Chapter 4 4.

It is Nolan who's in the car.

His deep dark eyes meet mine through the mirror, unwavering and unreadable. His hand rests casually on the steering wheel, and his knuckles brush the spills as he starts driving.

"You don't look well. You look pale." His voice is warm, low, like he is trying hard to conceal his emotions.

Then, with the faintest twitch of his mouth, he asks, feeling troubled, "Or are you just surprised to see me in this car?"

I blink, recollecting myself. "Where's Frank?"

He glances at the side, maneuvering through the tough traffic. "From today, Frank will be driving only your father to his company. I'll be handling your rides."

I sit back totally amused. Interestingly, I will be sharing even car rides with my father's best friend every blessed day.

I try to focus on the view flashing by, but my gaze betrays me as they fall on his side frame. My eyes trace the strong lines of his jaw, the smoothness of his skin, even his arms, which kinda look steady as they guide the wheel protectively.

And as if he can feel my gaze on him, his eyes flick to the mirror where he catches me. He gives a slow, brief smile.

"So," He resumes. " Why do I get the feeling you're not exactly thrilled to see me again after all these years?"

I shift uncomfortably to the question. " I don't feel indifferent. I just don't expect you to suddenly reappear like this."

"Fair enough." His lean fingers drum faintly on the steering wheel. "I suppose that's a lot to take in. One day I leave, the next, I'm back, and driving you home."

I breath sharply, feeling the need to change the subject. "So what exactly are you helping my father construct?"

His lips curve in a way that makes it feel like he is either amused or extremely confident. "I'm the architect of the project. I'll be designing the outlook of the building before the builders do their jobs, so they can know what to follow."

I listen and turn my face toward the window, watching sunlight flicker between the trees as the road leads towards home.

By the time the mansion's huge gates open and the car rolls into the driveway, I have almost convinced myself that the tightness in my chest is as a result of the stress from school.

Nolan parks the car in the garage. I step out hurriedly as if in hot pursuit of something.

But as I start entering into the house, I hear his footsteps quicken right behind me.

"Hazel." He calls, almost coming out as a whisper. "How has life been treating you since I left? Schools? Acquaintances? Jobs?"

I hear this but keep walking because I don't feel the need to get really close like before.

However, he doesn't stop walking. Instead, he hastens his pace, and then, his hand holds gently and tightly around my wrist.

I stop on my tracks, going breathless.

His touch is strangely warm, soothing and electrifying. My heart thuds against my ribs, loud enough that I am scared he can hear it. Heat spreads through me, as this doesn't feel right.

Suddenly, I pull my hand off, the absence of his touch leaving my skin tingling. I swerve half way, doing my best to keep my distance by not looking at him.

"Life has been so good." I utter dramatically, trying to keep my voice from sounding sharper than I intend. "And don't come closer. Don't walk behind me."

It is supposed to be a warning but ends up as a plea.

He looks confused, and I can imagine a flicker of hurt or something else passing over his face.

I don't wait to hear him speak, rather, I turn and hurry up the stairs, the thud of each step almost the same as the sound of my pounding heart.

When I reach my bedroom, I slam the door shut, leaning against it for passing seconds before stumbling towards the bed.

This is Nolan; better still, Uncle Nolan. I have no single idea why my heart keeps reacting strangely around him. He is supposed to my father's closest friend, yet he's just... I can't say.

He is thirty-three, and I'm just nineteen, approaching twenty, leaving a mighty age gap.

Even so, I can't choose to betray my father, just because his friend leaves an electrifying feeling in me?

I press my palms into my face, hoping my mind stops running in circles.

After a quick shower, I wear something comfortable, curling up under the duvets. For a moment, I just stare at the white ceiling, listening to the cheerful voices downstairs, and wondering why I don't see Nolan the way I am supposed to.

My eyes have just briefly closed when a knock comes on the door. I check my phone to realize it is evening already.

"Dinner, Hazel." Mother calls through the door.

I take a long time before swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My bare feet sink on the soft carpet, and it feels like I will be having more than just a meal.

Taking time to climb down the stairs, I turn to the dining table which is filled with different dishes and cutlery. Mother is absent, leaving just father and Nolan.

While father is seated at the head of the table, laughing at something Nolan says, Nolan sits just beside him, letting out a deep chuckle that sounds effortless and smooth.

He turns briskly, and his eyes settle on me.

The laughter doesn't fade even though something shifts in the air. His gaze lingers, too long on me that I have to look away.

Father saves the awkward moment that minute. "There she is." He invites me over. "Come take a seat."

I nod briefly and cross over to them, my pulse quickening all because I can feel his brown eyes watching me the whole time.