THE GUEST ROOM

With a mischievous grin, he broke the silence, his voice tinged with a hint of playfulness. "So..." he began, drawing out the word, "Your dad's house too, yeah?"

Jane let out a soft "Tsh" of annoyance as she averted her gaze. Her curiosity was piqued and she couldn't help but wonder what her Dad had said to him, "What did my dad say to you?" she questioned, the urgency in her voice reflecting her eagerness for answers.

He cast a plain glance her way "What's a kid's business with grownups," he replied simply, his words cutting through the air with a touch of dismissiveness

"Must be really great to be an adult," she mumbled, her voice laced with sarcasm and a sense of pain by his response.

'What was I thinking when I entered the wrong car?' she chastised herself silently as regret-filled thoughts raced through her mind. Her thoughts were muddled with worry, making the possibility of a good night's sleep seem unattainable. She sighed and thought about the stranger's easygoing attitude, finding it odd. It then occurred to her that he might have recognized her, given her father's position in the church.

Breaking the silence, he gestured toward a room on her left "You can sleep in that room," he stated, his finger pointing out the designated space. Without lingering, he turned and made his way toward the kitchen, leaving her to contemplate her surroundings.

"Hey!" Jane exclaimed with frustration "Are you just going to leave me alone?". She felt a surge of anger, disappointed that he was abruptly abandoning her to navigate the situation on her own. Yet, her outburst seemed to fall on deaf ears. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him recede into the distance.

"Everything you'd need is in there," his voice faintly reached her ears from the distance. She stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing with questions.

With a sigh of resignation, she walked towards the room. As she approached, she cautiously reached out and turned the doorknob, allowing the door to creak open ever so slightly. As she tentatively pushed the door open, a wave of darkness engulfed her. She fumbled for the nearby switch, her fingers finally finding solace in the familiar contours of the light switch. A soft click filled the silence as the room bathed in a warm glow, unveiling its secrets to her curious eyes. The lighting revealed a spacious and pleasant bedroom, whose sheer size gave it a feeling of richness. The bed, impeccably made and inviting, appeared to offer a sound night's sleep and a much-needed haven from the stress of the day. But her natural caution prompted her to move cautiously as she remembered the phrase "Trust no man" she whispered squinting her eyes in a suspicious manner.

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed her surroundings, meticulously examining every nook and cranny for any signs of danger. However, the room revealed nothing but its intended purpose, a room meant solely for the comfort of temporary guests. The walls were covered with abstract artwork and the lack of personal items only served to confirm the idea that this was just a room for visitors.

Assured that the room held no immediate threat, she decided to get some rest. She locked the door behind her, the sound of the turning lock offering a faint sense of security. With a sigh of relief, she released the tension that had taken residence in her body and allowed herself a moment of respite. Her heart whispered a silent prayer before she surrendered herself to the beckoning embrace of the bed.

********

JANE'S POV

"Wake up" I heard a faint voice, almost like a distant echo, pleading with me to open my eyes. Reluctantly, I allowed my heavy eyelids to flutter open, revealing the figure of David Kingsley, stooping before me with a sly grin adorning his lips. His intense, dark brown eyes were fixed on mine. "You appear to have slept soundly, accompanied by a trifling amount of drool," he remarked, more as a statement than an inquiry, as he effortlessly rose from his hunched position. Flushed with embarrassment, I hastily averted my gaze and shifted to face the opposite direction. What's wrong with this guy? I mused inwardly. Rousing myself and removing the drool from the area around my lips, I turned to face him, my curious eyes meeting his well-dressed body, like he was going to work. Who goes to work on New Year's Day?

"How did you get inside?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes to look at him.

"This is my house, remember?" he retorted, tilting his head slightly and raising a quizzical eyebrow as if implying that I had forgotten such an essential detail. "And it is time for you to return home. I will drop you off at the park, get ready in 10 minutes. I wouldn't want to be late for work," he added, his words laced with a distinct air of authority. Indeed, he spoke the truth, I had to go home. I had easily fallen asleep the night before, and I had slept for about six hours, which was more than enough rest for my worn-out body. How did I manage to get so comfortable?

"Work?" I retorted, my body abruptly straightening on the plush bed, a faint frown creasing my forehead. "Today is January first" I reminded him. It was weird, the way I was sitting, feeling comfortable in a stranger's home. He didn't look like a bad person. Granted, appearances can be deceptive, and one can never truly discern a person's true nature at first glance. Yet, against all odds, this house emanated an extraordinary aura of comfort, and also could be because my Dad had trusted him.

"I have some urgent matters to attend to," he responded.

I fought back a yawn, struggling to shake off the remnants of sleep that clung to my senses. "What time is it?" I asked wearily.

"Fifteen minutes past nine," he replied promptly, walking away, his hand reached for the doorknob and the door shuts as soon as he departed.

I got up since I had to go wash up. I made my way to the bathroom which exuded an extraordinary beauty that well exceeded that of our own home. As I took in the splendor of the restroom, it became clear to me that he came from a distinguished family with a long history of riches and privilege. No wonder he carried himself with such audacity, as though the world was at his command. A derisive 'tsh' escaped my lips as I scoffed at his insolence.

I turned on the faucet and let the crystal-clear water flow into my face to wash away the last traces of sleep. I had no clothes to change into and so I didn't bother changing.

About ten minutes later, I emerged from the luxurious confines of the bathroom, stepping into the grandeur of the sitting room where he patiently awaited my presence. And there he was, a picture of dashing charm, shining in his cooperate outfit. The pristine white button-down shirt clung to his torso with exquisite precision, accentuating the contours of his muscular frame. His perfectly pressed trousers revealed thorough attention to detail in every fold, and his spotless shoes emanated an unsurpassed aura of sophistication. His raven-black hair meticulously brushed into place, lent an air of flawlessness that rendered him truly captivating.

How did I find myself within the same walls as this male beauty? I pondered, a wistful sigh escaping my lips. The stars may have been more in our favor if only he had the slightest hint of sensibility to go along with his irresistible attractiveness.

"You were in there for fifteen minutes, you'd have to go to the park alone" he remarked, his eyes darted to his wristwatch.

The words hung heavy in the air, evoking a mixture of frustration and disbelief within me. Instead of mustering gratitude for his shelter the previous night, I found myself unable to contain my incredulity. "Are you serious right now?!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. Deep down, I wanted to express my appreciation for his kindness, but given the way started off last night with arguments, it was difficult for me to find the right words. "I don't know my way around here, have you forgotten?" I added.

"I know that, but you can easily find your way since you're not a kid" he said fixing his belt.

"Remember you said I was last night?" I couldn't help but pout

The corners of his lips curled into a knowing smile as he leaned forward, his fingers gracefully swept over the round table in the center of the room, as he retrieved his keys. "Yes, I remember, I just wanted to confirm it once more" he replied, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "let's go" he added as he walked towards the door.

"What?" I couldn't help but laugh quietly at myself. This guy is unbelievable, the fact that he enjoyed lightly poking fun at me.

Despite the briefness of my visit, the magnificence of this home had knitted themselves into the fabric of my memories. Glancing over my shoulder, I softly uttered a whispered farewell to the magnificent home and then followed after him quietly.