Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Apologies readers for uploading a chapter twice, and making mistakes. It was because of my network failure, letting me publish chapter twenty one twice.

Chapter twenty two

Zack's POV.

I snuggle closer to the pillow beside, as awakening settles in, making me turn. The sheets on my body has been peeled off, now somewhere around the bed. I am awaken fully when the scent of something sweet, and warm lingers in the air. It is very familiar.

I think it is the reason I became conscious in the first place. Opening my eyes, as I shift so that my face can face the ceilings, I take in the sight of Mr. West.

"You don't look so good." He says to me, causing me to smile, as I groan like a little child, and dip my head into the pillow I was snuggling into. "That won't protect you."

"I know. Not from you, at least." I say, causing him to laugh as well. "So, what was that amazing scent?" As I ask, he hums, giving me a mischievous grin. Oh, no, is there something more to this I am yet to unravel?

"What are you guesses?"

"I don't know. I would have guessed coffee, but you're not so much of a fan." When I say that, he gives me a playful innocent look, causing me to grin. "Or maybe....tea. What tea?"

"You don't expect a tea maker to reveal to you just secrets." He says, and passes me a cup after he's stretched to the bedside table to grab a cup from the two cups in a silver tray.

"Thanks, sir."

"Welcome." He replies with, his plain British tone so clear.

"How is it?"

Hmm.

It is very marvelous, and inviting to the mouth, to my taste buds.

"Very inviting, sir."

"Oh, please," he flips me off his left hand, using his right to pick his own cup, "thanks anyways. It all was just a main interesting recipe, and that is it. All it takes." He adds, sipping on his.

It takes me a while before I can recollect my thoughts, so I can say what is on my mind. Mr. West seems to be giving me the time to do so, he is someone that so far I think he can calculate his opponent. It's like he knows I want to say something, so he keeps quiet.

"Mr. West."

"Hmm?" There's one of his tricks again. Maybe next time, I'd call him Mr. Mastermind.

"You said we needed to talk, yesterday. I'm sorry I couldn't anymore." I say, looking straight into his eyes, mine pleading. He is staring down, or maybe into the cup he is drinking from. I would not know.

"Yeah, I know the cause. You were drunk. James finds it hard to keep the truth from me. Seems he finally cares." His last sentence is watchful, and not so innocent to my ears.

"He seems caring from when I've known him."

"Let's not pick on that." Says Mr. West, and I guess that is the end of that conversation.

"So, what was it?"

"Just casual talks. Will you still come back?" He ask me the most dreadful question of them all. I would come back, that is sure, but when it will be, that is hard to answer.

"I'll surely come one day." Is the reply I give, and he raises his brows, his older senses making him understand. He is indeed a wise man. A wise man who drinks tea. Nice combination to provide one of my older characters. My writer part is back on lead. Awkward, isn't it?

"Okay, we'll talk more. Come downstairs. We should eat today's breakfast together. It shall be something." He says, and walks out of my room, leaving me alone, in the bed.

After a minute, I drop the cup on the cabinet, next to the bed and sit up. Getting out of bed, I motion myself to the bathroom. After entering, I go straight to the basin, and open the faucet. I use the water, running down to wash my face then grab one of the two plain green towels to wipe my face. Whelp, I look much better now than before. I do hate my morning face. The way my hair would be messy, and my face would be wrinkled. It use to be so gross.

From my front, I pick my brush, and soon have started brushing. The thoughts of sharing the beautiful tea moment with Mr. West flashes in my brain, causing me to laugh. When I'm done, I approach the shower.

My bathing is slow, and collected. I took my time to relax, as I let my thoughts flow freely. Yesterday's event flashes across my eyes, and the fitting emotions runs through my veins, disturbing as well as exhilarating.

Back inside the bedroom, on my body is a grey shirt, having long sleeves that streams down my arm's length, the buttons fully clasped. Then, I grab a black coat and put it on top. Below my waist is a black cotton trouser, long and sweeping down my length as well. Looking back at the mirror, seeing I am okay for the travelling, I get out, and walk down the stairs.

Mr. West is already at the table, sitting at his usual place. James is beside him by the right, I take the left as it has always been since I got here.

"Morning."

"Morning, Zack." Says James at me, he is smiling, which gives me some sense of relief. At this moment, I really don't think I know how I'm feeling anymore. I was the one annoyed yesterday by his rules, while he was still jovial, but today, I was acting like I was the jovial one, and he, the annoyed one. It is so creeping me out. "Slept well?"

"Yes, what about you?" I ask back, reciprocating the conversation to elongate it seems befitted, and needed for me to do especially after yesterday's behaviour of mine.

"Thanks, it was okay." Then, he gives me a painful look, or rather regret. "I had to tell Uncle that you couldn't talk with him yesterday because you were drunk."

And right after he mentioned that, my eyes shift to Mr. West, whose eyes are on his dish, as he is using his cutlery to swallow the red pepper noodles in front of him. They have cooked breakfast just like they had cooked it that evening when I arrived. Such few days ago that now seems like years to me. I feel like I have known them all even though it all occured in a matter of few days. "We had discussed it."

"Oh," is all he says, and shift his gaze as well to his Uncle, "please, eat."

"Hmm." Making that hum, I dig into my noodles, and start eating it. Every once in a while, I will pick up the cup in front of me, containing apple cider and drink from it. It is refreshing.

In about ten minutes more, I was done with the food, and slide back my chair so I can stand up. James and his uncle aren't done yet, so I excuse myself and pack my dish to the kitchen. In no hurry, I wash the plate, rinse it and put it back to it's rightful place.

Back to the living room, I tell James. "I'll go and pack now."

"You are yet to?" He looks very shocked, like "I might choke on this noodles" kind of shock.

"No, it's not like that. It's just...I have few cloths that aren't in the case anymore, they are the ones I was going to pack. It's not going to take long at all." As I finish saying, I want to leave when he tells me.

"What about your cousin? We are picking her, right?" At his words, I nod a yes. "Have you called her? So, we can know when to move, you know, in time to meet up with her?" He adds in, and truthfully, I hadn't thought of it that way. Stupid me. I was thinking that we move, go to the airport, probably wait for her, then once she's arrived, we go home, and James comes back here...well, truth be told, I just thought of this reality too. My mind was empty before.

"I will give her a call now." With that, I run up the stairs, and inside the room, I grab my phone, remove the charger I plugged to it, and dial Susan's number.

She didn't pick it, which makes me dial her contact again. Then, on the third ring, my brain dings; she would be on the plane now. She's told me that her flight will take off in the morning. Oh, she would be arriving soon then.

With that, I send her a message via her contact.

Hey, sis, morning. I want you to call me once you get off the plane. James, and I will most likely be there by then to pick you up, so let us know when you arrive. Love you, take care, muah.

Once I am finished with texting, I send it. Dropping my phone carelessly, I go to the case, and open it. Standing in front of the cabinet, opening it, I take out my cloths — those that I wore while here — and pack them nicely, stuffing them into a side of the case where they won't mix too much with clean ones. Done with that, I want to pick up my phone again when the door opens, and James comes in.

I'm still searching for my phone when he clears his throat. "You're all set."

I nod, "yes, told you it won't take long." I hate this character of mine that throws phone anywhere...oh, thank God, I've found it.

"Hmm. What about your cousin? Called her already?" He ask, and take a seat on the study chair. I will miss that part.

"Yeah." I would have sat next to him, but I still have things to clear. Oh, that reminds me, my bag. Sighting it on the side of the bed, I zip it open, and walk to the study table, where my laptop is on.

He says nothing, while I pick up my laptop. Mind you, matter-of-factly, I haven't looked straight into his eyes since morning. When I look at him, I stare at either his jaw or neck.

My hands brush against his, as I dip the laptop in. Then, I close it when he mentions.

"Are you vexing?"

His question sure made me stop in my track.

"No." And that's such a big fat lie. As a writer, my instinct gives nothing away.

"Okay." On his side, he is being succinct as well.

"Yeah..." A memory coming to my head make me drawl. "What about my car?"

"Don't worry about that. I haven't even asked the mech if he's done with it, but I assure you that no harm shall come to it." He says, and mean it.

"Thanks." Now that I'm done, I don't know what else to say.

"Yeah, I will take my leave now, and go get ready."

"Okay." I say, and he nods and leaves. When the door finishes closing, I sigh and drop into the bed, staring straight at the ceiling.