A Fascinating Language

E I G H T

We arrived back at the estate at noon. After a quick dinner, I retired to my bedroom.

Honestly,  I couldn't wait for dinner to be over. Being in Daniel's presence for even a second was doing things to me that were foreign. It felt strange and whether that was good or bad, I didn't know yet. Diana and Uncle Will noticed the tense atmosphere but to mine and Daniel's luck, they didn't push us.

I was in my bed staring at the ceiling. I thought I'd be able to sleep but tonight, all my thoughts were about Daniel and what almost happened in the Hamptons.

What if it did? Then what? Would we start dating? Would we even last? Things would become so awkward in the house if that happened.

"Ella."

I looked at my window and Dad was standing  in front.

"Dad?" How was he here?

"Ella I'm sorry."

"About wh-" before I even finished the sentence, I realised it was happening again.

"No. No. No!"

"Ella."

"Dad please. Just stop. Please go away. Please!"

"Ella."

I snapped my eyes shut and covered my ears with my hands so I wouldn't hear or see what would happen next.

"Ella."

I was up and covered in sweat. The panic wasn't settling in.

"Ella. I'm here. Hey, hey look at me." I did and it was Daniel.

"Another nightmare?"

I nodded.

He took my hand in both of his and told me to calm down.

"Take deep breaths. In and out. In and out."

I followed what he told me and I felt myself at ease in mere minutes.

"I thought they s-stopped." I choked out.

"One night couldn't possibly mean it's over. You have to be patient."

"He was standing there." I looked at the window. Daniel turned around to where I was looking at.

"The locations are changing?" He asked.

"Yes."

"They're progressing. I'll call Dr Parker in the morning but meanwhile try to relax."

He got up and was ready to leave but I didn't let go of his hand.

"Can you stay? Please."

"I have some work left."

"It's fine. Bring it here and complete your work."

He nodded and got up and left, after five minutes he came back in, with his laptop in hand, and went to the other side of the bed and got in. He immediately started tapping away, lost in the world of business and management.

The glow of the computer screen fell on his face, illuminating his features in dark. His nose was straight cut, his cheekbones prominent and a sharp jawline. He was cleanshaved which made me wonder if he ever skipped a day on shaving.

I didn't even notice him look my way and when I did, he had a shadow of a smile on his lips.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer."

I snapped out of my daze and scowled.

He let out a small laugh, "Don't scowl or you'll get lines on that pretty face." He turned back to his laptop.