Harper looked out at the dark sky, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. Alex had finally conceded a few hours ago and let her behind the wheel when his knee started to throb.
After driving almost all day, and thanks to her fast driving, they were already miles away. But Harper thought they could both use a bed right about now. And probably a hot shower, too. If it weren't for Lucas’s phone number being unattended, Harper would have suggested that they meet up at some hotel instead, or somewhere, instead of driving to her parents’ house, which a couple of days away.
After hearing Lucas’s rushed instruction to leave, the goodbye Harper and Alex had to bid to Dr. Miller, Libby, and the other two male nurses were brief and hasty. They all helped them pack up their things, and in no time, the two were already on the road. Of course, Alex had questions, and Harper couldn’t be any more surprised at Dr. Miller for fabricating a lie this time.
*“Tell me what the hell is going on!” Alex had demanded, refusing to leave the cottage if no one would explain what was happening.
Dr. Miller had stepped up this time. Harper could sense the urgency in his eyes. “Master Alex―”
“Again,” Alex had interrupted. “Why do you people keep on calling me master? Are you my slaves or something?”
Dr. Miller paused for a second as if to briefly ponder whether he should lose the courtesy. “Okay, Alex…” He did. “You must leave now because…”
“Yes?”
“Your father.”
“What about him? Is he coming? Why haven’t he and my mom visited me since I woke up from coma? What is really going on, doctor?” Alex asked, rather angrily, with a scowl on his face.
“Well, you see…your father doesn’t approve of you marrying…her.” Dr. Miller pointed at Harper, who immediately stood straight.
Harper pursed her lips at another lie being feed to Alex. And though she wasn’t the one making this up this time, yet she somehow felt just as guilty.
“Okay?” Alex said softly, gazing across at her. “So what?”
“And he’s on his way to get you. He has thought of your situation as an opportunity to cancel the engagement and keep you away from Ms. Fritz.”
“Really? With all due respect, Dr. Miller, but I may have lost my memories, but I’m a full-grown man. An adult. I’d never let my father dictate me, with or without my memories.” Alex stood his ground. “I think we should stay and wait for him. He will have to listen to what I have to say.”
“No, Alex! We have to go!” Harper hurried, carrying bags in each of her hands.
“Listen to her, Alex,” Dr. Miller said. “I have known your father for a long time. It would be best to settle this with him when you have your memories back—all of it. Or else, he’d keep you and Harper apart. For good.”
“Oh boy,” Harper muttered under her breath.
“But when will I have my memories back? I sure don’t want to keep running away.”
“You will have it back. Just be patient. But, right now, you and Harper must really go―”
“Alex, let’s go,” Harper cut in this time. “Your father is a very influential man. Let’s leave and stay at my parents’ house while we wait for your memories to come back; when they do, we will meet with your father and tell him he can suck it because you and I are never separating.”
**Just kill me now! **Harper thought angrily to herself.
Alex grunted. “Oh, but what about Lucas?”
“Goddammit! We don’t have time for that. Let’s go, or I will never see you ever again. Please…dammit…I can’t live without you! Please.”
“You can’t?”
**Oh shit. **Lies. All lies. Harper couldn’t believe the words spewing from her mouth. “Yes! Let’s go!”*
Harper had never hated herself so much, like how she hated herself in that very moment. Her jaws clenched, she still couldn't stop feeling angry every time she thought of all the lies she had said so Alex would leave the damn cottage with her.
She hated lying. But what was she supposed to tell Alex? The truth? And what was she supposed to do if Alex would do something stupid like showing up? Could she then live with her guilt if something happened to Alex?
*Shit*! She hissed. Since when did her life become this complicated? Since she had admitted her feelings for Lucas. *Damn*. Lucas should better show up at her parents’ house and explain everything to Alex. She was tired, and she was done making up some more stories.
Looking at Alex, who had been asleep at least for an hour, she soon realized that the man’s sleep was anything but peaceful. Alex’s face was in a constant frown, and his neck looked to be in the most uncomfortable position.
*His neck was going to be incredibly sore when he woke up,* she had thought.
But, despite this fact, she didn't have the heart to wake him. With everything that had been happening around him, Harper could only imagine how he must be in shambles right now. And she knew for a fact that sleep could be the only way for him to at least rest his mind.
As for her, if Alex really had offended some really bad people, she just honestly hoped that when push came to shove, Lucas would come through for her, considering that she’s pretty much very involved now. Those men, whoever they were, would be pissed to find out that someone was aiding Alex―her.
She shook her head to clear it. Thinking about what had happened to her life was just making her angry, and she realized the more furious she got, the more increased in speed they got. She eased her foot off the accelerator and slowed down to the speed limit.
In the distance, she could finally see the sign welcoming them to Missoula. She gave a sigh of relief. It had been a long day. She then saw a neon sign of a motel coming up, Moody Moon Inn, far ahead of the main road.
She looked towards Alex when she heard him muttered something in his sleep as she turned the green hatchback into the inn’s parking lot. She parked the car and turned towards the passenger seat. Alex shifted a bit, eyes still shut close. She sighed and gently opened the car door, not wanting to him up.
"Harper," suddenly, Alex softly called out. “Don’t leave me.”
She stuck her head back into the car. "I’ll just go and check if they have any vacancies.”
Alex looked confused for a moment, then taking a look at his surroundings, he realized they were parked right in front of a motel. “I thought…”
“What?” Harper looked concerned.
He shook his head. “Nothing…just a dream,” he said, bringing his hand up to massage his sore neck.
“I’ll be right bac back." She tossed him the keys then headed towards Moody Moon Inn. While walking, she dug her phone from her pocket and tried to contact Lucas again. And just like how it had been earlier, her call was sent to his voicemail. She sighed, relishing the cool night air.
Harper opened the glass door to the inn’s lobby and walked in. A woman in her early twenties looked up from behind the counter upon hearing her enter and put down the eyeliner and mirror in her hands.
"Room for two?" the young woman asked.
"Yeah, with *two single beds*, please," Harper answered with such emphasis on two single beds. “Just for the night,” she immediately added.
"Alright. That'll be sixty-five bucks. We just have a new bathtub installed.”
“Okay…”
“Cash or credit?"
Harper gave it a thought for a moment. Lucas gave her some cash to spend, but since she was at the cottage most of the time, she was able to save more than enough to get by. “Cash.”
She also thought that since they have dangerous people after them, paying in cash was a better and safer way.
"Alright."
She took out her wallet. “Here you go,” she said, handing the woman a hundred dollar bill.
"So…road trip with your boyfriend?" The woman counted the change and handed it over to Harper.
“Excuse me?” Didn’t she just ask for a room with two beds?
The woman nodded and eyed outside. Harper craned her neck to see Alex leaning back against the car.
“No. He’s my brother,” Harper lied.
“He’s hot,” the woman said, then looked thoughtful. “Well, just make sure you don’t stay up too long in the woods at night.”
"Why? What do you mean? And why would we go there?”
"Well, people like to connect with nature nowadays. I just figured you and your brother are into that kind of thing too. Anyways, there have been reports about bear attacks last month. And then this week, another one was found dead in the creek. The body was grossly mutilated."
"Had the authorities confirmed that those were all bear attacks?”
"Investigation is still ongoing. I'm not really sure of the full story,” the woman explained, picking up the eyeliner and mirror back.
"Okay, thanks, I guess.”
"You’re welcome. The diner closes at 9 PM."
"Okay, thanks," Harper said, smiling before walking out and back to where Alex was waiting by her hatchback.
“Let’s go. I have a room.”
They walked over to the trunk and opened it. Alex grabbed both his and Harper’s bags and dumped them on the asphalt next to the car when he felt a sharp pain around his shoulder joint.
“Let me.” Harper noticed right away.
“I can carry them. Don’t worry about it.”
She shrugged and closed the trunk to grab her shoulder bag from the driver’s seat. “Suit yourself.”
They walked to their room in silence, with Alex close at her heels.
"Just settle in while I go grab something for dinner," Harper said, opening the door to their room.
"I can go grab something for us."
She just shook her head as she closed the door.
“Two beds?” Alex stared at the two single beds occupying most of the space in the room.
Harper frowned at the beds that looked too small for Alex to fit comfortably. He was a tall and well-built man, and the beds looked like they were built for someone like Harper, who stood at 5'3." She suddenly heard Alex sighed and moved towards the bed near the bathroom door, removing his jacket.
“Maybe we should go and look for a hotel instead,” Alex said while doing a quick inspection of the sheets. “Anywhere with bigger beds.”
“Alex, I’m so tired. I have been driving all day. The room looks clean, and the bedding looks fresh. We’re staying. ”
“I insisted―”
“Let’s not have this argument now, please. I’m hungry. It's been a long day. We can connect the beds, and I’ll ask for an additional mattress for me to sleep in.”
Alex’s eyes snapped at her. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?”
“You just told me today you couldn’t live without me, and now…you’re implying that I sleep here and you sleep on the floor?”
“I’ll ask for an extra mattress.”
"No. You can’t do that,” Alex protested. “We will sleep on the same bed *together*.”
Harper took a very long and deep breath, hands on her hips. *Seriously, just kill me now.*
“Come here…” Alex motioned with his hand.
She drew in a breath. “Dinner.”
“Okay. Let me go this time.”
“Fine.”