Chapter 28: Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight.

One hour after the agreed time, she laid on the bed in a purple knee-length, floral gown that she never knew Mark’s sister had. For a minute, Jennifer felt guilty for putting on her clothes, cause she was dead, but then Jennifer didn’t have much choice, she did not have anything to call her own, well apart from her ring. As she waited for Charlie’s call, her mind went to the situation that brought her to where she was. It was certain that it was a miracle that she survived in such a water body, but she just wanted to know who did it. She wanted to know who she had offended that much to be thrown into the ocean and her memory wasn’t helping at all because she could not even decipher why she was near such a huge water body. It was certain that she wasn’t a big fan of swimming.

She let out one of her signature sighs and realized Charlie was running too late. Already thinking that he probably forgot or something, the land phone rang.

“I am so sorry for the delay. I am downstairs already.” Charlie’s soft voice said from the other side.

After ensuring her money was secured alongside her bag, Jennifer walked out hurriedly, some hormones suddenly operating her system. She felt sixteen when Jack Marsh had asked her to the prom. As she got to the ground floor, she paused, took a deep breath, straightened her dress before resuming her walk to the reception. She searched for his face amongst the few people that graced the reception with their presense. She saw him standing close to the entrance.

His eyes met hers and he gave her a smirk from where he was.. He did not look different from last time. His scattered hair and blue eyes that drew your attention, were still intact.

"Hey there." Jennifer said as she reached him, his cologne hitting her nose.

"So nice to meet you again . How have you been?" He offered to hug her and she leaned into it.

"Good."

He released her, took a look at her again and said, "You look pretty nice." His eyes joined his lips in smiling at her.

"It don’t know, it is probably just the gown. There nothing much to be seen apart from the gown. But thanks anyway." She smiled.

"Oh, I am pretty sure it is more than the gown. But I have to say again, you look really pretty." She nodded her head in a reluctant manner and he noticed it. “Oh shit, I must sound a bit cheesy right now.” He chuckled.

Jennifer wanted to respond, 'of course'. But she did not want to say it, it might be rude.

'Argh, who cares about rude? It is just a response' She thought further.

"Yes, you do sound a bit cheesy.”

He chuckled again, licked his lower lip exposing a side dimple.

"Okay... Hmm... I did not get your name the last time. Except we are sticking with 'I am tired dude' as a name." Jennifer giggled at the way he said I am tired dude. He said it with a deeper voice, like pirate’.s voice

"Jennifer."

"Jennifer." He repeated slowly, the name rolling out of his tongue in a sexy way. ‘Oh wow, no one has ever said my name in such manner, not even Mark, especially not Mark.’

Jennifer frowned at herself for even thinking about Mark.

Jennifer gave Charlie a genuine smile and asked where they would be going for the day.

He switched to a lazy voice, "I don't really know. Lunch is very sure, but before lunch, how about some musical show or movie?"

"Musical show sounds okay."

"Well, let us proceed. Dudess Jennifer."

He bowed slightly.

"Dudess?" Jennifer walked out of the motel, Charlie behind her.

"That's your new title. Our ride is right there." He pointed to a jeep just in front of the motel. They walked to the jeep and she entered. Jennifer felt cosy in the car as a sweet smell greeted her, reminding her of her room at home, she could almost picture herself there. Charlie entered, gave her a short smile and kicked the car to life.

As they drove on the road, silence governed the atmosphere. Jennifer wanted to start a conversation, but she was reluctant. The both of them shared glances once in a while, flashing their teeth at each other occasionally.

"So..." Charlie finally broke the silence.

Jennifer looked at him, happy that they get to talk after all.

"You want to talk about what you said last night? About sneaking out?"

"Oh." Jennifer faced the other side, buildings blurring away as the car sped past them.

"If you still don't want to say anything, it is okay." She could hear the carefulness in his voice.

"No, it is okay. Now that we are friends, I think I should let you know. But probably when we are settled."

"It is nice to know that we are friends.” He gave her a cute smile which made her blush for some reason, making her continue her game of staring out of the window, it would be embarrassing if he saw her blushing.

In no time, they reached their destination and Charlie parked beside a bungalow. Jennifer could not help but wonder again what it was with the city and bungalows.

"Welcome to Saxena." Charlie broke through her thoughts.

They got out of the car. Jennifer studied the building which had a huge artistically designed sign that said SAXENA hung just on the mid region of the wall.

"Saxena? " She asked as Charlie motioned to her to come along.

"Yes. Named after the greatest musician that ever lived in Hamesia. This bungalow, " He spread his hands to demonstrate as they entered, walking through the corridor.

"It was his abode. He spent most of his days here, with his instruments only. He was a master when it came to music. But unfortunately, he failed in doing one other important thing, caring for his family. He died regretting that."

Jennifer stared at the deep brown walls as they went further down the long corridor. The whole place smelt of music, if that was a thing, but the faint whispers of music she could hear made her think so.. As they moved closer to a big door, Jennifer could hear it already.

She could hear the beauty music possessed. Each note, each sound was perfect, sending the right message. As they entered the room, she felt the outburst. Her heart suddenly yearned to sit back and listen to the harmonious combination of the instruments.

"I see you are already loving this place." Charlie whispered into her ear, making her aware they were still standing at the entrance.

"I love it a lot. Thanks for bringing me here." She gave him a warm smile which he returned with his celebrity smile.

He directed her to a seat very close to the stage where the performance was taking place. There were not many people there in the room either. They were just about twenty people in the room. Some were listening, some whispering, some staring out the huge windows that allowed light into the room.

Charlie sat very close to her and she was suddenly tempted to look at his face, which she did anyways. He had his eyes closed, obviously digesting the music. As if sensing her eyes on him, he slowly opened his own and smiled at her.

He leaned closer, "You loving it?"

She nodded in response before facing the stage. She could feel the breath emanating from his nose on her neck. He was sitting that close to her.

"You want to talk about it? Your sneaking out?"

Jennifer sighed and faced him. She decided to tell him everything, it was no use holding anything back. with her Dad's death, all the way to her marriage to Francis. And how she gave him the CEO post.

"After that I remember nothing. All I know is that I was found on the shore. I don't remember anything about being in the ocean. Was I on an holiday? Honeymoon? I don’t know. You know what hit me most?" She faced him.

"A part of me doubts if Francis is looking for me. But I reprimand myself for thinking such a thing. Because in the real sense, he is probably looking for me. I know that."

Jennifer face palmed herself .

"I am so stupid right?"

"Not really. I can't conclude though. Let me hear the entire story."

"So I lived with this guy. Mark. Crazy guy. He fucking set rules for me. Do not go out, do not go there, do not talk to neighbors. He was so frustrating. I wanted to live life again, I wanted to enjoy whatever it was that was fun outside. I wanted to set aside for a minute, the fact that I was far from home with no memory of how I left there, but I was getting pulled down. My brain was dying of boredom. So I had to just sneak out last night.. But I am no longer living with him. He has frustrated me beyond limit."

She threw her hands in the air in annoyance.

" Can you imagine, he went to meet a psychic to tell him the fastest way to get rid of me? Apparently to him, I wasn't trying enough to remember. But Charlie, I was. I get headaches trying to remember. I also yearn to go home. The shitty part is the stupid dream I keep having. I dream about Francis showering me with love and then in a flash,"

She clicked her fingers.

"He turns to Mark."

There was a brief silence.

Charlie gave a deep sigh.

"First, you have gone through a lot. Trying to remember things is a lot of stress especially when that piece of memory is lost somewhere. I can’t say in particular who I suspect about what happened to you as I never knew you before, but I just want you to prepare your mind for the worst. "

Jennifer nodded slowly. He was right.

“Let me ask you this question. Say Francis is responsible for your accident, what would you do?”

She leaned back, her heart feeling heavy at the mere thought of it.

“I…I don’t know. I don’t even want such a thing to be true.”

Charlie nodded and got off his seat, stretching his hand towards her.

"You want to go get lunch? I bet you are hungry. Come on Dudess."

"You should really stop calling me that."

"Never. It is cute." He helped her up and they both left the room.

"Where are we going?" Jennifer's voice echoed across the corridor.

“Home.”

---------------------------------------------------

It took them an hour to get to his house, that was after they got her stuff from the motel and signed out.. Jennifer had expected he would be living in a mansion or duplex, but as they drove through the gate, all she saw a bungalow simply built majorly with bricks, it was old- fashioned but the house still looked amazing. It was of a moderate size, and it looked really comfortable.

"You like it?"

“Okay, first, what is it with you people and bungalows. And two, I love it. It is so simple but yet amazing. Did you buy it?"

"I dunno, we all like to keep it simple I guess. And two, nope I had it built."

As he parked properly, Jennifer noticed how spacious the compound was compared to the building. Seven jeeps can be parked there and there would still be room for more.

Jennifer got down from the car, already eager to see the inside. As soon as Charlie opened his door, they entered the living room.

The living room was looking amazing with the black and white thing he did with his walls and furniture they blended well with the bricks. ‘This reminds me of Mark’s house.’

Jennifer groaned inwardly at herself. It already was the second or third time her mind went to Mark.

"Okay, make yourself comfortable. I need to get you some food. And please call me if you need anything."

Jennifer nodded and sat on a couch.

'At least he has a TV.'

She thought as she looked around, impressed by the French door she was looking at from where she was sitting.

She noticed a bottle of water beside a couch. And she was suddenly reminded of the need for her to drink something satisfying.

Jennifer stood up and went to take it. Without wasting time, she opened it and gulped it down. She noticed it had a different taste , but then it was satisfactory..

When she was done, she looked at the bottle, it was then she realized she had finished everything.

“So is the police aware of your situa… What are you doing?” Charlie’s voice questioned her worriedly.

She turned.

"I was thirsty and took this water."

His eyes widened.

"That is no water! Well it is water, but still not water! That has sedatives in it. Very strong sedatives."

"Oh that explains the taste." She mumbled.

"I will be fine."

"No you won't. You finished the whole bottle."

"Well," A sharp pain tore through her head, next thing she knew, she was falling.