"Slept well?"

My face was burning out of embarrassment, "I'm extremely sorry for my unruly behavior, Mr. Longwood. Your shoulder must be sore." I apologized continuously, though I was more worried about his shoulder.

I can't believe that I was snuggling into him, no wonder my pillow smelt delicious.

I looked at him with guilt-filled eyes having no idea what was going on inside him.

"Save it,"

"Mr. Longwood, I am re-" I had to stop mid-track when my gaze settles on the window beside him. Ian's eyes followed before his head snapped towards mine.

"Jacob," He calls out for his driver and the car instantly comes to a halt.

I jerked forward as I wasn't wearing a seat belt, I clench my eyes shut with anticipation of something hard to hit my head, but instead felt something soft covering my head.

I opened my after a few seconds and realized that it was Ian who had quickly placed his hand cushioning me so that I wouldn't bang my head.

"What would you do without me, Raine?" He shook his head with a small smirk removing his hand. I pass him one of my innocent smiles.

"Thank you," I mumble recovering myself.

"Go," He said, motioning to get out.

I unlocked the door stepping out into the thick fog that surrounded the bridge where we were. Heavy and cold wind rushed past that sent my hair flying with drops of water from the waterfall drizzled everywhere and a shudder runs through me.

I walked around the car to the other side carrying a smile that I couldn't stop myself from.

Our surrounding was still dark with the sun that was hiding behind the gray clouds slowly glowing up.

I moved towards the banister on the bridge, gazing ahead caging myself with my arms.

I heard footsteps behind me, something thick and warm was draped around my shoulder, I gradually turned towards my left, It was Ian who wrapped the trench coat around my shoulder.

My heart was pounding rapidly, I don't know if it was because of the cold or excitement or him.

We stood beside each other listening to the sound of water that was gracefully falling with the orangish sun that was shyly rising and revealing itself from the snow-capped mountains lighting the wide sky with its orange color.

Sunrise with him.

I looked at him, his eyes were already fixed on me, that moment, I felt a tug inside me.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I whisper interlocking my eyes with him, he blinked with a nod.

"Let's get going, if not we'll run late." He said and moved forward taking told of my palm.

I glanced at his hold on my hand and then at him, it gave me a weird sense of fulfillment that filled my heart after a very long time, this feeling is not new to me. Yet, everything about this is new.

What terrified me to the core is that.... I am liking this.

***

Finally, after several hours of travel, I caught sight of people. Our entire surrounding was filled with lush green trees, grassland with snow, beautiful and classic looking farmhouses. I could hear the flowing of the river from a distance.

We entered the victorian-styled house as the gates were opened for us, I was able to catch a glimpse of Bianca who was busy clicking selfies.

We got down and I turned around to pick my bag but he stopped me.

"Let's get in, your bag will reach your room." He said monotonously.

"Bri!" Bianca marched towards me enthusiastically and as usual, her bubbliness and smile were infectious.

"You're finally here," She says hugging me.

"I am darling, I am." I chuckle patting her back.

"Ah, my friends were so fucking eager to meet you." She blurts out and her eyes go wide immediately looking at Ian who was glaring at her as realization dawn upon her.

"I'm sorry, Ian." She mumbles sheepishly.

"How many times do I have to warn you?" He asked sounding a bit annoyed, I roll my eyes.

Typical big brother.

"Umm... I'm tired. Where's my room?" I asked, and she winked at me knowing what I was doing.

"Oh! I'll escort you," She said, snaking her hand around mine pulling me forcefully.

I followed her blindly trying my best to memorize everything as we walked through their gigantic house so that I wouldn't get lost.

"This place is so beautiful," I whisper looking at all the paintings that hung elegantly.

"I know," She flashed a smile unlocking the door "This this your room."

"Thank you,"

"Rest well and then come down for breakfast." She said, after which she left leaving me alone.

I gave myself a quick tour around my room which was gorgeous having a stunning view of a stream.

"Ugg!" A groan escaped my lips from all the twisting and turning I was doing around my bed, all I could do was think about Ian. I was worried about his shoulder.

Finally, after a lot of internal arguments, I gave up and went in search of a hot water bag which would probably ease his pain.

I look towards my left and right before slowly unlocking the door of Ian's room.

There he was, sleeping peacefully.

Damn!

I smacked my head, pushing away all the irrelevant thoughts, and walked towards him, I was literally in awe looking at his sleeping figure.

I scrunch down beside his bed and gently pushed a few strands of his chocolate-brown hair that was covering his face.

Being with him was evoking of sense of guilt in me, and the other part of me wants to ignore everything just so that I get to be with him.

"Your that mysterious puzzle that I can never understand," I whisper brushing my thumb on his cheek.

I removed the ear pods from his ear and placed them on the nightstand.

I shook my head and placed the hot water bag holding my breath out of nervousness on his right shoulder chanting a speechless prayer so that he wouldn't wake up, luck was on my side as I successfully placed the bag without waking him up.

He must be tired, I wonder if he slept last night.

I forced myself to back away and covered him with the silky white duvet. "This should keep you warm, Ian."

Knowing this opportunity would never come back, I quickly took a picture of him and walked out.

***

"Oh! So your Ian's girl? Ian's Raine!?" One of Bianca's friends squealed, catching me off guard, I glared at Bianca. Before I could answer her, another girl shot her question.

"Do you have Ian's number? Bianca wouldn't give me," She mutters pouting, I had to bite my lips to stop myself from laughing out loud at these fangirls.

"I do have his number, but why don't you ask him yourself?" I asked suggestively. "My name is Ashley, but he calls me Raine, and no, I'm not his girl. But, If you do wanna impress him, I'll tell you a secret." I whispered cupping my lips sideways smirking evilly.

"Ian loves chrysanthemums." I lied, taking a bite of my hot chocolate-dipped strawberry. The truth is Ian hates it the deepest of his being, and I can't wait to see his reaction.

After some fun time, they shot another question."We're gonna have a pool party with spooky bath bomb! please join us," Everone whined, I was anyhow going to deny them but a voice that echoed from my right side bet past me.

"She isn't going anywhere," It was Ian who was gracefully stepping down from the stairs one after the other with hands shoved inside his blue denim Jean grabbing everyone's attention.

"Why?" Bianca whined.

"Yes, why?" I too asked frowning, though I didn't want to go, that doesn't mean that I'll listen to him blindly.

"We have work to do," He said turning around.

"Well, I'm very busy right now," I muttered rolling my eyes.

"Fine," He said calmly, glancing at me for a few seconds.

Fine?

Shit.

Fine!

The last time, I informed him that I was busy when he assigned me a task, he literally made me work on four fucking Sundays.

'Fine' was the exact word he used that day. This is exactly the reason why I call him Mr. Gorgeous Jerkwood.

"Jesus, guys I have to go," I say hastily, jogging towards the direction in which he came, I was able to hear all of them giggling and gossiping about us.

I knocked softly on the door and entered in, he was standing with his hands spread widely on the railing of the sundeck gazing outside, the strands of his hair was ruffling according to the rhythm of the wind.

I faked a cough to grab his attention, he turns around smirking malevolently, he very well knew I'd follow him up.

"What should I do, sir?"

"For one, you haven't informed me about my schedule, there are hundreds of unanswered emails, video conferences to attend, and you still ask me what should you do, Raine?" Even though lectured me, he neither sounded annoyed nor there was any trace of resentment.

I mentally whined letting my shoulder loose before answering.

"I'm sorry Mr. Longwood, I'll get your work done."

"Get me a cup of coffee,"

"Of course," I walked out to get him his coffee, I can't believe that he's asking me to do this, I'm his guest for God's sake.

Luckily the house help was already preparing coffee for everyone, I just transferred it into a cup.

When I stepped back into his room, he was working on his laptop seated on a comfortable white divan in front of the fireplace.

"Coffee," I said, placing the cup and picked up my phone that was buzzing with messages, all of them were from Lilly. She sent me several pictures of Kiara and herself, they were having fun without me. I was replying to her messages when I heard him placing the cup forcefully.

"Yes?" I asked pulling my brows together.

"Who made this coffee?" He questions raising his eyebrows sharply.

"Of course, I..." I started my lie with a lot of confidence, but the way he was grimacing at me was a reminder that he knows the truth. "I.. Umm.. The lady downstairs was one who made that." I mumble looking away gnawing my lower lip.

"You think I couldn't ask them myself?" He grits out, pushing the mug away from him folding his hands. Sighing, I picked up the mug and walked out.

"Here's the coffee that I personally brewed for you," His behavior should have annoyed me, but it didn't, the fact that he preferred my coffee warmed my soul and satisfied me in an unexplainable way.

I picked up my hot chocolate with marshmallows that were floating taking a seat opposite him.

The smell of fire was soothing.

"Nice?" I asked referring to the coffee, he ignored me and continued typing. I shook my head grinning ear to ear.

This is so him.

A fireplace with burning wood and steaming hot drinks to keep us warm with tiny flakes of fresh and pure white snow that were drizzling, and Ian's presence.

I want to stay here forever, but couldn't, I wouldn't. This is my destiny for who could change it?