The girl before she woke.

Two new faces.

Chapter 3

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside of my window. That's one advantage to living in a small town back in the city you wouldn't even have heard the birds through the sound of morning traffic. I got up and made my bed then went to my closet taking out a white off the shoulder sun dress and a pair of brown leather sandals. It was Saturday and my shift at JJ's the dinner I worked at isn't till tonight so I can take a long bubble bath for once.

It's been a month since Charlie left and my parents had made it crystal clear to me that if I didn't want to go to college I needed to get a job.I couldn't go to college I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and I wasn't keen on the idea of wasting money by just simply going anyway. So I threw on my most comfortable pair of pumps and headed for the streets of Blackberry Grove. I had only giving my c.v to three shops when word spread that the Douglas's daughter Rachel is looking for work. Another advantage of living in a small town , I guess because the next establishment I entered I was hired on the spot just by simply introducing myself.

That's how I ended up working at JJ's dinner  with a pack work schedule from Monday till Sunday only getting every other weekend off.Not that I'm complaining the majority of people are very nice and the tips doesn't suck either. Soon I'll be able to afford my own place and my life as a young independent women can finally begin. i wrapped myself in a towel and quickly brushed my teeth before exiting the bathroom.Dragging my legs to the mirror I grab my hairdryer and start blowing my waist length auburn hair. It took me twenty minutes to do my hair, make-up and get dressed a new record I smiled smugly.I took one last glance at myself perplexed honestly I don't even look like my parents.My eyes are honey brown, my hair is auburn and I'm shorter than anyone in my family. My features look nothing like theirs I have a small nymph like face while theirs are strong and defined. All of them have lean tips of bodies while mine is curvy. It's like I am a alien in this household.

Before walking out the door I grab my black bag with everything i need for the day.Saturdays I spend at the park that's where I met Robert. His a police officer and damn he looks good in a uniform. i was skeptical of him at first because he called me by my name on our first encounter.And then went on to explain that we used to know each other back when I went to school here. That was enough for me to stay clear of him, I hated socializing with people who use to know the old me.They held too much expectations and in the end i would always disappoint because I'm not that girl anymore and maybe I never really was. The whole time he just kept asking me questions like how I was doing and what I was doing now. All I kept thinking was how I was going to reject his friendship gently to prevent it from becoming a whole thing.

I kept my answers short and sweet when he suddenly stopped rubbing the back of his neck embarrassed."I'm a i***t , aren't I." It wasn't a question so instead of answering I just stood there staring at him. Not that I minded one bit he was a very attractive man with bronze skin, blond gold hair and hazel eyes.I did find it odd that the said he knew me from school though because he was clearly a man in his early twenties and I was but nineteen years old. But yet again he never said we were friends just that we knew each other from school.

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Robert Hastings and you are?"He confidently stretched his hand towards me a lopsided grin played on his face.

The simple jester changed my mind it was the first time someone has made the effort to reintroduce themselves that i wasn't related to.I took his hand in mine and returned his smile with one of my own."Rachel Douglas nice to meet you." 

We spent an hour talking to each other on a park bench it was nothing but light conversation and I enjoyed every minute of it.He took a glance at his gold wrist watched then explained to me that he needed to get back to work. It had only been his lunch hour when he saw me. I instantly felt guilty at his confession. Knowing he didn't eat anything while we were talking and who knows when he will be able to get some food again.Luckily I always came to the park prepared so I took out the plastic container with sandwiches I had made earlier that day and handed it to him.Like a true gentleman he declined polity but after I insisted making it clear that if he didn't that the freakin sandwiches he could forget about any friendship between us. That shut him up real quick he took the sandwiches with a smile and a flirtatious wink and I blushed watching him go.

Hopping down the stairs still giddy about thinking of Rob I begin to wonder if I'll see him again today.We have been seeing each other every Saturday and have been on two dates on separate occasions. To say it went well was an understatement he of course was a perfect gentleman of course but on the second date I couldn't hold back anymore. He was so sexy and my hormones just took over, I climbed on his lap and straddled him. I almost chuckled at how huge his eyes got from the shock the sweet Rachel Douglas was being a little provocative some while even say a little slutty. Scandalous I know but everything was new to me again and dare I say on overdrive. I wasn't that brave and I don't think I'm ready yet. But that doesn't mean I can't indulge in hot make out sessions and boy...was it.

"Good morning" I sing song'd to my parents who was sitting at the table.Dad was busy reading the newspaper while chewing on a piece of toast and mom was enjoying a cup of tea, Earl grey I presume it was always Earl grey.They both met me with warm smiles and I returned theirs eagerly.

"Well don't you seem chirpy today" dad noted with a upturned black brow."Anything to do with a young police officer perhaps?"

I didn't answer him my lips were sealed at least till I knew what exactly was going on between me and said officer.

"Their is some freshly cut fruit for you in the fridge if you'd like any" mom quickly intervened before dad could continue his interrogation. I give her a thank you smile then help myself to some of the fruit. Oooohhh grapes yummm I inwardly rejoice.We spent the morning talking about our weeks , I bent my parents ear about how rude my one co worker was being. Dad of course took it as another opportunity to let me know hoe much he hated the idea of me working at the dinner. But I didn't take his words to heart his just a proud man my dad and i needed to do this on my own. I was about to pack my bag for the park when my phone went off. Someone has sent me a text , grabbing the phone from the counter I see that it's Rob.

"Good afternoon beautiful " I felt my cheeks turning red reading the word beautiful. "I'm packed with work could you meet me at the station for lunch today?" 

Robert was not a normal police officer he was higher ranked and had his own office so it't wouldn't be like we would have lunch with a dozen other policemen just awkwardly staring at us.

"Hi. Of course I'll be there. see you soon." I added an "xoxo" it was my way of subtly flirting. My phone almost instantly went off again.

"Thank you . I hope I'll be getting some of that kisses for real later." My face split in a wide grin at his replay and I quickly sent my response."My lips are sealed. Now quit bothering me and get back to work."

"Yes ma'am".

I laughed putting my phone into my bag then made my way to the front door. I like Robert , a lot actually I silently confessed to myself.

Donovan P.O.V

"Don" said Robert greeting him while casually leaning back in his chair with his feet on his desk.

"What's this about Hastings?" Don spat out venomously.

He hated Robert he always has and always will. Since high school Hastings and his pig father had tried to ruin the 'Gods of Chaos' an outlaw motorcycle club he belonged to. Hell his father was the president and when the time comes Don would take over and he didn't need this bastard too constantly breath down his neck.

"How was prison?" Hastings retorted with a smirk , knowing full well that his the one that put him there. Don's blood started to biol and all he thought about was smashing the pig's face in till he couldn't even tell what he was staring at.

"Great actually" Don was the one smirking now."Had plenty of me time."

Hastings face turned bright red his eyes focused on him glaring. Good! Don thought . Get angry I want you angry enough to swing at me so I could return the favor till your soaked in blood then call it self defense.But that didn't happen instead he watched as Hastings face suddenly relaxed and a smile ... Yes a smile started to play on his lips. What the f**k was the asshole up too, the pit in his stomach confirmed that it was nothing good.

"Tell me Don... Did you meet anyone interesting?" Chuckling he continued "in the big house I mean?"Don just stared at him uninterested. he wasn't going to play his games, hew was tired he hadn't even gotten the chance to go home first. None of them did before Hastings dragged their asses here. And for what?To waste their time f*****g around? He begun to silently pray that the fool would stop his yammering and just let him go but Hastings had other plans because all to sudden he continued

'I'm just asking because I DEFINITELY did ." he put emphasis on the word definitely and something about it felt off to him.

"what the fu..." Don was cut off when the phone on the desk started to ring. Hastings put his feet back on the ground pulling his body into a seating position before answering the phone."Hastings" he greeted firmly not taken his eyes of his guest. Wow don sighed even over the phone he sounded like a d**k but as the thought popped up he rapidly pushed it aside notching the glint take root in his enemies eye.

"You can go ahead, it's all good." Hastings said putting the phone back on the hook a smile still playing on his face. A soft knock on the door disrupted their pissing match and Don saw Hastings grin broaden while letting the person behind the door know that they can come in. The door slowly opened reveling a beautiful Rachel nervously looking from Robert to Don and back again. His blood run cold and Don could feel all the color was draining from his face. It can't be her his mind was just playing tricks on him  from lack of sleep. Rubbing his eyes and silently praying that he was mistaken he slowly opened them again but their she still stood even more beautiful than he remembered. 

"I'm sorry" she said looking at Robert her voice a soft and sweet."I didn't know you had company the officer at the desk told me to come right in."

Don was still confused , what the hell was she doing here? last he heard they  had moved away. He ignored the sharp pain that come with remembering things about Rachel.

"It's okay baby, Hastings cooed. Don's an old friend."

Baby! His jaw clenched watching Hastings pull Rachel closer pressing his lips to hers. A light blush crept over her cheeks and Don couldn't help but remember a time when he was the one that made her blush. Fury rose deep inside of him and spread like wildfire throughout his body.So this was what the bastard was playing at this whole time and he didn't like it one bit. Rachel meant everything to Don that's why he let her go , he loved her more than life its self and it was no secret that Hastings always had a thing for her and clearly still do. He was trying to let Don know that she was his now and to stay away. he think his won that was what this whole display was. To throw it in Don's face , well he couldn't be more f*****g wrong Don knew he wasn't right for Rachel not with the life he lead but he'd be damned if he lets Hastings have her.

Don cleared his throat, placing an impassive mask on his face. His eyes swept over her involuntarily, she was a far cry from the girl he once loved. This woman oozed s*x, she had curves in all the right places, her lips are plumped and cherry red and the way she peaked up at you from behind her lashes could make any man go crazy with lust. Rach has always been beautiful but now she was a goddess. suddenly he found himself fighting the urge to bash Hastings  skull in again . He still hadn't let go of her waist , yes he had noticed.

"Are we done?"he asked him coldly.

"yes and Don, he smirked. Please try and stay out of prison."

Don got up and stormed out of the room quickly, ignoring the sweet voice of Rachel ask "Prison?" shock clear in her tone.  THAT SON OF A b***h! Who the f**k does he think he is holding on to her like that in front of him  and the bringing up his prison time to warn her off.

Don saw his friends waiting for him already on their Harley's."What happened ?"Rick asked his best-friend since he could remember.Don didn't feel like answering s**t all he wanted was a good two hours with a boxing bag. Honestly afraid that if he didn't get to one fast he might take his anger out on one of them even his closes friend Rick. That would be worst than what he just went through. No it wouldn't the voice in his head corrected him but still.. he'll feel like s**t.