Ungullible

CHAPTER 4: A NEW LIGHT.

Have you ever been in a dark room; so dark there is no light, where you can't see anything at all and then suddenly a door opens, and a blinding light pierces through your eyes, making you feel like you can finally escape the abyss?

That was how I felt the first time I saw him.

And it scared me, because it felt too good to be true.

"I didn't get to introduce myself yesterday. Hi, I'm Jason. Jason Black," he said, stretching out his hand for me to shake, his smile bright and effortless.

Who is this Jason Black, and why have I met him again? I wondered.

"And you are...?" he asked, still waiting, his hand hovering patiently in the air.

Jason Black was tall and muscular, with all the right features; like he had stepped straight out of a book description. He had the kind of looks and physique most men his age would envy, and he carried himself with an ease that showed he knew it. He was dressed in a navy-blue polo shirt, dark grey jeans, and black loafers. His black, curly hair fell to just around his neck, slightly unruly but fitting him perfectly. His eyes were a deep ocean blue, the kind that held warmth and quiet comfort. And his British accent gave him an effortlessly classy air.

When I still didn't respond, he tilted his head slightly, studying me before withdrawing his hand and slipping it halfway into his front pocket.

"You're not much of a talker, are you?" he said, his gaze intense but not unkind.

I didn't say anything. I just stood there, waiting, wondering why he had come to me, while the clouds above looked heavy, ready to pour.

"I wanted to return your hairclip," he said, reaching into his pocket and holding it out to me. "You left it behind when you dashed off yesterday."

I whispered softly to myself as I took it from him, barely believing it. "I didn't realize it was missing."

"Pardon? Did you say something?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"No... thank you. I didn't know it was missing," I said again, louder this time, making sure he could hear me.

"Oh, so you do speak," he said, raising an eyebrow. I cleared my throat nervously, shifting slightly under his steady gaze.

"I'm... Novia. Novia Adams," I finally said.

"Novia Adams," he repeated to himself, a small grin forming on his lips.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Adams..." he began, then paused briefly, his eyes scanning me curiously. "...but may I ask, what brings you out here under a gloomy sky?"

How could I tell him that I'd come here searching for peace like no other? That I had run away from home just minutes ago, desperate to find even a brief moment of calm before I faced my world again?

I just stood there, silent, lost in my thoughts.

A snap of his fingers in front of my face startled me out of my daze. He leaned closer, his face only inches from mine, his eyes locking onto mine. I felt myself drown in them, words forming on my lips that I couldn't bring myself to speak.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked, pointing at my temple. "Looks like you've got a lot of thinking up there, huh?"

I stepped back instinctively, my eyes finally leaving him to take in my surroundings. The clouds had cleared, and the grass shimmered under droplets of water, glittering like tiny diamonds. My phone vibrated in my back pocket, pulling me further back into reality. I pulled it out: three missed calls from Nannu, and a text asking where I was. I switched it off and sighed, then looked up to see him still watching me.

"If you don't mind... I should probably go," I said, trying to turn away, but a sudden growl from my stomach froze me in place, reminding me I hadn't eaten all day. Embarrassed, I cursed myself silently.

"I actually mind," he said with a chuckle, walking past me with his hands clasped behind his back. "I think I should get you something to eat first."

I felt a flutter in my chest. Why would he care to buy me food?

"Sorry...no thanks," I shouted after him, my voice stronger than I felt. "I don't eat with strangers."

"It's simply a gentleman's behaviour, I can't watch a lady go hungry," he replied calmly.

I frowned. I can't trust that he has good intentions. What if he wanted something from me? What if he knew who my father was and needed information?
But no one knows I'm my father's daughter. He never introduces me to anyone so what could this stranger possibly want from me?

My thoughts spiralled, one crashing into the next.

"Stop thinking silly things and follow me," he said from several steps ahead, pulling me out of my own mind.

"Why should I?" I asked, my curiosity slipping through my caution.

He stopped and turned to face me, studying me for a moment as if reading between the lines of everything I wasn't saying.

"You have trust issues, don't you?" he said quietly, then continued,
"Don't worry. I think I didn't introduce myself properly. I'm James Black, Pastor Matthew Black's nephew. The church you attend? You're technically attending my family's church. I've been here for five years, and I've noticed you for a while."

My heart skipped.

"You always seem disturbed," he added gently, "but I won't ask questions. I just want to get you something to eat. Think of it as your pastor doing you a favor."

He walked closer until he stood in front of me, leaving no space for my thoughts to run wild again.

"So," he said lightly, "does that make me an acquaintance now?"

I didn't know what to say. I attended church regularly, yet I'd never known the pastor had a nephew who came around. I felt foolish for being so suspicious but I wasn't about to admit that to him.

"Okay, you're the pastor's nephew," I said quickly, not giving him room to interrupt, "but that doesn't mean I can trust you. You're not the same person, and I can't just go anywhere with you."

He sighed, not frustrated; more amused.

"You really need to stop stressing so much," he said softly. "Let's just get something to eat, please? I promise I won't take you far. It's just two blocks away. Just... trust me."

I hesitated.

What do I really have left to lose?
I'd already run away from home. Why not take one more risk?

"Just this once," I said firmly. "And no more."

A small smile spread across his face.

"That's all I ask."