Chapter 79: Chapter 79
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It was the break of dawn and the sun was beginning to start its daily and punctual rise from the horizon. It was that hour of the morning that felt cold yet warm, and one’s bed seemed to be made of clouds.
Avril turned gently, her hair fallen all over her face and her arms under her head as she snuggled with herself. Slowly, she yawned and turned to face the ceiling, her eyes open but still sleepy. She kept flapping her eyelashes until she no longer had the early morning blurry vision. Using her fingers, she gently brushed off her hair from her face and yawned again before setting the hand on her belly.
“You yawn like a baby,” the most soothing voice pronounced from across the bed. Avril raised her head up and supported her frame with her two elbows propped backwards against the bed. Dakar was seated on a chair, in the middle of the room and directly in front of the bed. His leg was crossed over the other that was on the floor, and he was leaning sideways on the chair. His hair… looked worse than hers. Like he had wrestled with villainous birds who simply wanted to make him bald with their claws. She sat up properly and stretched her arms in the air.
“I would not be surprised if you tell me that you didn’t have an inkling of sleep because you were deriving pleasure from watching me sleep like a baby. But… your hair says otherwise. I doubt anyone would have that sort of hairstyle from just sitting and watching me sleep.”
Dakar deep-chuckled and sat upright, letting his other leg rest on the floor.
“I slept the whole night. Longest and smoothest sleep I’ve ever had. But I unfortunately woke up like this. And was quite alarmed when I saw your hands in my hair and your entire body using me as a bed,” he casually stated and even shrugged at the end. Avril’s eyes widened as she stared at him.
“I what?” she questioned and he laughed.
“You sleep like an aggressive wild cat, kitty cat,” he teased and she pouted.
“You are just framing me up. Why would I sleep and decide to play with your hair?”
She stepped down from the bed and walked towards the bathroom door.
“Exactly what I was thinking while I sat watching you sleep.”
Avril paused when she heard that. She bit on her bottom lip hard. So he did not sit there to romantically watch her sleep but that instead?
She huffed and stomped into the bathroom. Thirty minutes later and she stepped out fully washed and looking girly again. She had brushed her hair and applied all her skin care. Remus had amazing skin care and beauty techniques. She had sworn not to even use any human products again. She had fallen in love with her hair now. So full, smooth, silky and long.
The smell of something delicious cooking filled her nostrils as she walked fully into the room. Dakar’s naked back faced her from the kitchen side of the room. Their hotel room was just one full room with a kitchen, dining area, a bar, the bed, then the closet and bathroom which were the only separate rooms. The kitchen was about three metres opposite the bathroom door.
“Stop staring too much. My back feels hot already,” Dakar said without looking back at her as he turned something in the frying pan. Avril smiled and tucked hair behind her ear then walked straight to that sexy back of his. She hugged him, sprawling her fingers over his belly and chest then placed a soft, long kiss on his back. Dakar hardened and stood still, the warmth from Avril’s body transferring more to him than the heat of the stove. He took a deep breath and turned off the stove.
“Hey,” he called as he turned around and held her arms gently. She gave him a small smile.
“Your hair looks better,” she complimented. It was in a messy bun behind his head but was way better than how it was minutes ago.
“I partially brushed it. There’s some place I want to take you,” he replied and brushed his thumb over her elbow.
“Where’s that?” she asked, curiosity beaming in her eyes.
“Some place you might love. It might get you a little dirty too though.”
Avril eyed him suspiciously and he gave a dark chuckle.
“I’m not burying you, Avril. Now let’s have breakfast.”
After a hearty breakfast which Avril gladly ate twice in a row (Dakar was thoughtful enough to make extra just in case the Avrilness showed up), they got ready and left the hotel. Avril had noticed how a few of the important staff regarded Dakar with a bit of more respect, but the regular staff treated him like a customer they did not even know. Maybe the higher staff knew he was a businessman. Or maybe he knew the owner of the hotel closely.
They entered his car and he drove all the way to the outskirts of the city, a lot of time that took them. But it was worth it as Dakar seemed to be in a really calm mood and kept answering all her questions.
Finally, they seemed to reach where he was taking her. They drove into a farm that was as huge as their entire island back then. A lot of trees and plants graced the land that Avril felt she was going to jump out of the moving car and take a run through them all.
“My God, what is this place?”
“A farm,” came Dakar’s reply. Avril laughed and looked at him.
“I know that. It’s really huge. Is this government owned?” “No. I own it.”
Avril’s eyes bulged as she stared at Dakar’s face while he still drove on the long tarred road that had the magnificent trees on every side.
“You own it? Dakar, how many things do you own?”
“A lot of things. Including that hotel we just left.”
Avril’s mouth fell this time around as she gaped at him. No wonder. Just no wonder.
“How do you go about owning all these establishments?”
“Either starting them from the scratch… or buying them. I bought this particular farm after I got back from the island.”
“Amazing… are there animals here?”
“Of course. Wait until you see the cows. And horses. There’s even an inbuilt ranch here, though it’s quite small compared to the farm itself. Some of my workers live there.”
Avril felt very giddy and wished he could drive faster. She tried to calm her excitement but it was very evident that she couldn’t. When she was at the island, she had been the laziest girl ever and refused to help with all the farm work. But she secretly loved that they had their own food source and liked that they helped things grow and become perfect.
They finally got to the main farm and Dakar took her on a tour around. It was going to be winter soon so most of the harvest had taken place. She was shown the storage houses and the amount of fruits and other produce there surprised her. She even got a crate of oranges as a souvenir.
“Let’s go see the animals now,” Dakar said to her after a worker had helped take the oranges to the car.
“Ah, yes. I wanna see the horses first.”
So he took her to see the horses first. She instantly fell in love with a white mare that had amazingly long and curly mane. She was so beautiful and Avril rode on her. By the time they had gone to also see the cows which Avril insisting on milking along with the workers, and checking all the other livestock—she had become very dirty. Her shoes were muddy, her hands dusty, and lies and sticks clung to her hair.
“This is the best day ever. Reminds me so much about those times that you…,” and she trailed off.
Dakar gracefully ignored her statement.
“We have to get going now, woman,” he said with a chuckle.
“Don’t drop that gallon. I’m going to drink all of that as soon as we get home,” she said and hurried along with him. He was holding a plastic milk container which she had received from the milkers. Actually, that was the one she had milked.
“Let’s just go. I’m tired already,” he whined and opened the car.
“I thought y’all don’t get tired out easily.”
“Not tired of the walking here and there. But tired of how frustrating you could be. Jeez, I’m not taking you out again.”
Avril laughed because his face showed the exact opposite of what he had just said. All that time, Avril had noticed how he looked at her with affection while showing her around. She was frustrating in the way she was just all over the place like a five year old. But he certainly did not hate it.
They returned to the hotel and showered. Dakar went to the roof to take a few drags, while she settled on drinking a bit of the fresh milk. Her mind wandered back to last night. She was so glad she heard their voices. But why did she feel like something was not right with them? Or was she getting these bad feeling from somewhere else?
Dakar returned and he looked a bit troubled too. He was frowning but did not say anything to her.
“Are you all right?” she asked him as he walked straight towards the bathroom.
“Let’s go back to Remus right now,” he answered and entered the bathroom. Avril frowned too.
“Why? I thought we were—”
“Something’s come up. Let’s head out,” she heard him say.
She rolled her eyes and gathered the things she had come with, and the ones she had gotten. She wore a simple black flay dress and tied her hair in a neat ponytail. When Dakar came out, she was already packed and ready to go.
“What’s come up, Dakar?” she asked. He sighed and ruffled his hair. His face was wet which meant he had splashed water on it.
“There’s a little something that needs my urgent attention.”
He changed into a red silky dress shirt and black trousers then took the keys. Avril held her milk can and followed behind him. Dakar looked at her and shook his head.
“What?” she questioned.
“Nothing.”
And that was all for the conversation they had until they reached Remus. It was a boring and awkward journey. Avril had lots to say, but Dakar’s face showed he was in no mood to be disturbed. He was thinking hard and it was obvious.
When they had just spent five minutes in Remus, Dakar stopped the car.
“What is it?” she asked and he exhaled.
“I’m in need of a favour from you,” he stated. He looked sideways and met with her inquisitive eyes.
“Close your eyes and don’t open it until I tell you to,” he demanded. Avril wanted to laugh at that ridiculous request.
“I know, I know. It sounds silly. But… I didn’t carry any Remusian Valeriana to put you to sleep.” Not that he needed it. He just didn’t feel… right.
“What is going on, Dakar?”
“I’ll explain everything. Just trust me and close your eyes.”
Avril nodded, relaxed on the seat and took her sleep mask out of her bag. She wore it and exhaled. Dakar looked at her then rested his head on the wheel.
“I’m sorry,” he said in his mind and felt really terrible.
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