"Yes, sir everything is going as planned. Unfortunately you won't receive the packages on time as a limited number of specimens were in our possession to extract the liquid from" said dad in a monotone voice as he ended his call.

The bedroom door opened and I jolted out of the way, acting as if I had dropped my cell phone to avoid any suspicions of me eavesdropping.

"Morning dad "I said cheerfully, trying to hide my demeanor.

"Morning Harper, I've got to rush to work. I'm already late. I'll see you at 6:00am tomorrow", said dad a bit anxious exiting the door of our luxury condo situated in Santa Monica, dressed in a black formal shirt and pants.

It was rather strange.

Dad had always made excuses, about staying late at work and working late shifts as they were backlogged with paperwork and some other nonsense.

He sometimes came home after a week with the false truth of going out for work.

In the past I bought his lame excuses but after hearing his conversation on the phone, today morning all trust in the man I called "dad" seemed to slowly disappear.

Why was he speaking of liquid extraction from a specimen?

He was just an actuary at Edward and sons Consultants Limited. It was out of his field of work and specialty to have any such knowledge.

I had all the time in the world to ponder and let my imagination run wild, since it was spring break.

Maybe I didn't trust my dad but he was the only family I had left. My mother had been murdered, while pregnant with my baby brother.

My paternal grandparents were practically unknown people since my dad was adopted by a kind lady named Mrs Walkers.

My dad's parents were alive yet he had no intention of making contact with them.

My maternal grandparents, well they pretty much blamed my dad for the death of my mother. They ended all ties with my dad and I the day my mother and brother died.

I never had the chance to meet them as I was only a few months old when my mother passed.

Maybe I shouldn't be having horrendous thoughts about my father. He's an adult. A smart adult filled with integrity and honor, maybe he's not always here for me when I need him, he's not the easiest to talk to as well but he's a responsible father.

He provides for all of my needs and wants. Besides, who was going to pay for my University fees if not him? So I surely didn't want to anger him.

The life he lead was not an easy one, he lost his wife who was expecting his son. He has no knowledge of his birth parents. His in-laws cut all ties with him. He submerged his sorrows into his career, and I had no authority to question him. He had no other family but me.

The last thing dad needs is an unruly and ungrateful daughter, accusing him of absurd acts. I'm certain he has another business, or is engaging in a part time hobby or job to help pay for the expenses and provide for my lavish lifestyle.

I heard a beep on my phone. Pulling it out of my jeans pocket I dragged my forefinger across the screen. Unlocking my device to see a message from Brett pop up onto the screen.

Bret Diaz:
Sup bestie, my family and I are heading to the Muir woods for a family trip. Do you want to come with? We depart on Monday, which is tomorrow lol. Sorry for the short notice, mum insists you come.

I spontaneously, typed him a quick reply telling him that I would be joining him on the trip. I needed a break from all my wild thoughts. I didn't bother messaging dad as he was occupied with work and I would stay for only a day.

*****
Time skip

"Luka nooo!" I squealed as Brett's older brother pulled me into the enchanting lake. The water instantaneously bringing about a cooling sensation to my sun beaten tan skin.

"Oops, sorry Harper. Anyways I better get going. You two want anything" he laughed out, exiting the lake.

My crisp white shirt now clung to my body, outlining every curve perfectly on my torso.

"Look what you've done!"I yelled to Luka, as I attempted to squeeze water out of my hair. Ignoring his question, I focused my eyes on Brett.

Brett's eyes darkened and so did the light airy atmosphere around us as he made his way towards me, his sea green eyes never leaving my brown ones.

My Brain sent messages via neurons to the muscles on my legs to turn around. The message some how got intercepted and I stayed put.

Before I could react, his lips were latched onto mine. He begged for entrance into my mouth since his tongue swiped my bottom lip multiple times asking for entry.

His strong arm wrapped around my waist, holding me in place.His free hand journeyed to the hem of my shorts, pulling and tugging causing me to gasp.

He took that as the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth and our tongues battled for dominance. I grasped the sides of his face deepening the kiss and pulling him closer towards me.

I felt a pair of eyes gazing at me, almost as if looking into my soul. I broke the trance we were in and looked around yet no one was there.
"What's wrong?"asked Brett concerned. His eyes burned with passion.
"Noth-" I started to say.

Brett, attacked my neck, kissing, licking, biting. Trailing kisses from my ear to the base of my neck. The ice water of the lake mixed with my hot, flustered self.

I finally said something.

"Brett, this is wrong"I stated, feeling guilty.

"No Harp, don't do this I need you don't reject me"he paused. "I don't know what got into me" he said shaking his head.

"I care for you but not in this way" I said to him as I exited the lake.

He was the ideal boyfriend. Handsome, intelligent, decent yet he wasn't what my soul was thirsting for he was my friend and that is all he'll ever be to me.

I grabbed my car keys which I had kept on the wooden table near the lake and ran towards my jet black Audi R8.

My clothes were still in my car which saved me the trouble of telling Mrs Diaz that was leaving. The woman would have gotten ballistic and would have persuaded me to stay. Right now I needed to be alone and collect my scattered feelings.

Loud gunshots and muffled footsteps filled my ears, the smell of freshly spilled blood entered my nostrils soon, after causing me to nearly vomit.

I hid behind the tall Red wood tree as the footsteps grew louder. The journey to my car seemed to deteriorate.

Why did I have to park it so far away from the lake?

Two large men were dragging a brown wolf with specks of gray in its fur towards a truck. With great difficulty the wolf tried to move out of the grasp of the men. Due to the gunshot wounds on it's body it rendered it's escape impossible.

They were probably poachers due to them both holding rifles. One of them shot at the wolf and kicked it to bring about silence. I knew my suspicion was correct. A blob of black flies were already encircling the wounds, on its its body, which made my heart all sore.

I was about to step out of the shadows of the red wood tress and confront the two of them. I noticed one of the men had an uncanny resemblance to me , he had black hair like me, olive skin and we shared the same nose.

Could it really be him?

*****
Author's note:
This is my first ever book on Wattpad! I was so excited to write this chapter I had a lot of fun doing it. I hope you had a lot of fun reading it :D.

Please comment, vote and share. It will help me improve my book and give me some confidence :)to continue writing. I also would love suggestions...

Please be patient with me and don't roast me in the comments [if I do get any :( ] as I'm still trying to learn the ropes with writing.

-Kylissa xoxo