The Commoner

Chapter 5: Tour

"I'll pick you up at 9 sharp, Im gonna tour you around the city." Luke said before I turned my back from him.

I just nodded as an answer, cant believe that he's the one touring me. where's bailey, what happened last night, is she still sleeping?

I lift my feet and started walking. Luke is a very good looking person or can I say he's almost perfect by the looks, He has hazel eyes, pointed nose, Thick eyebrows, broad jawline with very short beard, long curly hair that is tied up. He's maybe 6'3 in height with masculine healthy body feature. Well as I said everyone in this city is good looking. I tried to avoid about the thought of him. He's bailey's relative and that's all. Im no match to this people with my current status.

I open the window to watch the view outside but I landed my gazed to non other than Lucas Jake. I smiled at him and closed the window trying not be awkward. I started to do my morning exercise, after almost an hour I let myself to cool down and went to the bathroom for shower.

I wore a navy blue skinny high waist denim pants and matched it with plain black semi-crop top and I put on my black leather jacket. I get my pair of white chuck taylor. I dried my wavy medium length hair. Well, I inherited my wavy and copper brown hair from my mum. Dad always said before that I get my hair and facial feature from mum and I only get the height from him. My dad is 6'5 in height and I am 6' flat. When im done drying my hair, I tied it in a half bun. Put some lip tint and a colorless mascara.

It's 8:45, I open the door and headed downstairs. I hated to arrive late when meeting with people. To my surprised, luke is already there sitting at couch. Ugh! bad move, I hated it when someone is earlier than me.

"Hey, how long have you been waiting?"I asked. He turned his head without any reaction, like he already knows that I am already standing there.

"I just arrived." He responded and at the same time he stand from his position. He's wearing a white tops, black denim pants with a pair of black chuck taylor."How's your sleep last night? How does it feel to be here in thunderwood?" He continued.

"It feels good." I actually wanted to ask what time did bailey sleep last night but since I dont want to make a long conversation with him I decided to set it aside.

"Do you have any allergy to sea food?" He broke the silent between us.

"Nope. I like sea food."

"okay, then lets start the day with the breakfast in sea food restaurant." He said excitedly.

I nodded at him and he walked to the door while I followed him. When he open the door I saw a personalized matte black Rubicon JL jeep. My eyes widened in excitement. I'm always a fan of something personalized specially cars it's something that I get from my father which he also gets from grandfather.

"Is that yours? Are we gonna ride on that?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah. You like it?"

"Reminds me of someone." All I can say coz I cant just spill it out that it reminds me of dad. afraid that he might ask more questions about it. But my answer seems not good at all. He looks like he's unhappy or discontented with my answer.

"He must be someone special." He said but I just remained silent. coz he looks like he'll going to punch someone. Is he jealous? Or am I just overthinking?

After a moment of silent, we arrived at the sea food restaurant. I knew this is it coz the name says it all 'Fresh sea food in Thunderwood'

When he found a good parking slot, he eventually parked and we both got out of the car. I noticed that this place is really not crowded. I only saw like 10 heads in 30 minutes which means the population ratio is very low. No Homeless, No stray animals which means that the locals are taking good care of their environment.

We enter inside the restaurant, everything here is fresh. I ordered 1 lobster and tell the chef to just grill it and alfredo pasta while luke choose a buttered mud crab with vegetables salad. So my instinct is right, they're health conscious.

We were sitting in silent when luke broke it.

"Im gonna show you something." He said while standing in excitement.

"What?" I answered

"This restaurant has a rooftop where you can enjoy the view of the forest and there's a city garden over there."Luke said while pointing to the area where the forest is located.

I stand up without saying a word and no emotion at all. coz it doesn't feels right anymore. Like he was just forcing himself to accompany me so that I wont get bored in that room while bailey is sleeping soundly.

Luckily, the wedding will be tomorrow and after that we'll gonna go back to Algona and get back to my life. so for now, let's not go against the current.

When we arrived at the rooftop I slowly closed my eyes to feel the breeze, the swinging of trees when the wind blows, the smell of the leaves and the drops of the dew that touches my skin on the tree above us. When I open my eyes, I spotted the garden. Different colors of Tulips growing widely, Lilac, Roses. Truly, this place is heaven on earth. I turned around and caught luke staring at me. Maybe, he couldnt believe that someone like me who grew up in a crowded place can actually live and find peace in a place like this or does he think i am weird?

Well, I dont care what he'll think about me at all.

"You lived here all your life? I mean have you been to another place for the purpose of education or something alike?" I asked in trying to snapped him back.

"Studied Political Science in London. Law in Italy." He replied but he doesn't look like he's even giving me attention.

"Wow! You must be very intelligent."

"Nope. I just get bored here so I need a destruction." He replied with a soft voice still looking away from me.

"Is there something in that direction that you only can see?" I ask teasing him

"Sorry. my mind is occupied with something."

"Oh, sorry. I think our food is ready. If you are not in mood or you have some stuff to do like attend to your girlfriend's need then we can just call it a day."

"I've never been in relationship in my 27th year of existence. I've been waiting for... someone." He said finally moving his head toward me.

"That someone must be very special." I said in a low voice."Let's eat our breakfast before the food gets cold as the weather." I tried to look funny but he's face is still in a serious expression. I didn't mind him anymore. I walked toward the table where our breakfast at. Luckily, he follows at my back.

We just ate in silent, sometimes exchanging glances but no word at all. So when we're done I eventually went to cash registrar only to find out that Luke already paid it. So I go back to him and we walk to the car.

"You know, you should just let me pay. Luke, I know that I am not a rich kid who can afford anything and I know that you know I am working in a cafe owned by bailey but that doesn't mean I cant be responsible for my bills and needs." I said almost a whispered with a strong voice so it will sink in to his mind.

"Sorry, it's not what you think---"

"Yes, it is." I didn't let him finished his sentence.

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are, specially when you call my name."

"I know I'm beautiful coz my dad always said that and there's nothing special with your name so stop pretending to be nice. If you're doing this because bailey asked you to, well it's okay for me to just sit in my room I've been doing that for almost a year, we can just go back home and you can do you stuff, end of story." I really feel disappointed in his action. Honestly, I dont want anyone to pay for my bills, food and everything. I can do it on my own. I want to be independent, right? so why on earth there's a people like him whose trying hard to be part of someones daily living.

He didn't say a word and just kept on driving. Then I caught him looking worried at me in my peripheral vision so I turned to look and tapped his arm.

"Oh boy, Eyes on the road!" But his gazed still on me

"Are you sure you dont have any bad reaction to sea creatures?" He asked and I look at the rearview mirror to see my face, the redness on my forehead. I immediately removed my jacket and surprised to see more rashes on my arms. He looks worried and increase the speed of the car to like 2 miles per minutes. Gosh, he's trying to give anxiety.

"Hey, Calm down. I gonna be okay. Im used to it." I said trying to calm him. Coz he's actually killing me with that speed.

"How can I calm down when you're all red." He responded and look tensed. He look like we are running for our lives and someone is chasing us.

"How long since we left the restaurant?" I ask while holding his arm with my both hand to assure that I am okay and luckily he slow down the car and took a deep breath.

"45 minutes, Arya. And I need to bring you to the nearest ER now."He responded.

"No need. Just give me water." He look at me then pull a bottle of water from the back of his seat.

"Seriously? Do you think water is enough for that rashes cause by those creatures?"

"I have my meds. Don't worry. Lets just wait for 15 minutes, It will be gone." I responded.

"Can I park the car here? I'll just call someone so if something worst happen I know what to do."

"Nothing will happen. Trust me. I didn't saw it coming."

It's true. I've dream trees and tulips but this reaction, I didn't saw it. maybe since it's not rare to me.

He parked the car beside the drug store and got out immediately. Get the phone on his pocket and start calling someone. I decided to stay in the car since I still have rashes coz if somebody saw me, they might think I have measles and send me to Isolation facility. So better be safe.