Prisoner's Prisoner

Chapter 12

David was back to his daily routine except that he now usually eats at home before going to work and usually goes home early. His deputy officer advised him to focus on other work now rather than waiting any unknown case about Tara. Besides, Tara no longer had bad dreams.

As of this date, they had not received any report of theft or missing person. Mr. Robert Mayers, the owner of the car, left the vehicle at the Conyer's police custody. It was old anyway, he said. He had no intention of filing any case.

He was driving back home when he passed by a woman walking at the side of the road. He glanced at his side mirror and found out it was Tara. He slowed down. Tara walked faster to catch up with him.

"Where you've been?" David asked. Confused.

Tara got in the car and smiled. "Got a job at Dylan's restaurant."

"What? You should have told me. I should have fetch you there on my way home. You sure you can work already?"

"Yeah, I may have forgotten my past but I still know how to do the things right. Besides, I may not be able to pay you out if my debt goes up my neck."

"Well, I will list down everything from now on." He smiled at her.

She smiled back. David noticed her good mood. The sad look had vanished and she looked more beautiful now.

"What?" Tara asked. She noticed David was smiling while looking at the road ahead of them.

"Nothing, I just wondered what we will be having for dinner." He looked at her. His lips formed an arc at its corners.

"You want chicken soup?"

"Can't wait to taste it."

"You should at least help me cook it later."

"Sure..."

There was silence. It was almost dark.

"By the way, I got something for you."

"Yeah?" Tara got excited.

David reach out for the box on the backseat. It was a prepaid smartphone. "That would be the first on the list. I will collect when the list is full."

"Thank you. Even though I have no one to call up yet but you." She was smiling while unboxing her new phone.

"You don't have a reason now for not telling me where you will be going. OK?"

"OK. And I am sorry. I wanted to tell you anyway. So what's your number?"

David gave her his number. Tara dialled it. She heard his phone rang.

"Should I answer it?" David asked.

Both of them were smiling when they reach David's house. Tara opened the door to the entrance while David parked his car. David had provided her with duplicate keys.

Tara reach out for David's coat and hang it on the coat rack behind the door. She removed her coat and gloves as well then went directly to the kitchen. David followed her.

"You should have told me you have to work today. I could have bought food for our dinner from the Chinese restaurant on my way home."

"This will only take about half an hour. Why, you hungry already?"

"You know what? Let's just have our dinner out. Anyway, there's a reason to celebrate, you got a job."

Tara was laughing. She was more beautiful when she laughs, David thought. She looked younger than the first time he saw her. He wondered how old she really is. They put their coat back and closed the door behind them. They went to a restobar downtown.

They were already eating when David suddenly asked Tara, "How old do you feel you are?"

"I have no idea...but I feel young. How about you?" Tara laughed.

"37..."

"Ever got a girlfriend?"

David chuckled. "Good question..."

"Answer..." Tara demanded.

"None, nothing serious..."

"Really? Wow! I don't believe you."

"Really..."

"I wonder what kind of woman you like?"

"Let me ask you first, what kind of woman do you think would like a person like me?"

"I like you..." Tara said without hesitations.

David stared at her. "You do..."

"Who will not? You are cute and very masculine, generous and protective...and..." Tara could not tell him. She believed she had fallen in love with him. She just could not tell. It was very complicated. Who would love a woman who did not even knew her past?

David had been a gentleman. Though there were times she wished he should not be. With her. He gave without taking. And she knew with him, she is well protected.

David just stared at her. They looked at each other. Tara felt awkward and emptied her plate. David did the same.

They were about to leave the place when Tara saw a painting that caught her attention. It was a canvass painting hanging on the wall just beside the entrance. It was an oil painting of a girl looking on her reflection at the water. The painting looked very vivid.

Tara walked in front of it. She touched the roughness of the oil paint against the canvass. The size of the frame was about 4 by 8 feet. Tara looked at the girls' eyes. The eyes were brown. Like hers. Tears fell on her cheeks.

David saw how mesmerized Tara was. As well as the tears. "Are you okay?"

Tara might have realized her foolishness. She wiped away her tears then continue exiting the restaurant.

David was confused. He had been since he met Tara.

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