FOUR

I don't remember how long it has passed since I shut my eyes. The silence, the scent of wilderness, and the sharp breeze through the driver's door are what wake me from my unpleasant nap.

"Red," I breathe with difficulty, my eyelids heavy and stressed.

But I can't see him even when I try my best to clear my sight. I'm all alone in the car, and we're no longer moving. Fear strikes through me like sharp blade in the flesh. Where is he? Why did he stop the car?

I immediately unbuckle my seatbelt, my gaze wandering to the front, to the right, to the left, and when I'm free from the seatbelt my eyes are onto the back windshield.

"Red?" I call frantically while clutching the door handle to make a speedy exit. "Red?" I call again, seeing no sign of his presence at all.

Please, God, not again! It's only yesterday he fought a gang to save me.

"Red?" I yell again, panting so heavily while looking around.

The highway breeze blows my little shirtdress and a few loose strands of my hair, and green trees are waltzing at either side of the road. I realize I'm in the middle of nowhere.

Stranded?

Red's leather jacket is still on the driver's seat. I squint my eyes at the capricious sun rays piercing through the thickness of the tree branches. It's probably four in the afternoon.

"God, where are you, Red?" I brace myself and try to relax. "Re—"

A screeching sound coming from under the car interrupts my voice. My gaze falls down and relief fills me when he slides out and rises up to his feet from the back side, holding a spanner and a wrench.

"Sorry, I—" He pauses when I throw myself toward him and wrap my arms around him.

"Oh, thank God! I thought something happened!" I close my eyes and hug him tightly, relieved to see him safe and sound.

His heart pounds as fast as mine, but he doesn't flex a muscle as what I'm doing right now is probably a very unprofessional gesture that has caught him completely off-guard.

Now get a grip, Mia!

"Sorry, I..." I draw myself back to gather the lost composure.  "What happened?" I quiz, giving him a level look.

The white V-neck shirt holding his brawny chest perfectly is now stained with grease. I guess he was checking the engine. My fear falls back to my groin and something else preoccupies my mind. How does he look attractive in every situation, huh?

"We have a breakdown," he says coolly, looking worried.

"Flat tire?" I thought Billy had the car checked just last week.

He nods. "And oil leak."

"Oil leak? How come?" I scowl.

His lips twist into a hard line, as though he's got something to say but he's debating on whether to do it or not. He then looks up at me with an eased expression that reduces the tension.

"I'm not really sure," he replies.

Why do I feel uneasy?

"Can you fix it?" I ask him.

"Yeah. I did it already." He seems confident, yet there's something conflicting crossing his fire-like eyes. "But we better let the mechanic do a thorough check," he says hesitantly.

"Why?" I blurt, squinting my eyes. "Is it serious? But you said you have—"

Something hits the back of my mind, sending chills down my spine.

Has someone tampered with my car? What if it's not a mundane leak and Red is afraid of taking any chances unless he's sure the car is safe to drive.

My head's filled with theories and I can't help it given the circumstances.

"I just think it's better we replace the oil seals." Red gazes at me levelly.

"Are you sure you're not hiding something? Because—"

"It's just a leak, Madam. This car is a bit old so it happens," he says, cutting me off. "You've got nothing to worry about. I'll try to find a mechanic nearby and fix it before sunset." He glances at his silver Hamilton Pulsomatic smartwatch.

My gift to him.

To Bill, too.

"Alright." I nod feebly. Maybe I'm being paranoid, I decide. "So, where are we going to find the mechanic if we're stuck in the middle of nowhere?" I shrug, amused.

This place is as green as a park, thick trees on both sides of the road, utterly calm. I wonder if we're still in Washington, or if we are back in Oregon. I can't tell. But I feel at ease and it's pretty weird given that we are in trouble right now.

"Let's see," Red says, checking the GPS on his watch. I sigh heavily as I lean against the car, my arms crossed on my chest. "Shit, there's no signal." He scowls.

"Just great!" I giggle. "We're stranded in someplace, no connection, and we don't even know if there's a mechanic nearby." I abandon the car to embrace the sense of freedom, independence, and disconnectedness.

Why do I love this? It's always been my dream to get stuck in a place without civilization. Except . . . I had no idea it would be with my bodyguard.

Red glances at me with a creased eyebrow as he tries to find the signal, his phone up in the air. He's surprised that I'm laughing instead of freaking out.

Can I blame him? Not really. I've lost it and I'm aware. Everything happening in my life recently has been like a planned script of a soap opera.

I wonder what can surprise me at this rate. I've caught my husband cheating, I've been chased by someone unknown—a killer possibly—and the police can't find any lead, and I'm losing my business to top it all.

What a fancy life I have!

"Oh, this feels good!" I take a few steps around, looking heavenward to see if the great man upstairs still thinks of me.

At times it feels like God has abandoned me. But I know some people have it worse so I shouldn't complain too much. I cast my gaze back at my hot bodyguard and smile.

With him by my side, I find no reason to fear.

"It's not far from Longview and I think people live nearby," Red articulates after a while. His eyes are on the ground as he adds, "Do you see the shoe prints?"

I follow his gaze and indeed I see trails of shoe prints on the dusty path heading to the woods.

"Oh, yes." I nod, impressed.

"I'll go check," he tells me.

"What? And you're leaving me here?" I snap. Hell no, Sir, I'm not staying here on my own. "I'm coming with you!" I state sternly.

Sighing softly, Red remarks, "I wasn't going to leave you on your own, Madam."

My cheeks burn. He always knows what to say.

"Good. I'm safe with you," I blurt and the intensity of my statement gets instantly reflected via the stun in his eyes.

What have I said? I mentally tut.

"We're taking the car. A small drive won't be a problem," Red states, and whatever he says I feel inclined to oblige.

It's the effect he has on me, which is quite unlikely. I'm a stubborn creature that both my mom and my husband admitted to have failed to handle.

"Sure." I slam the backdoor shut and retreat into the front passenger seat. Red looks surprised by this. "What? Must I sit in the back? I want to sit here." I wiggle my ass to sit more comfortably.

He doesn't say a word but I think I saw a small smile. He locks the doors and pulls on his seatbelt. I do the same and our ride continues moderately.

The scenic view helps me calm my excitement down. Am I this desperate to get away from my reality? I wish to get lost. To get lost with him.

"Um—" Red clears his throat, and off from the train of thoughts I hop. I gaze at him responsively. "Are you okay?" he asks, concerns lacing his voice.

I can behold my reflection through his eyes, as though every time he breathes he takes me in.

"Yeah. I'll be fine in time," I answer, trying to delude myself.

But I know I will. I'm my mom's daughter and she taught me to never succumb to fear.

"That's good," he says, and for sure I've seen a semblance of a smile this time.

It doesn't take long until we come across a small town. Red was right. It's an old little town, and so is its architecture. The land barren of heathy plants, I hardly see trees around, but the air is so refreshing. I hope we can find the mechanic and get something to eat, for I'm starving.

"I think we should stop here and try asking around," I say suggestively, and Red is busy scanning the surroundings. "Hellow!" I stroke my fingers to get his attention.

"Yes, Madam." He responds.

Following my suggestion, Red and I roam around until we find our search. Before us stands a rugged two story building that seems to go way back to the colonial era. It's a small hotel and its lobby contains a bar...or diner? I fail to grasp.

Minutes later I figure it's a small tavern that's seemingly quite popular among the folks. Plenty of noise regards us, that only dies off when we finally walk in, and I'm sure our appearances stand out more than we think.

We're typical strangers.

The men inside are mostly big and strong, covered with many tattoos. Good Lord! I hope this doesn't turn out to be like the scenes in the action movies where the folks bully newcomers in small towns.

I subtly cling onto Red's arm as I whisper, "These people are scary."

"Act normal," he retorts.

Easier said than done. I mentally sigh.

"Hey-yo!" Some guy, long-haired with a cowboy hut, snaps at us. I hold my breath, but strangely my bodyguard doesn't totter. He's a marvel. "New around here? Never seen ya before," he says while nearing us, a bit intimidating.

My hand tightens around Red's stout bicep, and I'm praying this doesn't turn into those movies that fill my head with wild imaginations. No chaos, please.

"Yeah, we're passing by. Had a breakdown. Any mechanic nearby?" Red replies confidently.

The guy puts us under intense scrutiny, a toothpick between his lips. "Your wife?" He tips his head to my direction, and the other men's eyes glisten at the proper sight of me.

I can feel many gazes on my quarter-covered thighs. Perverts!

"Yes, I'm his wife," I say proudly.

Red's muscles tense in my hold, startled, and his face puckers as he glances at me.

Whatever, hon. I won't let these country bumpkins keep ogling me as though they're watching their favorite ice cream topping.

The guy looks suspiciously at us. Doesn't he believe me?

And out of the blue, Red's arm slides around my waist, clutching me possessively to his side. Woah! I try my level best to stay immune to his touch.

"My wife and I were heading to Astoria but the car is giving us trouble. Can we find someone to check it?" he asks him.

Staring at us without breaking the contact, the guy yells to the bartender, "Hey, Simone! Is Josh available in his shop?"

"No!" Simone, as addressed by the tough dude, replies while pouring some beer into a gigantic glass at the counter. "He's gone for the day. Taking care of some shit in the city."

"Tough luck, huh? No service till morning. Can you wait?" Mister I-give-orders-here tells Red, who's still appalled with everything. "Worry not, man. We may not have a five-star, but our place is decent enough. Can't let babymama sleep in the car now, will ya?" He grins at me.

Babymama? My eyes widen.

Red gives me the you-started-this kind of look, his eyes condescendingly firm.

"Sure. We can wait till morning," I boldly reply.

Red glowers but he doesn't object.

"Cool. You hungry, Lady?" the tough dude asks, smiling at last.

"You bet I am." I grin, my tummy rumbling.

"It's on the house. Jules! Bring them something to eat!" he shouts towards a young lady cleaning the tables. "And find them the best room available," he adds, and a sharp breath escapes my lungs.

Am I going to share a room with Red? We quickly glance at one another, shocked.