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"Happiness is the vehicle we travel in, not our destination."

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This chapter is for @epicfail2424
As promised, I uploaded this chapter quicker than usual and it is nearly 2x as longer than usual- thank you for how much love you spread :)

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I tapped my acrylic nails against my teeth nervously. Here I was, sitting all alone in this large bed, in this large bedroom with a laptop placed onto my lap.

The Google search engine remained opened in front of me, the horizontal line in the search-bar beeping over and over before my eyes as it awaits a letter, a word, a phrase- anything, to fulfill its purpose.

My fingertips hovered over letter D as I wondered if I was really going to go as far as typing 'Dr. Enrique Romano' into the bar.

I knew that he was a surgeon, I knew that he was the Head of Surgery, and I knew that he specialized in General Surgery. However, that was about it, and I was itching to know more.

I had a feeling that he wasn't just any 'Head of Surgery', especially from the way Dr. Saiji became more than flustered when he was asked to stay, nevertheless when Enrique simply entered the room.

I didn't put much more thought into the situation as my fingers worked quickly across the keyboard before I clicked enter.

"Oh my God," I murmur as I scroll through the feed. In the top left-hand corner of the page, it had that there were 127,000,000 results every 0.58 seconds. My eyes bulged out of my head as I kept scrolling. Every single page I had clicked, there was a picture of Enrique.

It was simply incredible. I knew that he had to be good, but this was just borderline insane.

The thought of searching Enrique over the years never crossed my mind. How could it? He never had social media and how could I have known that he would be this famous doctor only a decade later?

I've driven past his father's auto-repair many times in the past, and my heart raced when I saw that it was closed down. I always assumed the worst- that they had been living in the streets or something. After all, they had no money and by his father was so sick, I knew that Enrique would always do whatever he could and spend all of his money on him.

I slammed down the laptop and patted my hands over the cheeks to remove the blood that was settled there.

It had been a week since we went to the food parlor and I hadn't called Enrique. What would I do? Ask him to dinner? Coffee? He was a busy man, and the time that he had free, I'm sure that he didn't want to spend any of it with me.

I placed my laptop back into its bag before stripping myself of my clothes and jumping into the bath.

I needed to relax and take a deep breath. I'd thought that after 11 years, that Enrique had become cocky or he had lost all of his charms. Hell, I wished that he had even grown out of his perfect face, floppy hair, and boyish looks.

He had grown out of his boyish looks alright. It was clear that he was a man- a tall, domineering man. And that was possible to see even from the smile he had on his lip at all times.

As I ran my hands along my body in the shower, and I closed my eyes and craned my head backward to allow the water to pour all of my face and hair, I suddenly saw a flash of large hands and soft, pink lips running over the dip of my back.

My eyes snapped open and I removed myself from the water, my breathing heavy as I pushed my hair away from my face.

I quickly lather my skin in soap before washing off and stepping outside of the shower. I needed to go for a drive.

I was happy that Titus wasn't here since he had work, as always. I scrambled to look for something to wear, finding a dress that was simple, yet elegant, and comfortable.

As usual, I slipped on a pair of shoes with a heel, but I opted on badge wedges instead.

I grabbed a matching bag and earrings, and made my way downstairs after placing my phone and keys into the bag.

I press my finger against the button on the wall as I speak into the speaker, "Killian, I'm heading out for a bit, I'll be back before Mr. Sieviers returns," I say on my way out. I don't listen for an answer as I shut the door behind me.

I kept the car in Titus' garage, knowing that with the dozen's of cars he has, he wouldn't notice mine. Plus, he would always wait out front for one of his drivers to bring the car out for him.

Twenty minutes later and I was still driving along a straight road to God knows where, with the windows all the way down.

I check the meter to ensure I have enough gas to go a bit longer, possibly even take a stop by Jenny to see the kids, and I'm pleasantly delighted when I see that I do.

When the car begins to slow down, and the tires begin to squeak, this causes a crease to form between my eyebrows, especially due to my newfound knowledge that the gas tank was half-way filled.

The car fully came to a stop after I had just managed to pull it across the side of the road.

I angrily hit my first against the staring wheel as I looked in front, and behind me. The road was completely empty. Just as I express my anger, I squeak as I hear a loud noise, before smoke appears from the hood of the car.

I jump out of the car and run a hand through my slightly wet hair. Could this day get any worse?

I called a towing company, a migraine starting to form when they informed me that they could only be here by the next two hours. After even offering them double, and begging, there was nothing that could be done.

Jenny was home alone with the kids, and the youngest was taking a nap from what she had last told me. I didn't want to ask her to come for me, knowing that would risk getting the baby all fidgety.

With an annoyed expression, I dialed Titus' number, and he only answered after I rang for the second time to get through with him.

"I'm busy, what is it?" I rolled my eyes. I hated having to ask him for anything. I wish I'd at least heeded my parent's worry and got the car checked out knowing that it hadn't been driven for a while.

"I need someone to come to pick me up, my parents' car broke down," I said boredly.

"What are you doing driving their car? You know I hate when you don't take a driver," He seethed.

"I wanted to have some space, now can one of your drivers come and get me?" I sit on the trunk of the car as I rub my forehead.

"You wanted some space? Sit there and think about defying my orders again. You've done it one too many times. Don't you dare call any of my employees either, cause I'll know," His voice held anger, and with that, after I heard another female voice in the background call him, he ended the call.

"Titus—" I tried to get in, but he had already ended it.

I looked at my phone in shock, racking my brain for anyone else that I could call, and coming to no answer.

I felt so angry when I realized that my only friend was Jenny, and even then, I had only known her for roughly a year, and she wasn't someone that I would spill my deep and darkest secrets to.

As I threw my bag in the car angrily, readying to call the tow company again, I faltered as I see a business card spill out of my bag and onto the seat.

I reach through the window and pick it up, realizing that not only was it Enrique's, but the one he had written his personal number on.

What were the odds that he was home right now? If what he said was true, then from my understanding, he still had a knack for fixing cars.

I shook my head and inaudible cursed myself for even considering calling him. It was ridiculous. I could call an Uber, but I really didn't want to leave my car on the side of the road.

With that thought in mind, I swallowed my pride and looked at the car again. I decided that I would try his personal line once, and if he didn't answer, I wouldn't try again. I didn't even consider ringing the business line, because that'd mean that he was at work, and I wasn't about to pull him away from a woman who couldn't stop belching.

I released a shaky breath as I hit the call button, him answering on the second ring, "Hello," His voice sounded calm and nonchalant as he spoke.

"Hey, Enrique, it's me, Demiah," Any rustling I heard in the background instantly stopped.

"Miah, I was wondering when you'd call. Calling to schedule another outing?" He seemed oddly pleased at the idea.

"Um-" I played with my hair, "I'm sorry, no," I laugh nervously. When I hear him waiting for me to continue, I go on, "But first, are you-" I clear my throat as I look around the empty road again, "Are you busy?"

His deep voice speaks, "I'm not if you don't want me to be," He replies charmingly.

I bite back a smile before replying, "I'm serious."

"I'm serious too," He says, and I can hear the smile in his voice, "But no, no, today is one of those less than often days I was telling you about."

I pause remembering when he told me that less than often he would have free time and he would dabble with cars a bit. Did I really want to make him come all the way out here?

"Don't think about it, Miah. What's up?" He hums.

I sigh, "You remember, Christine?"

He doesn't miss a beat, "The car? I can't forget such a beauty."

"Yeah, well, she's not looking so beautiful right about now, she broke down and I think something's wrong with the engine or something. I don't want to just leave it here, so I was wondering if you could just come and take a quick look if it's not too much to ask-" He interrupts my rambling.

"Just send me your location and I'll be there shortly," He laughs. "And it's no problem at all, get back into your car and be safe till I get there, alright?" He commands just as I hear a vehicle door open.

"Thanks, Enrique," I breathe out.

"Anything for you, Miah," He responded.

Even as he ended the call, I kept the phone against my ear for a moment until I slowly removed it before looking at the screen, a smile settling on my lips.

I listened to Enrique's command and went and take a seat in my car, my head lolling backward onto the head of the seat, as I closed my eyes.

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I had probably dozed off since when I heard a knock against my window, I jumped and squeaked a bit, clutching my bag closer to my chest.

I saw a smiling Enrique, nudging his head towards the outside of my car.

When he moved away, I found myself looking into the mirror connected to the car to make sure my hair was flat down and no drool lied at the corner of my lips.

I stepped up, stumbling a bit and nearly falling when I see Enrique's attire. It was very obvious that he was, indeed, in the middle of cleaning or fixing a car when I had called him.

He was wearing a white vest, one that showed his bare, broad, and muscular shoulders, along with his impressive muscles. I knew that he was fit from what could be seen the first time I saw him again, but I had not expected him to be utterly and completely ripped.

His muscles had muscles. His sunkissed skin glistened under the sun, shining and glistening from sweat that coated his entire body. I was very surprised when I saw tattoos peeking from under his vest, and trailing down his upper arm, and stopping just above his elbow.

The material of his shirt stuck against his skin, highlighting the six, hard ridges on his chest, and the vest led downward to a pair of loose jeans held up by a belt.

My eyes finally traveled to around his broad neck where a chain that held a small, circular pendant stood.

Upon my clumsiness, his hands shot forward and held onto my waist as he held me steadily, "Whoa there, you alright?"

I quickly gathered myself and stood straight, "I'm fine, I'm fine."

I tried to move his hands away from my hips, and successfully so.

I looked to the red toolbox in his hand, "Thanks for coming, and I'm sorry I caught you at a bad time," I didn't look at him as I moved away and went to the trunk of my car to show him where the problem is. I finally turned around to stare at him, as he stood close enough to me that I had to crane my neck upwards to see him, which wasn't a usual feat for me since I wasn't the shortest, especially in heels. "I just didn't know who else to call."

He smiles, "I told you that it was fine, no worries," He pushes back his hair from his forehead. "Now, let's see what's wrong with you, Chels," He hummed.

"Um-" I walk to the front of the car and lift the hood, fanning my face at the smell that erodes my nose. "It's possibly the engine?"

Enrique placed his toolbox on the floor and leans against the car, face going deep down to see the problem, I ignore the way his muscles tense against the car.

He finally leans back up, "Ah, come on, Miah, I taught you better than that, look there and tell me what seems to be the problem."

I hesitate, "I don't really know that much anymore," I tried to justify.

"Oh really?" He folds his arms across his chest, his muscles bulging. "-Because from what I saw through the window, it seemed like you hotwired this car recently."

I falter before I release a long sigh and situate myself in front of him, leaning over a bit to check.

I hum, "It could be that some motor oil spilled on the exhaust system," I squinted my eyes as I looked closer. I swipe my hand against the contents of the car, "Air filter may be a bit dirty, needs cleaning," I mutter.
"Wait- the smoke was bluish so... the car most likely has a leaking valve allowing fuel to get into the engine where it shouldn't, thus the smoke." I find myself smiling as I swing my head around to face him, a soft, impressed, and somewhat proud smile on his lips.

"You still got it, Miah," He muses as he wipes his hands over the stubble of his chin, seemingly distracted, "Hey, could you pass me the torque wrench?"

I scramble to hand it to him, "Hm? Sure."

I don't know how long we were there; possibly for about 2 or 3 hours, but the routine was simple, I handed Enrique a tool whenever he needed it, and handed him a bottle of water that I bought during my drive. I was embarrassed when he opened it and saw my lipstick stain on the mouth of the bottle, and I offered to clean it off, also assuming that he'd hold the bottle above his lips.

But somehow it hadn't been a surprise to me when he ignored my advances and brought the bottle up to his lips carelessly.

Later, by the time he took a step back and wiped the sweat off of his forehead, I was overwhelmed with happiness when I saw the smile on his face; a very good sign indeed.

"Are you finished?" I babbled, handing him a cloth to wipe the oil from his hands.

When he fully moved away from the car, tool in hand, my eyes unintentionally trailed down to the sweat that his vest was coated with, and how it showed me the tan skin beneath.

"I was gonna let you do the honors," He smiled that stupid smile again that always seemed to be on his perfect lips.

I was gonna get myself out of it, but decided to just comply. I moved to take the tool from his hands, ensuring that our fingers didn't brush.

My intentions somehow didn't matter as he leaned over the car with me, his hand guiding mine gently into the car to tighten a screw, "Just like that," He murmured next to my ear as helped me to finish his work.

I felt a sense of pride and freedom overcome me when he finally removed his hand, and I was able to put everything back in place and close down the hood completely.

I turned around happily with a giddy smile on my face, said smile faltering when I realize how close Enrique was still standing in front of me, but this time not with a smile on his face.

His features were serious as he stared down at me, his head tilted to the side.

"Enrique..." I whispered as I rested the heel of my palms against the car and leaned back on them.

"Miah," He countered huskily.

I cleared my throat, my eyes moving all over his perfect face, seeing as he draws closer, "You- We c-can't," I blubbered unconvincingly.

I placed my hands on his chest in an attempt to push him away. I hate how he made me feel weak.

"Can't what? We can't kiss, you mean," It was meant to be a question but came out as a statement.

Despite the seriousness of his words, his face was anything but. It was like he was teasing me- like he thought this funny.

"Yes," I said stronger. "We can't," I raised my head higher, telling myself it was to appear bolder when in truth, I knew that it just brought our lips closer together.

Enrique brought his body closer, his scratchy voice speaking, "You sure? Because your lips are telling me to move away, but yet your hands seem to be pulling me closer," I look down to the palm of my hands that I placed on his chest, seeing them clenched in fists.

I relax them immediately, turning my head away, "I'm- I'm married..." I faltered. I sucked in a breath as his hand moved to push my hair from my face, "Married to..." I licked my wet lips as I attempted to form my words, "To um—" He opened and closed his lips in amusement to mimic my blubbering as I racked my brain for a name.

"Titus Sievers?" He mused.

"Yes!" I countered quickly after him, "Yes, yes, Titus, I'm married to h-him." He didn't seem bothered as he looked all over my face as if he was memorizing my features, "And I can't- I won't cheat."

He hums, "I'm not asking you to Miah, I'm just standing here, minding my business, hardly seems like cheating," He states. "I do have one question though, - Do you love him?" He swipes his tongue over his lower lip.

I tried not to lean into his touch, "It's none of your business who I love, or don't love," I cleared my throat annoyedly.

"Mhm, sounds a bit defensive, Miah," He seemed almost amused at the situation.

"I am not defensive," I raised my voice defiantly as I leaned further back against the car.

"That's something defensive people say, Miah," He drags on.

"Just- mind your own business as you said, and stop calling me Miah." I scowled, not liking how he was able to read me.

"Anything for you, Miah," The corner of his lips raised in an opened-mouth smirk, his dark eyes twinkling.

I huffed, finally standing up straight until our chests were touching, "You are still infuriating," I snapped.

"And you are still incredibly sexy," He counters after leaning closer to my angry face.

I swallowed and finally found the strength to escape, causing Enrique to stumble a bit, a laugh bubbling from him.

I rushed to the door of my car, "Look, I don't know what motives you think I had for calling you, but I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression," I spoke. "And I wish there was a way that I could repay you-"

"Oh I think there's a way," He looked up from packing up his tools as he threw them into the back of his truck.

I searched through my purse, " I don't have any sufficient cash on me right now but-"

"Cash? He bellowed. "You think I want your money? That's funny— Nice to see you still have your humor, Miah," He chastised as he walked to stand right in front of his truck's door, leaning on it.

"Then—" I began.

"Have dinner with me," He interrupted. I paused before shaking my head in disbelief, quickly moving to open the door of my car and getting in. "My place, just to catch up some more, it's the only payment I'd take."

I started my car in hopes to stop his persistence. I rolled down my window when he continued, "You can call me to set up a date that's good for you this weekend."

I couldn't take it anymore, "Thank you again for the car, but I'm leaving you now," I said impolitely as I reversed.

Enrique finally opened his door, "Yeah, you're good at that," He shouted after me.

Despite the laughter in his voice, his words held a gloomy effect over me as I drove away.

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Word Count: 3715