Chapter 3: Leaving the country

There is so much elegance in him and that is one of the many things I love about him. I really want to see what is hidden behind those clothes. Oops, I'm thinking dirty thoughts again. I tried steadying my breathing so he wouldn't notice, but it was proving to be really difficult. Could my heartbeat stay steady in his presence? No way in this world.

"Hi Sarah, how have you been? It has been a long time since I last saw you." His monotonous voice soothed my heartbeat to the extent I was gazing at him with dreamy eyes.

"I...I've been good," I managed to reply while still gazing at his beautiful eyes. "I..." I wanted to say how much I miss him before his phone interrupted me.

"Sorry, I will take this," he said, answering the call, and I felt like pulling the caller by the hair through the phone for ruining my moment.

Ten seconds later, he hung up and gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I would have loved to treat you to dinner, but I have to go now, it's work."

I smiled at him and shook my head while my fingers clung together. "It's okay, maybe next time." I hoped there was a next time as he hardly paid a visit nowadays. Even when he visited, I wouldn't be at home. When will I ever get this same opportunity? My dreams tonight will be very steamy since I saw him today. "Goodbye then, take care," he left and got inside his car.

"Sarah, Sarah." I snapped out of my daze and turned to see my friend giving me a questioning look. I completely forgot someone was beside me the whole time.

"Are you into him? Or are you just playing a sick joke?"

This was kind of awkward; my friend noticed my behavior just now. I can't tell her I am in love with a man far older than me, or she will think I'm crazy. Well, I am crazy, but only crazy for him.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, pretending to not understand what she said.

"I saw your face flush red when you were talking to him." She saw well, I really did blush; why wouldn't I? His presence produces many effects in me, and she just saw one of them. If only she knew what is going on in my mind.

"I'm hungry, let's have dinner in this newly opened restaurant," I diverted her to the conversation she loved.

"Where is it?" She asked, amused. I knew how to deal with her; just tell her stuff she loves, you'll cling her over to your side.

"Not too far away from here, let's go." We left the mall for our new destination, a fancy restaurant, and we ordered the cheapest meal they had.

Helen dropped me off before going home and saved me the transport fare. My father was already home when I arrived and I found him preparing dinner.

I sighed, I was supposed to make dinner, not him, but I came back late. How should I explain to him? Maybe I can lie that I studied in school until this evening, or say we had a small, interesting contest in school to find out who is best among us. What terrible lies. I sniffed the air and caught the smell of my favorite food.

"Oh father, it smells delicious," I gave him a hug from behind.

"You're late again," he said that without facing me, and I knew I broke the rules again, because I will never get punished for it.

"Father, lighten up, I'm a woman now, give me some freedom," I rested my chin on his shoulder, looking at the tasty meal he was preparing.

He rolled his shoulder to get me off him and turned his gaze towards me. "You know I care about you."

"I know," I smiled and gave him a hug. My father has been so protective of me ever since my mother passed away; the way she died stung his heart that he always made sure I came home early before 8 pm.

It was a cold night, and she just wanted to surprise us with something I couldn't remember, and she came across some robbers in the garage. Just because she refused to let go of her purse, she was stabbed in the stomach and left to bleed. Before the ambulance arrived, she had already lost a lot of blood. She left us just like that. I cried a lot when my father told me I would not be seeing her anymore; he said those words with tears in his eyes, and I understood my mother was gone. I was only nine back then and still in the 5th grade. My father decided not to remarry, and I was glad. No other woman could take the place of my mother in my life.

"What's wrong, father? Why so blue all of a sudden?" I noticed his change in demeanor.

He sighed. "Let's eat dinner first before we talk about it."

I hoped it was good news; I had been longing to receive one for a long time. We ate while he was busy with his laptop. He must be working on some important stuff that might give me headaches. He has worked for a manufacturing company for years now; he loves his career that he wanted me to study automobile engineering, but I refused. I love medicine, and that's why I chose to study nursing in college rather than studying automobiles. So boring. I prefer taking care of patients than vehicles. After having dinner, I sat on the sofa, waiting for him to tell me what got him worried. He sat beside me and stared deeply at me before speaking.

"I'll be leaving the country."

"WHAT!" He just dropped a bombshell on me. I stood up immediately I heard him; he is leaving the country to where?

"Hey, hey, hey, calm down," he chuckled at my reaction. "It's a job transfer, and um..."

"Um, what, father?" I think he wants to drop another bombshell on me. I widened my eyes while tapping my feet on the floor, awaiting his next words.

"I would really love to take you along, but..."

"You want me to leave college? I just started my second year," I cut him off before he could finish. "And why..."

"Sarah, calm down. You aren't coming with me; you are not a kid anymore to follow me around. But after you finish college, you will come over," he explained.

"Do you really have to leave?" I pulled a cute face and blinked.

"Yes, next week," he replied.

"So I will be leaving alone?" I gave him a side glance.

"Oh, I know what you are thinking. But I'm sorry to burst your bubble; you won't be leaving alone," he saw through me; I'm defeated.

"So you want me to leave in the dorm." I raised my eyebrows, expecting a yes.

"No," he replied, and I frowned; it was clear he doesn't want me to live without guidance, but I wonder who...

"You will be staying with Xavier until you finish college," he said as he stood up, ready to end the conversation.