THREE

 The just risen sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. A new day had dawned. I stepped out my front door, as I was about to go on an early morning walk. 

Daniel Carter drove into the compound and parked his car in front of the house. At this point, I was certain he was up to something.

“It’s you again.” 

“I hope you didn’t miss me too much,” Daniel closes the door of his red BoltX sports car. His white t-shirt complimented his ripped abs and his arm muscles.

I rolled my eyes, not responding to him. 

“Where are you headed?” He realized I was about leaving the house.

“I’m going for a walk,” I started walking away

“Can I come with you?” Daniel asks in a low tone.

“Huh?” I stopped with an irritated friend.

Being some steps away from him, I turned around, narrowing my eyes, unsure if have heard him correctly the first time.

“I want to come with you, can I?” He repeats himself in a louder tone.

“Sure. Just don’t slow me down,” I keep on walking and he runs to catch up with me.

“Do you do this every day?”

“Just shut up and walk,”

“Okay no talking. Got it!”

The swoosh of the cool outdoor breeze reminded me of the good old days I played in the garden. The smell of petrichor filled the air as we walked into the woods. We had not said a word to each other since the last mile.

 We kept walking and I realized how tall he actually was. I always knew he was a tall guy but I had not stood next to him for this long to know for sure. 

“How tall are you?”

“I’m six feet seven,”

“Wow, that’s a lot taller than average,”

“My dad was pretty tall. My mum too, so I heard,” He puts his hands in his pockets.

I recalled what he had said about his dad the other day. 

"Your mum…"

For some reason, I was curious to know.

“She and my dad separated when I was a kid, so I have faint memories of her. I have not seen her in years," he said. "There was a time she called to check up on me and my brothers. As we grew older she stopped calling. I tried reaching out but I never got a response.” He looks at me and realizes I had a sad face. “ I don’t know why I said all that. None of that is important,

 A moment of awkward silence passed.

“Do you always do this?”

 My puzzled look at the question made him specify. 

“I mean… Go on walks regularly or is this just a today thing?”

“I do this only when I want to clear my head. I need a clear head to think.”

Turning to look at him, I could read from his eyes that he wanted me to continue.

“Sally was arrested yesterday. The police claimed she was the one who stole the wristwatch. It just doesn’t make any sense. I have known sally all my life and she has never stolen from me before, not once. If she really did it I would want to know why. I actually thought you stole the watch.”

“Do you still think I did it?” Daniel turned to look at me 

“Kinda.”

“Mmm. I don’t expect you to trust me though; you barely know me.” He looks away from me. “You could ask her . We could go to the police station and talk to Sally if you’d like.” Daniel suggests.

Why did I not think of that?

“Yes. I would love that.” 

We have been walking for a while now and Daniel has not asked where we were going. If I were a serial killer, he would make my job easy.

“We are here,” I halted in my tracks in front of a lake. “My mother brought me here a lot as a kid. This was her favorite place to be. We would both swim in the lake till the late hours of the evening.”

I turn to look at Daniel. “And now it’s also my favorite place.”

“It’s beautiful," He said, "Just like you,” 

The complement took me off guard. 

I hate that I didn't know how else to respond other than laughing sheepishly and scratching the back of my neck.

“You’re a very awkward person Mariah,” he looked back at the lake, “Feisty. And funny too.”

“I know I’m a bit of fire, but awkward? Far from that.” 

“Yeah sure.” Sarcasm filled his tone.

As I smiled to myself, I used my silky brown hair to hide my cheeks from him for I could feel my cheeks turning red. I hope he didn't see. I hated how much of an effect those small words he said seemed to have on me. 

I was not that easy. 

Especially with a man who had done nothing than disgust me all this while. 

It started to get windy and I noticed the sky getting dark. 

“We should go back. It's getting dark.”

“Mmm,” Daniel nods in response, agreeing.

 As we got to the front of the house, I noticed an unfamiliar car was parked outside the house.

“I think grandpa has a visitor,” A visitor with good taste actually.

Daniel and I both walked into the house through the front door, only to see Alex in the Living Room.

“Mariah!” He walked up to me and wrapped his hands tightly around me in a warm embrace.

“Alex, you’re here!" excitement filled my voice as I hugged him back. “How was your flight?”

“It was fine. How’ve you been?” He looked down at me. “It’s been years Mariah,”

“I know, I missed you,” I said sincerely.

He looked even better than I remember. That blonde hair was brighter, his smile was more charming, his blue eyes prettier and his body more defined. I found myself easily swooning.

"Maybe you should go home," I said to Daniel, who exchanged looks with Alex.

I whipped my head away from Daniel and threw a big hug into Alex, squealing.

By the time I turned around, Daniel was gone.