Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

The past isn't far off from the present

The Vroom of a motorbike suddenly jarred her from her daydream as she slouched on the rocking armchair beside the fireplace in the living room.

She gently rubbed her eyes and peered through the window. Drake parked his bike in the garage, raking his fingers through his wind-blown sandy hair as he walked up to the front door.

At once, the doorbell rang. Abigail appeared from the bedroom, she squinted through the peephole and announced that she had a visitor. Only that he is no visitor. She needs to change into something more befitting than her nightgown. She signalled for her to let him in and that she would join him in a bit as she scurried across the living room to the stairs.

Abigail nodded. The doorbell rang again.  The door clicked open. He heaved a sigh and then stepped in.

The living room was massive with a touch of Victorian decor which gave off an austere elegance. The tall ceilings were decorated with traditional crystal chandeliers. The room displayed beautiful objects and heirlooms.

The maid motioned for him to seat on the chesterfield sofa. He proceeded to where the sofa was and slumped into it. He had been riding for hours from the countryside of London. He was pretty pooped out.

"What may I offer you, sir. Whisky or...?" She trailed off.

"Coffee is fine for now. Thank you"

"Understood. Coming right up sir. Just a minute" with that words she hurried to the kitchen to fix a cup of coffee.

He checked his mobile. The time reads 12:40 pm yet the chill in the afternoon was still evident. It's still Spring season after all.

Abigail appeared with his brewed coffee and placed the saucer gently on the mini table beside the sofa where he was seated.

"Here you go, Sir. Miss Janice will join you shortly," Abigail said with a smile on her face.

"Thank you very much, Abigail," he said returning the smile.

She bowed slightly and then retreated to the other room.

Momentarily,  she emerged from the stairs, walking gracefully down the stairs.

He lifted the coffee to his lips and watched her over the curve of the mug.

She wore a V-neck strap tank Top and denim trousers with a pair of leather boots.

"Look who decides to show up and what took you so long,"  she said as she sat on the sofa across from him. 

He chuckled

"Had a few businesses to deal with in the countryside." 

Her brows furrowed with curiosity

"Business?"

"Y-yeah you know me I'm a jack of all trades. Never mind me where's your Dad?" He laughed nervously.

"He's at work Obviously," she said emphasizing the last word.

"Oh right, It completely slipped my mind. It's Tuesday after all"  He Sipped the remaining coffee. Damn it! He's acting completely act of character and Janice may have already noticed judging by the questioning stares she kept flinging in his direction. 

Get your acts together man!

He cleared his throat.

"How about a glass of whisky? C'mon " she gestured to the minibar across the corner of the room.

She stood at the counter and then cocked her head towards him.

"How do you like your whisky?"

"Bourbon, neat please"

"Coming right up sir," she said sheepishly.

He burst out laughing

"Nice acting Jane"

"Here you go," she said as she handed him the glass of whisky. She poured for herself, took a sip and grimaced.

"Don't force it," Drake chuckled looking at her.

"Nahhh I'm good!" She beamed.

"This place hadn't changed at all," He said scanning the house.

"Sort of. Well Dad had a few renovations done on them but it's pretty much still the same. My Dad's taste hardly changes ".

"I can see that. By the way, how're my babies doing?"

"B-babies?! What babies?" She stuttered, alarmed at his words.

He burst out laughing hard when he couldn't contain the look on her face.

"Relax Jane. I was talking about the horses"

She heaved a deep sigh

"You asshole! I couldn't breathe at some point. I-I thought..."

"You thought you had a baby for me?" He completed the statement with a sneer on his face

"Get a hold of yourself you mug head!"  She squealed.

He chuckled. "So?"

"They are fine generally. However, the young horse has been ill for a while. We had someone replace you ever since you left without a trace but the lad is currently on leave and out of the country. The doctor is coming over tomorrow to take a look at her"

"I would like to see her. There should be something I can do at least before tomorrow," he rubbed his jaws as he spoke.

"What are you going to do? You're not some vet doctor are you?" She snickered

"Have you forgotten I was your horse keeper? Technically, I still am".

"So...?"  She shrugged.

"So I have my ways with horses ever since I was just a little boy. My dad had a herd of them. He taught us real good. Um... I hate to be rude but was one year enough for you to suddenly have amnesia?" He squinted at her, his icy blue eyes sinking into hers with utter confusion.

"Of course not! It-it just didn't dawn on me. You were our horse keeper for crying out loud!" She scoffed.

Like hell, she had forgotten about him! She had been brooding over this puzzle seated gracefully beside her. This man just continues to intrigue her by the day!

Drake gulped down the remaining whisky from the glass and let out a long sigh.

"Let's hit the stables and take a look at the horses. C'mon, you need a little sun on that pretty silky skin of yours miss," he blinked his eyelashes at her as he goaded her.

She chucked. "Alright. I need it, been indoors for too long. Some fresh air wouldn't hurt"

"Great!"

As he walked ahead of her to the front door, she could make out the outline of his muscular arms and shoulders fastening the T-shirt he wore. She bit her lower lip to resist the sudden urge to trail her fingertips on his arm and shoulders. The gush of cold afternoon wind slapped her face as the door swung open. Thanks to it, it tugged her from her fantasies.