the more her heart beat faster and the more she can't stand it.

"So tell me about your week" she demanded trying to change the atmosphere as she led the way. That was the only thing she could demand in order to reduce the tension that was rising.

"It was a hectic one" he replied as he caught up with her and she felt his fingers clasping hers.

"This guy will not kill me. Does he even understand the way he makes me feel?" She thought within herself.

As they walked and talked, each passing minute made her forget all her fears and worries especially each time he squeezed her hand a little.

He narrated the incident at the stall with her aunt and how her aunt had refused to give him any audience or even tell him her whereabouts. She only smiled wearily knowing that her aunt must've done that intentionally with the aim of driving him away.

He told her about some of the things that took place after their last meeting, how busy he had been at work and also about Charlotte. She immediately understood the reason for his absence and even felt sorry for him because the weeks sounded really hectic from his narration.

She also filled him up with updates about the recent developments with the Orman Empire and how she was banned from going to the seashore for weeks by her father after their last visit. She instantly regretted saying the last part when he didn't respond for a short while.

"Why did your father ban you from going to the seashore? Is it because of me?" He inquired about what she had dreaded the most.

"No Dave... It's not what you think..." she said sweetly as she raised her free hand to remove something invisible from his collar. She was trying to change the mood and probably stop him from harbouring any negative thoughts. They're eyes locked in each other's gaze and just as if her antics were beginning to work on him, he brought up his other hand and moved the locs of hair off her face.

"What are you doing today. I mean are you going to the stall?" he said softly.

"Do you want to?" She replied in a soft whisper which sounded nearly seductive to him.

"It's all up to you but to me I'll go wherever you want since I just want to be with you" he replied, and again, she felt the butterflies.

Suddenly she felt her body stiffen and her mood changed immediately as a wave of sadness rushed through her. As much as she wanted to be with him, she just had to do what her father had ordered. If she doesn't do it, her father would still come after him and her conscience will hunt her for the rest of her life if anything bad should happen to him.

"I...I want to tell you something" she suddenly said as she began to fiddle with the hem of her blouse nervously.

"What is it?" he said moving in to stand in front of her as he took her uneasy fingers which played nervously with her top.

"My...my father.." she started but the way his eyes bore into hers expectantly made her feel so much guilt that she had to look away from him quickly.

But again he gently pulled back her face with his hand to face him.

"I've told you not to look away from me like that again. Whatever it is I'm ready to listen and I promise to do everything in my power, everything that is required of me, so please tell me. Don't be afraid, Okay?" he said assuringly. She nodded her head as she became calm a bit.

"My...my father wants to meet with you. Ever since the last time, he's been demanding to see you. He might try to hurt you or stop us from seeing each other, I'm just afraid of what he might do to you. I'm so sorry, I was not my intention and I never wanted to do this..." She uttered almost tearfully.

"Hey hey! Its okay, just relax and take a deep breath okay? I also want to meet with him infact it is one of the reasons I'm here today. So you... don't worry okay?" he replied in that nice ascent.

"No no Dave you don't understand. He is really dangerous and may try to hurt you. I don't want anything to happen to you..." She tried to say but he put his index finger against her soft lips to keep her quiet her down.

"I am ready for anything. If it's about you I'm willing to risk it. Just for your sake" he said as he wiped off a tear that lingered beneath her eyes.

"Now where's that lovely smile of yours? I didn't come here to wipe your tears. He teased and she felt herself blushing at his joke even though she was still afraid for him because she knew who her father is and what he's capable of.

As they continued towards the woods, he tried his best to lift up her spirits by cracking jokes and making her laugh just so that she wouldn't worry too much about what ever might happen. Eventhough he felt a bit nervous as well, he decided to brace himself for whatever that would happen. Each of them could confess that they've never felt this happy and connected to anyone the way they do to each other.

"Why aren't there any houses around this part? The last time I was here there were few houses..." He started.

"This isn't the same place you came I guess. It was the other side close to the seaboard that has houses. This is actually a short cut to my house which is at the far end" she replied.

There was silence again as both kept quiet and the only noise that can be heard was that of the birds chirping and the rustling of dry leaves and sticks as they walked on them with their hands clasped against each other.

The memories of their first meeting came rushing through her mind as they walked through that path, the part where it happened. She began to wonder in her mind if he also remembered that place. Her heart began to beat hard in her chest as she recalled how he had touched her, how they had stared and almost kissed each other on that very day. It was one of the moments in her life which she wouldn't forget in a hurry. Then she quickly shook that thought out of her head after realizing that he probably has a girlfriend whom he probably loves so much and she can never be compared to her because she was practically just a bush girl he had accidentally met on this island. All these and many irrelevant thoughts began to build up in her mind as she kept thinking about who that woman was. The woman that had interrupted them on that fateful day. Was she his girlfriend?

Then he suddenly squeezed her hand a little tight in his. Just as if he was psychology responding to her thoughts.

"Uhhmm....Dave" she began to speak awkwardly. She wanted to ask about who the strange girl was on that day. But something stopped her as she didn't know where to start from. A part of her wanted to know everything and even more about him but the other part of her wanted her to stay in her lane and not try to find out things that would later hurt her feelings.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Never mind" she said.

"No. I'm not taking that. Tell me what it is" he demanded and she instantly regretted her inquisitiveness.

"Believe me" she said, focusing her attention on the silent but swift movements coming from behind them. It was not an ordinary sound and she knew that there could be danger around the place they stood.

Before she could do or utter anything, he had pounced on Dave from behind and thrown him to the ground facedown. This has been one of her greatest fears.

Dave began to struggle but when he heard her yelling "Father no", he stopped trying to fight back and didn't even turn around to see who was fighting him.

"Father please stop you can't do this. He has not hurt me in any way and he isn't going to hurt me" she cried and pleaded on his behalf but all her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Nevertheless, she kept pleading and even wanted to help but her father was way stronger and alone, she couldn't do anything.

Within few minutes, Dave's hands were tied behind his back and his head was completely covered in a sack. What puzzled her the more was how he had stopped struggling and didn't even fight back after she began to plead on his behalf. He just gave himself up freely.

She knew he could easily fight back and free himself or even defeat her father because he was more built than her father. But he didn't. It broke her tender heart that he did it for her. He had said that he was ready to do anything for her.

But her father had used one of his wisest and violent tactics on Dave which he has not used on anyone for a while now. He must have thought that Dave would be difficult to capture or something.

Her father was once a soldier and his bravery and intelligence was what had kept them alive till that day. She had observed most of his moves, especially the ones he had used on weak people and those on the contrary.

This only means that he had studied Dave for a while now before deciding on what trick to use on him. He probably knew that Dave would give him a tough time. But Dave did not in fact. Noella didn't stop wondering even as she trailed behind them. She knew her father was going to take him to the place he had prepared for intruders like him. Her father is about to keep him captive for who knows when and she wouldn't let that happen. She had to do something.

She quickly ran off to the direction of the house to make some calls. She had intended to call the police but wasn't sure if it was the right decision or not. She wouldn't want her father to go to jail simply because he was trying to save her from a stranger.

But Dave was no longer a stranger to her, in fact she had come to admire his personality. As she paused with the telephone still held in her hand, her palms began to sweat as tears dropped from her eyes. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't stand and watch her father hurt him either.

She decided to dial the emergency code.