Chapter Eight - To A Remote Adventure Camp

Sydney

“You must disguise yourself to get to the airport. Here, use this wig, spectacles, and clothes. Your name is Mila Carter for now, and here’s your fake passport. I think that would be enough to get us to Cape Town without getting caught. Be ready in ten minutes.” Killian dumped the stuff on my bed and walked out of the vehicle.

I gaped at the things he had arranged for within such a brief period. Where did he get these from at 6 a.m.?

Was he into human trafficking? How could I trust a stranger so blindly when I couldn’t trust my family? Was I making a mistake by trusting him?

There was no time to ponder over it now. I had no wish to return to my house to face my dad’s torture. Killian had promised to help me out of this situation. He was bipolar, but he wasn’t so bad, right?

I just prayed that this didn’t backfire. Quickly changing into the jeans and shirt he got for me, I tied my hair into a tight bun. The chocolate brown wig was easy to fix, and so was the rest of the stuff. I gaped at myself in the mirror, unable to recognize the transformed me staring back.

I doubted anyone would recognize me now.

I was ready before the stipulated time and opened the door to look for Killian. He was sitting on the steps, staring at his phone.

He glanced in my direction and rose, his gaze sweeping over me. “Your luggage won’t do. Your family will recognize it. There are two empty trolley cases in the closet. I want you to use those instead of yours.” He handed me the keys to the closet, and I nodded, walking away.

My mind was all jumbled up. It was best to follow instructions when you couldn’t think straight.

He waited outside while I worked. After ten minutes, we were on our way to the airport in a cab. I kept a lookout for cops all the way to the airport. At every main junction, there were traffic police checking every car. I knew who they were looking for.

Me.

Thankfully, they didn’t see through my get-up. We reached the airport, and I released the breath I was holding.

“Cops are checking the entrance. Be careful of your disguise and act normal,” he leaned in to whisper. His lips brushed my earlobe, and a tremor went down my spine.

How pathetic could I get? He was way beyond my league. I was sure he had a girlfriend waiting for him at home. Then why did he live a lonely, nomadic life?

“Sydney, where are you lost?” His annoyed tone brought me back to earth.

I had zoned out, not realizing the cab had stopped at the terminal. “Nowhere. Lead the way.” I helped him unload our luggage, and we marched towards the entrance.

The cops checked our documents and allowed us inside. I turned to see them show my picture, interrogating the security staff around in case they had seen me. Before I could react, Killian steered me away to the security check-in kiosk. It was only after we boarded the flight that I relaxed.

The flight took off, and I turned to see Killian in the same condition as I was. “That was a close call. I almost thought I would get caught. How did you manage the passport?”

He smiled for the first time after the night we had met. “I have my ways, Princess.”

My heart melted into a puddle at the endearing nickname. It might be cliché, but I loved it when he called me a princess. It made me feel special for once. All my life, I had been a doormat, an oppressed and neglected member of the Bardot family.

I had no idea what had improved his mood, but I wasn’t complaining. Maybe earlier, he was stressed about me.

“I hope you aren’t into human trafficking.” Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were.

He chuckled instead of taking offense. “What do you think?”

I shrugged. “It looks that way to me.”

I was confused to see the amusement in his eyes. “I see.”

I waited for him to clarify, but he didn’t. Our breakfast arrived, and we ate in silence. I wanted to know so much about the place we were heading to. Why did he book an adventure camp at such a remote place? Was he hiding from someone like I was? Was he into something illegal?

I had no way of knowing. While he knew everything about me, I knew nothing about him except his first name. He was a closed book where I was concerned.

After breakfast, he dozed off while my curiosity multiplied. I flicked through the magazines to while away the time and wait for Killian to wake up. But he didn’t, and I too fell asleep.

Later, when he woke up, he remained uncommunicative and busy on his laptop, checking some documents. I wondered how he could afford this lifestyle. Did the RVs he rented out on Mission Bay earn him so much?

“Do you rent RVs for a living, Killian?” I had to know about it to plan my next step. I wouldn’t stay with him if he were into illegal stuff.

“Hmm.” It was all he said, hardly glancing my way.

 Bored to death, I watched a movie and slept a lot throughout the twenty-two-hour flight. We reached Cape Town at night. Killian led me straight into a car waiting for us.

The chauffeur stepped out, and Killian drove us away from the city. “What’s so special about this camp? Can’t we stay in some other place?”

He shook his head and drove us away from Cape Town towards Paarl. “You said we’ll stay in Cape Town.” I frowned at the luminescent signboard as we crossed it.

“Yeah, 50 minutes from Cape Town.” He concentrated on the road while I watched the rugged silhouette of mountains and the sweeping vineyards plunged into darkness all around me. This was an unknown place, and I was penniless. I had no choice but to tag along with him. Was I making a mistake?

I took off the wig and glasses and dumped them in his backseat. At last, I felt normal again.

“What’s this place called?” I glanced at the mountains, and a shudder went up my spine. What was he planning to do with me?

“Doolhof.” He drove on, past the vineyards, into a glamping site, stretching for acres at the foothills of the mountain. “That’s the Groenberg Mountain Range. Welcome to Cosmos Adventure Camp, Doolhof.” He grinned at me, staring around him with pride.

“At last, I know where I am! Are we staying in those camps? Where’s mine? I need a shower.”

“Ours, Princess. Haven’t you learned to share? The campsite is fully booked for the next two months.”

My heart sank with dread. How would I sleep with him for a month? But I had no choice.

Why did he have to choose this remote place in the middle of nowhere? I couldn’t even escape to the airport if I wanted to.

He parked the car, and a friendly staff member came over to help us with the luggage.

“Welcome back, sir,” he smiled at us.

“How are you, Joshua?” Killian patted his arm.

He flashed us a bright smile. “I’m good, sir. Will you stay longer this time?”

“Yes, almost a month.” We followed Joshua while I wondered how Killian knew him. Did he come here often?

“That’s wonderful. You need the break, sir.” He gave me a cheeky grin and unlocked a cozy hillside glamping tent.

It was much bigger than what I had expected, with a wooden deck, a bathroom, and a private outdoor wood-fired hot tub. However, the only drawback was the bedroom and the king-sized bed!

This was worse than the RV pad. At least there were two separate beds.

“Enjoy your stay, sir. I cleaned it for you.” Joshua left after Killian thanked him, while I still glared at the only bedroom of the tent.

“What happened? Are you having second thoughts?” he mocked me, knowing fully well why I was annoyed.

“I’m not sharing a bed with you, Killian. I can’t stay here with you.” 

I glared at him suspiciously. I was sure he was doing this on purpose. Was he playing a game with me?

“Do you have the money to book a separate tent for yourself? Then I can arrange one for you.” He glared back, challenging me to defy him.

I hung my head in shame. No. I didn’t. I was depending on the money I had in my account. It was enough to last me a year even if I didn’t work. But now, Dad had ensured I was penniless. Except for the cash I had with me, there was nothing! “No. I have nothing.”

He looked pleased to see me so vulnerable and helpless.

“I thought so. Anyway, I had booked this for myself before I met you. We can upgrade to a two-bedroom tent if any of them are available. Until then, can you adjust, Princess?” He gave me a hopeful look and my heart melted into a puddle.

I nodded, unable to hold on to my grudge. “Okay.”

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.