Heart of Pains

Chapter two

Hannah's POV

Owen has been with me since the beginning—he was the one constant presence who never wavered. He was always dedicated to his job, and his loyalty knew no bounds. Now, I consider him more than just an employee; he's a friend. His unwavering support means the world to me, and I feel comfortable sharing everything with him.

"Hey, Owen?" I murmured.

"Yes, ma'am?" he replied.

"Owen, we've known each other long enough to know you can call me Hannah when we're alone," I told him. Owen smiled.

"Okay, Hannah," he said, making me grin.

"Best friends usually use each other's first names, right? Ugh, damn, Owen, this hurts. But I'm still here, even though my life isn't a fairytale. Honestly, I'm furious with Disney for their lies. My life is like walking through thorny rosebushes. Those always hurt. And you know what, Owen? Those thorns surround me, and they keep growing and hurting me."

"Are you going to hurt me, Owen?" I asked after a few minutes. He was clearly taken aback before shaking his head firmly.

"No, Hannah, I won't. I love you and don't mind being your best friend," he replied, his voice strained with emotion as he smiled at me.

"Good," I said before looking out the window.

"Stop the car." Owen complied, and I stepped out, drawn to something serene and beautiful. Owen got out of the car after me and silently accompanied me.

"This place is beautiful, Owen," I said. I stood there, admiring the tall, lush green trees, the comforting scent of pine filling the air. The birds chirped melodiously in the trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere. I sighed, getting lost in a memory of my childhood.

"When I was younger, my dad often took me to secluded spots like this. He always discovered them on his hunting trips. The one thing he'd always say was, 'I spotted a baboon, and I want you to catch it.' Man, I miss him."

However, despite my best efforts, I often struggled to see anything, even if it was not a baboon. Dad would explain that the prey only sometimes did not know about the hunter until it's too late. That was how he taught me about the dynamics of predators and prey. He'd then hand me a bow and arrow, emphasizing the importance of being armed like a hunter.

'A hunter always has a weapon,' he'd say. 'A cat has sharp claws and teeth.' After those conversations, I'd try to follow his advice, but he'd always catch me. 'Daddy, I'm no good at this. Cole and Kelvin can do it,' I'd complain. But he'd encourage me to keep discovering.

"Afterwards, he'd say, 'Cupcake, let's head home, but remember to say we were at the park'. And despite my confusion at his statement, I'd still tell my mom. You see, Owen, I'm still exploring myself and my senses. So we should mark this spot; we'll be coming back soon. But for now, it's time to face the real world," I explained.

Even though I didn't know why, I felt compelled to talk. I just did.

Owen groaned. He didn't look too happy about the fact that we had to go to work. In fact, he was pouting slightly.

"But I like this place," he grumbled. I chuckled and shook my head at his childish antics. It felt liberating to laugh genuinely for the first time in ages.

"I know you do, but come on. Let's get up and face the world together, bestie," I urged, starting to walk and motioning for him to follow me. His white teeth stretched into a broad grin as he ran to catch up with me and my longer strides even though he was taller than me.

"Together, bestie. I like that." I laughed again, and this time, he joined in. His laugh was deep, harmonious, and beautiful.

"Let's go, Owen," I said.

He grabbed one of my hands which I accepted, and together, we walked toward the car. When we got there, I turned and motioned for him to give me the keys.

"Hey dude, pass me my keys. I want to drive my baby; I'm sure she misses me."

He handed me the keys, and I put them in the key slot before pulling out and driving down the road. Soon, I started to accelerate, making him cling to the handle above his head, trying to avoid getting thrown out. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and giggled at his freaked-out expression.

"Oh, loosen up, Owen, and enjoy the ride," I said.

But instead of relenting, Owen only glared at me, his icy-blue eyes wide with terror. Looking at his face, I laughed even harder. His jaw clenched in annoyance.

"Hey, why the hell are you laughing about this, Hannah?! It's not even funny. Now, slow down!" he suggested.

Ignoring him, I continued to speed up even more. As a result, he tightened his steadfast grip on the safety handle over his head, his knuckles whitening from the strength of his strong grip.

I continued snickering at him, making him glare even harder at me. He looked like he wanted to do nothing more than scream at me.

"SLOW DOWN! OH, DAMMIT, HANNAH!"