FIELDS OF LOVE

Chapter 5: The Arrival Of Trouble

The rumble of an approaching car disrupted the quiet morning air, sending a flock of sparrows scattering from the barn roof. Sebastian turned toward the sound, a sharp prickle of unease tightening his chest. Clara noticed his sudden change in demeanour and followed his gaze to the dusty road leading to the property.

“Expecting company?” she asked her voice light but tinged with curiosity.

“No,” Sebastian said, his jaw tightening. He didn’t need to see the vehicle’s insignia to know trouble was heading their way.

The sleek black SUV came into view, its polished exterior a jarring contrast to the rustic surroundings. It rolled to a stop in front of the barn, and the driver’s door opened.

Sebastian stepped forward instinctively, positioning himself between Clara and the vehicle.

From the car emerged a man in his late thirties, dressed in an immaculate grey suit that screamed corporate power. His sharp features and calculating eyes were unmistakable.

“Sebastian,” the man said, spreading his arms as if greeting an old friend. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Clara shot Sebastian a questioning look, but he kept his eyes fixed on the newcomer.

“Greg,” Sebastian said evenly. “How did you find me?”

Greg shrugged, his expression smug. “You’re not as hard to track as you think. Your car was left on the side of the road, and I’ve been canvassing nearby towns. This place wasn’t exactly hidden.”

“What do you want?” Sebastian asked, his tone cold.

“To bring you back, of course,” Greg said smoothly. “Do you have any idea how much chaos you’ve caused by disappearing? The board is in a frenzy, the stock price is dipping, and the media is having a field day. They’re calling it The Great Vanishing Act of Sebastian King.”

Clara crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “Is he supposed to be a prisoner or something? Because it sounds like you’re not giving him much of a choice.”

Greg turned his attention to her, his smile patronizing. “And who are you"?

“Clara Hart,” she said firmly, stepping up beside Sebastian. “I’ve been taking care of him since the storm.”

“Well, Clara,” Greg said, his tone dripping with condescension, “I’m sure you’ve done a fine job, but Sebastian has obligations—real ones. His company needs him.”

Sebastian took a step closer, his posture rigid. “I walked away for a reason, Greg. I’m not going back.”

Greg’s smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. “You don’t get to just walk away, Sebastian. You’ve built an empire. People depend on you. Investors, employees…”

“They’ll survive without me for a while,” Sebastian interrupted, his voice rising. “I didn’t ask to be tracked down, and I am sure as hell they didn’t ask for you to show up here.”

Clara glanced between the two men, her instincts telling her there was more to this story than Sebastian was letting on.

“Look,” Greg said, his tone softening as he adopted a conciliatory stance. “I get it. You’re stressed, you need a break. But this is not the way to handle it. Come back, and we will figure something out. A sabbatical, maybe. You just need to make an appearance and reassure everyone you are still in charge.”

Sebastian laughed bitterly. “Reassure them, huh? Is that what this is about? Keeping the investors happy?”

“It’s about protecting everything you have built,” Greg snapped. “Do you want to see it all crumble because you could not handle just a little pressure?”

Clara stepped in before Sebastian could respond. “Okay, that’s enough,” she said firmly. “You have made your point. Now, if Sebastian says he’s not ready to go back, maybe you should respect that.”

Greg turned to her, his irritation barely concealed. “This is a private matter, Ms… Hart. I suggest you stay out of it.”

“This is my property,” she shot back. “So unless you’re here with an appointment for a sick animal, I would

Say you’re the one out of place.”

Greg’s jaw tightened, but before he could retort, Sebastian held up a hand.

“Greg, leave,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

For a moment, the two men locked eyes, tension crackling between them. Then Greg let out a frustrated sigh and raised his hands in mock surrender.

“Fine,” he said. “But don’t think this is over. I will give you some time to cool off, but sooner or later, you’re going to have to face reality.”

He turned and climbed back into the SUV, slamming the door harder than necessary. The engine roared to life, and within moments, he was gone, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

Clara waited until the SUV was out of sight before turning to Sebastian. “Care to explain?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Greg’s my COO. He’s been with the company since the beginning.”

“And he clearly doesn’t take no for an answer,” she said pointedly.

Sebastian sank onto the porch steps, his shoulders slumping. “He’s not wrong about the chaos I’ve caused. I didn’t think it would blow up like this when I left.”

Clara sat down beside him, her expression softening. “Why did you leave?”

He hesitated, then said, “Because I couldn’t take it anymore. The constant pressure, the endless meetings, the headlines, everything was closing in on me. Every decision felt like life or death, and I... I just broke down.”

Clara studied him for a moment, then placed a hand on his arm. “You’re not broken, Sebastian. You are a human. Everyone needs a break sometimes.”

He looked at her, his expression conflicted. “Maybe. But Greg’s right about one thing, I can’t run forever. Sooner or later, I will have to go back.”

“Then do it on your terms,” Clara said simply. “Not his.”

Her words lingered in the air, settling over him like a balm. For the first time in days, Sebastian felt a glimmer of hope.

But as he looked out at the quiet fields stretching before them, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his past was not done with him yet.

Later that evening, Sebastian stood in the barn, the earthy scent of hay grounding him as he sorted through his thoughts. Max padded up to him, leaning against his leg in silent comfort.

Clara appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the warm glow of the setting sun.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said, managing a small smile. “Just thinking.”

“About Greg?”

“About everything.” He paused, then added, “I don’t think he’s going to leave me alone. And if he finds out I’m here, it could cause problems for you.”

Clara stepped closer, her gaze steady. “Let me worry about that. I’ve handled worse than a pushy corporate exec.”

He chuckled softly, appreciating her resolve. “You’re something else, Clara.”

“So I’ve been told,” she said with a grin.

For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, the warm hues of the sunset casting a golden glow over the barn.

“Whatever happens next,” Clara said, her voice quiet but firm, “you don’t have to face it alone.”

Sebastian turned to her, a flicker of gratitude and something deeper in his eyes. “Thank y

ou.”

And for the first time since arriving in Hart Haven, he felt like he wasn’t running anymore.