Elusive Memories

Chapter 5

The next day she asked Levin to take the car and she decided to walk to work. It was a long walk which took an hour or more but she wanted to clear her mind. A small smile escaped her lips when she thought about how Gary would react once he heard that she walked alone. But that also led her thoughts down another path. Becks had asked her some questions which she answered, but even she knew that she wasn’t satisfied with her own answers.

Amelia….. that name had some importance in her life. Somehow the name, that person seems to be someone she knew quite well a long time ago. Maybe as she told Becks, it might have been her sister or a dear friend. What confused her more was the other name ‘Ryan’. She whispered it over and over and felt that she was home, a sort of safe feeling, filled her mind.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t saw the puppy who was following her. When she was half way near her destination the puppy barked and she looked back. A smile escaped her lips when she saw it waging its tiny tail.

“Hey, little pup, who are you baby?"

"Go home dear.”

She started walking again, but had to turn back when she heard him barking again. She took a good look at him and saw that there were some bruises on his body and he was too thin. Her heart melted and she slowed down her steps so that the pup could follow her easily.

“I will feed you, young boy when we reach where I am going okay? I will fill your little stomach and will take care of you.” The pup barked and waged his tail a little faster. That made her to laugh out loud. A couple of people passing them looked at her with curiosity and when they saw the pup, their expression too softened.

“You are a little charmer, little fellow. Don’t worry I will keep my promise of feeding you. I know after all, the path to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? Will you love and protect me when you grow up or will you run away after you get your food?” She asked the pup and was walking backwards now. She was so lost in her conversation with the dog; she didn’t saw a car slowing near her.

“What are you doing? Don’t you know that it’s dangerous to behave like this when you are walking near the road?” A shiver went down her body when the voice washed over her senses.

“I am being careful Mr. Winters”  She said while straightening. As usual he graced her with a very piercing look which made her feel hot all over.

“Get in the car. I am on my way back home.” She was surprised. He was ordering her to get into his expensive car and that too without even giving her a smile or any of the pleasantries. The nerve of the man!  But who was she kidding? From the first day itself, when she met him at his house, she knew that he was a very strange person who didn’t seem like he cared about anyone.

“I am sorry sir, but I can’t. You please carry on. I will be there in half an hour.” She saw  his jaws clenching and knew that her answer hadn't  pleased  him. Why should I think about pleasing him? She thought and stood her ground waiting for his reaction.

“I am the one writing your paycheck and I also know  your track record at keeping a job for long is very rare. So don’t test me. You will be late for work if you walk.”

 How rude of him to demand such a thing and also threaten her with her past job losses. She could feel her temper simmering because of his audacity but the rude man was standing there like a statue staring at her.

“Please tell me, how am I going to be late Mr. Winters? And what is the link between getting inside your car and my paycheck? I know my place well and I am ready to respect you as my employer but don’t think that I will obey you inside and outside your house just because you feel all mighty and superior. Since you know about my track record,  you will also know the reason why I had to leave those jobs that soon.”