18 Chapter 18: Wake up

Desmond, unbuttoned his shirt slowly. For once in a very long time, he found himself thinking about a woman.

" Frances" He whispered under his breath.

He peeled off the shirt from his body and threw it to the bed. He slide his hand into his pocket and something suddenly tingled In his pocket. He tighten his lips as he slowly brought it out.

"Ohh! This should belong to her" He examined the bracelet.

But for some reason, he brought it closer to his nose and tried to inhale her smell. Then he smiled. He came to the conclusion that, she might have dropped it by mistake, "I will give it to her when next we see." Desmond stride towards a drawer in his room and placed it right there gently.

Weekend Came.

" I want to come with you, Desmond." Agatha said. For some reason, she doesn't feel good about letting him go out alone with another woman, and Frances for that matter! She's way charming and she saw how she( Frances) always looked at Desmond.

" And, since when did you start going out with me?" Desmond asked adjusting his polo and striding down the stairs.

" He should go, I was the one who asked him to take her. I don't see anything wrong about it" Mr. Ambrose breaks into their conversation.

" Dad's right! See you soon Dad" He picked up his car key and went out.

Agatha stood still like a statue, watching his back as he left. She was worried about the fact that Desmond looks so excited about the outing.

…

Desmond stopped his car right beside Frances who was dressed in a simple polo, a boot and accompany her outfit with a hat.

He examined her all over slightly, not wanting her to notice he was checking her out. Desmond came down from the car and gave her a warm smile. " Did I keep you waiting?" He asked opening the door to the car for her.

" Not at all, by the way you look good" Frances replied. She wouldn't miss her chance for anything.

He was silent, he shut the door behind her and headed to the drivers seat.

" You look stunning too" He said without looking at her. He kicked start the car quickly, trying to hide his nervousness.

A smile escaped Frances lips as they hit the road. She knew she was beginning to have an effect on him although she didn't know how much.

…

"So, tell me about yourself" Desmond said as they stride through the vineyard silently.

"Well nothing much about me, rather than my father and I came back home to start a winery." Frances simply replied. She gave him a flimsy smile before she continued. " What about you?"

Desmond turned to face her, and took Frances hand gently. The little act made her gasp, and held her breath. She looked at him without blinking, wondering what the man was up to. Was he going to kiss her? She's definitely not ready for that. But to her biggest astonishment, he didn't kiss her Instead he pulled her alongside him to a bench that receives it's shade from a tree.

After sitting, Frances sigh softly out of relief.

" Well, there's nothing much about me too. Nothing rather than being the CEO of Ambrose industries and having a family."

Frances, looked lost when he suddenly mentioned his family. He was so clueless! What happened to Desmond? Why did he not remember the truth..

He suddenly noticed the sadness in her eyes and for some reason he was worried. The kind of lost, and sad look she has the first time he saw her.

He moved closer to her, and place his hand on her face and smoothing gently, he asked. " What's wrong?" His gaze was fixed on her.

Frances lips was parted, she suddenly became nervous because of the closeness between them and swiftly looked away, tugging the hem of her dress.

" Frances, tell me. Why are you always staring at me with a melancholy look? I want to know? Do we know each other before?" Desmond asked without giving her a chance. It's was obvious he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Seeing his persistence, she suddenly felt scard. Angry. Nervous. All emotions at once running through her. And as if his questions were rhetorical, she stood up to leave but then, Desmond quickly held her wrist.

" Frances," He called out softly. Desmond held her shoulders together, and continued. " I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you angry, I'm so sorry okay" He ment every word he said and he pulled her into a tight hug, pating her head gently every now and then.

Frances, felt the feeling of being safe around him, she rested her head on his shoulder gently and shut her eyes.

" I'm hungry" She replied with her eyes still shut.

" Let's get you something to eat" Desmond replied with a smile. He took her hand in his and they both went back to his car and headed back out.

…

The ride throughout the day was a tiring one for the both of them. They spent so much time with each other that they lost track of time. Desmond took the trouble to take Frances back home safely but by the time he got to her house, she had already falling asleep in the car.

With his left hand resting on the steering wheel, Desmond turned to his side to face sleeping Frances. He examined her entire face from her forehead, to her nose, taking his time to admire the beautiful work of art before his eyes. His eyes slowly fell in her plump juicy pink lips. Which made him swallowed hard and for a while, he just couldn't help smiling. Not because of anything else but because he was surprised how he found himself drooling over her even when she was asleep.

He threw his head back gently to the head rest, then he gave her a quick glance. ' Just stop it Desmond! You're married!' He silently reprimand himself. He opened the door to the car and shut it gently not wanting to interrupt the sleeping beauty.

Holding his breath, Desmond, slowly opened the door as if he was defusing a bomb. He gently took her head in his hand then left out a sigh of relief when Frances didn't wake up. He scooped her up into his arms and she threw her hands around his neck, curling up without letting go.

A female servant ran towards them when she saw them coming in.

"Miss Carter, is she alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Yes, she fell asleep in the car. Her room?" Desmond replied politely.

"Yes, sure! Please come with me" The young lady replied quickly. She led the way swiftly until she stopped in front of a door.

Pointing to the door, she said "This is her room. Do you want me to come along with you?"

" it's not a big deal, I will just put her to bed that's all" Desmond gave a flimsy smile before he kicked the door open with his foot.

He looked round the big , luxurious cold room feeding his curiosity before staring at the king size bed. He placed her down gently, covered her body with the duvet and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before turning around to leave.

But then... he felt Frances held his hand, holding unto it without letting go.

Desmond turned to look but to his surprise, her eyes were still very much shut. He suddenly knitted his brow when he saw her holding the duvet tightly, breathing heavily with bead of sweat already forming on her forehead and crystal of tears has began to stream down from the coner of her eyes. It's looks like she was having a dream and a terrible one at that.

Desmond, moved closer to her and clipped her shoulders together, and began to shook her vigorously.

" Frances! Wake up"