Dancing with a stranger

Chapter |10 ✨

My father wanted me out sooner rather than later. The next morning, I was packing my last suitcase and a few boxes, knowing that Mr. Everett had arranged for a car to take me to the cottage.

I wasn't ready for this. I still had a few years to live my life before I even thought about settling down with someone. Was this punishment for trying to find out what happened to my mother? I still had so many questions, and now I was being shipped off to a cottage in the middle of nowhere.

The car pulled up, and I turned around one last time to see Grace standing on the front steps. She looked so small, standing there alone. I promised to text her, then climbed into the car, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. The ride was quiet, and I stared out the window, watching the world go by, as if the scenery could somehow calm me.

We pulled down a dirt road and arrived at a small white house that resembled a farmhouse. It had a garden and a porch swing, with mahogany French doors that swung open. It was beautiful. It felt like a place out of a dream, far from the life I had known.

I grabbed my bags and walked inside. Steele wouldn't be here yet-he was out of state for his father's business. It didn't matter. I needed space, and I didn't know how long I would have it.

The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. There was a set of stairs leading up to a huge landing, an open space like a loft. On my right, there was a sitting room. Down the hall, past the stairs, was the kitchen, and to the left, another hallway led to a bedroom and bathroom.

I dropped my bags in the room and looked around. The walls were painted a soft blue, and there was a four-poster bed with a dresser across from it. A flat screen sat atop the dresser, and a walk-in closet big enough for both of us-maybe even a third person-was attached to the room. I sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the space. I hadn't planned on being here long enough to unpack, but here I was.

After setting up my things and changing into more comfortable clothes, I decided to take a nap. I was alone, and God knew when Steele would get here.

When I woke up, the room was dark. I checked my phone and saw that Mr. Everett had texted me about the wedding plans. He'd arranged a small ceremony, and I would be meeting with Sheryl, the lady coordinating everything. I responded, agreeing, but a part of me was still stuck on the fact that I didn't know anything about Mr. Everett's past. Had he been married before? Had his wife left him? My father had never said a word.

My stomach growled, pulling me from my thoughts. I headed to the kitchen, where the pantry and fridge were stocked. It looked like someone had brought groceries. I found a pre-made ham sandwich and a carton of orange juice. After finishing the sandwich, I went back upstairs and turned on the TV. The news popped up, and of course, they were covering the proposal. I quickly switched to Netflix and settled into an episode of The Vampire Diaries. Damon was so hot.

After a few episodes, I threw away the trash and grabbed my laptop. I didn't plan on going back to sleep anytime soon. I typed in a few variations of Sean's name, but nothing came up. If he was still around, they must have given him a new name. I sighed in frustration, knowing that finding answers wouldn't be easy.

With nothing else to do, I decided to try to get some sleep.

I was jolted awake by the sound of a door slamming. Groggily, I slid on my slippers and walked out of the room. Standing by the front door, I saw Steele talking to a bodyguard. When he turned and saw me, he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you're finally here," he said. "My father never said when you'd get here."

"Yeah, I got in yesterday," I replied, trying to shake the sleepiness from my voice. I turned and retreated to the kitchen to make some coffee.

"Hey!" he called after me. "I never said you could walk away like that."

I didn't respond. Instead, I sat down at the table, sipping my coffee. I watched him carry things upstairs, and a quiet sense of relief washed over me. He was probably sleeping upstairs, which meant we wouldn't have to share a bed.

A few hours later, Steele came downstairs, dressed in different clothes. "I've got to meet with my dad," he said, looking at me as if I should have already known. "I'll be back in a few hours."

I nodded absently, unsure of how to fill the time. As soon as he left, I pulled out my phone and texted Grace. I needed someone to talk to.

Me: Hey how's it going over there? I miss you!

Grace 🤍: it's okay over here. Your dad has been busy. I miss you too and I love you!

Me: It's crazy Steele just got here today and just left to meet his father. Didn't say much to me.

Grace🤍: that sucks. He sounds like an ass anyways Well I gotta go I'm heading to work.

Me: bye :(

EDIT:0324/25