The Whispers

7

Are you still going to see your friend?" Nate said, breaking the silence and interrupting Bea's musing.

"I have to see my parents first," she answered trying too hard to hold back the tears burning her eyelids. When she was sure she could talk without breaking down, she looked warily at him. "You still haven't told me what you're doing here."

Nate tugged her hair behind her ear tenderly. "It's not important. I can drive you to your parents' house."

Why would Nate want to drive me to my parents? How did he know when to come to my rescue? Oh my God! He really is stalking me!

"I'm pretty sure I can drive myself," she countered pulling away from him to pace the living room floor.

Nate stood and took the glass of whiskey to the kitchen. "I know you can, I just don't like the it."

What? Not only is he a stalker but he's also a masochist? Who does he think he is to tell me what to do?

Bea's eyes blazed with fury and she raised her chin defiantly. "Do I look like I care about what you like and don't like?"

Nate smiled that heart-stopping grin that Bea liked. "Glad to see your sass is back. I guess you're feeling better."

"What do you really want here, Nate?" She asked with narrowed eyes.

"To take you to your parents' house," he shrugged nonchalantly.

"I already told you I can -"

"- drive yourself? Yeah, you told me, but I insist." He advanced until he stood just an inch from her. "I'm not comfortable letting you drive after crying your eyes out. Friends stand by each other no matter what. At least I consider you my friend."

A friend. She could just call one of her friends - except Nate - to drive her to her parents' house. Her friends always knew what to say when she and Ken fought. Lisa's soothing voice always did the trick. Lisa... Oh no!

Nate watched Bea closely, he saw her defiance change quickly into horror and watched her face pale ghastly.

Oh no! Nate caught her just as she crumbled down and scooped her up to lay her on the couch. He hastily unbuttoned her blouse, ran to the kitchen for some water and sprinkled her lightly on her face.

Disoriented, she slowly opened her eyes, looking about before finally focused on Nate's ruggedly handsome face.

She slowly reached out her hand to cup his cheek. "Nate, what happened?"

He smiled down on her. "You zoned out on me for a minute."

She smiled back. "Were you scared?"

Terrified. "Me? Scared? Never!"

Bea roared with laughter, dropping her hand from his face to clutch her stomach.

When the hysterics subsided, Nate touched the back of his hand to her forehead. "Bea, are you sure you're okay?"

"Why?"

"When I got here you were crying, then you got sassy and stubborn, while I'm trying to catch up you fainted, then you wake up only to make fun of me."

The humour in her eyes totally vanished upon hearing him.

"Now tell me, Bea, what's going on here?"

Might as well tell him, what difference will it make?

"I just found out that my fiancé has been cheating on me," she looked away blinking back the tears.

He turned her face to him to see her cheeks wet with tears. His chest tightened with emotion he didn't care to examine.