From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Alarmed Daniel moved to block Joan’s way making her halt and stopping her advance to the staircase. Cody moved from the door also, following her with the intention of apologizing properly. However, unlike Daniel, he didn’t go to stand in front of her. When she stopped, he waited behind her for the right opportunity to speak.

He had known Roman all his life and had been working for him for many years. Not once had he had any problems and he didn’t want to start now. All he tried to do was to avoid being accused of letting her out of the house and facilitating her second escape attempt. Little did he know that his attempt to avoid trouble was going to invite even bigger trouble. He was no stranger to how werewolves treated their mates. Roman was a powerful lycan who had done the unthinkable in the past because of the death of his mate. Cody didn’t want to be put in that position.

“What is this?” Joan asked, frowning at Daniel. “Are you also going to stop me from climbing the stairs?”

“I dare not.” Daniel responded, shaking his head and knitting his brows. “I thought you wanted to go outside.”

“I changed my mind.” Joan uttered, folding her hands across her chest.

“So you want to return to your room now?” Daniel asked again and Joan nodded her head.

“Yes, but only after demanding and getting an explanation from Roman as to why an order to restrict my movement exists in the first place.” Joan answered.

The moment Cody heard that, he knew he was in trouble already. Without another second wasted, he hastily moved to stand beside Daniel in front of her and bowed his head deeply in regret.

“There is no such order, Ma’am. I’m very sorry for what I did. It was foolish of me to question you the way I did. I plead for your forgiveness. It will never happen again.” Cody apologized and Daniel added, “Please forgive him. He won’t do it again,” wearing a cute pleading expression and pouting his lips so slightly, it was barely noticeable.

Joan wanted to say something but he started speaking again, beating her to it.

“You may not know it yet, but the weather is so lovely this evening. It is just perfect to take a walk in the garden or relax by the poolside. I could show you around if you like. There are horses too if you fancy horse riding.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

At the mention of horse riding, Joan’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t because she had ridden on a horse before or even knew anything about it. The reason was that she had been obsessed with horses from a young age but hadn’t seen one in real life yet. This, coupled with the look on Daniel’s face, forced her to relent.

She looked at Cody and saw that he still had his head lowered and his eyes staring at the floor. Never in her life had she been a fan of treating anyone in a condescending manner and she had never been in a position where people serve her or fear to offend her. Seeing a big man like Cody apologize to her while bowing his head felt strange.

“I forgive you, Cody. Now can you open the door?” Joan asked and Cody raised his head.

“Of course, Ma’am.” He breathed out in relief, walked back to the door, and set his hand on the handle in readiness to open it for her.

“Over to you, my tour guide. Show me around.” Joan said to Daniel and he curtseyed.

“It’s my pleasure, Madam. Please come with me.” He began to move toward the door when he heard Joan’s voice echo behind him.

“I haven’t forgotten how you lied against me earlier. Rest assured, I am going to pay that gesture back.”

Daniel froze and turned around with widened eyes. He was about to protest when she added “Don’t worry, I won’t get you in trouble, and there’s nothing you can do to change my mind. I’m only informing you so that it will not come as a surprise. Let’s go.” She walked to the door and Cody moved to open it.

However, she stopped him, wondering if the door was as heavy as it looked. She went ahead to try to open it by herself, confirming that true to her suspicion, the barrier was a solid, heavy mass when it didn’t budge. The urge to try again using both her hands and all of her strength hit her. But knowing there were two men behind her who may or may not be giving her funny looks, she gave up that desire.

“You can open it now,” She gave way for Cody to do his job, and surprise flashed across her face when she saw how effortlessly he opened it. Joan made no comments though as she walked out, welcoming the cool air that embraced her in the open.

***

The buzzing of his cellphone pulled Trevor’s attention away from the television. When he checked who the caller was and realized it was Grace, he picked up without the slightest hint of hesitation.

“Miss Everton,” he called her name, suspecting she must be calling to inform him that she had arrived at Apex Dominica.

“Good evening, Mr Baliante. I am outside the gate and the guards won’t let me in. I need to see Joan. It’s urgent.” Grace’s voice echoed over the phone.

Trevor sprang to his feet, a small frown settling on his face. Was it that she didn’t believe him when he told her that her friend was okay? Was that why she came to confirm it herself that late in the night instead of going home after such a long flight?

He headed to the gate and ordered the security personnel to let her in. When they did, she came rushing inside, paying no attention to anyone as her eyes quickly scanned the entire area before coming to settle on him.

Instead of focusing on the panic in her eyes, Trevor’s mind drifted to how her size, her voice that seemed to have the power to command, and her daunting approach were turning him on. His thoughts and imaginations got even wilder the closer she got, and he expected her fearless self to be standing before him any second.

But his expectations were cut short when Grace looked toward the garden and saw Joan walking out with a man she hadn’t seen before.

“Jo,” Grace diverted, going towards Joan and snapping Trevor out of his daydream.