Rejected

Chapter 1 : A New Beginning

She stared blankly outside the window as the plane swiftly landed on the ground. New soil...new country...new life. She promised herself that she'll be leaving all the pain behind and start her journey on a completely clean slate. She won't be bringing the fears that grew inside her because of her past. Hoping she could find the answers to many of her questions and make sense of all her doubts, so when she goes back home, she'll see it in a completely different light.

She promised herself never to look back. A promised she made to herself too many times before but never really been able to do. But when she decided to resign from her job, say a few goodbyes to the few remaining real people in her life and hop on a plane with a one way ticket on her hand, there is no more turning back. The wheels are finally turning, and this is where it led her first.

She bought a one-way ticket to a foreign land and whether she decides to book a return flight will depend on how her journey will turn out. Despite everything she's been thru she will not just leave behind the people who gave her a lot to remember. She'll be back that's for sure...when, is still undecided.

It took her just an hour to finished with the immigration and finding her luggage. When she walked out of the airport, a young man was waiting outside flashing her name like some lost person. She chose a small town farthest from the hustles and bustles of a noisy city, which is maybe why she was lucky enough to find a small inn that could take her in within a moment's notice.

She went straight to him and greeted him.

"Hi." She greeted. "That would be me."

"Ms Belle?" the young man said.

"Please just Belle."

"Hello there. I'm Declan. Nice to meet you." He said extending his hand that Belle took and shook.

"Nice to meet you too Declan."

"So the Mrs told me that you will be staying long." Declan started saying as he lead Belle to the parking lot.

"Yes."

Declan smiled at her short response but didn't comment on it. "You are going to love the countryside. It's amazing there."

"I'm glad to know that."

They stopped at an old pickup truck and then they work together in loading up her luggage which Declan thought was quite few for someone who will be staying long, but he decided to just ignore it.

Fifteen minutes later, they were driving out of the airport. Belle chose that time to be silent and look out the passing buildings and houses, and the young man patiently watched her.

"Liking what you see?" he asked after some time.

"Very much." Belle said without looking at Declan.

"Hmm...better forget it then. You'll see less houses the closer we get to Willowfield." The young man said keeping his eyes on the road. "You'll see more woods and mountains there."

"That's even better." She answered finally looking at the young man.

Declan, hearing a cheerful tone on Belle's voice, took a few seconds to look at her and saw her smiling at him so he smiled back.

"You like solitude?" he asked looking back at the road.

"That's why I chose to come here." Belle answered.

They both remained quiet after that, Declan have a feeling that the girl likes to be left alone and he was right. Belle focused on the view outside and realized that the young man was right. The farther they go the lesser houses and buildings she sees. Slowly they reached the countryside and all she can see outside the window are stretching fields and thickening woods.