Four: The field

Erwan's POV

It was dark when I leave Dr. Mavero’s SUV, but instead of heading home, I searched for a solemn place to clear my head. It seems like the complication of my life will begin now.

It is an advantage that there weren’t a lot of cars that are roaming around the street. It is dark on the road but the lights of the city and the open establishments made it easier to see the surroundings. I have been glancing from left to right of my car window as I drove.

I was whistling while driving, the memories that I have in this city are haunting me. There was never a day that I forgot about how Veron died in this same street in my hands. Those were the most terrible memory of my life.

I stopped the car when I noticed an empty field beside the highway, I may be the type of guy who likes to go clubbing and party all night, but there’s always a part of me who longed for a quiet place to freshen up. I stepped out of my car and walked to the center of the open land, it felt great to be here. I looked at the surroundings and noticed that I am the only one here. Well, that’s great, there will be no distraction. I lay on the grass and observed the dark sky, it is empty, I can barely see stars, but I am not a fan of astronomy so it doesn’t really matter if there’s a star in sight or something. As long as it does not rain, then it’s all good.

I thought about my sudden engagement and heaved a sigh. In the past, all I want is to spend every single moment with Veron.

If she is here right now, there is no way that I will agree being engaged with somebody else other than her.

If she suddenly appears and holds my hand, I will surely never let it go. My future is her but life was cruel.

There's no future for me anymore. Since she left, I just let the so-called destiny take control over my life. 

“I am engaged,” I said, whispering to myself.

My thoughts drifted to the unexpected turn of my life until I slowly closed my eyelids and eventually fell asleep.

--

A smell of girlish perfume lingered in the air, I felt something close to my face and I reluctantly opened my eyes to see what it is.

Ms. Croven? I was a bit shock to see Shane leaning her face in my own, I do not know what she is doing here, but I think that it will be fun to tease her rather than asking her.

“What are you trying to do? Are you going to kiss me?” I whispered behind her ear, trying to sound as husky as possible.

She pulled away from me, and I kept myself from laughing as she hysterically explained that it was never her intention to kiss me and rolled her eyes.

She reminds me of Veron, the way she roll her eyes and the way her eyes narrowed when pissed. I wish she was her.

What a twist, I never imagined that out of all people, she’s the one who saw me out here. It’s fun to tease her, she looks really pissed whenever I annoy her. Then, I suddenly remembered the conversation that I had with her dad a moment ago, she’s in danger.

“Ms. Croven, don’t you know how dangerous it is to wander in this time of night?” I asked her, my face suddenly turning serious.

I waited for her answer but she did not speak. Well, I think she is alright, I noticed her red car parked from a distance and it looks like she got out for a midnight drive. What a brave girl, wandering around on this kind of night can be really dangerous, yet here she is.

I suggested that we should go home and she agreed with me. I was willing to leave my car on the road for tonight and offered to drive her home but she resisted.

I can’t help but chuckle, this brave pretty girl doesn’t know the danger that she is in. I realized that there is no use to debate with her so I just let her drive herself home. I started the engine of my car and waved at her, but I also stopped at the front of a close convenient store not far from the open field where she saw me.

I waited until her car passed the convenience store and followed her to make sure that she will safely drive her way home. I have a responsibility to fulfill as her fiancé.

After minutes of driving, she reached the gate of their mansion. She does not even notice that I am following her all along. I lingered outside their home for a bit to observe if there is a danger in sight and drove on my way home after making sure that there is nothing suspicious around.

“It’s very late now Erwan, where have you been?” Nate, my brother, asked me upon seeing me opening the front door of our home. He is deep on reading some files on his laptop which is placed above the marble desk in our living room and looked up when he sensed my presence.

“I was on a date,” I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

“On a date? That doesn’t sound new to me. You never ran out of dates.”

“Life is frustrating if you don’t do anything to enjoy yourself. I don’t want to be like you who is stressing himself on doing a lot of work.”

“Let’s just say that I am too busy making money for the family. So tell me about your date, is the girl hot?” he insisted.

“Didn’t mom told you about anything?“ I placed the glass down on the sink and walk over to him.

“Told me about what?” he asked, looking perplexed.

“My engagement,” I shrugged. I heard him laugh which made me stared at him in confusion. Is there anything funny to laugh about?

“Bro, I can’t believe you agreed on doing that engagement thing. Come on, you don’t have to do it. I and my mom can somehow find a way to save the company.”

“I know that this problem that our company is having is a kind of serious thing and I can’t just walk around and do nothing about it when I can actually do something for it.”

“Wow, my brother’s maturing now. If only dad was here, we don’t need to experience any of these.” He said, still looking at his laptop.

The blood inside me suddenly boiled and I am feeling the urge to punch that devil’s face. A drunkard bastard who left his family with a lot of debt.

“Don’t ever mention that jerk’s name ever again.” I feel my face reddened in anger and closed my fist.

“Right.” Nate adjusted his reading glasses, probably feeling awkward now.

I clenched my jaw and tried to remain calm. I placed my hand on his right shoulder.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend, Nate?” I asked, diverting the topic.

“Why are you suddenly asking me such things?” he turned towards me, his eyebrow furrowed.

“Well, I can set you up on a date with a hot chick that I met at a bar last Saturday.” I grinned.

“Don’t ever get me started. I don’t have any plans to get involved with some hot chick who probably knows nothing but to flirt.”

“Whatever bro, you gotta get a life.”

“Drop the topic, Erwan. Tell me about this fianceé of yours, was she hot? What does she look like?”

“She’s pretty but not hot enough to arouse me.”

“Pervert.” He threw a small pillow in my face and grimaced.

I just smirked at him, he probably has no idea about the agreement that I made with Dr. Mavero regarding saving our business in exchange for protecting her daughter. I did not bother to mention it to him because he might tell mom about it and they will cancel the engagement, and they will probably lay awake for weeks thinking about an alternative to save the company.

“If I know, you’ll find yourself falling for her in no time.” He teased after a minute of silence.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Nate. That will never happen. Never. Ever. Going. To. Happen” I said, shaking my head while waving a finger.

“Let’s see.” 

My stomach grumbled and I stretch my arms as I yawn. “Whatever, dude. I am going to sleep now, I suggest you do the same,” I put my hands inside the pocket of my jeans and started to walk in the direction of my bedroom which is on the second floor of our house.

“Erwan, tell me more about this pretty fianceé of yours!” I heard Nate shouted from the living room. I shake my head in his silliness and shut my brown wooden door before he can think of following me here upstairs and nag me to tell him about it.

“I swear there’s not going to have a chance that I’ll fell for her,” I whispered to myself, pulled my clothes off until there’s only my boxer left, and dived into my bed.

I wish Veron will visit me in my sleep tonight.