Chapter Thirteen

*Republished due to technical faults* For those of you who thought it was a new update, i am sorry!

"I am not a princess, I am a Khaleesi."

🐉Daenerys Targaeryn🐉

She stood shivering from head to toe and looked at the leather jacket he held out in his hands and back to his eyes. Jacket,his eyes, jacket,his eyes.

"No. I am not going to do that."
"Come on Zara.Unless you want everyone around to stare at you." He glanced meaningfully at her chest which she tried unsuccessfully to cover up with her arms.
His eyes held no amusement or the usual disrespectful gleam expected from most guys his age.

Zara groaned in agreement and took the leather using one arm, the other still clumsily hanging over her swells now visible through the wet white shirt.

Moments earlier...

She sprang from her bed at exactly 6:30. She gazed out of her window as she stretched. The ethereal gleam from the rising sun was mesmerizing, it makes the area look like it is in the middle of spring instead of winter.

Hmm, I haven't gone out for a run in a while.
She pulled black spandex up her thighs and vacillated between black sweatshirt and a white shirt before settling for the latter. It is a very fine morning after all. She thought about grabbing her iPod but she wanted her mind cleared not drawn out.

The sound her sneakers encased feet made with the pavement was encouraging as always. She had run two laps around the park in the past forty minutes. Now she had reduced her speed and is jogging.
Number of people in the park was small considering it is a nice Sunday morning.
The green trail along the edge of the pond looks deserted so she took it. She heard footsteps behind her but she ignored them and kept jogging.
As the person behind her got closer, goosebumps started appearing all over her body. Just when she was about to turn around, the person called out her name. She spun on her tip toes so swiftly, she slipped on the dewy grass and splashed into the water.
Zara was met with grey orbs lit in amusement when she finally emerged from her dive.
Now......

Zara wrapped her arms around her torso to preserve whatever heat she was producing. The leather jacket was utterly useless besides covering her up. Her teeth chattered loudly.

"I parked my car nearby. I have some sweats you can change into or you will catch a cold." Solomon guided her a little further up the trail she occupied earlier.

Ahead of them, a sleek black Mercedes sport car came to view. He clicked his key and the hood popped open,revealing a fancy gadget with speakers. He pulled a grey sweatshirt from the corner and suspended his arms in Zara's direction.

"Well, are you going to take it or leave me hanging?"
She took it hesitantly. It looks really comfortable, if her shirt wouldn't come in the way. The material is heavy enough to cover her figure completely even though she isn't wearing a bra. But wearing it without anything else sounded so....intimate.
"You should take off your shirt or it is going to be uncomfortable. Change in the car I will wait by those trees." He said as if he read her thoughts. He walked away without waiting for her reply.

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The heat was blasted to its max as she shifted uncomfortably on her seat. The spandex was itchy now that it is wet.
Solomon drove silently beside her, his long fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. He glanced at her and seemed to remember something.
He fidgeted with the buttons on his left, which were obscured from Zara's view. She decided to look out the window which displayed a wonderful natural scenario. Spring was around the corner so the greenery was much lively, cheerful.
She felt something under her thighs and through the thick fabric Solomon gave her. No way....
"Your car is really fancy. Which model is it?"
"C63 AMG Black Series. I got it last year. But I have upgraded it to the latest version."
She respected his clear adoration for vehicles as she relished the heat emitted from the seat.

The car accelerated instead of slowing down since they were approaching the turn to her house.
"Ummm, my house is this way."
"I know."
"Then where are you taking me?"
"To grab a bite. I am starving."
"Okay. So stop the car. I will walk the rest of the way."
"No. You are eating with me. Aren't you hungry?"
"Shouldn't you ask if I wanted to first? Yes, yes i am hungry. But no I will not 'grab a bite' with you. Now, please pull over." She was getting angry by the second. How dare he disrespect her like that!
"Stop overreacting and overthinking. It is just breakfast."
"You don't tell me how to act or what to think. I said pull_"
"Here we are. They serve the best waffles."
She scoffed, disbelieve etched on her features. She climbed out of the car and slammed the door car. She knew she would see him flinching if she turned around and she was satisfied with that little fact. She started marching towards the opposite direction of the familiar diner.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"Not that it is any of your business but I am going home. Thanks for the cloth. I will give it back tomorrow."
"Are you sure you don't want to grab a bite?"
She was about to put him in his place when the sky cracked open and it started to pour down heavily.
Are you kidding me! What the hell!
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Yet again, she was shivering from head to toe in front of him. Even though she run immediately into the diner, the rain wasn't merciful. And yet again, she was wearing another one of Solomon's sweatshirts, this one with a strong woodsy scent clinging to it.

He sat staring at her with his eyes gleaming.....
"You are enjoying this aren't you? Making fun of me?"
"Admit it. It is kind of funny." And then he chuckled. She chuckled alongside him despite her anger and misfortune. She noticed someone approach them from her peripheral view and quickly sobered up. What am I doing?
"Are you guys ready to order or should I come back" a familiar playful voice came from above.
Zara looked up to meet Kate's playful eyes. For some reason, she felt embarrassed and shy.
"Zara! Hey fancy meeting you here again."
Again? She looked around her and finally noticed where she actually is. It was the diner she grabbed breakfast on her first day of school. It feels like years ago instead of months.
"Welcome to Carter's diner. So what can I get you?"
"I will get waffles with maple syrup with hot chocolate please."
"Hey Solomon." Kate said as she jotted down his orders.
"And you will have...?" Might as well enjoy a hearty breakfast
"I will have the English breakfast set please."
"Okay."
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The rain had stopped by the time they were done with their meals and the sun was back up as if it was never gone.
"Thanks for the ride. I will bring your clothes tomorrow."
"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
She looked into the distant and smiled bitterly. "Why would I?"
Solomon frowned and looked at her. "Are you okay?" She seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in. "Why wouldn't I be? Goodbye Solomon." She closed the door and started walking to the wrought iron gates. He followed her with his eyes.
She is crazy,literally. She takes a step forward and three back.

Zara crossed the driveway and was about to enter the house when she heard the light tune of guitar from the back patio.
"Good morning."
Samantha was wrapped in a cashmere robe with steaming mug in hand and she was immersed in the music her son was playing. Both of them looked up with smile lighting up their faces. Nathanael looked a little uneasy though.
"Hey darling. Come sit beside me. I will tell them to bring out breakfast to you."
"No mum. I just ate."
"Oh? When?"
"While I was out." She didn't see the point in mentioning she had company.
Samantha seemed like she had forgotten last night. She glanced at her watch and gasped. "I almost forgot. I have to attend an important meeting. I will see you guys later and maybe we could go out for dinner, yeah?"
Her children murmured their agreements and she went into the house. Both of them were left in an uncomfortable silence.
"Zara I am sorry. I should have told you about her condition. You would have found eventually which you did. I don't know why I kept it a secret to begin with..."
"You don't need to apologize. There is nothing to apologize for. You have your reasons plus it never came up."
He released a sigh, "I don't want any secrets between us. We are family. I am going to tell you everything that happened in this family."
"You don't have to."
"I want to. I thought keeping all of it in would help me cope, you know. Make it all unreal. But maybe it is time I talk about it."
Then they fell into another silence. A companionable one.
"Hey, how did you know how to handle her? I never knew what to do."
"Wild assumption."
He didn't seem like he believed her but he let it go.
"PTSD. She has PTSD." He elaborated.
"I guessed."
"Okay. Really, how do you know all about this?"
"I read books."
"Come on let me show you something."
He stood up from the lawn chair carrying his guitar and went inside and Zara followed him.
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