Awakening Abigail

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Abi was starting to feel a bit concerned.  They’ve been driving for almost an hour now, with no destination in sight.  Andrew was relaxed, some music playing softly in the nippy silver Mercedes.  He would glance at her every now and again, while she sat silently, staring out of the window.  It was like the stars were following them, protective eyes looking after her.  She shrugged her shoulders lightly.  She felt safe.  That was all that mattered.  For some reason she trusted Andrew.  She was just happy it was a Saturday night, cause she had a feeling that he was probably lost and that they would only be home in the early morning hours.  How was she going to explain her absence from church to her mother?  Smiling, she faced her chauffer.

“I don’t want to pry, but do you know where we are going?”

Andrew glanced her way, quickly reaching towards her, touching her hair.  Just a simple touch made her lose all concentration.

“Well, I do have an idea, but on the other hand, nothing seems familiar.” 

He laughed at her concerned expression.

“Relax Abi, I know exactly...wait, here we are.”

Abi was confused.  As far as she could see, there was only veld.  No lights, nothing.  Suddenly Andrew made a right turn, and she saw a name board in his headlights:

“Samaria.”

The where on a dirt road now, and she was a bit scared for his beautiful car.  But he seemed relaxed, so she took a deep breath and tried to look for their destination.

“Andrew, seriously, where are we going?  I’m very afraid for your car, and your sanity, to be honest.”

“Ye with little faith, look ahead.”

Abi didn’t see anything.  All there was were bush and stars and darkness.  She frowned, and squinted.  In the darkness she made out a gate.  As they drew closer, Andrew stopped the car.

“Wait here a moment please.”

He jumped out, running towards the gate.  Abi had a very pretty picture of her running Greek god in the headlights.  Her heart raced at the thought of how attractive he looked.  When he opened the gate, he ran back, jumped in the car and drove through, just to jump out again and close it.

“Andrew, you do know that it is illegal to go onto other people’s private property?”

He laughed again, his deep voice a pleasant sound to her ears.

“What makes you think that this is private property?”

“Well, the gate kind of gave it away, you know.”

“Just wait and see, we’re almost there.”

Abi gave up.  It seemed like he had it under control.  She looked at the stars again.  She loved the bushveld so much; the sky was so clear, you could almost reach out and touch the stars.  Briefly she thought of her father.  She knew he was up there, blinking at her.  Deep inside she also knew he would have approved the man sitting next to her.  She closed her eyes, pain visible on her fine features.  Gosh, she missed him.  How would she have loved to have a father waiting up for her to return from her date.  She knew he would be waiting, secretly just as excited as she was, and they would have a cup of coffee afterwards, right after he shoo’d her suitor with a stern expression on his face.  She opened her eyes.  She did have someone waiting for her, she thought.  An eager big bundle of love, who, after the attack, has been her teddy bear.  Tiny has witnessed all he moments of pain, and more recently, the ecstatic moments of happiness.

The car came to a standstill.  She focused on her surroundings, and saw a big silhouette of a house in the dark.  Andrew’s car’s headlights illuminated the dark house.  She was now very confused.  What was going on?  Suddenly she felt panic creeping up inside her.  Here she was, alone with a man she, actually, barley knows, she didn’t tell anyone that she was leaving with him, and she had no idea where they were. 

“Whala!  We’re here Tinkerbell!”  Andrew sounded exited.  Abi was frozen, her mind racing. A hand touched her, and she pulled away, instinctively, fear in her eyes.  Andrew’s happy expression turned into shock and disbelief.

“Abi?  What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer, her emotions in turmoil.  Flashes appeared in front of her, things she worked hard at forgetting.  Suddenly Andrew was on her side of the car, door open.  He knelt down next to her, not touching her.  His voice was soothing.

“Abigail, relax.  This is our family house, we own this land.  Don’t be scared, I promise, nothing will happen to you.”  She started to shake less, his words sinking in.

“I brought you here to avoid prying eyes.  No one will see us here, and we can talk in piece.  I do not intend to keep you here the whole night, and I will never take advantage of you.”  He reached into his pocket.

“Here, take my phone and call Louise, tell her you’re with me.  Please baby, don’t be scared.”  His voice was pleading, almost desperate.  Abi could feel her composure returning.  What just happened?  Was she so on the edge?  She looked at Andrew, her heart in her eyes.

“Oh Andrew, keep your phone, I’m fine.”  She saw relief in his chocolate eyes, and she threw her arms around him.      

“It’s just a few ghosts.  I trust you, I’m so sorry.  Have patience, I promise I will tell you everything, soon.”

He was holding her tightly.

“It’s the second time I am the cause for fear in your eyes Abi.  It kills me.”

She could feel her heart break into thousand pieces.

“It’s not you Andrew.  Just remember, a lot of the things I’ve been avoiding are happening between us.  I avoided physical contact, trusting any man.  With you, all my defences are down.  This isn’t an easy path for me, please understand.  It’s not you, it is the circumstances. “

She smiled sweetly, her hands weaving through his thick hair.

“Being with you gives me unexpected emotions, some bad, but, on the other hand, some deliciously good.”  She knew he knew she was talking about their first kiss.  He pulled away from her, a concerned expression still present on his face.

“If it makes you feel better, we can go home.”

She laughed, reaching for her handbag.

“Don’t be silly.  I’ve been looking forward to this date the whole day.  And you’ve got some explaining to do mister.”

Andrew relaxed, slowly standing up.  

“Okay Tinkerbell, then allow me to present, Samaria.  Now, you wait in the car while I get everything set up.  It’s a surprise.”

His eyes sparkled, and he bent down to give her a kiss.  She leaned into his embrace.  As their lips parted, he looked at her, a serious look in his eyes.

“Abi, tonight is about us.  Tonight we can talk about anything you’re heart desires.  This is about getting to know each other.”

She nodded, placing her palm on his cheek.

“I know.  Now, go get everything ready, I am extremely excited.”

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*Hello!  Chapter 16 done and dusted.  =)  Hope you enjoyed!  I am loving the Andrew Abi relationship, it is so much fun having two people in love.  Sigh, yes, I am a hopeless romantic.*