Chapter 2 Good News

WESTLEY

THE OAK trees rising out on both sides of the driveway were like a gateway to paradise. Those were one of many things around here that I learned to appreciate and love. There was also something in this place that I didn’t find in the city, perhaps its the serenity that the city couldn't offer.

This little paradise welcomed me with open arms.

When Keene brought me here, I thought I would regret that decision, but everything around here had grown quickly on me, and the only place I considered home.

I sauntered to the front porch, taking the swing from the right that I already claimed it mine. It gave me the perfect view of the sun-streaked leaves that created glittering shadows on the entrance.

I closed my eyes to the whining of bees on the flower pot in front of me. The earthy fresh smell and the blooming of the scents of the wild roses I planted on the flower bed had relaxed my mind.

Keene once said that I had a green thumb. I laughed at that idea, but when I saw them first thing in the morning, they just melted my heart and blew me away to see the fruit of the hours I spent cultivating those flowers. They worth my sweat.

“Harry!” I jolted awake, sitting straight to the sharp male voice—it was Keene’s—my best friend, the strongest guy I knew.

We’d been friends since college, and he’d been my rock since then.

“Harry,” he repeated, “guess what?” He was grinning with brown eyes glittering with excitement.

He was handsome in a classic actor kind of way. Finally, he let his light blond hair grow longer than he used to keep it skinhead, but he was still a little bit pale. I always loved to pinch his small straight nose that was now wrinkling on me as if he read my mind.

“Hey, I said I got something.” His expression suddenly turned sour when I didn’t pay attention to what he was about to say because lately, I wasn't lucky enough to receive any more good news.

“Jeez, Keene. Just say it already.” I scowled at him. I hated the feeling when people interrupted my rest.

The fact that he surprised me, it made my heart rate accelerate, and it felt uncomfortable. He knew it because I’d been suffering from Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation when I was in college, and it came back when I was under stress.

“We got a guest. I received an email earlier, and I already replied that the cabin is ready for visitors. I thought you’d be thrilled to hear the good news. He’ll be here as early as tomorrow morning. So, we still have a day to prepare the cabin. Isn’t it great?” He grinned again.

Indeed it was good news. Keene was left with an almost empty bank account after his father's chemotherapy wasn't successful. He never gave up on his dad and sold everything until there was nothing left. Before they got the deal for their small house and two cabins, his father passed away.

“Okay.”

“Just okay? Harry, it had been like a year since we had a guest. Not to mention, it was only half-paid. You have to admit that nothing works on our strategies. Plus, a small business like this needs a good advertisement, but we already knew that it was impossible for us right now.”

“Do we really have strategies, Keene?" I chuckled bitterly. I understood his underlying frustrations in this situation because he couldn’t work anymore. For many days, I wished my lifestyle was like before that I could easily help him, but things had changed since I chose to be on my own. "But you’re right. This is good news. I’ll go then, to clean the cabin.” I hustled to stand when he grabbed my arm.

“Coming with you.”

I widened my eyes to shut him up. “I need exercise, and you won’t dare help me, Keene. Did you hear me?”

He shut his mouth tight. He may be my best friend, but I bothered him too much already that I could barely sleep at night. The least that I could do was to do the chores since he could barely stand on his own feet.

“Harry—”

“Just bring some clean towels and sheets, okay? And some toiletries, too.” I stepped down the porch, then I paused to look at him. “Who’s our guest?”

“It’s Arella Rogue who booked the cabin. Our guest is a guy named Clyve—”

“Okay. I should start cleaning because we still have to go to town for groceries.”

The cabin was made of finest woods from the foundation, walls, and floorboards. It was a little bit old that we had to make sure it was not infested by termites.

This one had only a small room, kitchenette with small cupboards, and a single Viking stove. A living room with enough space for a wooden rocking chair and an old black leather couch, which was Keene’s father’s favorite. There was a small fireplace with readied piles of wood.

I started clearing cobwebs on the windowsills, pulled the white sheets off that covered the furniture, then I started dusting them off, and then vacuumed the floor.

I was in the bedroom, pulling the sheet off from the bed when Keene came over, probably with the things I asked from him to bring.

“Just leave them on the couch. I’m done cleaning that area.”

“You don’t have to clean alone, you know.”

“Just go and make a list of what we need from the grocery.”

I ignored his heavy sighing. Not a few seconds later, he was sneezing and running out of the cabin that made me chuckle.

What I learned about this life was nothing came for free. You had to work hard to earn something. I guess the decision of my independence had taught me the hard way, and so far, I liked it.

I was beyond exhausted when I was done in the bathroom. I was sweating like a pig and sticky with dust. I could smell myself like an old house and soot. I laid back on the couch, trying to catch some rest for a few minutes before we headed to the town.

“Harry!”

“Dang it, Keene. Are you trying to give me an early heart attack?” I rubbed my eyes, lifting my gaze to him.

“Sorry.” He gave me an apologetic look.

“How long did I pass out?”

He shrugged. “Three hours?”

“Three hours?” I asked incredulously. “And you did not wake me up?” I stood up quickly, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go then. Did you have the list?”

“Yeah, and went there while you passed out. I know how grumpy you are when someone disturbs your sleep.”

I paused, narrowing my eyes at him. “What the hell? Why did you go alone?”

“Because I can, and you’re tired. I did come back safe and sound, so stop worrying about me like I'm gonna melt in front of you.”

“Don’t do that again, Keene.” I walked past him, still scowling. “Close the door behind you.”

“Wait! You’ve been tired lately, Harry. Do you have trouble sleeping?”

My throat suddenly thickened. “No.”

“Then what have you been up to?”

“Nothing.”

“If you’re worried about—”

I turned to face him. “I’m fine, okay? I promise.”

He had a lot on his plate right now, and I couldn’t add another. I knew he tried his best to be strong when I was around, but deep inside, he was struggling. I guessed we deal with our pain in different ways.

I strode toward the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. And he was right—he did the grocery on his own. The fridge was full.

A small smile curved up my lips when I saw some cups of peach yogurt—my favorite. “Thank you.”

“That’s the least I can do after I left you alone cleaning the entire cabin.” I didn’t miss the guilt in his voice.

“And I can’t let you die from sneezing.” I rolled my eyes.

“Go ahead and hit the shower. I’ll make us some sandwich.” He grabbed the fresh lettuce and tomato from the fridge, then he stopped. “I can feel when you’re watching me, Harry. I’m not that weak and won’t collapse on your watch. Just take the freaking shower.”

“Who said you’re weak? Besides, you went to buy stuff on your own.”

“You’re not gonna drop it, are you?” He took a sandwich loaf, slicing it in half. “Which do you prefer halloumi or cheddar?”

“Upgraded, huh?” I chuckled.

“We’ve got a guest tomorrow, darling, and you can’t just feed him with couscous salad every day.”

“What’s wrong with couscous? I can make something more than a salad out of it.”

“I know, chef Westley.” He rolled his eyes. “This will be done in a few minutes. Now get your ass ready because I’m starving. You’ll sleep early tonight, Harry. No more stalking your dysfunctional family on the Internet.”

My chest ached every time he mentioned my perfect family. “That was only one time. I just wanna see my sister, and I’m just curious if how they had been without the black sheep of the family.”

He searched something on my face, then nodded slowly.

I walked away, releasing the breath I held for a while.

Thank, God! He didn’t pry.

***

AFTER OUR lunch, I rechecked the email. Our guest hadn’t yet arrived when he supposed to be here before twelve. And there was no way the flight had been canceled because of the weather. Unless he changed his mind.

Well, if he did, we wasted our time for that jerk.

“I’ll bring some supply, Keene. Just lead him to his cabin if he arrives before I’m done, okay?” I could feel my increasing heartbeat. I had to take a few deep breaths to calm it down.

Yesterday I was completely drained to even put some bottled water in the cabin. I hoped this man would arrive today because I was going to curse him for the whole month if he would not show his ass up here.

I looked around when I was done. It looked spotless, and things seemed to be in the right places. I was ready to bail out when I caught a very distinctly male voice, and it was not Keene’s.

Our guest had finally arrived.

Great!

There was something in his accent that seemed different. An Irish? Australian?

Thanks, mate. Oh, British! Our guest is a freaking Brit?

How in the hell did he find this place?

I scurried toward the living room when the sunlight entered the cabin, indicating that Keene or our guest just entered.

A tall shadow hovered.

His voice was deep, yet so calm as he got closer to me. He was still talking with Keene when he stopped in the middle of the living room, dropping his suitcase and cargo bag beside the couch. He then snapped his gaze at my direction when he perhaps, sensed they were not alone.

Then our gazes locked. Suddenly, his gunmetal blue eyes widened as if showing some recognition, and his jaw literally dropped.

Crap!

My lips instantly dried with dread. Just the pain forming in my chest due to the hammering of my heart almost made me feel dizzy.

Oh my, God! What if?

“Sindy?”