In the darkness, “Douglas’s” voice sounded a little hoarse, and it was reminiscent of Leonardo’s voice.
Summer sat transfixed for a second; she felt that “Douglas” was behaving out of his character tonight. It was she who was held up by the kidnappers, and she was feeling it much better after a snap. But “Douglas” seemed to be in a stew, covered in a blanket of gloomy energy. She did not know why, but fear started to rise in her. She hesitated for a while but still decided to get out of the car and came behind him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Douglas” said nothing. He put out the cigarette in his hand and turned around. It was hard to make out his expression in the dark, but Summer could feel an overwhelmingly depressive air around him.
The man standing before him suddenly caught her lips with his. His kisses were fervent, his breath hot. She could not help quivering. Just then, she came to her senses and tried to push “Douglas” away. Instead of letting her go when she struggled just like last time, his hands wrapping around her waist tightened, drawing her into him, immobilizing her further.
There is a huge gap in strength between men and women. Her resistance was futile as his kisses became more brutal. It was not until they both gasped for air that “Douglas” let her off. But she felt weak in the knees and was on her way to the ground. In an instant, “Douglas” swept her up in his arms and shoved her into the car.
“Douglas” went around to the driver’s side, hopped in and turned the ignition, not saying a word. After a while, Summer had herself calmed down. Pissed off by “Douglas’s” behavior, but she kept a lid on it. No one spoke a word on their way back to the mansion.
The mansion was brightly lit with watertight security, both on the inside and outside. Puzzled, Summer asked, “What’s going on?” Was it because Leonardo had found out that she was missing and gathered his bodyguards looking for her?
Meanwhile, “Douglas”, the jerk who had done all sorts of unbecoming thing to her, seemed to not hear her question and went straight inside. Summer followed. Looking at him from behind, she started to feel that there was more to this man than met the eyes.
“Douglas” went straight upstairs. Once back in the comfort of their home, Summer felt safe-and hungry. She went into the kitchen. The bodyguard quickly came up and said, “Mrs. Emerson, what do you like? I will cook for you.”
“Just get something ready to eat. Something not too heavy.” She was so hungry that she could eat a whole cow. At last, the bodyguard brought her a tableful of food. Picking up her chopsticks, she just flew into her food. Halfway through, she looked up and found “Douglas” already sitting across her while his bodyguard brought him his tableware.
“Haven’t you eaten?” she asked.
“Hadn’t had the time.” His voice was not too enthusiastic.
Not a surprise since he had spent the best part of his day saving her. Now he had changed into clean clothes, probably a shower too judging from his wet hair.
Done filling her face, Summer put down her chopsticks.
“Thank you… for saving me again.”
She had a hard time describing how she felt right now. All along, she had been trying to keep a distance from “Douglas”, but with him helping and saving her all the time, things were starting to look murky.
“Don’t be so stupid next time.” “Douglas” did not look at her, his voice still the same: emotionless.
“Indeed, I was too stupid,” Summer said self-deprecatingly. “But what could I do? She is my mom and I couldn’t have given up on her. As bad as she is, I have never thought she would conspire with others to set me up. And…”
Feeling a lump in her throat, she stopped. Her clenched lower jaw, fighting herself from mentioning it further.
“Douglas” looked at her. Seeing her forbearance and stubbornness, he spoke softly. “Not all mothers are like her. My mom is a good mother.”
Summer looked up in surprise. Was “Douglas” trying to console her? Just as she expected him to continue, he looked down and pecked at his food as if he had said nothing at all just now.
…
Summer had had nightmares the whole night. So she got up early and prepared breakfast, but finding no appetite to eat any. She snuggled on the sofa, watching the TV. No hurry to confront the Jarretts. She knew that even if she went to demand an answer, Vicky would not admit it.
Just then, her mobile vibrated. Summer took a peek. The lit-up screen told her it was Jessica. She had called Jessica yesterday but had not told her about what happened in any detail. So Jessica had not known about the close call she had. But it was Jessica who called Carl, who alerted “Douglas” to look for her.
“Do you want to hang out with me today? Before I go on a roadshow around the country to promote a new movie a few days later.”
“Sure!”
Summer went back to her room and got changed. When she came back down, she saw “Douglas”.
“Where are you going?” “Douglas” noticed that she was carrying a handbag and knew she was going out.
“I’m shopping with a friend.” Summer then added, “It is Jessica, the girl you have met before.” She suddenly found it weird, Why should she explain this thing to him?”
“Douglas” got up, picked up the car key, and said, “Let me send you.” He then quickly added before Summer could say anything as if he had read her mind. “My cousin has instructed me to fetch going about when I’m free.”
But this time, Summer did not appear as happy as last time when Leonardo was mentioned. When she was in danger yesterday, it was “Douglas” who saved her. When she was back to the mansion, Leonardo had not even been there, let alone hearing a word of comfort from him. She had thought she had shown enough sincerity all this while, but Leonardo did not even bother to meet her face-to-face. Just as well they kept this arms’-length relationship as it was. Do not bother. Do not be concerned. Each having his or her own life. After all, no one had ever given a hoot about her since she was small. One more Leonardo did not make a difference.
With this thinking in mind, Summer felt it better. She took two steps up to “Douglas”, tilting her head in a naughty way. “If it is your cousin who tells you to do so, you don’t have to give me a ride. But if you’re free and willing to do the honor, I will be happy to accept your kindness.”