Dark Angel

Part 14

The journey to the farm seemed to stretch endlessly as I immersed myself in the pages of a romance novel, each word weaving a tapestry of love and longing that momentarily whisked me away from the reality of the bus's monotonous rumble.

As the hours slipped by, the bus gradually slowed to a halt, signaling our arrival at the rural bus station. With a sense of anticipation tinged with a hint of apprehension, I gathered my belongings, preparing to disembark into the unknown.

Stepping off the bus, I scanned the bustling station for any sign of my cousin, Alehandro, who had promised to collect me upon my arrival. Yet, before I could even begin to search, my attention was captivated by a scene unfolding before me—a boy, barely a few years older than myself, hastily making off with my luggage.

"Hold on there! Stop!" I called out in a mix of surprise and alarm, my voice echoing amidst the cacophony of the station. To my relief, another figure swiftly intervened, halting the would-be thief in his tracks.

The intervening boy possessed an arresting presence, his features chiseled and his demeanor exuding a quiet confidence. For a fleeting moment, I found myself ensnared by the intensity of his gaze, an unexpected flutter of excitement stirring within me.

"Here you go," he said, his voice resonating with a richness that seemed to linger in the air like a melody, as he effortlessly retrieved my belongings from the would-be thief's grasp.

"Thank you," I replied, my voice tinged with a mixture of gratitude and bewilderment at the unexpected turn of events.

"Need a ride?" he asked, his tone casual yet tinged with a warmth that belied his composed exterior.

"Yes, actually. I'm waiting for my cousin, Alehandro," I explained, feeling a surge of relief at the prospect of finally reaching my destination.

"Ah, Alehandro sent me to pick you up. My name's Uriel," he offered, a congenial smile gracing his lips as he extended a hand in greeting.

As I clasped his hand in mine, a sense of serenity washed over me, a quiet reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. With Uriel at my side, the prospect of the journey ahead seemed suddenly less daunting, a testament to the unexpected connections that fate often weaves amidst the tapestry of our lives.

As Uriel's words sank in, I felt a surge of disbelief and frustration ripple through me. Surely, there had been some sort of misunderstanding. My cousin had assured me he would arrange transportation, yet here I stood, confronted with the reality of an unexpected situation.

"What? You must be kidding me. There must be some misunderstanding. My cousin promised me," I protested, my tone tinged with exasperation as I sought to make sense of the unexpected turn of events.

Uriel's response was nonchalant, his demeanor unaffected by my incredulity. "Well, come now, Emily. I don't have all day," he replied, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Idiot!" I muttered under my breath, my frustration bubbling to the surface as I struggled to reconcile this unforeseen complication.

"I heard that," he remarked, his voice laced with amusement as he effortlessly shouldered my luggage, his easy confidence contrasting with my growing sense of irritation.

With a resigned sigh, I trailed behind Uriel, my eyes narrowing as I caught sight of the vehicle awaiting us—a rugged truck that stood in stark contrast to the sleek, modern cars I had grown accustomed to.

"What? Where is the car? Why are you putting my things in the truck?" I demanded, my voice tinged with frustration as I struggled to comprehend Uriel's choice of transportation.