Chapter 5 CHAPTER 5

He takes her through the back staircase to avoid people seeing her in this state, the chauffeur already waiting in his limo, ready to drive him to wherever instructed, but he ignores everyone moving to his newly acquired latest model of range rover sports, opening the front door for her, she slides in still not uttering a word, drew closes the door behind her, turns to the driver side then zooms off out of the premises. He leaves the exhaust and the astonished chauffeur in their wake. Drew persuades Nadia as he drives to give direction to the Darrel s. The Darrel s are already awaiting her arrival; her aunt is a bit worried because she is new in the city, and it is getting too late for comfort. Pam rushes to the door at the sound of a car in the drive away, wondering who the driver is; Drew stepped out of the car, rounds to the passenger side, and lifted the already sleeping Nadia in his arms. The door opens before Drew gets to it. Pam looks from the Man to the woman in his arms alarmed, Drew, introduces himself to Pam "I m Andrew Sebastian" "Yes, I know you are the man from the other day at the airport" Pam interjects. "What happened to Nadia?" Pam curiously asks "It is a long story" Mrs. Darrel calls to her daughter from the living room, "who is at the door Pam" walking to the entrance to see for herself. "Pam, can you please allow them in before you continue the interrogation." Stepping aside for the Man to come in Drew gently placed Nadia, on the sofa in the small living room. Drew s gaze roams his surroundings before landing on the elderly woman. Before saying a word, Nadia s stirs, eyes flutter open, they are red-rimmed from too much cry. She gently sits up. Drew s jacket still hanging on her smaller frame Drew sees her first "Are you alright?" He asks "Yes, I m fine, and thank you for bringing me home." Mrs. Darrel and Pam quickly sit on either side of the sofa. "What happened?" they ask in unison Drew sensing their need for privacy excused himself, tells Nadia to take care, and set to take his leave, Pam stands to see him to the door while Mrs. Darrel remains with Nadia on the sofa. Thank you again Pam says as she closes the door after him. Nadia tearfully narrates her ordeal to the duo; receiving a hug and assurance that everything will be alright. They thank God that Drew was there early enough to save her. Nadia decides to call in sick, too shaken by the previous night s ordeal to leave the house. She reaches for her phone and discovers she must have left it at the party. Making use of Pam s phone she placed a call to Pablo and Trina that she won t be coming to work. Trina must have told Pablo what she knew of the night s ordeal because he was sympathetic and understanding telling her to take her time. Drew walks into his office, the celebration party had been great except for the tiniest of a thorn in his rose, his mind meanders back to Nadia, not that the girl has left his thought since the party. The truth is he does not know what to do with her, he is clearly attracted but is he willing to pursue a romantic interest? He sits to read the business section of the news, picks up the paper-his secretary customary leaves on his table. The only reason he follows the news daily is for business purpose and maybe a little of politics, other stories are just a bunch of desperate efforts of the press to make money. The cover image caught his eyes with the caption: "Andrew Sebastian s Mystery Lady now identified." He was not moved by the caption, but the picture got him boiling with anger. Nadia s innocent golden pools staring trustingly into his, her hands holding tightly to the flaps of his jacket hanging over her small body. "Darn!!!! Will these ever stop" Drew cursed under his breath, picks his car keys, informs his secretary to reschedule his meeting for the day. He had to return the girl s phone anyway. Nadia was left alone at home since she took the day off and everyone has gone about his or her businesses. She relaxes on the sofa in the living room, flipping through the channels; she is absorbed in the Real show on the screen that she did not notice a car is already parked in her driveway. The tap on the door startles she is not expecting anyone. Peering through the peephole she discovers who it is. Nadia s heart did a little singsong; she opens for him to come in. "Hey" Drew greets taking in her appearance and liking every bit of it. Hello, Nadia responds, the living room suddenly becomes smaller, Drew larger than life presence filling the room. I m here to…….return I m grate………..The two of them talk simultaneously. Nadia smiles and Drew looks on with a smitten expression. Her smile is like a thousand-watt bulb lighting the entire living room, and maybe light up his world. Where did that thought come from? ?Drew assumes a rigid expression, willing himself to remain aloof, irrespective of the pull between the two. "I m here to return your phone, Beatrice my housekeeper found it this morning." His eyes roam the living room then finally lands on her, he hands the phone over "Thank you" she whispers her innocent peering at him, before collecting her phone from his outstretched hand. Clearing his throat, Drew began….. I want to warn you beforehand about……….about… Drew was still talking when Pamela burst in, her usual happy go fellow beaming at Drew immediately she steps in. "Hey! Hero" Drew returns the younger girl s smile. "Hello Pamela, It s nice seeing you again." Pamela is indeed a remarkable young girl, petite but bubbly and smart. Drew is beginning to like the girl s friendly demeanor. His mission forgotten in the girl s happy presence "Are you coming for Nadia s birthday?" Pam requests It is Nadia s birthday, when? Drew asks. "Next weekend, her eighteenth birthday actually" Pam announces Nadia interrupts their chatter, waving playfully as if to get their attention….. "Hello I m still here" Drew loving her relaxed and happy mood, chuckles. "Well, are you?" Pam urges. Eagerly waiting for Drew s response "Well…. I….." Drew not wanting to disappoint his newly found ally "He is busy" Nadia interjects, making excuse for him, their eyes meet and lock everything around them forgotten, fading into the background. "Please come," Pam says in her singsong manner that makes people want to do her bidding, interrupting the web of attraction they were hewn. "Ok, I will." Drew accepts. Wondering why he said that. "Yippee!!!! Your eighteenth birthday is going to be lit!!!" Pam says in Fancy Nancy s French accent, tickling her cousin, causing both girls to giggle Drew looks admirably at them, liking the relationship the girls share; he has always wondered what it is like to have a sibling. He is beginning to like too many things about Nadia, he had better found his way before he finds something else to like. "Thank you, girls, for the invite, I need to be on my way," he says, moving the door. Nadia sees him off to the car and waves him goodbye, feeling very happy in a long time. Drew gets to his car, driving out of the lot with his smile still in place. He glances at the Newspaper on the passenger s seat, remembering why he went to Nadia s in the first place. He must have gotten it bad with this one, ruffling his hair with one hand as drives with the other, and smiling to himself like a besotted fool.