I'll Take You Away From Him

Chapter 5

“Tell me, Aurelia, what do you do besides studying, what are you studying for, what are your hobbies, what are your plans for the future?” William asked while we were leaving the university grounds.

Meanwhile, I think that I have probably gone crazy. I sat in a stranger's car without even asking where he was going to take me. I know nothing about him — and even with that I trusted him.

And what’s the strangest thing is that even now, sitting in the car with him, I feel neither doubt nor anxiety. There’s a firm sense that he really won't do anything bad to me.

“Nothing interesting actually: I’m passionate about biking, studying Interior Design and planning to become a designer. Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I turn towards him, as this is a great opportunity to look him over without coming off as a captivated fool.

He is really very handsome; I can’t quite say what exactly makes him special, but just one look takes my breath away. I’m sure he has no shortage of admirers.

Smiling, Will throws a brief glance at me, then turns his attention back to the road.

“And it would be nice to say where you’re taking me as well,” I added.

“It’s a surprise, hang on. As for the rest — I have my own business, not married, have no children, but I wouldn’t mind becoming a father in the future if I’ll find the one who I could call a wife,” he replies just as briefly and succinctly.

Is that a hint? A serious man looking for someone? Why not... He is already an adult; at this age, it is just the right time to start a family. Maybe…

“For me it’s still too early to get married, I think,” I sigh, recalling my "problems."

“Why so doomed?” he gives me a surprised look. “I’m not planning to rush into anything either; when the time comes — I’m sure everything will fall into place. The same goes for you. Is it about timing? The main thing is to have someone around who wants to share all that with you, family, children. Then the concept of “early or late” loses relevance. Isn’t that so?”

Thinking it over, I realize that he is right. It’s not about early or late; it’s about whether there are feelings, which leads to desire.

I have none of that with Christopher.

“Yes,” I nod, “I suppose that’s how it is. And how old are you?” I ask, biting my lip, realizing that this question might not play in my favor.

“I’ll tell you if you tell me first how old you are,” he smiles.

Well, of course. He finds out — and he won’t want to meet me anymore, thinking I'm too young for him. But on the other hand, he already knows I’m still a student, he probably understands that I’m no more than twenty-two, well, maybe twenty-three... So do those couple of years really matter?

“I’m twenty one,” I answered after a moment.

Will frowns; I can’t tell how to take it. But before I can come up with something in my head, he says:

“Now I don’t want to tell you my age. You’ll think I’m too old for you.”

“That’s not fair,” I grumble. “I revealed mine, but you won’t tell yours. What do you think? Are you too old for me?”

“No,” he smiles.

“Well then, confess,” I gently nudged him in the shoulder, realizing that Will is just teasing.

“I’m thirty-one.”

“Well, that’s not exactly a lot. Overall, I can live with that,” I agree indulgently, barely holding back a smile.

Suddenly it dawns on me that we are flirting with each other. And the conversation flows so easily, naturally, as if we have known each other for ages.

“That’s good,” he nods with a thoughtful expression on his face, “because I have serious plans for you.”

“You have what?” I exclaim, surprised and losing all joking tone.

“What do you mean ‘what’? Kidnapping,” he sounds just as dramatically in response. “You know, it’s not very interesting to kidnap a girl who thinks you’re old. No pleasure in the process at all.”

I can’t hold back and start laughing. A wide smile appears on his lips too, and I get stuck on it, not immediately noticing that the car has stopped at a traffic light, and William is already looking at me.

His face is coming closer, and I blink in confusion as his fingers touch my chin, pressing gently. In just a moment, his lips cover mine, giving a brief, tender kiss that sends butterflies fluttering inside me.

“Sorry if I rushed,” he whispers, pulling away from my lips, “but I couldn't help it. I’ve been thinking about this since the moment I saw you.”

The traffic light turns green, Will turns his attention back to the road, and I hide my gaze, blushing as I feel my lips deliciously tingling. And I realized that I loved it madly.

The date hasn’t even begun, and I’ve already allowed him to kiss me. How could I not allow it if everything happened so unexpectedly? But how even could I have stopped him when I was thinking all this time about what his kiss would be like?

Well, now I know. Incredible. Extraordinary. Sweet and tender. And I want more.

“Why…” I try to formulate the question a few minutes later, once my heartbeat has calmed down. “Why did you pay attention to me?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“And that’s it? Just… a pretty picture?”

“To start with — yes. Men are visuals, if you didn’t know. I liked you, so I wanted to get to know you better, see what you’re like.”

“And what do you think?”

“So far, everything is wonderful. And you?” he asks in return.

“For me too.”

With a silly smile, I stare out the window, feeling my cheeks growing hotter with each next moment. And I also realize that I like William more and more. His scent, the taste of his lips, which are still pleasantly tingling, the way he communicates, his openness and straightforwardness. Also, his unobtrusive persistence.

Everything is wonderful, indeed.

Until my phone rings. Taking it out, I grimace, but I understand that not answering my mother’s call would be a bigger mistake. But answering it would definitely ruin my mood because she hasn’t called me just like that for a long time.

“Hello,” I say cautiously, glancing at Will furtively.

“A courier will arrive in half an hour; you’ll pick up the package,” she informs in an authoritative tone.

“But… I’m not home yet. I have…”

“Your classes ended twenty minutes ago,” she cut me off. “Chit-chatting with friends can wait. If you leave now — you’ll make it just in time. I’ve already paid for the package; all you need to do is pick it up.”

From the sudden silence that follows, I realize the call is over. I stare blankly at the phone.

Great! She just put me on notice!

I feel like crying out of offense and helplessness. Couldn’t she have ordered that damn delivery to the office? What do I have to do with it?

“Something wrong?” Will draws my attention.

“I have to go home,” I said with annoyance and irritation.

I lack the courage to look at him. He was preparing a surprise for me. I would feel uncomfortable in his place. Also, he might take this as a reluctance on my part to continue the conversation and a mere excuse. I don’t want him to think that.

“I really wanted to be with you…”

“It's okay,” he stops my pitiful attempts to justify myself. His touch on my hand makes me flinch and freeze in surprise. Covering my palm with his, Will continues, “Don’t be upset, Aurelia. I’ll be busy until the weekend, but I’ll message you if you don’t mind. And we can meet on the weekend. What do you say?”

“I’d say that I don’t mind,” I reply, feeling my mood improve again.

“Where shall I take you?”

Will I make it if I stop by for the bike? No, I definitely won’t make it, so I name my address and ask him to take me home.