DUSK TILL DAWN

CHAPTER17:THE DAY YOU ABANDONED ME.

***IMPERIAL MANSION ****

Thane looked at his wristwatch, the car had come to a halt. They had arrived at his residence. He looked over to the other side of the car. Scarlett sat there fast asleep. She cuddled herself in the corner, her face covered by the waterfall of her silky, velvety,thick hair. With her dress ending at knee-length, her long legs were cold, and she held them tightly close. The feisty woman had been long gone, leaving behind a vulnerable one who sat there isolated and seeking warmth. The coldness had seeped through her light clothing.

Thane felt the urge to run his fingers through her hair and found himself next to her in less than a second. Thane raised her hand to her face and gently brushed away the hair covering her face. The dim lighting fell on her porcelain face, making her more alluring. Thane was lost in her beauty, allowing himself to take a while longer and stare at her features as though he was afraid he would forget what she looked like.

Thane noticed that her brows were creased together as though she was in immense pain, no doubt she was having a nightmare. He raised his hand higher and smoothened out the frown with his index finger. At that very moment, Scarlett woke up, her eyes flew open as though she was running from something scary in her sleep.

“Why are you so close?” she asked, noticing their proximity.

“What did you dream?” he ignored her question.

“Haven’t we arrived at your place yet?” she refused to respond.

“Was it that scary?” he queried more and put his arms on both sides so she wouldn’t escape.

“If you excuse me, I would like to get off.”

“You are not excused. How long have you had nightmares?” he asked, observing her curiously and concerned.

“Move aside, now,” she demanded.

“Did you see a doctor?” He pestered her.

“Don’t infuriate me any longer, or you will not like what I will do to you,” she warned.

With that she angrily raised her knee and aimed at his nether. Thane was fast and in no time held her knee and struggled to push it down. She started to throw her arms about hitting Thane, but he couldn’t budge. Instead, he held both her hands with in his large palm and held them from behind. Using the other hand, he held both her legs firmly.

“Someone your size, you really have a lot of energy, Dawn,” he said in his deep voice.

“Do not call me Dawn.”

“It was a compliment.”

“One I didn’t ask for.”

“You never ask for them, they are rewarded.”

“Let me go.”

“Since when did you have those nightmares?”

Scarlett kept quiet for a while. Thane could feel that she was no longer struggling, so he loosened his hold. She lowered her head. Thane removed his hold on her legs and raised her face. Still, she avoided his eyes.

“Why will you not look in my eyes?”

“Do I have to?”

“Well, never let your enemy see your vulnerable side.”

“And you are one to say.”

“Look in my eyes and tell when the nightmares started.”

Angrily and out of reluctance, Scarlett looked in his eyes.

“Since the day you abandoned me, happy now,” she said painfully, her eyes shimmering like wet pearls. It was like she was going to cry. Thane could feel the pain between those words. It was unsettling. He could see that she wanted to cry, but knowing her for a long time now, he knew her ego wouldn’t allow her to do so. He removed the hand that was holding her arms all this while, and he led her out of the car.

Scarlett knitted her eye brows,