“Where are we going?” asked Skylar as he helped her to Lillian’s car. There was excitement in their hearts as both were bursting to connect with one another. The vows and the confession had unleashed a newfound energy between them.
“Somewhere special!” He smiled as he climbed into the driver’s seat. It felt like she was a truant high schooler eloping with her lover! The sparkle in his eyes was enough to express his excitement.
“I can’t wait to check out the special place.” Their eyes met and he winked, promising more than she could ever imagine. Skylar blushed and looked away while he drove out of the hotel with a skew little smile on his face. He was glad she knew about his feelings for her at last. Tonight he would express them in words. He would tell her how much he loved her, always did, and always would!
Soon he sped away towards Geneva-on-the-lake, a small picturesque town an hour’s drive away from Cleveland, along the southern shore of Lake Erie.
“Is it a hotel?” she asked as they turned onto Lakeland Fwy.
“Yes, a lodge overlooking Lake Eerie. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, just like you are.” Skylar blushed at his comparison, her heart skipping a beat or two.
“But we haven’t brought a thing with us,” she protested. The wedding dress was all she had! Surely you couldn’t wear that to sleep! Why couldn’t he inform her earlier?
“I have an overnighter with our basic necessities. We’ll manage.” She gaped at him while he smiled at the surprised look on her face. He had planned it all. Only Lillian knew about his plans and had helped him pack up. They would return after four days to attend Sebastian and Erica’s wedding before heading back to LA.
“Oh, have you packed my clothes? How long are we staying there at your mysterious lodge?”
Christian chuckled knowing she was dying to know the name of the place. “Lillian has packed your stuff. I don’t know what she has dumped into the bag, actually. We’ll stay at Geneva-on-the-lake for four days.”
“Oh, and what about Sebastian and Erica’s wedding?”
“We’ll return just before their wedding.”
“Great! Why don’t you ever bother to involve me in your planning?” she scowled at him and turned to look out of the window.
“I will from next time onwards. Now cheer up and let’s enjoy this short honeymoon.”
“Oh! Is this our honeymoon?” she gasped staring at her husband. The guy was a master at dropping sudden bombshells!
“Yes. What did you think it was? I’ve married you. Surely I’d want a honeymoon with you.”
Skylar rolled her eyes but couldn’t erase the smile and the blush from her face. He might be unpredictable but he was adorable! She couldn’t wait to experience their honeymoon in a secluded lodge on the shores of Lake Eerie! It sounded so damn romantic! Christian smiled at seeing her reaction to his little speech. The white bridal attire, the sparkle in her eyes, and the blush on her cheeks, all created havoc with his senses. He couldn’t wait to have her writhing under him, all bare and ready for his lovemaking.
Lost in their own bubble, Christian drove on, unaware of what was going on around him. His phone buzzed with an incoming call and he briefly diverted his attention from the road to check. It was a call from Grandpa Ben. What could he want now? Surely Lillian had informed him about their honeymoon plans!
“Do you want me to take the call?” asked Skylar.
The phone disconnected and Christian shook his head. “No need. I’ll call back when we reach the resort. Lillian knows about my plans.” However, the phone again started to buzz and Christian frowned this time. What was up with Grandpa Ben?
“Fine. You can accept the call. Tell him I’m driving. I’ll call him back once we reach the lodge.”
Skylar picked up the phone and accepted the call. “Hello, grandpa Ben! Skylar here. Christian is driving right. Can he call you back when we reach our lodge?” she asked breathlessly.
“Lodge? What Lodge? Is he out of his mind?” yelled Grandpa Ben at the other end. Startled, the phone dropped from her hands while Christian frowned at his grandpa’s behavior.
Skylar picked up the phone gingerly. She could still hear Grandpa yelling at the other end. “Start the speaker mode!” he mouthed and Skylar complied. She had no wish to face Grandpa Ben.
“What happened Grandpa? Can we discuss this after we reach the hotel? I’ve planned a four-day honeymoon at Geneva on the lake. Lillian knows about it.” There was silence at the other end and Christian frowned. What exactly was going on?
“Why didn’t you consult me before making such plans, Christian? You haven’t even taken the bodyguards with you. Do you realize how dangerous this is?”
“It’s just a matter of four days, Grandpa. We’ll be home before Seb’s wedding. How long will we hide from the criminal? Why can’t the cops arrest him?” said Christian impatiently.
“You should have kept low at least today. Steele had been stalking us since morning. I’m sure he is planning something. Where are you now? Come back right away.” Christian groaned with agony. He had no wish to return now.
“I’m crossing Lakeland Fwy into N. Ridge Road. We’re already halfway through, Grandpa. I’m not returning now. I’ll call you when we reach.” He disconnected the call but strangely the car started to buckle. He steered the car off the road and alighted to check. Skylar emerged to stretch her legs.
“Damn! We have a flat tyre!” He took out the spare tyre and proceeded to change it. As he kneeled beside his car, his glance fell upon a red Ford Focus that steered off the road like them and stopped at a distance as if waiting for them. Was it stalking them? Was Desmond Steele there in the car? Grandpa Ben’s panic-stricken voice echoed in his mind.
“I need water! I’ll just get it from the store while you are at it.” Skylar rushed ahead before he realized what she was up to. There was a store ahead and she headed towards it, managing her veil, her outfit, and train all at the same time.
“Wait, Skylar. I’ll get a bottle of water for you. I’m almost done.” He stood up in a state of panic. In a split second, a silver Chevrolet Equinox came hurtling down the road at a breakneck speed, heading towards a clueless Skylar from behind. Christian panicked and ran towards his wife! Although she was walking along the side, he couldn’t help the feeling of dread in his heart. The car headed towards Skylar with the intention to hit her and escape.
“Skylar, move away!” he yelled diving at her to move her away from the speeding vehicle. Startled out of her wits, Skylar turned only to find a speeding car hit Christian from behind. The brunt of the collision was enough to throw him afar against the hard cemented roadside. But he didn’t let go of her, protecting her with his body. The car tried to crush him under its front wheels but Christian rolled away with her just in time. The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye. Excruciating pain spread all over his body and he knew he was critically injured.
The car sped away, unsuccessful in its mission to kill them. Christian closed his eyes as the pain in his ribcage, pelvic region, and right knee made him go numb. Shaken and pale, Skylar rolled off him, her head reeling with shock. If Christian hadn’t saved her, the car would have crushed her and killed her on the spot. She turned to look at her husband and instantly panicked to see him almost losing consciousness.
“Christian, please stay awake. I’ll call for help.” She patted his cheek but he didn’t open his eyes. The other cars sped by but no one stopped to help them. There was only one way, she had to go to their car and get her mobile phone to call for help.
“Escape, Skylar. They’ll come back. They’ll try to kill us again,” he murmured, his face scrunched up in pain.
“No, I’m not going anywhere without you. I’ll just get my phone. Hang on, Christian.”
“No, don’t be foolish. Save your life!” he whispered hoarsely in pain. Skylar didn’t listen as she tried to stand up and walk down to the car. She would have to do this to save her husband.
Christian opened his eyes just in time to see the Ford Focus revving up its engine. “Skylar run,” he yelled hoarsely, his eyes widening in panic. He knew what the car was up to now. It wanted to complete the incomplete mission to kill them. Skylar noticed the car but moved towards Christian to push him out of the way. She couldn’t let the car crush him.
Two traffic patrol cars stopped by at that moment and the Ford Focus sped away.
“How did the accident happen?” asked an officer, rushing out to help them.
“I think it’s a hit-and-run case,” said another police officer. They helped Christian into an ambulance and took him to the nearest hospital. Skylar called Grandpa Ben and informed him about the accident.
It was the worst nightmare of their lives!