Chapter 6:
1118 Words
JESSICA BERKELEY.
"Damn it" Devin cusses underneath his breath when a signpost comes crashing down on his motorcycle right outside.
The town is a mess right now. Snow breeze flying aggressively here and there.
Leaving the window side, I went to prepare a steamy hot cup of coffee. Just the perfect one to warm me up. The fireplace poker is right in place, creating a little bit of warmth.
Sitting down, I fix my gaze at him, watching him move to and fro continuously across the living room. With his cellphone in hand, he continuously keeps trying to make a call but all efforts were in vain.
With the blizzard, the signals are completely out. The streets are blocked. We are literally stuck in here.
"Mr. Devin Bowen, can you stop pacing? It's making me feel dizzy"
He turns sharply, I sip from my coffee adjusting my cotton scarf around my neck.
"You don't get it do you? The blizzard isn't supposed to begin now. It's meant to start at midnight"
I check the time on my phone - 10pm.
"I guess you don't fully understand nature. It can't always be predictable"
He scoff, running his fingers through his air.. the look of displeasure hinting on his face.
"Sit, Mr. Devin"
"Are you trying to order me around?"
"Why don't you sit and let's talk?"
"If it's about the cottage, an extension of the deadline can't be made. You shouldn't try convincing me"
I roll my eyes and leave to prepare another cup of coffee.
"Here, have this and sit let's talk"
He hesitates for a while before reluctantly accepting the coffee.
"I am not pleased to have you here, Mr. Devin. I'll be honest. I'm not pleased this cottage owes a huge debt and you're not being nice at me" I pause, he raises a brow.
"However.." I continue "There is a blizzard outside. A snowstorm destroying every property outside and you and I know how dangerous that can be"
"I shouldn't be here" He says icily.
"Of course, and I'll be honest again.. I harbour no goodwill against you, an uninvited guest"
He narrows his gaze at me, I didn't flinch and didn't let his aura intimidate me. Now is not the time for that.
".. And I hate the fact that we're both stuck here... that I am stuck with a rough looking stranger with zero knowledge about who you are. You claim you're a biker but..." My gaze lingers on his clothes. ".. you could be anything else"
"Snap out of it and just get straight to the point Jessica Berkeley"
Again, I roll my eyes at him.
"Very well Devin.." I skip formalities. ".. I have a tradition and you're very much lucky it's the Christmas season. And that tradition is, never seeing anyone get hurt"
I lean forward.
"Since we both know how dangerous blizzards can be, and my tradition, I'll be generous enough to let you stay in this beautiful small cottage with me"
He didn't say a word and for a moment, I thought I was speaking to myself and not the man right in front of me.
"I least expect a 'thank you' from you"
"Don't think you're doing me a favor because I didn't ask for it. You are only trying to carry out some sort of tradition"
My skepticism curdles.
"Such arrogance" I mumble. "You're not even the least grateful. I could throw you out into the blizzard right now, you know?"
He gave me a 'I dare you kind of look'.
"However, there are rules you need to follow and it must be followed strictly" I fold my hands around my chest.
"Who are you to make rules?"
"Jessica Berkeley, Owner of this cottage and as an uninvited guest, you have to be obedient if you want to stay here"
"Let me here it"
"First, your movements are limited to the ground floor living room and the guest room you'd be given. You can also make use of the kitchen if there's anything you want to eat but mind you, the groceries were meant for just one person but now that you're here, we would have to share until the blizzard ends"
"Agreed"
"I don't know whatever weapons you have with you, but keep them far away, plus.. there should be no interference in each other's business, Agreed?"
He grabs his coffee mug and takes a sip.
"Agreed"
"Your objections towards Christmas made me super annoyed and if you must stay here, you mustn't interfere or ruin the cottage's preparation for Christmas. And lastly..." I trail off. His expression was cold and I just can't figure out what he must be thinking.
"Once the blizzard is over, the cottage returns to the negotiating table"
He frowns like I have just made an impossible condition.
"That won't be possible. I'm afraid I won't be agreeing to that"
"Not like you have a choice, Mr. Devin Bowen"
Thick silence stirs between us and I couldn't help but smile victoriously because it seems I left him with no choice. Perhaps, the blizzard was just the perfect luck I needed to get more time.
"You're quite the tough one uh? What makes you think your request for an extension will be granted. I guess you have zero idea how this things work"
"Perhaps, you would even make that possible. You might appear tough, I bet you still have a little bit of compassion down there"
"Compassion?".. He scoffs " There's no such thing as compassion in my dictionary"
"Are you sure? All humans have compassion"
"Not me, darling.." He stands to his feet. ".. Show me my room"
Walking in front, I led him to the guest room. However, I couldn't help but still be cautious and weary about his presence in the cottage.
If not the unfortunate issue of the snowstorm, I won't be accommodating a total stranger whom I only just met.
I stop on my tracks and turn to him sharply. He gave me a 'What is wrong?' kind of look.
"Do you really have weapons?"
"Why? Are you scared I might have a gun or a knife? Are you scared I might wake up at night and slit your throat?" He starts walking towards me. His steps were slow and steady.. His eyes lingered on my face, cold and distant.
A really weird aura emanates from him... intimidating. His expression was calm yet quite threatening. I see the corner of his mouth twitch upwards.
My heart skips as he moves closer.
A step forward, I take two steps back until...
"Stop! Don't move"
I tense up. His rough voice catches me off guard and I freeze.
- Writer
