Mother's Garment by Saviour A. Willie

 Please do well to comment after reading this story ' MOTHERS GARMENT by Saviour A. Willie. If there's any question, feel free to ask. 


 

            I felt gashed from bubbly outgoing parent as they ensnare me into Linda’s crook as a house keeper. When they introduce me, every single person in the family turned at me to gawk and sneaked away. Linda stop looking mother and papa and sigh disgustingly before ordering the gateman to pack me as easy as a b c. I dropped everything and followed him up-like a hungry ghost. Mummy and papa earlierleft in a strop, both heels click-clacking. The sole aim of this errand was to blind a character in Yvon, Linda’s daughter. Mother wanted me to marry Yvon that she’s made rich after mum testifies frequently on church pews.

Papa was not interested, he always insisted to know the outcome of her wealth but as eve enticed Adam; mum enticed papa and papa tempted of poverty, yielded and dance over………..

After the gateman had showed me my private apartment, I heard the sound of a moving car, entering into the compound yard. Through the sash window I peeped and picture a face that look like Linda’s daughter and Linda from the dining table screamed out, almost to cuddle –her long-heeled shoes stumble and supine. Yvon chokes and chimed in with memoirs of late elder wilder forte and began to sob, calling on help from the gateman’s concrete sidewalks.

 

                                                I heard the smirk,

                                                I perceive the smog

Of the wounded fumes, I rose up, so I was facing the door–flange and strut out. Yvon believed to see me in haste, running onto the foyer outer rug, where her mum supine.

 

                                    “Can I help? I shared.

                                    “Who are you? She altered.

                                    “Don’t bother, I’ll tell you-him later” Linda interrupted, smiling sheepishly.

Yvon eased and walk over to her car. Sinking into the car, she opened the boot, and came back to where she’d laid. Yvon took in her mum with her elbow and tiptoed into the house parlor. The boot was open, so I shivered in my skinny pajamas. As my eyes adjusted to the rear-view mirror, I saw safe of condom on the second–sitter, as she ordered I upgrade it into the warehouse, crept over ajar and pause on the brink. The long, fair-haired chair which Linda sat upon was blanketed in obscurity, while Yvon on a dormer stool gazing at the dampen breeze as it lifted the red gauzy curtains, making them dance like restless ghosts. I squat inside, held my shoes, pressing bare –footed. Linda reminded her daughter as I step inside, about me as I swung over to greet her. I witness when she unleash my name to her as things dim and macabre. I witness when she told Yvon that my name is mfon –meaning good. I witness when she said, I was born foundling, and brought under slavery. I wondered if I had dream, the horrors of last night. I felt a hole of hurt. All these witticisms, overexcitedsagas smack down my mind, flooded and brimmed my scull with runs. I just ignore and let out some garlic of admiration. She notice, I was upset, standing in a deadline. Part of me was dying to sit beside Yvon.

 

In the kitchen, Yvon was call, Linda had prepared a steaming jug of tea and saucepan of egg. I was called to go into the kitchen and arranged the food, in a wider tray, and serve them on a dine. I cowered but they didn’t notice. I took in the food as they said, and serve them. During the serve, Yvon called me to dine with her, tap Linda by side and pretentiously smile. I knew it was a sign to nap me in a bowl, my mind was racing as fast as my heart, and I didn’t want engagement. For the sin they’d committed against me and God: for the lie her mother had struck, for the business she’d engage. She wasn’t aware, I’ve seen the type of business she’s up-to in United States of America. She wasn’t inform that Linda her mother had just been lying to people, that, one and only daughter is a criminal and born again in Nigeria. Linda haven’t heard that, what overwhelm Yvon’s Jeep–boot is safe of condom and not food stuffs.

 

I didn’t know, while I spun through the dining table searching for a lie to tell for I was satisfy, she’d been gazing away from the food. Then I flung onto the sofa, trying to hinder my teeth from clattering through slough of despond. Linda stood up from the dog-tired daughter and scram sharply to the supine position where the grand piano was, and sat, beginning to jubilate over a phrase note. I was lost, half–eye and dangling as well. Though she didn’t present it well, but my shaggy body from the sofa’s heeled cartwheel.

I felt like a hag and Yvon pick me up. Linda always wanted it to be so but forgot that I was called a slave. I didn’t know when she held me by her uniform hands and kiss my spotty cheek. I was amazed to awake and found her garment on my bed, coiling round my privatee…. like a lover, and like a scorching spaghetti. The day was dark and room light switch off. She was snoozing, snoozing like a dreamy bird. I was afraid for I wasn’t ready to pregnant a woman whom I haven’t paid bride-price. It was a sad thing to say: my wife is pregnant while it’s a mistake. When she woke up I almost bite her into torn –the con and dom was what protected her from menace.

            I forgot that Yvon wasn’t a little girl, for her to tint my garment, she’d once fuck at middle age. Before Linda appeared on a sophisticated form, on a well-dressed black trench coat and high heeled antediluvian shoes, I’d smell the body-blow shadow of her foot and whisper unto her daughter’s ear to find a solace den. This was the only way I’d save my life, because I’ve spied her interacting with a man who’sgoing to marry Yvon on phone. And if peradventure she sees this, she’s get madden.

 

Yvon was under my bed as she came and left, telling me to take care of the house, watch and protect the little spaniel as it flew into den. Yvon heard the message and smiled over it. As she came out, the splashing mascara on her eyebrow skipped to find libido. I knew that was an opportunity for her to tear down my life into uselessness. I took a permit as she stood to cuddle my tiny body, for am up to bathroom. From bathroom to toilet, and from toilet to spaniels’ coop, and from spaniels’ coop to the gateman’s lounge, and hide my face at the dome behind frangipani garden.

I slept over there, and found myself in a sky-blueflora and fauna, and found that in commonwealth short story competition, the speaker announced me –the overall winner. They called out myself, and I stood in middle of kings, timber and caliber with huge of crowns –then I welcome mother and father with a sinewy phone-call and all jubilated, in ecstasy.

 

All this while, the little spaniel had been hitting me with its claws but couldn’t notice until I opened my eyes completely and notice that it’s a dream. From the garden I pictured Linda’s homecoming, I knew she was irk of me, because she’d been calling my name for an hour. I finally came out, switching from passageway to portico, scuttling into the booms parlor –with spaniels neck truss. She caught me and fetch me out. I went and pleaded, pleaded inasmuch that Yvon implore, too.

 

While Yvon was imploring, Linda notice that something is wrong and insisted to know. That was a more excuse for her to forgive me and ordered me to go into the kitchen and prepared afternoon lunch. I went in as she said, but left an ear at their discussion. All what she scream ahead of as Yvon entail that she’s inlove with me, every in-formats spews down to the place I was. Linda was telling her of a man who’d betrothed her from birth –as played by Hausa ethnicity.

 

I finish cooking the food. An hour to before I serve the food on the dining table, the betrothed spouse arrive. Linda welcome him sweetly and offer him a chair. Yvon greet him but left angrily to her room. During the discussion, the whipping process was to be carried out. The betrothed spouse was to be thrash by the gateman, as Linda told him so. Yvon was to witness the way her husband will cry in future. But she wasn’t interested. The betrothed spouse was afraid to receive the five stroke of cane if Yvon hasn’t showed identity. Therefore, Linda ask for the presence of her daughter and I the slave went and fetch her. She came but refuse to sit near him even as the mother shouted. Fakely she shook hand with him and began to gist. Getting to the tournament of proposal, Yvon went into the latrine, promising him to be back soon, instead highjack a vessel of skinned water, and showered it upon him. Whereby, Linda shouted and aggressively laid a hot whack on her face. Linda sob behalf of the betrothed spouse, almost to apologize –He stood up in rage, spank the wall, leaving a word that will never trim there. Yvon felt she’d missed a foul spirit –Strews into the kitchen, held me by my hand and embrace me.

I wanted to reject the embrace, for the dream I’d, God may’ve tabulated me in a shortlist. But couldn’t, maybe someday, in some days it may displeased her.

In next seconds, Linda scathe through our premise.

                                    “What such of nonsense was that, do you know you condemned me? Linda utter and paused.

                                    “Mum, that was the only means to get rid” Yvon retort.

                                    “What do you mean to get rid, didn’t I notify you earlier? Linda recap.

                                    “You did! But, there’s a man in my life, a man I love much, a man that makes joy exist in my heart –He’s just close to. Yvon stammered.

She turned to me and ordered me out………. As a slave as she said, I obeyed and moved out.

                                    “Who do you think –Is a fightable man for you, apart from the one I’ve provided” Linda continued.

                                    “You just made him an exception –and you can see him a fool” Yvon usurp.

                                    “Sweet daughter (she touches the garland of her hair) don’t tell me –Mfon is the man you’re dying out? said Linda.

                                    “Of course. Mfon is, and He’s all and all – is there anything wrong about? Oh no, I couldn’t believe you made yes in your decision” Yvon laughs.

                                    “I’m sorry, but the truth ought to be….. I understand mfon from its background. That boy is a thief, an unsafe criminal. He murdered your brother while riding tandem” Linda lied.

           

Yvon was confuse and didn’t know what to do. To find out if what Linda said was true –She ebbed out to meet mfon, and hook him on his shirt.

 

                                    “Don’t tell me you killed my brother but tell me a truth? Yvon requested.

                                    “What are you insinuating? Please kindly tell me, what a-hell is going on” mfon requested, too.

                                    “Are you serious, you mean you aren’t responsible for the death of my brother? Yvon recap.

                                    “How can I lie to you, have I ever?Mfon summit.

                                    “Mum must be nonsensical”

She hurried back to meet Linda in the kitchen. Linda had already poison a fruit juice in the fridge-freezer and was out on a chair in the sunshade balcony. She knows that the only person that do opens the fridgefreezer is mfon, and if mfon is thirsty he’d surely drink of it. What she put in a fruit juice wasn’t a dead poison but a sleeping pill.

Yvon met her communicating on phone under the sunshade balcony. And when she notice that Yvon was behind, she switch off the phone. Actually, she’s speaking with GOOT –Group of Ophegi thieves. It was to take place after mfon had drink a fruit juice.

                                    “Why did you betray me of a lie? Yvon caught-in.

                                    “You wretched! I shan’t believe for nine months, I was carrying an animal. Ipresumed I’d a child that’ll dabbed away ruminations of melancholies” Linda hesitated.

                                    “You haven’t answered my question, why did you betray me of a lie? Yvon continued………….

                                    “Why won’t I spoke a lie to you if I’d the manner” she reply.

Yvonfelt on her laps and arose to shook, cry as loud as growl.

 

Linda lean forward and scribble a massage on Yvon’s frumpy coat and crunch away angrily.

 

She was gone out to frustrate Yvon’s glassy dreams, aspirations and outflank goals yet unfulfilled.

Throughout the night, Linda refused to return and when they finally phone her, she lied that she’s inbetween the outskirt of her boss.

This threat was to be perfected in midnight gruesomeness, at the glimpse Yvon felt thirsty and ordered mfon to fill an empty cup with a juice available in the fridge-freezer. Mfon heeded as she said, and brought out the one-and-only-fruit-juice from the fridge-freezer and filled it in an empty cup, and handed her to drink.

She drank and was full of organic invasion –that headed her intoglaucoma. Mfon was seeing her but she was heading astray, the next thing she said was –whisper on mfons ear: BABE, take me to bed –I need some rest.

Immediately she went to bed, mfon moved round the entire stair houses, rooms and windows ensuring, its well lock. Been suspicious of the day, he flung out to spaniels cage and later to the frangipani gardened to peep for the night.

Both “GOOT” slotinto the compounds yard –the way mfonwitness  their arrival seems he’d a foresight unlike. Linda had given all the report concerning this affair and like they moved and penetrated into the house, switch-on the light, mfon was trembling, pondering about Yvon –would be kidnap. Meanwhile on the other hand, Yvon had realize herself earlier –the sleeping pill had expire, she’d passed through the backdoor window pane to chain-link fence to have a hide.

“GOOT” bang the exact door and nothing was heard, they decided to enforce weight on the door and when they’d done that, nothing happen – one of them assisted in breaking the door with a hammer. He broke the door and every one of them walked in, shooting sporadically. Unfortunate to them, they wasted their bullets on non-living shadows.

When they realized, checkmating every room and corners and found none, they revolved in middle of the compounds yard to incantate.

 

Mfon had finally met Yvon at the chain-link fence as he scathe through the edges in dismay. She’s seen and witness the presence of GOOT incanting.

 

                                    “Who are these people, and what’re they doing? Yvon uttered.

                                    “Keep silent, don’t utter any word. (Mfon look at her caringly and break into tears)

This people are not ordinary, but perpetrators –killers –and destiny destroyers.”

 

“GOOT” encircledthemselves in a queued and left in disappearance.

Immediately they left, Linda burst into the scene with her black strapless jeep as the gateman realize himself and woke alternatively. She hurried into the house, pack out load and luggage into the black strapless jeeping boot. Yvon and mfon came out suddenly from the chain-link fence and welcomed her. The way she replied and reacted to the greetcreated a rumpus shock. This was because, she thought GOOT had perfected their job as she ordered them to do and as they told her while she paid them.

 

As the Bible opine for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life, Linda felt smitten with remorse but that didn’t show the true color of her. She inherited a wiry sourpuss and kept sounding speechless.

Her wickedness couldn’t allowed her to speak only to stare at Yvons eye for help. Yvon refused to help but I’d to, until the day am freed. I talk to her and strive to convince her not to pay back even if she wanted us ‘pomp – up.’

While Yvon assisted, I left her chilling and went straight to the kitchen to prepare the necessaries.

The night was spewing into the bucketful starry-light, and was a lull before the storm.

While Linda luxuriated on the dining table with the slice of bread and jug of tea, unaware, this same GOOT came lurking round the entire building.

 

Linda’s spaniel from the cage bark and madcap terribly. We heard and act selfishly. Where we sat, Yvon picture a-man having the head of crash helmet, strolling in and out. She move to check if it was “buchi” the gateman…………………………………………………….

 

I wanted to follow her, but Linda said I’d go inside the bedroom and prepare her a sleeping pillow. I still insisted that something is wrong but she keep hastening and made it heedless.

Almost to haul, the door open, GOOT fetched in and surmount the entirety, Linda’s cup began to shake, and some boiling tea sloshed over the table –there were fatalities. Linda and mfon were injured while Yvon killed.

 

They left, leaving an inscription on the wall. The gateman was smacked dead at the corner. Spaniel was killed and dumped in the frangipani garden. I struggle to raisea hint through the cell-phone. Ambulance arrived and before the police could storm they’d gone.

 

 

 

                                                                        *

 

 

We were in Men’s-wear transnational hospital in Abak _Eket undertaking medication when my genetical parent arrived merrily.

                                    “Thank God, you came alive”

They led hands on my chest and memories my feelings.

                                    “Where is Yvon? I struggle my eyes open and uttered.

My parents came in merrily, but the reaction on their faces was a sorrows.

 

                                    “Where is Yvon? Asked repeatedly.

In unison they stammered “Yvon is ………………..dead”

“Oh God! Why must I be dead? Mfon gasped.

While we were cured, we left the hospital back home. We got Home in a mid-day seven. Linda had to book a date for daughter’s burial. Before the funeral inauguration the state police officers have been investigating all motorways and valves for the suspect. Suddenly, they arrived in Linda’s passage. Unknown to her, she thought her secret was concealed but revealed. The inscription on the wall exposed her intent. The inscription reads: “we were backed by Linda and the man whom her daughter disallowed. We were only sent to destroy Yvon’s life.”

They grabbed and frog-march she into their boot, with hands handcuffed and an interview was conducted as lately in the custodial.

During the interview she made mention of the man whom her daughter rejected and name the location where he stays. The next morning, the state police officers took along Linda and conveyed to his multifaceted vicinity. When they got there, the left-behind tenant confirmed the state police officers that he’d travelled –to black part of South Africa.

One–day–Saturday–morning, Yvon burial was conducted and buried.

While Linda in the prison, Yvon never plan to pay back but was back to pay back. When “Emediong” the man who travelled to South Africa observe and heard that matter has die, nobody was suspecting again, he came back. Yvon notice his presence and decided to balance his life with all-days chemistry. Her spiritual cane continue to whisk, thrash him until he leapt, leapt and scratch.

He leapt until he reach his compound and welcomed the tenant. Unknown to him and unknown to the tenant the state police officers were somewhere in the house. As he walk-in, the state police officers smell and perceive a frosty odor. That he was injured. Yvon had label his skin with pestilences.

He was surprise to see the state police officers putting handcuff………

 

                        “Linda and Emediong lavished in pains until death catch by bonds

Five rationale on What women want

May be you are one of those responsible married men or you really want to go into marriage asking what women truly want in men. There are lots to tell only if you'd be patience to read through the blog. I'm going to focus on five genuine reasonable points on what women want. Of course women are the fantastic creatures of birth and carries the highest depth of pains than the men. And therefore huge respect is deserve for the women even if some dislike nature. The answers are not for our upcoming kids (boys and girls) who are tracked with the ideas of becoming young-age fathers and mother's, bringing shame and disastrous occurances. Beside, marriage like it was opine anciently in the historical regime during the world formation is meantly for matured or grown-up adults adults with minimum declaration of eighteen or thither depending on the National analytics. Marriage is an interesting game but the worse part is that, it doesn't end. Once one got swallowed by the depth of the sea—of—love, nothing can reverse the case. And why should it be build on discipline depends on how you moderate and control what perhaps may trap your feelings and make it aweful. So you got be careful before admitting such a risky mistake, engaging in sexual activities when you're not probably engage with a woman. 

I must say that all people are different due to nature. However, there is always something we have in common. Katrine Nenge said " it is the desire to love, build relationships and a family". Once you have this in common, emotionally you are less-busy turning out to  becoming a chapter for success. But first, a woman has to find a man whom she trust, relies on, and has a desire to devote or upvote her life for. But how can such bountiful nature be found, and why we consider rationale on what women wants in men is so important. Because without, most homes got spoiled by a wrong man or wrong woman who weren't meant for acceptancy right from the episode of their falls but due to lust, it pulls their rate to zero. Every woman according to God has a man inwhich must engage at time of marriage but what seems differs from what happens today in our culture. A must "I must marry so and so" maybe because of her complexional attribute, she is more beautiful than any can predict and so you delve not watching the back if truly she's your's or some cat out there.

One can say that trust and reliability are the features or characteristics of a good friend. Thus, building strong relationship requires not only a specific "chemistry or physics" but also a possibility to possess down to earth qualities.

Men and women wants a lot of unbiased things from a significant other but there are also some key differences between the man and the woman. The truth is that, what men wants is a fewer of what women wants. I got to remember the story of young woman who was mishandled by the husband. She always receive a torture each time he comes home. From reality, it seems she was the cause the beaten and finally understood that men really need counsellors before engaging in marriage. "I love you baby" is not and never to be the apple of marriage. She must've been gorgeous at the start, but as life grows, things becomes mightier than your expection and you find yourself in a wockedical shoe torturing the woman you were meant to protect, to preserve, to provide for, till death do you path.

Now, what are the rationale on what women want. Remember we've been discussing on this topic for hours and the only way you can catch your rationale, is to cut_short some preliminary stories and concentrate on solving the matter. The five rationales or reasons on WHAT WOMEN WANTS IN MEN  are:

1) Women wants Men who are willing to take up their responsibility

No woman was born to suffer in marriage except for those who seems ugglier than the principles of marriage, apart from bearing the inflictions in pregnancy. But here turns out a striking difference of what the world is turning into; that men exchange their divine positions (as a breadwinner) to women. Every man has a responsibility to play in the family and once that responsibility is opted-out and not functional, women take up the challenge. I'm saying this with vivid experience, not a marriage counsellor, part of what I've encountered in my salubrious home. Not everything that exist in homes can truly be exposed outwardly because the woman knows the behaviour her husband portray when ever a spy consume his feelings out there. A man is meant to satisfy a woman in all including hardworking. Sometimes women do understand what brought joblessness to their husband. Thus, even at that, some men still go out to hustle without an extra-complaint. It is because they really love their wife and not willing to let them undergo stresses. They try to switch from one job to another to be able to survice means of survival and improve the standard of the family. So women wants Men who are ready to take up the challenge of making the family brightier. And perhaps if you got engage with a lazy-bone type of man, then you got to blame yourself and face the future.

2) Women wants Men of Integrity

Probably you got married to an integritize man, you won't regret because everything would be handled honestly. Men of Integrity are synonymically men of honesty, uprightness, righteousness, unity, purity, sincerity, decency, and Godly feared character. These are the Spiritual, Physical and Emotional trap for a successful marriage system. No woman would love to reject  a marriage proposal from an integritize man instead would run after. You should be complete for this to be done

3) Women wants Men who have Warm—blooded Intelligence

Physiologically, man should be able to responds to both interior and exterior injuries in the family. It is true that Every woman have a principle which the husband must understand. At times, your partner needs a romansing tour at the vagina, try to understand and produce what she needs. 

4)Women wants Men who have Impartial feelings

Having Impartial feelings is one of the core-values and dedication towards the spouse you engage with. Impartial feeling simply means open communication, sexual confidence, identical support and relational sensitivity, trust. When you are Impartial in your feelings to your spouse, it expose the true identity of who you are to others around you. There are husband snatchers who indirectly may seems better than your spouse and would import all means and getting that job done and once it's done, caution comes into the family. Hatred and dislikement becomes the father of the day. Your spouse is now seeing as a wolf in the cupboard and not a cherish soldier as you once vow. Your feelings should be open, your spouse should be able to access everything that goes on in your private. Nothing should be hidden, every secret must be at your spouse disposal. Your spouse shouldn't escort or follow or watch you on everywhere you find yourself and who you interact with. Be a man of Impartial feelings without unfairness, favouritism and partiality.

Lastly

5)Women wants Men who are respectful and have a good hygiene and attractive appearance.

Like they say "respect is reciprocal". Inspire of how wealthy you are, your wife is your wife and must be treated with much reference. She is not your home cleaner neither your food preparer even if it's part of her role. People around you should understand and love her the way she is. Not you exposing everything that occur between you and her to an outsider. And also remember that good hygiene and attractive appearance draw women attention when it comes to marriage or when both of you are already engage and are producing children. I don't think for those spinster and bachelor out there would accept a man who appears like a drunkard for hand in marriage! Every nature deserve best from none. And so, all must be done to capture the feelings of what women truly want in men.


CURSE THE DAY by Annabel chase

 You are reading Curse the day

By Annabel Chase


Chapter 1

Four point seven miles to go.

I peered through the windshield at the towering evergreens and intimidating rock formations. How could anyone possibly live around here? There were no houses in sight. The only signs of life were roadkill so…okay, no signs of life then. Even the radio station had given up. At least my phone was—
Uh oh.
The screen was still telling me to turn right in four point seven miles. Sayonara signal.
“This day gets more perfect by the minute.” It started off on the wrong foot when the battery in my alarm clock chose today to die after I’d struggled through another night of insomnia. Then I couldn’t find a matching pair of trouser socks thanks to the hungry sock monster that apparently lived in the tumble dryer in the basement of my apartment building. So now I was the proud wearer of one navy blue sock and one black sock. Close enough that the client wouldn’t notice…probably because she’d be too busy berating me for my tardiness. Without a phone signal, I couldn’t even call to let her know. I hoped she was the forgiving type. I didn’t have much information beyond her name, phone number, and address since this was to be our first time meeting.
I watched intently for signs of a right turn. Any sign. Eventually, I came upon a dirt road.
“I guess this is it.” It was only wide enough for one car. “Let’s hope I don’t run into a bus.” Literally.
The road became increasingly bumpy and I worried for my car. It was a green Volvo—okay, more specifically it was a 1988 beat-up green Volvo that I inherited from my grandmother after she died. My own parents died when I was young, so I was raised by my father’s parents. Grandpa died first and then Gran died three years ago, leaving me all alone.
“This can’t possibly be the right road,” I said.
Although the setting was beautiful, there was no sign of civilization. A shimmering lake came into view on my right. With looming boulders and majestic trees, it was incredibly scenic.
Except for the guy standing on the edge of the cliff, ready to jump.
Wait. What?
“Don’t do it,” I shouted, not that he could hear me. Under the circumstances, was it wrong to notice how incredibly gorgeous he was?
I began beeping the horn. He looked at me in surprise. I guess he counted on complete solitude for his suicide mission. There was no sign of another vehicle. I wondered how he managed to get here. Or up there. That clifftop was high enough to make my palms sweaty.
He turned his attention back to the lake and stood erect, poised for action. I couldn’t tear my gaze away. I set the parking brake, released the clutch, and threw open my car door. I raced toward the water’s edge. Waving my arms frantically, I hoped to catch his attention. To stop him from making a huge mistake.
“Don’t jump,” I shrieked, running the length of the dock that led to the middle of the lake.
His white wings spread out behind him.
His wings?
He swooped down from the cliff and headed straight for me. Holy Flying Hot Guy. Was he angry that I interrupted his plans? Was he going to hurt me?
I froze in place. It was only then that I heard the sound of my car’s motor coming closer.
I whipped around to see my Volvo behind me, crushing the wooden planks as it hurtled toward me. Damn parking brake! There was only one way to avoid being crushed. I closed my eyes, held my nose, and jumped off the edge of the dock. Either way, I was about to die.
I kept waiting to hit the water, but it didn’t happen. I heard a loud splash and opened my eyes in time to see my beloved Volvo nosedive into the lake.
It was then I noticed the strong arms around me and the small fact that I was airborne.
I was airborne.
The winged man whisked me safely to the cliff’s edge, where he’d stood only moments ago, just in time to watch the lake swallow the back end of my car.
I stared into the winged man’s beautiful face, uncertain what to say.
“Are you my guardian angel?” I asked. And, if so, where in the hell have you been for the past twenty-five years? Wait, could I say ‘hell’ to my guardian angel?
“Absolutely not,” he said gruffly. He released me and my legs turned to jelly, forcing him to grab me again so I didn’t fall off the cliff.
“Well, I guess I’m yours,” I said, still shaking.
He looked at me askance. “How do you figure that?”
“Um, hello?” I pointed to the water far below. “You were about to end it all.”
He displayed his wings again. “If I was going to end it all, I don’t think jumping from a great height would be the logical choice for me.”
When I reached out to touch the feathers, he smacked my hand away.
“They can’t be real,” I murmured. “This has to be an elaborate joke.”
“You’re telling me,” he said. “This is my safe place. No one ever bothers me here.”
“Shouldn’t your safe place be a little higher up?” I queried, pointing skyward.
“A story for another time,” he said. “How can you even see me?”
“The cliff isn’t that high,” I replied.
He eyed me suspiciously. “Did you know you had the Sight?”
“Well, I’ve been using my eyes since birth so…yes?”
He groaned. “Not sight. The Sight. The Third Eye. Piercing the Veil.” He poked the spot on my forehead between my eyes. “It’s a particular human gift that allows them to see through supernatural glamours and such. Ring any bells?”
I shook my head. Being this close to him on a clifftop was making me nervous.
“If you just drop me back on the shore of the lake, I’ll see what I can do about my car.” Never mind that my phone and handbag were in the bottom of the lake, along with my car.
He pressed his lips together. “Can’t do it, I’m afraid.”
“Sure you can. Just spread those wings of yours and fly me over.”
His expression clouded over. “No, I can’t. The dock’s been destroyed thanks to your monster on wheels and the boundary is in the middle of the lake. If you’d been any closer to the shore, I wouldn’t have been able to help you.” He tapped his finger on his chin. “I suppose I could drop you gently into the middle of the lake and you can swim back to shore.” He considered me for a moment. “You held your nose when you jumped.”
“Did not.”
“Sure you did.”
“Okay, fine. I’m not the best swimmer.” Truth be told, I couldn’t swim at all and was deathly afraid of the water. Not like I had many occasions to learn when I was growing up. My grandparents didn’t take trips to the beach and we didn’t know anyone with a pool.
“That presents a problem then.”
“Why does it matter about the dock? Just drop me on the other side of the lake.” And I’ll forget this whole thing ever happened with copious amounts of alcohol.
“I told you. The boundary’s in the middle of the lake.”
My brow creased. “The boundary for where?”
“For the town where I live. Spellbound.”
“Your town is called Spellbound?” I’d never heard of a town with that name, certainly not in Pennsylvania.
“Don’t give me that look. I didn’t name it.” He held up a finger. “I know. I’ll take you to the forest border. It’s not ideal because you’ll need to walk further, but it’s better than nothing.”
I tried to wrap my head around what he was saying. “The forest border?”
“You know what a forest is, don’t you?” he said, and then seemed distracted by something on the ground in front of me. “Do you know your socks don’t match?”
I glanced down at my feet. How could he possibly tell? My shoes covered most of the mismatched material. “It’s the style.”
“Not in any century I’ve ever lived in.”
I started to laugh. “This has to be the most elaborate hoax anyone has ever played on me.” I patted him on the shoulder, searching for the invisible wires. “Good job, Michael. Seriously, you’re a pro.”
“Michael?”
“Aren’t all angels named Michael?”
He stuck out his hand. “Daniel. Nice to meet you.”
“Emma,” I said, and shook his hand. “Emma Hart.”
“Hold on tight, Emma, and I’ll take you over to the forest border.”
I folded my arms. “Not until you tell me how you’re able to fly, Peter Pan.” I wasn’t a fan of heights.
“I would think telling you I’m an angel would be explanation enough.”
“You’re talking to someone who would rather take a three-day train journey than ride inside a flying metal death tube.”
His mouth quirked. “Do you mean an airplane?”
“Ever run into one of those?” I pointed skyward.
“I see them fly overhead all the time,” he replied. “They appear perfectly safe.” He motioned for me to move closer. “Come on. The sooner I get you to the forest border, the sooner you can get help with your car.”
I looped my arms around his neck and squeezed my eyes shut. The wind swelled around us and I felt my stomach drop when we were airborne again. My heart thundered in my chest. I couldn’t bear to look. I was still fairly convinced I was dreaming. Maybe when I opened my eyes, I’d be back in bed with a working alarm clock, about to hit the snooze button for the sixth time.
“We’re here,” Daniel said.
I popped one eye open and looked around. We did, indeed, seem to be in the forest.
“Where’s the town?” I asked.
He jerked a thumb behind him. “I took you as close to the border as I can get.”
“How far do you suppose I’ll need to walk?” I asked. I didn’t love the idea of traipsing through the forest alone. This whole area was desolate and I had no way of contacting anyone.
“No clue.” He patted me on the back. “Good luck, though.”
I took a hesitant step forward and turned back. “Are you really an angel?”
He nodded grimly. “Trust me. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Well, thanks for saving me when I thought I was saving you. I appreciate it.”
A genuine smile formed on his lips and that simple gesture changed his entire face. He was already incredibly handsome, but the smile transformed him into someone swoonworthy. “And thanks for wanting to save me. It was…unexpected.”
I continued to stand there staring at him, lost in those aquamarine eyes. They were the color of every exotic sea I’d never visited. I was so mesmerized that I couldn’t even name one. Wait, the Mediterranean. There.
Daniel gestured to the gap between two white birch trees. “There you go. Your exit strategy awaits.”
I nodded mutely and forced myself toward the gap. No one would believe my story. My internet article would end up with a thousand hateful comments about damning my soul to hell, along with a couple of Russian women wanting to date me.
I gave one last glance over my shoulder before I stepped between the trees. Daniel was watching me, a wistful expression etched in his handsome features.
I took one last step and—
“Ouch!” I stopped and rubbed my nose. It felt like I’d walked bang into a tree except there wasn’t anything in front of me.
I stepped forward again, only to hit an invisible wall. I turned and looked helplessly at Daniel.
“Is there some kind of invisible force field?”
His brow furrowed. “You can’t get out?”
I pressed my hands against the invisible barrier. It was like putting my palms against cold steel. “Apparently not.”
“Uh oh,” Daniel said.
I whirled around. “Uh oh? What does that mean?”
He gave me a sheepish look. “I think you’d better come with me.”

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