Chapter Sixty

“Are you alright?” Seth asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead of him.

He had pulled off his mask now.

He wanted to pick Thea up and then be on their way to the Jeb. He didn't want to draw any attention to Thea either so he used a mask instead.

After helping her to the car and getting her far away from Runes, that damned bastard, he had driven the car in silence, deliberating on whether to ask or not.

“Yes. I'm alright.” She replied.

His eyes went down to her hands, still trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it. Seth looked away, his attention fixed on the road once more.

“Avoid him. Don't ever talk to him again.”

Thea chuckled nervously. “I doubt that's possible. He wants answers and will keep coming back until he has them..”

“Then take Ethan with you. You shouldn't be alone with him. It's dangerous.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“No, you're not going to be fine!” Seth snapped, his grip on the steering wheel seemed to tighten.

He exhaled, controlling himself. “If I hadn't shown up, he would have forced you into his car.”

“This is my problem, Seth! I don't understand why you're getting so worked up about something that's clearly my problem.”

Seth went silent, and his grip on the wheel seemed to tighten. She's right, it was none of his business. He shouldn't be getting worked up but he couldn't help it. He was trying really hard to contain the rage in him when he saw how Runes manhandled her.

That fucking asshole! He's going to make him pay dearly for what he's done.

“We have a contract. I'm trying to make sure you're alive and well to fulfill your end of the bargain.”

Thea scoffed. Of course, that's all he cared about! The bloody contract. He's done this so many times but for some reason, his words always amuse her.

More like hurting her feelings…

“I'll make sure I'm alive to keep my end of the bargain.” She shot back, turning away from him.

He didn't respond, what the hell was he supposed to say? Every time he opened his mouth, he always seemed to fuck things up.

Thea tried her best to stay calm, she signed up for this. She's only trying to secure her future, nothing more. Thankfully, the past week has been busy for them both and neither of them could keep to their chosen ‘appointment days’ in the week.

As much as she would love to pretend she doesn't care, she did. The fact that she wanted him to render her legs useless again made her want to mock herself.

‘Get a grip, Thea! He wants you to have his child! And then leave!’

How could she forget that? She would be leaving her child with this man and their contract would end!

Thea shuts her eyes; she doesn't want to think about it. Not now.

Seth just kept driving, trying to put Arian's words behind him. This past week has been a busy one for him and in between, Arian had decided to stop by his office.

His new arrangement with Thea was for the better, and he didn't need to tell Arian the nitty bits of his relationship, no matter how hard he pressed to know what his conclusion was.

And he had made up his mind. It's just a phase and it will pass. It has to.

Despite how busy his week had been, Seth found himself thinking about her more than he wanted to. He would be in a meeting, and his mind would wander to the memory of her in the hot tub, or the feel of her body pressed against his.

This situation with Thea was supposed to be simple. A transaction. Hell, even Arian could tell it was more than just a contract now and he wouldn't stop teasing him about it.

He was a man who knew what he wanted: a child to secure his family's legacy. But the thought that he might want more than just that from Thea kept creeping into his mind.

He pushed the thought away, it will pass. It has to.

"We need to get Daisy," Thea said, breaking the silence. "Will you be making a stop at her cafe?"

"Sure," Seth replied, his tone clipped.

“Are we going to stop by the house? I told Butler John to put my box in the car when Ethan comes to pick me up...”

“It's here.” Seth cuts in, eyes still fixed on the road.

Thea stared at him in silence, he remembered to pack her things. Or did Butler John inform him on learning Seth was going to pick her up? This man was a mystery. Sometimes he's considerate and other times, he's a complete asshole! Those two don't make sense together, but somehow, they seem to pull her in..

She looked away. ‘Don't fall for this. You're only going to get hurt.’

Thea pulled out her phone and sent Daisy a text. Hopefully, her friend has already packed her things for the weekend getaway.

Soon, Seth pulled the car to the curb outside Daisy's cafe. The familiar scent of coffee wafted out as Daisy came bouncing out the door, a small bag slung over her shoulder.

"Thea!" she said with a bright smile. Her eyes landed on Seth and she bowed her head slightly. “Good evening, Mr Blackwood.”

Seth gave her a curt nod. Thea glanced from Daisy to Seth, what's with all the formalities?

“Get in.” Thea reminded.

Daisy slid into the back seat, her energy filling the car instantly.

"I'm so excited for this trip! It's exactly what I need."

Thea smiled back. "Me too."

She had called Daisy the night before, reminding her about their trip, and she was very excited. This trip might just be what they both needed, a change of scenery.

“Hey, Clara dropped off the list you asked for this morning.” Daisy hands Thea a brown folder. “She will be making a stop at her aunt's place for the time being.”

Thea takes the folder, flipping through its pages. “Thank you.”

Curious, Seth’s eyes caught a few words on the folder. She's working on a new project, and that list contains people they intend to bring on board.

“We get started on this by Monday. Thanks, Daisy.”

“You're welcome” Daisy smiles and then, silence. Neither Thea nor Seth said a word, and the tension in the air was almost electric.

Daisy regards the duo, did they fight? Maybe an argument before she joined the ride? Daisy leaned back in her seat, it's best she stays out of this and minds her business.

The ride continued in silence until the concrete jungle gave way to green hills.

Thea watched the landscape change, feeling the tension from earlier begin to ease. They were heading north, to a secluded area known for its peaceful, natural beauty.

Finally, they arrived. The resort was a collection of cabins, nestled deep in the woods. The main lodge was a large structure made of dark wood and stone.

The cabins themselves were scattered around, each with its own porch and a view of the forest. The air was cool and smelled of pine. It was a beautiful place, a world away from the city's noise.

“Your family owns this resort?” Thea asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes. This isn't everything. You'll have to walk deeper into the woods to see the waterfall.” Seth announced, pulling the car to a stop.

Thea turned to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “There's a waterfall?!”

Seth met her gaze and his mind seemed to go numb. He tried to open his mouth but words seemed far away from him. What sort of sorcery is this?! His heart was racing again, as he stared at her smile. Seth looked away, trying to catch his breath.

What the hell is this?! Why the hell won’t his heart cooperate with his mind?! Or could this be a sign of an illness? What if its terminal?

“Seth?” Thea called.

“Yes. There's….there’s a waterfall.” He said, refusing to look at her.

“Woah! We should check that out!” Daisy advised as the women stepped out of the car.

Seth leaned back on his seat, his hand over his chest as he tried to catch his breath. This only ever happens when she smiles. Hell, whenever she's around!

Seth stepped out of the car seconds later, his hands in his pocket. He avoided Thea's gaze, eyes staring at everything but that woman. He couldn't risk it.

“This is beautiful,” Thea said, admiring the scenery. It looks so peaceful, she could stay here forever.

“Its perfect,” Daisy adds.

Just then, another vehicle pulled up behind them. A sleek black SUV. The door opened and Arian stepped out.

Daisy's eyes widened in surprise, what the hell is he doing here?

Arian's eyes landed on Seth first, he hurried towards him, a smile on his face.

“Is Celine here yet? She will kill me if I'm late.”

Seth shakes his head. “We just got here too. We're yet to see Celine.”

Arian sighs in relief; the last thing he wanted was to get on that old woman's nerves.

His eyes finally settled on Thea and then Daisy. He looked surprised to see Dasiy.

“What are you doing here?" Daisy asled, her voice was a mixture of shock and something else.

Something complicated.

Thea hadn't mentioned Arian was coming. She hadn't even known he was invited.

Arian gave Daisy a small, shy wave.

“Daisy, this is Arian, Seth's friend.” Thea introduced.

“I know. You didn’t mention he was going to be here.” Daisy aside, dropping her voice in a whisper.

Thea scans the duo, what on earth is going on between those two? “Have you two met before?” Thea asked.

“Yes.” “No.” They both responded at the same time.

Now even Seth is curious, what's going on?