There are feelings inside of me that are stirring for the first time in my life, and I have the overwhelming urge to tell her things that I should not be telling her. Like how much I want her and what she makes me feel. These are lines I shouldn’t be crossing, but here I am going deeper and deeper inside her, knowing for certain that what I’m doing will keep her bound to me forever.
Chapter Eleven
NOVA
Well, it seems as though I’ve been caught sooner than I thought I would be, but I can hold my family off for a few more days. When my mom and dad returned home from their vacation, my dad immediately noticed that the truck was gone. I was sure they weren’t planning on coming back for another week, but I must have gotten the dates wrong.
I told them I’m in the city for a few days with a friend. I have to get the truck back home, but it’s not pressing. My dad doesn’t need it, but they will want to know where I’m staying. That’s the conversation I’m not ready for. Once I’ve been here for a few weeks, then I can tell them. That way they’ll see I haven’t been murdered and kidnapped and all is fine. At least I think it is.
"What do you think?" I give Aurora a hand mirror so she can see the back of her head. She gives a small squeal of excitement when she sees the Dutch braid I put in her hair.
"I love it!" Aurora jumps up from the vanity chair to wrap her arms around me in a tight hug. "It's fun having a girl around."
"Totally agree with that sentiment," I tell her as I nod to her hands. "I can do your nails after piano practice."
"Do you have nail polish?" Aurora asks, and I can see the excitement in her eyes. Shit, I don't. Well, not any with me.
"I can pick some up. I'll grab a few colors."
I noticed Aurora has piano practice and then a French lesson, so maybe I can pick some up at the pharmacy while she’s busy. Her classes are impressive, but I suppose that’s normal in this world. I was going over the things she’ll need to start school, and I was flabbergasted. These fancy private schools aren’t messing around. I hope I can keep up with her homework.
Aurora and I head downstairs to greet her piano teacher. Once she's situated, I go in search of Niles. He knows everything, so I'm guessing he'll know where my truck is. I could call for a ride, but why waste the money? Working here means I can save money, and I plan on building a small nest egg while I'm here.
I find him in the kitchen talking to the chef. "Hi," I say, getting his attention.
"Is there something I can help you with, Ms. Galloway?"
"Yes, my truck keys and the location of said truck."
"I had to park it in one of the garage bays. We can't have it sitting outside. It's an eyesore."
Okay, ouch.
"Hey, I'll have you know that truck has been around for thirty years."
"Thirty is too long," Niles says dryly, making me laugh. I know he doesn't mean it as a joke, and that's what makes it funnier.
"Don't you worry. I'll be returning it home soon enough."
"This way," he says, and I follow him through the back of the kitchen to another side of the house.
Just when I think this house can’t get any bigger, it keeps growing. We end up in what I’m guessing would be a mud room, but there is nothing muddy about it. It has built-in cubbies and shelves around the whole space. Everything is organized, and my fingers itch to move shit around. Niles opens one of the drawers to pull out my keys and hands them over.
"Is someone coming to retrieve it now?"
"I have to talk to my dad about it." I can probably stall him for a week, but there’s no way I can get away with more than that.
"Please let me know when he arrives so that I can alert the front gate."
"Will do." I give him a finger gun in confirmation.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Nope, I'll be back shortly."
"Wait." Niles steps in front of me when I try to go around him. "I didn't realize you were leaving." His eyes drop to my keys. Oh, he thought my dad was coming today to get it.
"I'll be right back."
