Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

The horse keeper

The fiery ball in the sky shone relentlessly as they trudged to where the stables were stationed.  their boots sank into the soft mound of dirt as they went. Drake paused and cocked his head toward her, his wary eyes softened with worry. It was about five miles from the main compound. The wasteland was very massive about forty-six centimetres acres. A steady rhythm pounded his temples.

"You okay?" He inquired in between pants.

She simply nodded, gasping for breath. Phew! It's been ages since she was at the stables.

She placed her hand on her chest. She could feel the rapid thudding. She has to continue. She doesn't want to leave the impression that she's some spoilt twerp who can't even go for a walk.

"If you need some time to rest just say so.  But we will be there in no time. Say about five minutes more" He glanced at his wristwatch and then back at her through squinted eyes.

"N-No! I'm good. Let's continue" She shook her head frantically.

What's she trying to prove? He thought to himself with a smirk plastered on his face. A gentle chuckle escaped his lips.

"What's funny?  Do you think I can't do it? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you!" She glared at him. Thankfully she came along with her sun hat, she steadied it on her head and squared her young shoulders all the while casting Drake a frigid look.

He shrugged. "Alright then".

They continued their journey to the stables in silence. He fell into step with her and then glanced at her shoulders. Her blond hair spiked messily.

"You good?" He said staring down at her. Beads of sweat greased his forehead.

"I'm doing just fine" she replied smugly.

He nodded.

Come to think of it, she doesn't really know anything about this man's past. anytime she asks, he stylishly dodges the question.

"Hey, I don't even know much about you.  Are you the only child? And you never mentioned anything about your father", She inquired, her eyes trained on him as they walk.

His brows furrowed in a slight annoyance at her sudden question but she didn't seem to notice how upset these questions made him.

"Why all these questions out of the blue?"  He stopped walking which caused Janice to halt in her tracks.

"So what? I can't ask about your life is that it? You know most things about me but I'm not sure I even know you Drake", she said casting him a dubious look with her hands on her hips.

He chuckled and shook his head scornfully.

"But you didn't give a shit about these when I fucked you did you?!" He snorted.

Her eyes flared and her spine bristled at his words.

"Y-You're so unbelievable!!!! You're nuts!" She exclaimed in shock. She lurched away from him.

"That came out wrong I'm sorry!"  He said hurrying after her.

A hint of nausea grazed her insides as his hands brushed past her arm.

"You make me sick! Don't touch me!" She flared up, the whites of her eyes glowed pink.

"I said I'm sorry!" He said pitifully.

She had no right to be angry.  After all, she had feelings for this man! She bit her lower lip as embarrassment rained down on her.

The stables came into view. The horses neighed loudly as they approached the stables. Drake walked over to the Cleveland Bay Horse,  crouched and began stroking its curls. The horse neighed softly in response to his touch.

"That's my girl" he muttered as he stroked the horse.

"How can you tell that's the sick horse? I'm impressed. You're certainly the best fit for a horse keeper after all,  not that blockhead Steven. Sometimes he doesn't know what he's doing" she said gazing with amazement.

"So what do you think is wrong with her?"

"She needs to go for a little trot." He jerked his head up at her.

"You wanna ride her? I can walk you." He grunted as he hoisted himself up.

A grin crossed her face. "It's been a while. I'm afraid..."

"You need not worry about a thing. I'm here to help. May I?" He cut her off with a welcoming smile on his face. She recognized it immediately.

That same smile a year ago. They had both ridden on the horses together. It was an incredible experience she had missed badly. She used to be frightened by horses when she was growing up but ever since Drake showed up, the fear ceased and she feels at peace whenever he's beside her like no harm will come her way.

It's strange because she didn't even feel this way when she was riding with her father not even her uncle.

His strong arms gently lifted her from the ground and steadied her on the saddle of the horse. His big hands circled her narrow waist which caused her heart to skip a beat. She quickly swallowed a lump in her throat. 

Fuck! Get a grip girl! It's just a mere touch-it means nothing.

Thank God he's not joining her up here otherwise she would probably have lost it! She can't bear him being extremely close, the whispers of his hot breath against the back of her neck, the feel of his tensed torso, his powerful arms around her, and their hands practically interviewed as they both gripped the saddle of the horse. The mere thought of this enticing invitation sends a shiver down her spine.

The horse galloped at a relaxed trot with Drake strolling beside her.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Can you manage by yourself for a bit? I have to get this."

She nodded in the affirmative.

He strolled about a meter from her and held the phone close to his ear:

"Surprise?" The voice said

His brows crinkled with confusion.

"Who's this?" He asked and walked a little further away, with his phone crunched to his ears, desperate for the unknown caller to reveal its identity.

Rasps of hearty laughter escaped from the other end of the line, startling him a little.

"It's me Finn" the female voice whispered.

His eyes dilated with surprise and annoyance at the same time. He sighed deeply before bellowing at her.

"Don't ever call me by that name again. You hear?! How the fuck did you get this number anyway?"

"My Little secret. You have been avoiding me, haven't you? You didn't even tell me you were returning to London."

"Look Racheal it's not the time to talk. Could you please just... " his voice trailed off as he checked on Janice, who to his surprise was nowhere in sight.

"...burger off!" He finished and was about to hang up when she said the words he least expected to hear.

"I'm in London"

His heart gave a little jump. Rachael in London? Fuck no! He can't have her here otherwise she's going to ruin his plans and he can't let that happen.

Not this time.

"Rachael...are you for real?"

He could hear the whistle from the other line and her chuckle before she responded.

"Hell yeah. Besides, I already got a job. I hear you work for some billionaire chic. I may drop by to say hello...properly"

"Look-! You shouldn't be here. London is harder than you think!" He bawled.

"Blah blah. I'm here now and there's no turning back. Not this time. I've missed you badly F-"

"Don't-! Look I'm in the middle of work.  Gotta go" he cut her off then hung up,  frantically raking his hands through his hair and did a few paces back and forth to steady his breath and the rage brewing inside of him.

He jogged ahead to catch up with Janice. The horse must have taken her further away while he was on the call. Damn it! What's with that Racheal chic? At a time like this? She'd always been like that, springing surprises like birthday presents and he dreaded it.

He was shocked to see the horse by itself, neighing and trotting, its saddle was empty.

Where on earth is Janice?!

Perhaps she went for a little walk by herself or she went to the public bathroom to piss or something.

Or... Did she fall off the horse?

Kidnapped even?!

He hastened his pace, his feet dragging on the hilly pathways close to the little waterfall. He scanned the area desperately for any signs of blonde hair.

This isn't right!

That uneasy feeling began to spew in his nerves with his heart in his throat.

"Janice!!!!" He managed to yell. His voice echoed across through the hilly mountains and the waterfall.

He called out again but was answered by the echoes of his own voice.