LOST AND CONFUSED

Jane reached into her bag and retrieved her phone, about to call her dad. As she withdrew the device from her bag, she was halted, a wave of concern washed over her when she glanced at her screen. The display revealed an astonishing number of missed calls, 27 in total. 16 missed calls from her worried mother, 9 from her concerned father, and 2 from an unfamiliar number, which only added to her growing unease. She also saw a series of text messages from her mum, inquiring about her whereabouts. A twinge of frustration gripped her as she realized that her phone had been set to silent mode due to the fact that she was in church, rendering her oblivious to the incoming calls and messages. "Shit!" Frustration and self-blame surged within her as she slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.

Swiftly regaining her composure, she dialed her Dad's phone number with a trembling finger. The phone rang in her hand, her heart pounding in anticipation as she waited anxiously for him to pick up.

"Excuse me miss, I don't know how you got into my car, and I really don't know how you're going to find your way back because you clearly seem lost," the young man, David said, his voice laced with polite perplexity, he had recognized her face instantly. It was easy to recognize her, after all; she was the pastor's daughter, and her dad, being the pastor of the huge congregation ministry Living Waters Ministry, is well-known in the Wollongong community. But as he glanced at her bewildered expression, it became evident that she had no recollection of him. David's father held an esteemed position within the church, and their families shared countless visits to Jane's abode when Jane and David were still kids. However, as the years unfolded, circumstances led David to relocate to Sydney with his dad. Yet, his heart still gravitated towards Wollongong, especially during the joyous Christmas season, when he would return to visit his grandma, only to bid farewell as the new year unfurled its wings.

"Lost? You're the one who's confused," Jane retorted, her voice filled with defiance. She couldn't fathom how she had ended up with a stranger in her dad's car, and her mind raced with worry about her father's reaction to her sudden disappearance. "Oh, how my dad is going to be so worried right now," she panicked, her eyes darting around in search of an escape route.

Suspicion laced her words as she questioned the stranger's motives. "Are you a thief or a kidnapper?" she demanded, her voice quivering with fear. Her instinctive need to protect herself kicked in. "What do you want? my dad will deliver whatever you need" she added, hoping to appease him until her dad could intervene. She clutched her phone tightly, waiting for her dad to pick up.

David's countenance filled with a mixture of astonishment, slowly shook his head, his neatly combed hair swaying in response to the gesture. "Right now, I need to get some rest," he uttered, his voice laden with weariness. He resolutely reached for the door handle and swung it open, allowing a gust of morning air to permeate the interior of the car, it was 2 am already, it was still very dark. She swiftly followed suit, opening the door so as not to be locked in.

As her feet touched the ground, her eyes momentarily fixed upon the Jeep from which she had just emerged. It was an exact replica of her Dad's car, the same color and make.

As she stood beside the car, her gaze swept across the surroundings. The guy's residence stood proudly before her, a majestic two-storey structure exuding an air of refined elegance as it stood tall in front of her. Its spotless exterior displayed exquisite architectural details that had been carefully designed to perfection. The sizable yard that stretched out before her was a veritable paradise, an enchanting display of nature's splendor. Bursting with an array of vibrant flowers.

"Hello, Dad," she uttered with a hint of desperation evident in her voice, relieved as her father finally answered the phone. "Some guy took your car, and... and..." Her words stumbled, and she paused to gather her thoughts, desperately attempting to apply logic to the perplexing situation. As her thoughts raced, she questioned her own reasoning, realizing the absurdity of her words. "What am I saying?" she thought "He clearly doesn't look like a thief."

"Where are you, Jane?" her father's voice boomed through the phone, laced with a mix of concern and frustration.

"I... I was in your car, and..." she stammered, her words trailing off as her eyes instinctively darted toward the car's license plate. And then, like a bolt of lightning, realization struck her with a force she could hardly comprehend. "What the heck was I thinking?" panic surged within her, its intensity causing her heart to race. "Was I sleepwalking?" she questioned herself, her mind swirling with a chaotic blend of fear and confusion.

"Jane! Where on earth are you?" her mum screamed in the background, her voice filled with worry. Jane could sense the worry in her mother's tone, causing her heart to race. "We've been looking all around for you!"

"I think I entered the wrong car," she replied in a low voice, her words laced with a hint of embarrassment. As she spoke, her eyes met those of the gentleman who had been patiently waiting by his car, observing the unfolding scene. Fatigue marked his face, it was evident from his weary countenance that he, too, was in desperate need of rest.

"Are you okay?" her mother's voice quivered with concern.

"Jane, are you still a kid?" Her father exclaimed, a mix of annoyance and disappointment in his voice. Jane's remained quiet, knowing that any response she gave would only further exacerbate his frustration.

"Give the phone to the owner of the car," her father commanded sternly like he already knew what had happened, his voice carrying an air of authority. Jane reluctantly obeyed, handing the phone to the gentleman who had patiently waited for her to finish her call.

"My dad wants to speak with you" She said calmly and handed her phone to him. He hesitated a bit, looking at her with an unreadable expression before taking the phone from her. His tired facade softened slightly as he took the phone, understanding the gravity of the situation. At that moment, Jane couldn't help but feel angry at herself.

"Good day sir, David Kingsley sir…, yes sir…, okay sir…, no problem sir…, Amen sir" his words laced with a touch of formality. His polite address reflected a familiarity that suggested he had known her father for some time. As their conversation progressed, it became evident to Jane that David was acquainted with her father and had engaged in amiable exchanges, as indicated by his deferential repetition of "sir" and his courteous acknowledgment of her father's instructions. Once the call ended, David handed the phone back to her.

"You'll be staying with him for tonight and he'll bring you back tomorrow morning" her dad said "You're lucky he's Mr. Kingsley's son, David. if anything, call me" her dad said and hung up. Confusion filled Jane's thoughts as she wondered who Mr. Kingsley was. His name was unfamiliar to her, and she wondered why her father considered their connection significant.

"What do I do at this point?" she let out a heavy sigh and turned slowly, her face flushed with embarrassment, to face David who had paid her no heed, as he casually walked towards the entrance door. "How courteous of you," she muttered with bitter sarcasm in her voice.

Reluctantly, she trailed behind him, her steps mirroring his. As they ascended the dimly lighted staircase, her anxiety grew into an overwhelming tide of despair. "I am so doomed!" she cried inwardly, her heart pounding in her chest. She pondered why her father had allowed her to stay the night with a complete stranger. Though the lateness of the hour made returning home an impossible feat, she couldn't help but question the decision. "I can't do this!" She cried out silently to herself.

She opened the door after him and was met by the enormous and beautiful parlor, the interior surpassing all her expectations. It was a sight that took her breath away. She had pictured a less impressive interior—a space with dull-painted walls, plain windows, stark symmetry, and a touch of disarray. However, the reality was quite the opposite. It was spacious with gleamy marble floor, the vivid colors adorning the walls brought an enchanting vibrancy to the room. Neatly arranged furniture exuded an air of elegance and sophistication. Delicate flowers graced the room with their presence, adding warmth and a delightful fragrance to the air.

As she stood there, captivated by the beauty surrounding her, he paused in his tracks, sensing her awe. He turned to face her, she could see his face clearly as the bright lights illuminating his features in exquisite detail. His face was a masterpiece, displaying a complexion that was neither too light nor too dark, perfectly balanced. A square jawline accentuated his masculine charm, pointed nose, and his thick eyebrows lent an intensity to his gaze, which she found both intriguing and intimidating. He was undeniably handsome, he seemed like a living embodiment of every romantic hero she had ever read about. He maintained a good stance while donning a grey hoodie and stylish joggers. He appeared exhausted yet his gaze made her freeze.

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?"

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A/N: Hey guyyyys! How's it going? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I did! :) I'm really curious to hear your thoughts, so please don't hesitate to leave your comments and let me know what you think. I greatly appreciate your comments and responses.