The drive settled into a comfortable quiet. David kept both hands on the steering wheel, his attention fixed on the winding road ahead as the convoy glided through the dense forest. Towering trees stretched endlessly on either side, their thick canopies swallowing most of the afternoon sunlight until only thin ribbons of gold filtered through the leaves. Shadows drifted lazily across the windows as the vehicles followed the narrow road deeper into the woods.
I rested my elbow lightly against the door, watching the landscape slip by. Every now and then another black vehicle from the convoy appeared through the trees before disappearing again around the next bend.
Beside me, Jacob remained unusually quiet.One arm rested along the door while his gaze lingered somewhere beyond the windshield, unreadable as always. The silence between us simply existed, stretching comfortably with every mile the convoy placed between the estate and the town.
The forest slowly began to thin.
The narrow roads widened, giving way to smoother highways as scattered buildings replaced towering pines. Small cafés appeared first, followed by quiet neighborhoods, busy intersections, elegant storefronts and streams of afternoon traffic. Before long, towering glass buildings rose against the skyline, reflecting the sunlight like polished mirrors.
The gentle rhythm of the moving car, the soft hum of the engine and the warmth inside the car gradually pulled at my heavy eyelids.
Without realizing it, I surrendered to it.
Sleep came quietly.
Jacob noticed the moment her gaze lost focus.Her head dipped once, then again, each movement slower than the last as sleep claimed her despite every effort to remain awake. She shifted unconsciously when the vehicle rounded another corner.
For a brief second, her shoulder brushed his.
Then, with the effortless trust only sleep could grant, her head came to rest against him.
Softly.
Lightly.
The weight was barely unnoticeable against his shoulder.Mark caught the movement in the rearview mirror, his eyebrows climbed nearly to his hairline before he looked away again, pressing his lips together to hide the smile threatening to appear.
Jacob didn't move.
His eyes lowered briefly to the sleeping woman beside him.
A few loose strands of her braid had fallen across her face, stirring faintly each time the air conditioner whispered through the cabin. Her breathing had evened into a slow, peaceful rhythm, completely unaware of where she'd ended up.
Without a word being said, Jacob lifted one hand.His fingers paused for the briefest moment before gently sweeping the loose strands away from her face, tucking them behind her ear with a care so instinctive it surprised even himself.
His fingers lingered only long enough to make sure the braids would stay in place.
Then his hand fell back to his side.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
No one disturbed them.
Outside, the city's skyline grew taller with every passing street until one building stood above the rest.
An enormous hotel of gleaming glass and white stone dominated the boulevard, its mirrored walls reflecting the afternoon sky while rows of elegant fountains framed the sweeping entrance. Uniformed valets stood beneath a grand porte-cochère as expensive cars flowed steadily through the circular driveway.
The convoy slowed.
One after another, the black vehicles rolled beneath the towering entrance before coming to a smooth stop,David shifted the gear into park and glanced into the rearview mirror.
"We've arrived, sir."
His voice was gentle enough not to startle the sleeping woman resting against Jacob's shoulder.
Outside, hotel staff were already making their way toward the vehicles as the grand revolving doors turned endlessly beneath glittering crystal chandeliers.
For a fleeting second, however, no one inside the first car moved. Jennie head still resting against Jacob's shoulder, completely unaware that the journey had come to an end.
No one reached for the door.
David kept his hands loosely on the steering wheel, wisely pretending not to notice.Mark on the other hand, was having a harder time trying to seem disciplined.His gaze flickered to the rearview mirror before meeting Jacob's eyes for the briefest second,the corner of Mark's mouth twitched.
Jacob's expression remained like a blank canvas.
"Mark."
The warning was quiet.
Mark immediately looked away.
"Yes, boss."
Silence settled over the car once more.
Outside, hotel staff stood patiently beside the convoy, accustomed to waiting whenever the young master family arrived. A valet held the rear passenger door open, while another employee pushed a polished luggage cart toward the entrance. Guests drifting through the grand revolving doors spared curious glances toward the line of black SUVs before continuing on with their conversations.
Jacob lowered his eyes to the woman sleeping against him,she hadn't stirred yet One of her hands had slipped into the folds of his coat, while the other rested loosely on his lap. A faint crease marked her cheek where it had pressed against his shoulder, and every slow breath lifted her chest in a peaceful rhythm that seemed oddly untouched by the bustling city outside.
For several long seconds, he simply watched her.
Outside, one of the hotel managers approached the lead vehicle before stopping a respectful distance away. He exchanged a few quiet words with Samantha and after receiving a subtle shake of her head, simply nodded and stepped back without question.
No one dared interrupt.
Inside the SUV, Jennie shifted in her sleep. A tiny sigh escaped her lips.
Before he could react, she instinctively curled a little closer, seeking warmth.
Jacob's shoulders stiffened.
Her forehead rested lightly against the side of his neck now, her braid brushing against the collar of his coat .
Mark's eyes widened.
David suddenly found the dashboard incredibly interesting.
Neither men spoke.
Jacob closed his eyes for the briefest moment before exhaling slowly,her soft floral scent lingered around him.
"…Jennie."
His voice was low enough that it barely disturbed the air as he struggled with his thoughts.
No response.
He tried again, gentler this time.
"Jennie."
Her brows knitted faintly.
"Mmm…"
She shifted once more, nestling even closer instead of waking.
Mark bit the inside of his cheek so hard he was certain it would bleed.
Jacob remained perfectly still.
After another moment, Jennie's eyelashes fluttered.A sleepy yawn escaped her as her eyes slowly opened, unfocused at first.
She blinked once.
Twice.
The elegant hotel entrance beyond the window came into view.Confusion flickered across her face.
Then she realized she wasn't leaning against the door.
Or the seat.
She was leaning against… something warm.
Very warm.
Her gaze slowly lifted.
Straight into Jacob's calm,grey eyes.
Neither of them spoke.
Jennie's face drained of color.
Then, just as quickly, it flooded with heat.
"Oh…fuck !!!!!"
She whispered hoarsely
"…I fell asleep.
Jacob held her gaze .
"That appears to be the case," he replied evenly.
His voice carried no trace of amusement nor embarrassment .
Heat rushed all the way to my ears.
"Oh my God…"
I jerked upright so quickly that I nearly smacked my head against the roof of the car.
"I'm...I am ….so sorry."
My hands flew to smooth down my hair, though I knew it was a pointless attempt at recovering what little dignity I had left.
"I didn't ...mean to ….I mean… I wasn't planning to use you as a pillow."
A cough echoed from the front seat.
Mark.
He turned it into another cough almost immediately.
David's grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly.
Neither man dared look back.
Jacob merely adjusted the sleeve of his coat where my hand had wrinkled the fabric.
"You were asleep."
His tone was calm.