Captured

{16} Mystery Man

Sara Beth's POV:

Have you ever felt so confused that it makes you numb? I replay the night of Zach's birthday over and over again. I can't for the life of me come up with a suitable, logical explanation. Believe me, I've tried. He kissed me. Passionately. And then left me. I thought we were going to talk privately, but the moment we rounded the corner, he vanished into the night.

Luckily, Leah found me before I crumbled to the ground. She comforted me while I pieced together what happened. Only some pieces were missing and others were damaged, so no matter how hard I worked at it, the puzzle would never be complete. Leah walked me into the house and led me to the study. She locked the door so we could have some privacy. I didn't know what to say or what to feel.

"I know you're confused and I know you probably have a million questions running through that beautiful mind of yours, but I want you to know none of this is your fault or your doing. I can't tell you everything although I want to, so please don't be mad at me once you know the full truth. I promise you everything will be revealed in due time. Just have faith and trust your best friend." Leah explains in such a cryptic way. Best friend? I guess you could call us that, but what is this secret she refuses to tell?

"Am I so horrible to be around?" I whisper. "What did I do? Every second it's hot, then cold. One second he's calling me names, insulting me, and pushing me away, and then next he's playful, attentive, and loving. What is that?! I mean he kissed me. Not the other way around. I let him. I enjoyed it and yet, I'm here and he's—he's—-god knows where!" I feel my anger rising. My head and shoulders drop and tears stream down my face and onto the floor. Leah's comforting arms wrap around me.

"You've done nothing wrong. He has some things to work through from his past. I promise it's not you. You are his equal. His better half. He knows it and that scares him." I try to process her words, but my emotions don't seem to register what she's saying. I cry into her. I wish I could make sense of his hot and cold behavior.

"Leah, can you walk me home?" I need the comforts of my own room. I need to escape any further embarrassment. She nods and links her arm in mine as she always does.

I enter my room and fall onto my bed. I release the flood gates and scream into my pillow. Luckily, my father is working late, checking the latest updates on the security system. After several hours, I finally cry myself to sleep.

The next week passes quickly, but my mood doesn't change. I am sullen and angry. I want answers, but am met with radio silence. No calls, no texts, no store visits, nothing. This only makes me angrier. Adam stopped by twice to coordinate outfits and colors for the charity ball. I decline his offer, again, twice. He couldn't believe my rejection. Oh boo hoo!

Leah, Ally, and Penny came by the shop to make plans to go shopping for our dresses. I really had no energy or desire to go dress shopping, but I decide to go anyway since I have to be there to represent my pieces.

After looking for hours, I find a form-fitting green sequined dress which hugs all the right places and sparkles in the light. I knew it was the one as soon as I zipped it up. Sweetheart neck line with off the shoulder capped sleeves. It makes my eyes sparkle although I am still angry. I can't help but smile at my reflection in the dressing room mirror.

Mr. Miller closed the shop on Saturday for the auction and ball, so I have plenty of time to get ready and make myself presentable. I'm still feeling angry and saddened by the lack of communication from Zach, but I decide to push all of those away and focus on my career. This auction could kick start my photography business and I refuse to let anything get in the way of my dream.

As the day passes on, I begin to get ready. Since I declined Adam, and technically Zach's, invitation to the ball. I decide to bring someone else. I smile as the idea came to me earlier in the week and I couldn't have been more thrilled to share this moment with him.

I wear my hair half up, half down with light waves and a puffy braid tied back. I do light makeup with brown eye shadow, gold highlights, and deep burgundy lipstick. I throw in some dangling gold earrings and an emerald bangle to finish the look.

We arrive at the venue around 7:30 pm as instructed by the invitation. As a donor, we were to collect our portion of the money accrued during the auction before the start of the ball. We are ushered into an office to sign some paperwork. The woman behind the counter gives me a warm smile and hands me a white envelope. I smile back at her as I exit the office. I step just outside and open the envelope. My mouth drops open as there is the largest amount of money I have ever seen. The paper inside tells me it is over $10,000, which means my pieces sold for over $50,000. My hand clasps over my mouth to keep from screaming.

After several deep breaths, I am notified about each community's charity tables. I enter a large conference room and see tables lining the back wall. Each community has a display board, flyers, pamphlets, and other materials to explain their charity and its purpose. Anyone can give any amount to any charity anonymously. I see Mountain Springs' table.

The charity deals with children who have lost one or both parents to war, attacks, and other tragedies. To say I am pulled in would be an understatement. I was lucky to have known my mother for 18 years. Some of these children are toddlers. It breaks my heart to think of growing up with little to no memories of my mom. I immediately take out the bulk of the money I just received and place it inside their donation box.

I keep enough of my earnings to get my savings started, but I can't pass up the opportunity to help others. Especially those so young and dealing with the loss of a parent. My heart aches for them. If my donation can help, then so be it.

I exit the charity room and head for the grand ballroom, which is already filling with people from all four communities. I stand in line, waiting to be announced. I am nervous, but calm as my date stands by me. I can feel his pride as he squares his shoulders and raises his head. It's our turn. He lets me walk ahead and I position myself at the top of the stairs.

As I stand at the top of the stairs to enter the ball room, I hear my name ring out. The entire room is watching which makes my nerves skyrocket as I've never enjoyed the limelight, always behind the lens, never in front. For a moment, I remain here alone. I then reach back as my father steps up, takes my hand, and stands beside me. My smile widens and my chest fills with pride. I can feel the nerves beginning to dissipate. We descend the stairs with my arm interlocked with his. He gives me a knowing smile. I notice many smiles in the crowd, but one person still has a darkened expression on his face. Here we go! I try to brace myself for whatever crude comment he might throw my way, as he didn't take my rejections well. Adam storms over and greets us as we reach the bottom step.

"Ah! So this is why I was rejected? I didn't realize you already had a mate. Although you are quite a bit older than she is, I don't like being lied to. I guess the rumors about you being a little pack slut are true! But know this...someone like you should be warned about toying with the likes of someone like me. You will get hurt." He angrily spats out. My father and I are struck silent, shocked at his harsh words. A flood of emotion arise to the surface and my need to run or get some fresh air forces me to unlock from my father. I turn to rush out onto the balcony. I lower my head in embarrassment as tears threaten to fall. However, I don't even take two steps before my arms are embraced.

"Don't." A deep husky voice says. "Don't you dare let one teardrop fall over that twatbag. He's only trying to hurt you and I refuse to let that happen." My tears are shocked back into my eyes as I slowly lift my head and finally look into those icy blue eyes. Only now, his eyes, which were once cold, have warmed. The ones that once held disdain, now hold adoration, once held disgust, now showed awe. I feel him lift one arm off and reach it behind me to my father. "Mr. Collins, it's a pleasure to see you tonight. I apologize for the intrusion, but I couldn't help complimenting Sara Beth's dress. She looks radiant tonight." I'm completely enthralled by his words. It's as if he is pushing confidence into my body with a simple touch of my arm.

"Mr. Turner, likewise and you don't have to apologize, my daughter has always tried to hide in the shadows. But, pure beauty always finds light." He boasts. My face heats up with so much love and kindness. "Mind if I steal my daughter for one dance? I probably won't make it to the wee hours of the morning like you kids, but I definitely want to take advantage of this opportunity. I was stunned when she asked me to escort her. I was sure someone had asked her, but either way, I'm going to go show off my elegant daughter." Zach looks at me and winks, releasing his hold on my arm. I take a deep breath to get a grasp of this situation, but my head is spinning. I focus on my father as he leads me to the dance floor.

"You okay?" My father whispers.

"That's a loaded question, dad." Was I okay? At this point, I have no idea. Too many emotions to process. "I leave it for another day. I just want to enjoy this moment."

"Me, too, sweetie. Your mother would have been so proud of you! And this dress?! Oh, I can hear her voice ringing in my ears about it." He chuckles sadly. I know he misses her as much as I do, but I could see contentment in his eyes. I'm so glad I am able to have this moment with him. "Look, I know things are a little hectic right now, but I need you to have a little faith, a little patience, and a lot of trust."

"What do you mean? Do you know something I don't?" I stare into his golden brown eyes. He simply nods.

"Now is not the time or place, but all will be explained in due time." He smiles reassuringly. I return his smile with my own and nod. Leah said the same thing. What is it that everyone seems to know, but me? Why am I being kept in the dark? Normally I wouldn't mind, but this seems personal. Very personal. "I also know Adam is a tough man to get rid of and, honestly, he should just take the hint, but his ego and pride won't let rejection go so easily. Please keep your guard up around him." His face turns stern and protective.

"I will, daddy. He is definitely bad news and has ill intentions. I felt it the moment he walked into the store, but I had to let him show me his true self. And he did. I will stand guard. Trust me."

"I do, kiddo." I scoff at the nickname which makes him laugh. The song comes to a close and I follow my father to our table, which is filled with Mountain Springs residents. I am seated between my father and Leah; however, Scott wants to shift seats so he could talk to my dad. With the shift, I'm now sitting with Zach to my left, Leah to my right, Scott next to her, and my father next to him. We eat a delicious meal and I'm having a wonderful conversation with Leah, but I can feel Zach's glances toward me. He hasn't really said much to anyone. What's wrong with him? After dinner, many couples start to head back to the dance floor. My father approaches me.

"I'm headed out sweetie. Early meeting in the am and this old man needs his rest." I shake my head at his comment and give him a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Mr. Turner, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Zach shakes my father's hand and I watch him walk out of the ballroom.

"Mind if I have this dance?" His husky voice causes my eyes to break away from my father's retreating figure to Zach's piercing blue eyes. I notice his hand is out and I place mine in his. My skin tingles a little as he leads me to the floor. "Are you having a good time?"

"I am. Thank you." I suddenly feel shy around him. My cheeks heat up.

"I'm glad. You look very beautiful tonight. I also want to congratulate you." I glance up at him confused, first a compliment and then congratulations. "Your pieces did very well at the auction." I understand now.

"Yes, I'm told they did."

"Curious thing though. A large donation was made to our community's charter right after you collected your earnings. Know anything about that?" His face held several looks at once, making it very hard to read.

"Nope." I pop the p and look away from his face.

"I thought you would use the money to open up your shop?"

"I will. Eventually. But it wouldn't sit well with me if I took the money to open a shop while children are suffering from the loss of a parent. I know what that's like and I wouldn't wish that type of pain on anyone." I explain while looking back into his eyes. His face drops as I reveal the loss of my mother.

"Me too. One of the reasons I started the charity."

"You? You started the charity?"

"I lost my mother, too." I feel his grip on me tighten. I take my hand and rest it on his cheek before speaking again. He leans into my touch.

"I won't say I'm sorry because I personally hate when people said that to me, but I understand. I hope you keep her memory alive through your actions. I try to carry myself in a way that my mother is still proud of the woman I've become. I hope you do the same." I raise my head to once again look into his eyes. His eyes flash something, but it's gone before I can process. I hear the song stop and I pull us from the dance floor. I am headed to the table, but Zach, instead, pulls us into a room off to the side. "What the—" as he places my back against the wall and blocks me with his arms.

"You have no idea just how incredible you are. It's infuriating because all I want to do is hate you. I want to push you so far away from me and I can't." I'm searching his face for a further explanation, but his eyes are squeezed shut as he confesses his feelings through gritted teeth. He looks torn and in pain.

"Zach, what are you talking about? You barely know me. I haven't done anything wrong." I try to soothe his anguish. I want to place my hand on his face, ease his suffering, but my fear gets the best of me.

"And that's the problem." His eyes snap open and they are darker now. The icy blue is gone. "You've changed everything." He leans in and kisses me passionately. I hold my hands to his chest and allow him to ravage my lips. He pulls away. "I'm sorry. I know I have some explaining to do, but I can't. Not yet. Please just wait for me. Meet me tomorrow at the clearing around noon." I nod, still dazed and confused. With that, he runs out of the door and vanishes.