SECRET OF THE AMULET

CHAPTER 6

ALTERNATE TIMELINE: PRESENT

Diana was heartbroken when she entered a medium-sized bungalow that needed some repairs and improvements. It would be her permanent residence in the next few years or until she would be able to hit it big again.

She was already out of her wits when everything went wrong in her life. Her boyfriend scammed her money, she lost her job, her parents filed for divorce, and the list went on forever. She was hopeless and desperate, but the more she thrived in LA, the more she failed at everything she did.

When her mother suggested that maybe she needed a break or a vacation, she decided to visit her mother’s homeland. She was excited on her way to San Jose, but her heart sank upon seeing the place where she would live.  

The house looked old from the outside, and the wooden structure made it even more hideous to her eyes. She shook her head while examining the abode because she couldn’t live in it! No, she refused to live in a broken-down house! 

She thought of turning around and go back to where she came from, but the taxi she hailed from the city was already gone! She panicked at the thought of being alone in a place she couldn’t imagine residing…until she noticed him!

Get a grip, Diana! She scolded herself for being silly. Before she went inside the crumbling abode, she expressed a deep sigh of relief. It was naïve of her to imagine that it would be pure bliss when she arrived in the country! Well, it would be if she had the money to pay for her accommodation. However, she’s broke at the moment, and she had to make do with whatever was available until she would be ready to go back to the States.

She immediately wrinkled her nose upon entering the house. The smell of dust irritated her sense of smell, and she had to sneeze multiple times. She kept the door open to let in some air before opening every window.

What should I do?

She was confused about what to do first, especially when she’s not well-trained to doing household chores. When she slumped her body into a tattered sofa, dust flew everywhere, and she had to stand up right away.

Despite the dusty smell of the area, she walked around to check what’s inside and nodded her head in approval upon seeing the kitchen. At least, it looked functional! The living room was also spacious, and she wondered if the bedroom would be spacious too.

After thorough checking, she concluded that minor improvements were necessary to satisfy her preference and taste. The bedroom needed new curtains and bedsheets, whereas the living room should remain as is, but maybe she would ask someone to sew a sofa cover or order it online. Moreover, she needed provisions, but she had no idea where to get them. Maybe, she should ask the nearest neighbour.

Her neighbour was just a few meters away, and Diana had no idea why she was nervous. Her previous job allowed her to meet different people, and she was never nervous around anyone before.  The concrete house had no fence, so she went straight to the door and knocked on it. When the door opened, she didn’t expect to see a dashing gentleman. His brown eyes stared at me, and I was lost!

“Are you lost?” He asked the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in San Jose. Damn, her eyes were shockingly blue, and he couldn’t stop staring at her coloured peepers. “Excuse me, are you lost?”

“Oh no, no, no,” she immediately shook her head and looked away. “I’m the owner of that house over there, and you’re the nearest neighbour, so I thought to ask you about something,” she explained.

“Howdy, neighbour,” he jested before opening the door widely. “Come in, it’s hot outside, and you might get some sunburn,” he invited the blue-eyed woman inside his house, and his heart wouldn’t stop to flutter.

“Thank you, but I won’t stay for long. So, do you know anyone who can help me clean the house? I mean, the place was inhabited for a long time, and you know what I mean. By the way, I’m Diana,” she introduced herself first.

“Zac Montes, that’s my name,” he said before extending his hand for a formal introduction.

Diana smiled as she accepted the man’s calloused hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr Montes, but do you know anyone whom I can call for help? I need some help cleaning that place,” she pouted her lips as she explained why she needed an extra hand to do the cleaning.

“I can help,” he offered.

“How much?” She asked, and Zac’s expression suddenly darkened. “Wait, did I say something wrong?”

“I said I could help. Did I say that I’m going to work for you?”

Diana bit her bottom lip because it was clear as the blue sky that he misunderstood her question and probably felt insulted for being looked down upon. “I’m sorry, Mr Montes, but I didn’t mean to insult you. I mean, it’s not easy to clean our old house,” she explained slowly as if she’s talking to a toddler with a big ego.

Zac nodded as he accepted her explanation. “Oh damn, where's my manner? You just got here, and I didn’t offer a refreshment yet. Please wait while I get it,” he said.

“Never mind, I’m not staying anyway,” she replied.

“I insist.”

Zac’s living room was small, but it was cosy as if it has a woman’s touch. Diana looked around to see if there’s any sign of him being married to someone else, but she couldn’t find anything. When he returned with a tray of refreshments, she smiled at him.

“I should be going now,” she said after finishing the sandwich he made for her. Was it a sandwich? She doubted because she only had bread, and there’s no filling!

“Yeah, let’s go,” he said.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Zac answered.

Whoa, it’s unbelievable! Well, at least there’s something good in the remote area of San Jose. “I don’t want to cause some misunderstanding between you and your wife,” she dropped the bait, but his crisp laughter shocked her.

“I’m still searching for a wife, Diana.”

Wait, what? She couldn’t believe it! “You’re kidding, right?”

“Why should I be?”

“Because you’re attractive with your brown eyes,” she answered truthfully, and before she could stop her mouth from running, she enumerated all the best features that she saw in him. The list went on forever, and he laughed at her! “Did I say something funny?”

“No, but you are funny,” he replied. “Did you buy your groceries in town before coming here?”

“Hmmm, nope. Why?”

“Come on, let’s buy your groceries first before it gets dark,” he said and asked the woman to follow him into his little garage, where he parked his motorcycle.

“No, it’s not necessary,” she refused because it was too soon to trust him.

“Don’t worry, Diana. I’m a good person,” he said as soon as he noticed her hesitation to go with him to the market. “Come on.”  The blue-eyed woman with black and short hair that hung over her chiselled and beautiful face continued to hesitate, and he began to feel some frustrations.

“You misunderstood my hesitation, Zac. I left my wallet at home,” she told him.

“I see. Then let’s go to your house first to get your wallet, then we can go to the market,” he explained in a way that she wouldn’t think he’s fast! They were about to leave when Sheena arrived on her scooter, and her smile instantly faded as soon as she noticed the other woman.