When you're in a dark place, you think you've been buried but actually you've been planted.

Chapter Eight: Eyes on the road, douche.

Charlotte's POV

The next morning, I woke up to muffled screams. Picking up my phone from under the pillow I saw it was 7:05. Twenty five minutes more. Who the fuck was squeaking at this time of the day? Getting up from the bed, I left the room and headed downstairs sleepily. But I jerked awake when I heard my mother's frightened voice. "Sweetheart, keep calm. Just breathe. Its gonna be fine." She cried. I ran the rest of the way till I got to the living room. I saw Daniel, in a button up T-shirt and suit trousers, holding what looked like a briefcase which I assumed all his equipment were in because he was taking things from it, looking all Doctor-y. He stood upright when he noticed me.

I tore my gaze from him and looked down to see what he was doing. Dad was there, shaking and jerking frantically in his chair. What the hell? Mom was just crying, holding him down. Or at least tried to. It wasn't working.

"What the hell is going on here?" I asked. More like demanded.

"You're dad is having a seizure." Was the reply I got. Daniel went back to - whatever it was he was doing. Dad is having a seizure. I just stood there. I couldn't move.

"Well, why didn't anybody wake me the fuck up?" I asked again. This time yelling.

"Honey, now is not the time." Mom said, not looking me. Dad stifled after a while, lookin around. It was like nothing happened. Mom helped him up.

"Dad? You okay?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I think." Came his reply.

"What the hell happened to him?" I asked Daniel, the only other normal person in the room. He finished packing up his equipments and turned to face me.

"He had a Clonic seizure." He looked at me, then at Mom. She had left Dad to pay attention to him.

"English please." I told him.

"Clonic seizures consist of rhythmic jerking movements of the legs and arms, sometimes on both sides of the body. Has this happened before?" He asked, directing the question at mom.

"No, not that I know of."

"Good. That means its the first stage. Its not that serious. He just needs prolonged treatment."

"How often will it happen?" I looked at Dad. He held my gaze and gave me a I'll-be-fine-don't-worry smile. I smiled back.

"It depends a lot on the cause and the person. Some people may have rare seizures and others may have them more frequently. Fortunately Clonic seizures are not followed by a period of confusion and tiredness so he should be able to move around and do some minor things." He was talking so Doctor-y  I couldn't help but smile. This side of him I liked.

"Is there any thing we can do?" Mom said desperately. I could tell she was scared of losing her husband.

"Actually, yes. You can just be his beautiful wife." He responded with a smile. What a charmer.

Mom laughed a little. I could've sworn I saw the tip of her ears turn red. Ew.

"How is it treated?" I asked him.

"There are medications to prevent Clonic seizures. I can make them available if you'd like."

"I'd like." Our eyes met. I mouthed a 'thank you' to him and he gave me a toothy grin. 'Anytime.'.

"I have to go now. But I'll be back to see how he's doing. Don't worry too much." He offered mom a sympathetic smile before leaving the house.

"Dad, how are you feeling?" I knelt down in front of him and caressed his cheek. He seemed to enjoy it because he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Normal." He opened them and looked at me. I could feel my eyes swelling up with tears which were threatening to fall. Oh no, too late. He reached up and wiped them away. "Sweetheart, I'm fine, really. I feel great. I could run a marathon and not feel tired." He looked up at mom who was already sobbing like a little girl whose lollipop got stolen. He laughed a little. "You look ridiculous." Typical. Only dad could tease at a time like this.

Mom gave him a gentle slap on the arm. "Ow! I'm the sick one here. Have some compassion woman." That made mom smile and she leaned down to kiss him.

My parents were one of a kind. I couldn't help but feel jealous at how much love they shared. I mean yes, it's disgusting but it's also nice how devoted they are to each other. I wish I had that... with Daniel. But some things are just not meant to be.

I wiped my tearstained face and left my parents to...  Whatever the hell they were doing. I headed up to my room. I knew Cat reported in today so I couldn't spend the day with her. It sucked not having a job. I really had to fix that problem. My only other option was Daniel and he was at work too. Great. My life was a boring mess. It was already 11am and I didn't have plans for the day. I had to leave the house. No way I'm staying locked up in this shithole. I walked into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a really long, steamy shower and got dressed. Grabbing my phone I texted Daniel.

Char: Hey you. When's your lunch break?

Daniel: Two, why?

Char: Nothing, just wanted to have lunch with you. If that's alright with Your Majesty :))

Daniel: Actually my loyal subject, No. I have a shit-ton of work to do here. Its exhausting.

Char: Then take a break.

Daniel: No can do honey.

Char: Don't ever call me that. Fine, I'll just have fun by myself then.

Daniel: Good luck with that :)) :))

Char: Whatever. You're mean.

Daniel: lol, I know right? That's why you love me.

Oh, you have no idea.

Char: In your dreams, dumb ass.

Daniel: Talk to you later! Got to go.

I sighed. Things were so much better when I didn't have feelings for him. Shaking off the thought, I grabbed my purse and left the house.

                                 —————————

The late afternoon breeze was fresh on my skin. The crisp air hit me and I inhaled deeply. I was walking home after spending 5 hours all by myself. I've never felt so bored in all my twenty four years of being human. I was about five blocks from home when a BMW sped and stopped in front of me. My first thought was to run but my legs failed me. I just stood there and waited for it -whatever it was- to happen. The side window of the car rolled down to reveal the king in all of his splendor, sitting on the driver's seat, smiling at me.

"Well, get in already and stop staring." He said. I quickly got in and put my seatbelt on. Then I turned to face him.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Of course not."

He laughed. "Don't act like you weren't checking me out a few seconds ago."

I felt my cheeks redden and turned away. "Why do you think so highly of yourself? There's really nothing to admire." He started the car and drove off into the main road.

He looked at me. "We both know that's not true. I mean have you seen this?" He pointed to himself.

"Eyes on the road, douche." I smacked his arm.

"You still haven't told me what you're doing here." I reminded him. When he didn't answer, I asked. "Daniel?"

"Uhm?" He looked uncertain. "Oh yes. I was just at your house to check up on your dad. He seemed fine."

"Okay, good. Wait, where are we going?" I asked.

"To have lunch."

"I thought you had a shit-ton of work to do?"

"I changed my mind."

I scoffed. "After five hours? You really do know how to make a girl wait, don't you?"

He grinned. "When I said I was busy, I wasn't kidding."

He drove into the drive way and got a spot. We got out of the car and walked into the restaurant. It was very popular as people of different class and status dined in it. We chose an empty table by the side glass and made ourselves comfortable.

"So, what do you think of this place?" Daniel asked, looking around.

"Its great." I replied, following his gaze.

"Wait till you get a taste of their French fries. It's amazing." He's eyes landed on me.

A waiter walked up to us bringing out a pen and jotter. "Hello, I'm Bennet and I'll be your waiter for today. First off, what would you like to drink?" He asked looking at me.

"Uh.. A glass of water would be fine." I smiled at him.

"Okay," he wrote it down. "What about you sir?"

"A glass of orange juice." Daniel said. Picking up the menu, he scroll through it.

"Coming right up." The waiter replied after jotting down the order. "Anything else?"

"I'll have the French fries, salad with dressing. Then for desert, I'll have the Apple pie." He finished with a smile, closing the menu with a thud and putting it down.

Bennet looked at me after taking Daniel's order, evidently waiting for me to make mine. I scrolled through the menu but couldn't make up my mind. Everything looked so delicious.

"I'll just have what he ordered." I closed the menu and set it down.

"Okay." He was about to go when Daniel called him back.

"Make that three plates." He added.

"Sure." He turned around and disappeared.

"Three plates? But we're only two. Who has the third plate?"

"Me."

I just stared at him. "You're weird."

"I'm a guy. I love food. Do the math."

"Your dad is fine, you know. You don't have to worry too much. This afternoon he seemed great. Trust me, he'll be fine." He searched my eyes. I trust him. He knows that.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks Daniel. I don't know what I'd do if anything happens to him." I looked away.

Just then the waiter -or Bennet- came with our drinks. And he disappeared as quickly as he came.

"Nothing's gonna happen." Daniel said, taking a sip of his juice.

"I hope so."

I felt a pair of eyes on me and looked to see Cat walking toward us. I was surprised to say the least because I wasn't expecting her. I stood up to hug her when she reached our table and I heard her chuckle.

"Whoa. Calm down girl. It was just yesterday we hung out." She said when I let her go for air.

"I know, I just missed you." I sat down and gave way for her to do the same. "How did you know we were here anyway?"

"I invited her." Daniel said.

"Oh." I looked from Cat to him. "Now I know who the third plate is for."

"What gave it away?" He asked sarcastically and smiled at me. Cat laughed.

"Shut up."

A while later Bennet came again with our orders. Since we all ordered the same thing, it wasn't hard to just pick one. Daniel was right. The French fries was amazing. I couldn't get enough of it. We ate in silence, until Cat decided to speak up.

"So Daniel, where's your wife anyway? I haven't seen her around." Oh! Dammit. I forgot to give Cat the juicy details. As if on cue, Daniel looked at me with a questioning gaze. I shrugged and looked away.

"We uhm....we got separated. Six months ago." He replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I had no idea." She said.

I raised my glass up and began drinking when the realisation hit me.

Daniel is single. Which means he's free to love again. If he wanted to.