5

Chapter 5

A few days later

Ella Whitmore

My car slowed down, making a loud grinding sound against the tarred road before halting.

Ugh! Fuck! Not now, please.

I'd repaired the car five times already in the last two months.

I purchased the car from someone three years ago because it was cheap... I couldn't count how many times I'd taken it to an engineer these past years.

I really should discard it now, but I have bills piled up, and saving money to buy a car is the last thing on my list now.

I sighed frustratingly as I stepped out of the car. Of all places the car could break down, why a deserted road?

No cars. No one passing by.

Just an unending road covered in fog and snow ahead and behind me.

I rubbed my cold palms together.

I was supposed to be in the office in thirty minutes, and here I am, stuck in the cold in the middle of nowhere.

Right… I should call a mechanic. Maybe I could find anyone nearby.

With that in mind, I went back inside my car and grabbed my phone.

The battery blinked back at me. Just one percent.

Before I could call for help, it went blank.

Sighs. Switched off.

That was my last hope.

I couldn't stand there. It'll only get worse. I had only one choice… to walk.

With that in my mind, I reached for my car keys, locked the doors, and started walking aimlessly down the street, hoping to find help soon.

Cold bit into my coat down to my skin, my inside almost freezing, and my legs begging for rest as I walked down the streets.

Five minutes… just five minutes, and my legs couldn't go any farther.

My body shivered, teeth chattering, heart pounding hard, breath stuttering, and my pulse slowly slipping away.

My legs finally gave in, and I crashed to the floor at the side of the road, my vision blurring out.

God! I might die if I don't get help in another minute.

At that moment, the only person I could think of was that stranger… Kael Ashfang.

Deep down, I longed for his presence… A part of me waiting for him to come save me.

Crazy! Is this a movie where the male lead pops out of nowhere whenever the female lead is in trouble like he was always lurking around her?

I laughed silently at my silliness, because I knew for sure no one was coming to save me.

“Ple…please… sa…ve me…” Still, I whispered, my voice inaudible.

With my eyes half opened, I saw someone approaching me… a tall figure. One that was unmistakably Kael Ashfang.

I blinked. Did it work? Did he really pop out of nowhere to save me?

Relief coursed through me, but I asked myself… Why was he always everywhere? Especially whenever I was in danger?

First was that night, then when Jasper tried to hurt me... and now?

But it didn't matter at that moment. I just needed to leave here.

He stopped before me, and without hesitation, lifted me effortlessly from the ground, into his arms like I weighed nothing.

Without a word, he turned and started walking away. I didn't resist. I didn't ask questions. I just curled on his chest, his body hot against mine… just what I needed.

We got to his car. A black sleek luxury truck.

He got inside the car, still holding me firmly, his body hot against mine… like he was burning from inside.

It was weird that he was burning up while it's cold out here… I wanted to ask if he was fine. I mean, it's weird being hot in this weather.

But I didn't. I just stayed in his arms, getting all the warmth that I needed.

The cold had reduced, but not completely gone. My body still shivered, teeth still chattered.

Then he reached for his jacket, draping it round my body, its smell greeting my nose.

It smelt like pine and something wild… One I couldn't identify.

I should be afraid... Anyone in their right mind would be.

It was weird that this man came from nowhere and has been showing up whenever I was in danger like he was always watching me.

This should scare me, but it didn't. Wrapped in his arms now, surrounded by his heat… I had never felt so safe in anyone's arms like I felt now.

My pulse steadied… Fingers tightened on his shirt as a heavy invisible weight pressed on my eyelids.

I shouldn't trust him enough to fall asleep around him, but it was already too late.

My consciousness had already slipped away, his heat seeping into my frozen body.

At that moment, only one question echoed in my head… Where will he take me? What happens when I wake up?