Lost in You (#Book 2)

Chapter 3

I’m blinded by the flash and dazzled by about a dozen people shouting questions at me. So much for my bubble of intimacy. If I thought last night’s dream was disturbing, reality isn’t much better! “Miss Davis! Can you tell us about your relationship with Mr. William?” a journalist shoots towards me.

First I would like to talk to him about that, then maybe I’ll know what to answer… “Miss Davis! Miss Davis! Look over here!”

“Miss Davis! Is it true that you’re going to marry North America’s golden boy?”

Thanks for rubbing it in… I ignore their questions and try to keep my head up. If you look past my runny nose, and swollen eyes, of course… I put my hand in front of my eyes to protect myself from the flash, and try to get past them. It’s as if they had lenses instead of eyes!

And then people just walking by get caught up in it all and start filming my every move with their smartphones. “Miss! Miss!” I barely have enough room to walk. The air is getting unbreathable! It’s as if I were stuck in a crowded subway and couldn’t get out. “Let me go! I have nothing to say!”

They are waiting for the juicy gossip, the shocking revelation that could make the front page, and make Austin William look like a fool. Austin… where is he, as I’m stuck dealing with the downside to his fame? I look around desperately, hoping to see the chiseled silhouette of his Aston Martin.

In vain… damn it, why did I have to come out so early? “Miss, give us just a minute.” I ignore the journalist’s request and I hurry left, they’re right behind me. I turn around and head back out, they’re still tailing me. I try to move, left or right, no matter. I don’t want to e the prey of their cameras. I adopt a wilderness survival technique, that I haven’t used since high school, lean forward and bow your head down. I walk blindly, using my brushed out hair as a shield.

Then suddenly, a journalist grabs my arm and swings her microphone so close to my face that I go cross-eyed. I feel the heat of the camera flash on my skin. I try to make my way through this dense crowd. Even if I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I force myself to breath slowly to calm my nerves. It wouldn’t do any good to get angry…

I try to push them away with my left hand, it helps me move forward. “Miss Davis, you’re not wearing Austin William’s ring anymore?” I can literally hear the rumor spreading around me. Now I know what astonishment sounds like. A swarm of flashes fall on my left hand. I quickly put it away under my coat.

“So the engagement is off?” “Has Mr. William just broken up with you?” “Is it true Miss Davis?”….

“LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” Awesome… and I who wanted to stay cool, that’s blown away by this shouting of mine! It didn’t do the trick and I take another round of flashes in the face. Just when I thought al hope was lost, I can hear an engine throbbing behind me.

The journalists turn around and move as if they wanted to contemplate the entire scene. I can see his carbon colored race car through a tiny mouse hole. It’s him alright! I’ve never been so relieved to see Austin’s car. The car suddenly stops right next to me, and the passenger door opens revealing a powerful arm.

My eyes follow the arm upwards and are met with a sharp pair of eyes. “Get in!” Oh yeah, don’t need to ask me twice! I quickly get in the car. Once inside I close the door and look ahead.

“Watch out! I shouted as Austin narrowly avoids a photographer that jumped in front of the car. As if they hadn’t had enough! Austin’s face is closed. “Are you okay?” he asked me concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine. They were just clingy…” I nodded.

“Hold on.” Austin presses on the accelerator, frowning. My heart is beating faster and faster. My whole body sinks into the leather seat. I feel like I’m leaving the Earth’s atmosphere. In the direction of Austin William’s galaxy.

I’m still pretty shaken up, so I fidget with my purse as if it were a stress relief ball. Austin hasn’t said a word since we drove off. He stares at the road ahead, jaws clenched, very concentrated. We’ve shared intimate moments together, I’ve made fun of him more than once. Yet, when he’s like this, he impresses me.

I can easily understand why his board of directors feel uncomfortable when they have to talk to him. I wonder if he knows what kind of effect he has on people. He gives off some kind of uncontrollable aura. There’s the mere mortal that as about as much as charisma as seaweed, and then there are the lucky few that are born to be leaders, like Austin. Even if there is  no other like him…

Am I really cut out for this life? Avoiding paparazzi, living in the fast lane with an extraordinary man? It’s not easy. But this man gives off something so incredibly attractive, something indescribable and I’m hooked on it. But he still hasn’t said anything and I’m stressing out. I sigh and tap my fingers on the dashboard. If he doesn’t want to talk, neither do I. I’m not the one who asked to see him, after all.

“You don’t have to accept all this.” Austin suddenly said.

All this what? “It’s not like I have a choice…”

Austin sighs, before looking in his rearview mirror, and nervously switching into the left lane. I dig my hand in my leather seat and watch the road whizzing by.

“This kind of life can break even the toughest ones. It’s particularly intense. I can understand if you don’t want it.” he said still looking ahead of the road. But why doesn’t he get it. It’s not the life that I want. It’s you!

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“Nothing more than what I’m saying.”

I have this strange feeling that he isn’t telling me everything. So it was that obvious that I wasn’t comfortable with the paparazzi thing. “I’m stronger than you think.” Well I think I am, anyway.

“Don’t tell me you loved what happened this morning, I wouldn’t believe you.”

“I don’t know if I’m cut out for this life.” I said in a small voice.

“I’ll make sure it won’t happen again.” he reassured me.

I watch the streets fly by. I’ve never been in this neighborhood. “Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll know when we get there.” Austin answered smugly. I knew he wasn’t gonna tell me anyway. I asked him if it’s like a riddle and he gives me the most adorable look which is impossible to resist. I hate my weak heart for beating this fast.

Am I really going to fall for this so easily? We haven’t even talked about the touchy subjects yet. Rachel, I know it’s hard, but don’t fall for it! You are a strong, independent woman. My subconscious reminds me again and again.

“We’ve arrived.” Austin says after sometime as he stops the car. I look around and don’t say a word. I just see a road and a few shops. Where are we? He parks the car with his usual dexterity and gets out quickly. I try to open the door alone but forget about the security.