Chapter Three

"This is...." It was then Ethan realised they both didn't know each other names, Audrey took a quick deep to steady her wavering emotions.

"Audrey... Joe"

"Audrey, she helped me hide from the men" Ethan completed his statement with an embarrassed smile.

"Thank you" Allen bowed stiffly towards her direction.

"You are welcome" she replied, her mind quickly calculating how she would go with them to be able to meet him.

"Come on, we will drive you home" Ethan took her hand in his, his heart not wanting to let go, the moment they had spent together glued in his memories, her packets of chocolates they shared in the storage room, her innocent face, behaviour and expression like she couldn't be tainted by the world's cruelty.

If only he knew...

"You owe me" Audrey spoke up once they got to the red wrangler.

"Of course, I will pay you back for saving my life"

"Who's talking about that, I starved all day because of you and you ate my chocolate, you should pay that back and treat me to a good dinner" Audrey declared.

"Alright alright, that's no problem. You won't mind staying the night at my house right?"

"Of course" Ethan agreed without doubt and her into the Jeep as it was too high for her.

****

Lincoln Villa

"Wow! This is so pretty" Audrey could be seen fawning at the garden of purple hibiscus flowers around the fountain in the middle of the villa, those flowers defied her attention the moment she got down from the Jeep.

"Yeah, we can come back later, I have to go meet Grandpa to assure him that I'm fine now" Ethan urged her again.

"O..Kay"

The old man, Lincoln was sitting on a custom-made Wheelchair, his expression softening at the sight of his beloved grandson.

"My little child" Ethan ran into his opened arm, Audrey stood aside watching the reunion with a cringed expression on his face.

"Thank God you are fine, I told you that you need bodyguards but you refuse, those bastards are trying to get to me through you!"

"I'm sorry Papa, I will listen to you now"

"Better! You little brat, you even got a girlfriend friend in a dangerous situation" Grandpa Lincoln eased the atmosphere with his last words.

"Ah ... Papa! She's my saviour, not my girlfriend! Her name is Audrey Joe"

"Audrey, thank you for saving my little child I owe you one"

"It's no problem, Sir, just that he's such a fool, he needs a good beating" Audrey was mildly disappointed not to see Him but she pushed her thoughts aside and joked with the old man.

Nostalgia, that's the feeling Audrey had during the dinner, the old man reminded her so much of Old Joe, Her eyes followed everyone entering and exiting the dining area, and her ears perked up to catch up any traces of His voice but all that was fruitless.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," Audrey said.

Ethan stood and led the way.

"Do you mind if I ask you something"

"Do you have an older brother?"

"No, I'm the only child of my parents"

"Oh... Then where are your mum and dad?"

"Dead" Ethan's chin dipped into his chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to remind you"

"It's fine, we are here" Ethan stopped in front of a door.

"Okay, thanks" Audrey walked in and gently closed the door before leaning her back against it.

Is he also a team leader perhaps? Like Allen? But why was his face covered? It would have been easier to find him if she had seen his face, he's younger than Allen, so he can't be Ethan's father, and Ethan affirmed that he had no siblings.

Audrey took in a few breaths to steady herself, assuring herself that everything would be fine, she washed her face and stared at the mirror, she felt around inside her dress for the shorts' pocket took out the eye drops and applied them, closing her eyes for few seconds to get it in.

Colours slowly came back to her eyes, she washed her hand and dried it, making sure her dress was back in place, she quickly put her hair in a simple bun and held it in place with her last ponytail holder.

***

"That girl, are you sure she did all that?" The old man was back to his usual self, old fox, eyes filled with calculation, Ethan nodded.

"She's the one" the old man declared.

"The one?" Ethan asked confused.

"You... Let her stay the night, try to get close to her" The old fox never leaves his old ways, he quickly made a plan.

"But why? She saved me, Papa, Don't do anything to her!" Ethan could already feel his grandfather's eerie aura pulling over.

"I won't just make her stay longer, get to know her better, I think she's a good match for you" the old man quickly put on his jovial expression.

"Papa! She... I don't even know her that much, besides she looks like a minor" Ethan was blushing furiously.

"You little brat! You just turned twenty too, you don't have to rush it, but getting married to her will be good"

Audrey walked in to see the old man smacking Ethan's head.

"Papa!"

"Grandfather, is he being a fool again?" Audrey sat back in her seat, and a plate of cheesecake was immediately placed in front of her.

"You know him too well, you two should be friends, you can help me discipline him a little "

"Don't worry Grandfather, I will surely do that "

"So tell me little girl, how old are you? "

"Papa!" Ethan scolded.

"What? I want to know when she will be ready to have a wedding with you "

"Grandfather, I'm still young, just twenty years old, and Ethan is such a fool, totally not my type " Audrey sassed.

"I'm not a fool! Just a little clueless at times " Ethan defended.

"It's okay, I need to go to bed now " the old man.

Once the old man was out, there was an awkward silence.

"Don't mind Papa, he always wants to get married and have kids before he dies"

"No problem I understand"

"If you are ready, let me take you to your room" Ethan stood up, he still couldn't meet her eyes, and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

He led her to the guestroom and opened the door.

"I need some clothes to change into if you have any to spare," Audrey said as she got into the room.

"Okay " Ethan closed the door and left her alone, she looked around the room, white, almost everything was white, with few room decors like, a big bed, a bedside table a mini refrigerator and all that, the most attractive things is the frilly chandelier, looking so exquisite.

Audrey took off her clothes and wrapped a towel around her, she was exhausted from the day's experience and it was past midnight by then, she just wanted a cold bath and slept off.....