Chapter 58 Alone Together
Harper's eyes flickered open. Surrounding her were shades of black, white, and gray—the trappings of an unfamiliar room. As she started to get up, the sound of a door opening halted her.
"You're awake?" Keith approached swiftly, helping Harper sit up.
Touching her forehead, Harper asked in a hoarse voice, "How did I end up here?"
"You passed out. The doctor said it was just exhaustion and advised you to rest. I didn't know where you lived, so I brought you here," he explained.
Harper's lips pursed as she processed the fact that she was waking up in another man's home.
With a hint of apology in his tone, Keith said, "I'm sorry, Harper. I know it's not ideal. I tried calling Molly, but she didn't answer."
Hearing this, it was Harper who felt bad instead. Without Keith, she'd be left uncared for, even if she were lying on the street. "It's okay. Thank you," she spoke softly.
Keith's gaze lingered on Harper's fragile face, the distress in his eyes barely concealed. "When I found you, I saw your husband leaving with another woman. He..." Keith paused and furrowed his brows, "He doesn't treat you well, does he?"
There was a moment of silence as Harper struggled to find an answer.
"Let it be," Keith sighed and stood up, maintaining a respectful distance. "Would you like to rest more, or should I take you home now?"
Harper opted to return. It was late, and the propriety of spending more time alone together with Keith weighed on her.
Outside the car, Keith was the perfect gentleman, opening the car door for her.
Once inside, he handed her a bottle of water, thoughtfully opening it for her.
"Thank you," Harper said, taking a sip and placing the bottle in the cup holder.
As they drove off, traffic slowed to a halt. Keith checked the map. An accident on the overpass was the cause.
He drove leisurely, lightening the mood by sharing some amusing anecdotes from his time studying abroad.
Keith's witty banter was the perfect distraction for Harper, bringing smiles and laughter to her lips. It was one of those moments that kindled joy with such simplicity.
When a particularly humorous remark landed, Harper couldn't help but grin, her bright smile taking Keith back to their college days when he first laid eyes on the charming underclassman.
He glanced ahead, a playful arch in his brow, "You no longer look like you've been kidnapped."
A shade of embarrassment colored Harper's cheeks as she caught her reflection in the car window. "Is it really that extreme?" she asked.
"No exaggeration. But you do have a beautiful smile," he replied before adding, "You're beautiful even when you don't smile."
Harper let out a soft chuckle, "Senior, you must have no shortage of admirers."
'He's handsome, kind, and funny,' she thought.
Keith admitted, "Well, I haven't dated anyone since college."
"Why is that?" Harper asked, surprised, considering Keith was an evident catch.
Casually steering the wheel, Keith shared with nonchalance, "The girl I liked got married."
"Oh," Harper muttered, sensing the melancholy behind his words and choosing not to pry further.
"You're so outstanding. You'll find someone right for you someday," she reassured.
Keith responded warmly, "Let's hope your good wishes come true."
Exiting the freeway during a brief red light, Keith nonchalantly reached for the water bottle in the cup holder and twisted it open.
Harper glanced over. It was the one she had drunk from, and instinctively tried to stop him, "Senior, that water..."
But he had already taken a sip. Keith looked down at the bottle in his hand, belatedly realizing, "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
A tad embarrassed but relieved by the green light, they were back on the move, quickly gaining speed on the open road.
Perhaps it was Keith's steady driving, but Harper felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her. Ever since she became pregnant, she'd been easily fatigued, and despite trying to fight it, sleep claimed her.
They arrived at Clearwater Bay, the gray Mercedes stopping smoothly. Keith turned off the engine without waking her, then sat in silence. Adjusting the air conditioning, he quietly admired Harper's profile.
Since college, she had matured. Her features were sharper now, with a subtle allure that could easily evoke a man's protectiveness and desire.
Keith's gaze darkened for a split second as he adjusted his glasses and took another sip from the water bottle. The taste lingered on his lips, somehow sweeter today than it had ever been.
Outside the window, shadows danced among the trees. Harper stirred, signaling she might soon awaken.
With a sudden lean, Keith brushed away the strands of hair that had fallen on the girl's cheek, his gesture intimately ambiguous. Through the car window, it looked as if he was stealing a kiss from a lover.
It was precisely then that Harper came to, his rough fingertips still entwined in her hair, not yet retracted.
For a second, she was startled. "Senior..."
Her almond-shaped eyes were hazy with sleep and confusion, causing Keith's heart to skip a beat.
He withdrew his hand, a gentle smile on his face. "I didn't want your hair to mess up the ointment on your wound."
"Thanks."
Harper's eyes clouded over, touched by an unpleasant memory.
The wound on her face was courtesy of a blow from Chloe's designer bag.
Keith stepped out to open the car door for her. The wind was strong outside, and he considerately shielded her from it.
Harper felt grateful. Keith had helped her out so much today that it would have been polite to invite him up for a cup of tea or something. But it was late, and that might not be appropriate.
"You should get some rest. I still have work to get back to," Keith said, graciously giving her an out.
"Thanks for everything today, Senior."
"Don't mention it, see you around."
"Sure, drive safe," Harper said, waving as he pulled away.
And at that moment...
The black Bentley that had followed them to Clearwater Bay waited in the shadows like a lurking beast. Inside, the atmosphere was chilling, enough to freeze a person solid.
Victor was sweating bullets, feeling as if he was sitting on torture devices rather than seats. He gained a deep understanding of what the phrase "on pins and needles" describes.
They had tailed from Keith's home all the way to Clearwater Bay, and to Victor's dismay, this reckless man had remained in the car and dared to kiss Harper.
Victor had feared that Mr. Getty would smash a gaping hole in the car with his bare hands.
Seeing Keith drive off without stirring any reaction from Mr. Getty only increased Victor's unease.
The silence was just the calm before the storm.
Suddenly, the man in the backseat snapped his eyes open, his voice harsh and cold, "Get out."
"What?"
Before Victor could understand what was happening, he was yanked out, and someone else took over the driver's seat.
Through the window, the man's features were indistinctly handsome, his eyes misty and intense.
Then, in the next instant.
Boom!
A loud crash tore through the night.
The Bentley darted out and, in an almost crazed fashion, collided with the just-moving Mercedes.
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