Fateful

by Cheri Schmidt

  “I see your favorite tea is peach,” Ethan mentioned casually. Danielle had ordered it both times she’d had tea with him, it was pretty obvious.

  “Yes, but I’ll admit, I was tempted by that Enchanted Forest one.” The corners of his lips moved up into a soft smile, as if he knew something she didn’t. “Do you have a favorite?”

  “No.”

  “Oh.” Danielle thought it bizarre that he knew about this place, but didn’t have a favorite. Or maybe it was because he liked too many to have just one.

  While they waited, he resumed questioning her. “So what’s your favorite color?”

  Danielle exhaled, relieved he was now searching for easy, trivial information rather than the more penetrating questions from yesterday.

  “This may sound strange, but I think white is my favorite color.”

  Ethan chortled. “That is a bit peculiar coming from an artist.”

  Danielle shrugged her shoulders.

  “Favorite gemstone?” he continued.

  “Probably my birthstone. I guess.”

  “Which is…?” he prodded.

  “Aquamarine.” She paused and then added, “Well, I do like diamonds too.”

  “Right, because they’re white.”

  A smirk sprang to her lips. “You’re getting to know me so well.”

  Ethan chuckled and then continued, “Favorite food?”

  She bit her lip. “Hmm … chocolate dipped strawberries.” It came out like a question. “But … that could change depending on my mood or craving at the time,” she added.

  “Favorite movie?”

  “I don’t think I have a favorite. But I do like chick flicks.”

  “Of course you do.” Ethan was playing with his watch, running his finger around and around the glass face. “Music?” he went on.

  “I like a little bit of everything, but I usually listen to rock or alternative the most. I suppose that’s another thing that’s dependant on my mood.... If I’m upset, I usually like angry alternative, I find the screaming mixed with melody soothing for some reason. I guess it’s like hitting a pillow.”

  Ethan laughed. “Actually, I think I understand that.” Moving on to the next one quickly, he said, “Favorite subject in school?”

  “Art.”

  “Well, obviously.”

  Before he could ask another question Danielle jumped in, “Hold on, this is all about me again. What’s your favorite subject? What’s your major?” And yes, she meant for it to sound cliché.

  “Right now, I’m majoring in music. I’m learning to play the violin, and the cello.”

  What did he mean by, right now? “So you like stringed instruments?”

  “I love them.”

  Interrupting the conversation, the server brought out a three tiered plate stand; each level was filled with delicate little finger foods. She also brought out a tiny teapot for each of them with hot water already in it, an empty teacup, an infuser, and a little dish filled with loose tea. Able to see pieces of whole fruit and flowers Danielle decided these herbal infusions were actually very beautiful.

  Ethan added the infusion to the tea infuser, and then placed that into her little teapot. “This takes longer than tea bags, but it makes a considerably better tea.”

  How did he know she’d always just used bags? “I’d guess that’s why my aunt likes it so much?” Charlotte loved the loose leaf stuff and always pulled a face when Danielle reached for the pre-bagged kind.

  “Certainly.”

  When it was ready, Ethan chuckled as she sweetened hers with a lot of honey, and cream before she was willing to drink it. “What? I like it sweet,” she said, feeling the need to defend herself.

  “I noticed,” he replied, still chuckling. But then he doctored his exactly as she’d done. Danielle gave him a curious look, but he didn’t acknowledge it.

  She did like the Precious Peach, but eyed his Enchanted Forest with curiosity. Maybe she should have been brave and tried something different. Oh well, too late now, she mused as she watched him sip from the edge of his cup.

  “Would you like to try this one?” he offered, sliding his teacup toward her.

  “Okay, thanks.” She tasted it, then said, “Mmm, that’s good too,” and tried to slide it back to him.

  “No, you finish it. I’m done.” He leaned back casually in his chair, again fingering the watch face.

  “Are you sure? You hardly drank any.”

  “Yes, please, you keep it,” he insisted.

  Again she felt like the only one eating, while Ethan only nibbled. He kept encouraging her to try sandwiches and cakes he thought she would like, and was right every time. When she tried a couple of things he hadn’t suggested, she was displeased. How did he understand her taste preferences better than she did herself? And why did he eat like … a bird? Maybe he’s a steak and potatoes man, and this dainty lunch didn’t appeal to him. That had to be it.

  As Danielle munched on the finger foods and drank tea, her mind wandered back to the conversation she’d overheard between him and Beon. She was still very curious about it, but she didn’t dare bring it up with him. Because he would then know she’d been eavesdropping. Danielle swallowed the question along with the cucumber sandwich she was chewing on.

  While he continued to fiddle with the timepiece, Danielle noticed the time. It was getting close to four P.M. If he followed the same pattern as before he’d be taking her home soon.

  Her phone rang. Ethan chuckled at her ring-tone choice, but she ignored him.

  Reading Brianna’s name on the screen, she pressed accept and said, “Hello.”

  “Hey, Dannie, would you like to go to a picture tonight?”

  Huh? she thought, then remembered that “picture” means movie in America. “Yeah, that sounds fun.”

  “Are you still with Ethan?”

  “Yes.” He glanced at her, and she wondered if he could hear Brianna. Her cousin was speaking rather loud.

  “You can invite him if you think he’ll come.”

  “All right.” She pulled the phone from her ear to ask. “Bri wants to go see a movie tonight. Would you like to join us?”

  A sad smile curved his mouth, and she knew he was going to say no. “Sorry, I can’t tonight. But you have fun with Bri.”

  Danielle returned the phone to her ear. “He says he can’t. Is Will coming too?” Or in other words, was she going to be the third wheel again?

  “Yes, William will be there … with one of his buddies,” her cousin admitted with audible nervousness.

  “Um, Bri, is this what I think it is?” She glanced at Ethan carefully. He met her gaze, almost daring her to be truthful. It seemed that Brianna had managed to plan a double date for her without her consent. Danielle considered not telling Ethan about it. But what if he found out and she hadn’t told him? She wanted to go out with Ethan again more than anything, so she decided to confess it when she hung up.

  “I’m sorry, Dannie, Will already told his friend before you ever met Ethan. Please, just this once?”

  Danielle realized Brianna had already made promises in her behalf, and she wouldn’t be able to get out of it, at least not without offending someone. “Fine, but no more…”

  “Very well.” Brianna sounded remorseful enough. “So have him drop you off near the cinema instead of taking you home. We’ll be waiting for you there.”

  “Okay.” She peered at Ethan again, but then dropped her eyes guiltily when she shut the phone.

  “So, I felt I should tell you, Brianna has planned a blind date for me.” She lifted her eyes to his apprehensively. The look on his face made her think he already knew, but was pleased that she’d actually come clean. Again at the eye contact—that he’d been very careful with until just now—she sensed familiarity skating along the strings of her heart. Is that why she felt guilty? It’s not like they’re exclusive or anything yet....

  “I get the impression you don’t want to go,” he said, like the thought was
gratifying to him.

  “Well, not really. I hate blind dates.”

  “What if you find you like him?”

  Danielle scoffed, “That’s unlikely.”

  “How so?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Please.”

  Those eyes ... how could she want anyone else with the way he looked at her? “I’m not interested in getting to know anyone else,” she blurted. Then felt embarrassed for saying such a thing on only their second date. “Can we just go now?” she hedged.

  “Sure, let’s get you to your date,” Ethan teased.

  Danielle groaned as he chuckled.

  “Thanks for lunch. I’ve had a really good time.”

  “It was my pleasure. Truly.”

  He purchased one tin each of the fruit infusions they’d sampled for her to take home. “Think of me when you enjoy those,” he suggested.

  “I will. Thank you.” Danielle hoped he didn’t notice her silly smile and blushing cheeks.

  Ethan pulled up to the movie theater. She thanked him again, and reached for the door handle to let herself out. His steel fingers seized her arm suddenly. “Danielle?”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t get separated from Brianna, or your date.” He seemed resentful as he said the last part. “And get home as soon as the picture is over. This city is a very unsafe place for you.” With a serious voice, drenched with intent, his words of caution caused a sense of foreboding to uncoil itself within her chest. Did he know something about her safety that she didn’t?

  And why was it necessary for him to remind her of that night? “I-I learned that lesson already.” Silently she really wished he’d stop bringing it up.

  “I just couldn’t take it if something happened to you.” The soft words were almost too quiet for her to hear, but she did hear him. Strange sensations twisted inside her stomach as she stared at him in awe. The feeling was much more intense than fluttering butterflies, and she wondered if he was actually saying he cared about her?

  Ethan released her arm. “Enjoy the picture, I’ll see you later.”

  “All right, see ya later,” she replied as she reluctantly lifted her satchel and stepped out of his car.

  Truthfully, Danielle wanted to stay with him. Ethan made her feel safe, and his warning reminded her that she was still frightened after the attack from Lucas. She was a black belt; she should have had confidence in that. In the past she did, but her confidence had faltered when she failed against Lucas. And somehow she knew Lucas couldn’t get to her with Ethan around.

  She realized Ethan was watching as she walked up to Brianna and their two dates. Brianna made the introductions and her date, Peter, took her hand. She checked with Ethan again, but was saddened to find that he’d already left.

  They went to an action spy movie which Danielle liked. Even so, she was diligent in following Ethan’s wishes, remaining close to Brianna and Peter the entire time. Ethan’s admonition had her extra paranoid, making her more aware of anyone who even looked at them funny.

  Danielle gripped onto her date’s hand a little tighter when she saw a man who looked like Lucas, but he vanished before she could tell for certain. What am I becoming? she asked herself. I’ve never been this fearful before. She was clinging to her date like a frightened little girl. Peter seemed to like it, but Danielle felt guilty because she was only using him.

  The others wanted to go out for ice cream after the movie. Danielle agreed reluctantly. Besides the movie, she wasn’t enjoying much of the evening. Peter was nice and not bad-looking, but she really wasn’t interested in him and he wasn’t much help in making her feel safe either.

  When the date was finally over, they took the rail to the station near Brianna’s house and rode in her car the rest of the way.

  “Bri, seriously, please don’t set me up anymore,” Danielle pleaded.

  “I promise.” Brianna paused for a short moment, then added, “Ethan’s already gotten to your heart, hasn’t he?”

  Danielle mused to herself before she answered, staring out at the darkened scenery streaking past the window. “Yes,” she confessed softly.

  Chapter 6

  Lurking in the Fog

  She’d begun school during the spring/summer semester, therefore experiencing London’s better weather—but not today. Looking out the window of her room, she watched the white mist swirl around past the glass. She couldn’t see anything else. It was like the entire house was wrapped in an enormous blanket of gloom.

  “I wish we didn’t have afternoon classes today, I don’t want to go out in that. It looks cold,” Danielle complained when she heard her cousin’s footsteps pad softly across the rug.

  “I know, I think it’s rather fun though, just dress-up warm for it. All that moisture in the air makes it feel colder than usual,” she advised, and then added, “We’ll do fish and chips for dinner after our classes. I’ll take you to my favorite place for that.”

  Danielle sighed. “You’re right, and I can’t afford to miss class either.” She was grateful Mom bought her that long trench coat. Today was a good day to use it.

  * * * * *

  She didn’t know if she’d see Ethan, but he did call her cell phone. Her lips turned up into an involuntary smile when she saw his name on the caller ID. Flipping it open, Danielle may have said hello a little too eagerly.

  “Hi, darling. How was the picture? Did you fall in love with your date?” he asked, cheerfully teasing her.

  “The movie was fine, and no I didn’t fall in love with him.” As the delight of seeing his name on her phone gave way to memories of last night, her answer carried a hint of annoyance. She may have been happy he was calling, but she was stewing over the warning that had her so frightened.

  Danielle could almost hear his jaw drop when he heard her cold attitude. “All right, what’s wrong?” he questioned with an injured intonation.

  “Don’t ever do that to me again!”

  “Whoa! Do what? What did I do?”

  “You had me scared of every little shadow. I’ve never been so fearful of strangers in my life. I can’t live like that, Ethan. Poor Peter, I may have led him on, I was a little clingy. But that was entirely you’re fault, I’ll have you know!”

  Laughing. “I’m sure Peter will get over it.”

  “Ethan!”

  He went silent then, and she guessed he was calculating his answer. “I’m sorry, but I will not lie to you, Danielle. You should be scared of every little shadow and every stranger. Especially here. A little bit of fear will keep you safe.” Clearly he was bent.

  “Dang it, Ethan! That didn’t help at all!” She groaned out loud. “Now I have to go out into that spooky fog today already freaked out!”

  More laughing? Really, he’s laughing? The nerve! “Okay, okay. Now just relax.”

  “Relax?” she protested.

  “Yes, Danielle, take a big breath and don’t worry so mu—”

  “But you just said—”

  “Listen, I’ll personally make sure you don’t have to worry about the shadows and the strangers. Just be careful, that’s all I’m asking. Don’t wander off alone.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Just trust me. Please?” he said, his tone suggesting that he was trying to soothe her.

  “Fine,” she yielded, rolling her eyes.

  “Are you all right now?”

  “I guess.”

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  “No.”

  Her answers were still curt with frustration, so she knew he wasn’t buying it. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes, but don’t push it,” she snapped.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said softly. The phone was filled with silence for a moment, and then Ethan broke it. “I won’t be able to take you out today. I have a test.”

  “That’s fine, good luck on your test.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I’ll
talk to you later then, all right?”

  “’Kay, later.”

  Brianna appeared next to her as soon as she snapped her cell phone shut. “Did you just have a tiff with Ethan?” she asked, amazement frolicking in her dark brown eyes.

  “Well, sort of. He keeps reminding me to be careful ever since ‘the incident’ in the alleyway. He has me scared of every little noise.” Danielle rolled her eyes. “I know he just wants me to be careful.”

  “Danielle, you should be chuffed about that.”

  “‘Chuffed’?” She then gave Brianna her “please translate” look.

  “That means happy, you should be happy about it.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s worried about you, meaning he likes you a lot.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m just scared of the dark now. I never was before. I used to like the dark.”

  “A bit of fear will keep you safe.”

  “That’s what Ethan said.”

  “Well, he’s right.”

  Danielle rolled her eyes and then changed the topic. “When are we leaving?”

  “Right after lunch.”

  “’Kay.” She was actually looking forward to her classes now, hoping more distractions would be helpful.

  * * * * *

  Brianna and Danielle had just finished off their fish and chips. Danielle liked the fish much more than the bubble and squeak they’d made her for breakfast once, except the fish was a little bit greasy. “Hey, Bri, would you hand me a napkin?”

  Brianna snickered. “Good thing you didn’t ask for a nappie.”

  “A what?” A bit confused, Danielle tried again, “You know a paper napkin to wipe my fingers off.”

  Brianna passed over a napkin. “I know what you meant, but we call those serviettes here. Unless you happen to be royalty, they call them napkins.”

  “And what’s a nappie?”

  “A diaper.”

  “Oh.” Danielle giggled. “Good to know. I wouldn’t want to be asking for a diaper to wipe my face. We speak the same language, yet we don’t.”