His Runaway Lover

Chapter 2 The Ever Watchful

I groan rolling and hitting my hand against my phone as the bells chime to wake me up for the day, I glare at it as though it would help anything. I roll my eyes pulling myself into a sitting position, no mater how comfortable to bed was, since I arrived I hadn't had a restful night's sleep.

Sure I had been staying up late finishing prep for the next morning but that was never usually an issue, you get used to the long hours and short naps between but this was different. I felt uncomfortable in my own company, but I never felt alone.

I feel a tingle run up my spine making me shiver. this is the feeling I used to get being around Lisa's boyfriend, the feeling of being watched. I glance around my room as I had done every morning since arriving but as usual I see nothing, I close my eyes mentally telling myself off for being silly. I'm just getting used to my new environment is all, atleast that's what I keep telling myself.

I stand up and walk towards the ensuite turning the shower on before stripping and stepping inside, the hot water hits my skin burning slightly before I adjust the temperature of the water. I let the water wash over me before washing my body and hair, the vanilla body wash calming my mind.

I stand under the water lazily thankful I have some extra time this morning before joining Devon to go into town, I was confident now my team would be fine in my absence after spending the last few weeks intensely training those who needed it and getting the standards up to par for the rest.

It may be a private chef job but my team cooked for everyone on the mansion grounds and honestly it was alot more than I had expected. The security alone was 30 different people all seemingly silent, the greenkeeper and his family where lovely Him his wife and three children all incharge of looking after the gardens and allotments. I was surprised there was only a handful of maids for such a big mansion but they never seem to complain at the workload actually I had had very little interactions with anyone beside my kitchen team and Devon.

Sure Mrs Klein ( The Greenkeepers wife) had welcomes me on the first day, barging into the kitchen with a wicker basket balanced on her hip full of fresh fruit and vegetables from the allotments and another balanced on the other side with fresh eggs. I had ran over to help her in with them as she introduced herself and ensured I knew I could have whatever I would like from the allotments and the little farm area that I had no idea about but was very excited to learn of. I would have loved to chat to her more but she had to rush off quickly when her son Tom shouted on her something about a goat, she had quickly excused herself not before giving me a quick unexpected hug and then running back out the door.

I had seen her only in passing since smiling and waving at each other most mornings as I stepped outside to collect the morning deliveries as she made her way over to the allotments with her youngest son, Rob usually following closely behind.

I step out of the shower grabbing a towel from the heater allowing the warm fluffiness to envelope me momentarily before begrudgingly drying myself. I wrap the towel around myself before walking back into the bedroom, I pull on my black Lacey matching underwear set before choosing some jeans and a plain black t-shirt.

I sit Infront of the mirror on the floor and use the hairdryer to quickly get the job done brushing my hair while doing so or the knots would be hell to get out after. I unplug the hairdryer and put it back on top of the cabinet picking up my hair bobble and clip pulling my hair into a high pony tail before wrapping it around and using the hair clip to pin it in place.

I quickly slip on some black high tops before grabbing my handbag with my purse and phone glancing at the time.

6:05

I smile, time for a quick coffee before heading into town with Devon. I walk down the servants stairs to the back of the kitchen slipping in without being noticed, my team are dotted around the kitchen everyone with a different job. I walk up behind my second in command steven glancing over around him to see what he is doing, he paused instantly turning his head to look at me

"Chef!" he exclaims

I hear everyone stop. I smile up at him his 6"2 height forcing me to glance up (myself only being 5"9)

"I had time to grab a coffee before heading into town, that reminds me would you like anything from the market?"

He smiles and shakes his head looking back down at the cake Infront of him leaning down again slightly to finish icing it.

" I would love some blueberries for tomorrow's dessert, but I can always have them delivered if necessary" he says placing the piping bag down

"I'll get some, we don't need anything else stocked up. Don't forget to see what is available in the allotments as well, we have it there we may as well use it to our advantage" I say

"Yes chef" he answers

I smile shaking my head slightly before stepping away

"coffee anyone?" I ask walking over to the machine

"No Chef, Thank you Chef"

I laughed when everyone said it together as I made a coffee for myself. I lean against the wall beside the machine watching them work as I sip my coffee, I'm immensely happy with the progress of my team. I finishy coffee glancing at the clock on the wall opposite before pushing off the one I am leaning on. I place my mug in the sink and wave as I leave the kitchen

" Have a good day team" I call out walking outside the back door

I see Devon walking around towards the garage his usual navy blue suit on both hiding and showing of his muscular physique, his shoulder length light brown hair up in a low pony tail at the back. his brown eyes meet mine before he smiles and stops changing direction and walking over to me. I meet him half way,

"Good morning Devon" I smile gently waving. gently as I come to a stop a few feet away from him, he doesn't stop and comes up next to me slinking his arm through mine Before pulling me along towards the garage

"Good Mooorrrnnniiinngggg" he chirps in a sing songy tune

I raise an eyebrow at his behaviour having only seen quite the reserved gentleman around others in the mansion. he glances down catching me looking at him funny, he winks playfully.

" I honestly don't know the last time I got to leave the mansion, if it's ok with you I might disappear for an hour or two I'm desperate to see my boyfriend!" he grind mischievously. I can't help but burst out laughing, I wipe a stray tear from my eye

" of course! I'll spend way to much time in the market anyway! you have my number just let me know when and where to meet you to head back"

he pulls me into the garage choosing what seems to be a random set of keys of the dozen of hooks, he presses the button and a black SUV flashes. we walk over and climb in either side before he presses a button on the roof opening the garage doors. he pulls out following the road up theough the forest and to the front gate a guard walks over glancing inside the drivers side Devon glares at him and he quickly steps back signalling to the other guard to open the gate. he quickly does and Devon pulls out heading towards town.

Devon drops me off in the town square, telling me the best place In town to get a laptop before he pulls back out into traffic. I get that task out of the way first before walking down to the farmers market walking through the stalls talking with some new suppliers and sampling different products. purchasing some to take back with me and arranging regular deliveries of others.

normally I can spend hours in the farmer markets especially ones I haven't been to before but the whole time I am walking around I can't help but get the feeling I'm being watched. I steal myself away from the busy streets and slip into a small cafe sitting down at a table by the window allowing me to watch the bustling streets.

"hey darlin what can I get for ya"

I glance up a large woman stands there notepad in hand her hand on her hip watching me, but she doesn't make me uncomfortable her tone is kind and her eyes are watching me inquisitively

" can I have a cappuccino and a slice of the strawberry gateaux" I smile

she grins writing down my order on her pad before stepping away back behind the counter to make my order up. I turn back around and pull my phone out to check if, still nothing from Devon. I hadn't expected anything yet it had only been a few hours and he was rather excited to go and see his boyfriend.

I smile gently thinking about it it must be nice having someone you feel that way for, don't get me wrong I had dated in the past but it never lasted long and never went further than a kiss on the cheek. most men didn't like the long hours associated with being a chef and they would always want to go out to bars and clubs, I was never interested in doing that so the relationships never lasted more than a few dates.

It didn't bother me really, I enjoyed focusing on my work. Although I'm only 23 I've worked hard and done rather well getting my name known in the industry, I always thought establishing myself to be much more important than finding love and honestly I hadn't really found anyone I really liked yet.

"here you go darlin, need anything else don't be fared Tae holler"

I smile up at the waitress before she leaves again and I pick up my cappuccino taking a satisfying sip. I place the spoon down on the now empty plate and stand up carrying my plate and mug over to the counter where the waitress is standing beind. she glances up and smiles

" you didn't have to do that darlin, I would have come over and gotten those"

I smile " I know, but it costs nothing to help a little" I hand her the dishes and while she is turned around I place a £50 in the tip jar turning and going back to my table I pick upy bags and wave as I leave

" thank you for the lovely coffee and delicious cake, have a lovely day"

"come back anytime darlin" she calls out behind me

I walk around the town square for a while getting myself used to the new area before sitting down on a bench near the fountain. I pull my phone out unlocking it surprised to see it was already three in the afternoon, it hadn't felt like we had been gone for so long but I guess it was a two hour drive to get into town from the mansion. Just as I'm about to put my phone back it chimes with a new text

' I'll be back at drop off location in 15 minutes, meet you there. get me a coffee!!!'

I smile and text back

' sure thing, caramel latte right?'

it chimes again quickly

'How'd you remember!! can I have a muffin too?'

I laugh out loud before I manage to stop myself

' okay then I'll get a muffin as well'

I roll my eyes before putting my phone back into my handbag and walk into a differen coffee shop and get the order before starting to walk back.

Cutting through an alley for quicker access to the main street I slow my pace noticing to late three tall figures leaning again the wall half way in, I lower my gaze not wishing to draw attention as I pass them. I hear one wolf whistle as I pass but ignore his actions

" what you got there Toots" one calls after me

I ignore him and keep walking, I head feet slapping the concrete behind me before my elbow is gripped and I'm pulled back and turned slightly, I glance up taking in the man's features. he has dark greasy hair and sunken eyes, he's definetly on something and he stinks of alcohol

I shrivel my nose in disgust and his eyes run over me pausing on the bags in my hand, the coffee dropped on the floor below us.

" I said what you got... Toots' he emphasis

" nothing of much interest, blueberry's and what not" I shrug watching his eyes go down to the plain white bag which contains my new laptop and case

" hand it over then" he smirks reaching for my bags

as he releases my elbow I twist and knee him swiftly between his legs before turning and sprinting as he falls to the ground clutching his precious sack. the other two men stand back shocked before setting off after me.

I reach the end of the alley thanful the market is still open and there is a large crowd of people, I'm sure they wouldn't try anything. I slow but to evidently to soon as I feel something sharp graze my arm I glance back seeing the two men turned and fleeing backy eyes travel down seeing a knife on the ground next to me my upper arm a nice long slice across I groan more annoyed by the inconvenience of it. I lean over and pick up the knife depositting it into a near by bin before continuing on my way to Devon. I pull a bandage out of my handbag wrapping my arm up, glad I always carry a few emergency supplies I am a chef after all, cuts and burns happen frequently especially with new hires.

I see devons car idling by the pick up and I jog over slowly, Devon climbs out the car on my approach and walks around to the boot opening it and taking the bags from me eyeing up my arm but not saying anything.

we both climb in and Devon pulls out.

" thanks for letting me slip away for a while, I won't lie I had was quite pleased when you agreed to come with me I knew I could get a bit more time away with you present" he grind mischievously

" it was a win win, I needed a new laptop to do paperwork on anyway" I shrug

Devon glances at me and then back to the road

" give me the receipt for that, it'll be reimbursed as an expense" he says casually

" I'm quite happy to have bought it myself, it'll be used for both busines and personal use" I answer

" that's fine, I'll stil reimburse it. I'll call the shop to ask for the price" he says ignoringy statement

I roll my eyes glancing out the window watching as we leave the town limits and glide into the country side.

" s**t I should have gotten another coffee for you" I groan realising I had forgotten I'd dropped it in the rush to get back and away from those men.

" another? what happened to the first, he glances at me curiously

".. I dropped it, I'm sorry I.. I still have the muffins for you though" I say quickly leaning back over into the back of the car and grabbing the paper bag " I also got you some Portuguese egg tarts, they hadn't long been made and smelt divine" I smile opening the bag and removing a few boxes to show off my sweet treat haul

Devon glances over and grind his eyes lighting up like a child's " I say that makes up for no coffee, you owe me one for next time" he winks and looks back to the road a fleeting look passes over his face as his eyes dart across my arm again.

I glance down after he looks away and notice a red blotch appearing on the bandage I groan inwardly praying to the goddess he doesn't ask.

" I would like to know what happened there, I'll find out either way" Devon says

I groan whhyd he have to ask, should I say what actually happened, he said he would find out anyway..

" I cut down an alley and some dude tried to mug me" I shrug " I kneed him in the balls and ran, one of his mates threw a knife at me as I reached the street before they fled" I finish cutting to the chase with the details.

there is silence for a few minutes as Devon seems to take in what I said " why didn't you say sooner, I would have had it dealt with" he mutters " I'm going to be in so much s**t is he finds out.." the last part was barley audible I glance over frowning at his comment

" when we get back I'll clean that up for you, go straight to your room and I'll bring up a first aid kit.. does it need stitches?" he asks glancing down again

" I dont think so, but I didn't pay to much attention to it if I'm honest, I was in a rush to get back to the car after the incident" I glance back down sat the bandage

" I'll bring things up just incase" he says before the car is enveloped in silence, Devon watching the road as we coast down the countey lanes heading back to the forest the mansion is located in. I watch out the window frustrated that I couldn't just deal with this myself.