The Whispers

5

After parking in her garage, Bea walked into the living room and threw herself on the couch. She couldn't stop thinking about her dinner with Lisa. Something about her friend wasn't sitting well with her.

And Ken? He hasn't called ever since he left! Odd didn't even begin to describe it.

Reaching for her phone, she dialed Ken and it went straight to voicemail. Double odd.

"Hey, it's me. You haven't been in touch and I'm getting worried. Call me."

Sigh. A bath would help right now. It's been a long day!

She slowly made her way up the stairs to her bedroom where she slipped off her clothing and padded to the bathroom.

She immediately felt good as she slid deeper into the warm, jasmine-scented water. Heavenly.

The loud shriek of the telephone downstairs broke the spell.

It must be Ken! She thought while hastily wrapping herself in a towel and rushing back down the stairs.

She was just about to pick up the receiver when the lights flickered and dimmed. The darkness and the loud ringing of the phone together with the rattling of the windows terrified her. She screamed and curled herself into a ball on the rug in the living room and sobbed.

The rattling slash shrieking slash flickering went on for about ten long horrible minutes.

When the house was quiet again, Bea slowly uncurled herself and stood on wobbly feet, making her way back to her bedroom.

Tears staining her cheeks, she slipped under the covers and prayed for sleep to claim her.

She woke up eights minutes before six, donned her black spandex pants, a grey tank top and her runners, opened her running playlist on her iPod and plugged in her earphones.

Ready to go, she ran from her house around her neighborhood towards the park where she stopped and stretched.

"You're a little early today," boomed an unfamiliar voice behind her.

She was bent with her hands on her toes, feet wide apart. What a sight the stranger must be enjoying. Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment at being caught in an awkward position.

Slowly she turned around at the intrusion and...whoa! Her breath froze in her lungs and her mouth dropped open. She was unashamedly gawking at the Adonis in front of her.

The handsome stranger broke into a dazzling smile and said in a mesmerising voice, "Hi. I'm Nate. I see you stretching here every weekend."

Looking at the huge outstretched hand, Bea snapped out of her daze and cleared her throat and clasped Nate's hand. "Hi. I'm Bea."

"Bea as in the honey–making insect?" Nate joked.

Bea laughed. "No. Bea as in short of Beatrice."

"Beatrice. It's beautiful, just like it's owner."

The man sure knew his game because Bea's heart beat wildly in her chest. His deep voice tightened her stomach and caused a pool of moisture soak her panties — and possibly her pants.

"Is that your attempt at flattery, Nate?" She arched an eyebrow.

Hands on his hips, Nate was still smiling. "Is it working?"

"Nope."

Nate touched a hand over his heart dramatically. "Ouch. May I ask why?"

"Because I'm engaged to be married in two and a half weeks."