Disclaimers: This work is a work of fiction and is my property.
The story and characters are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or any actual event is coincidental. There are three distinctly different main characters that will appear as the story progresses.
You should be legally allowed to read this type of material before continuing.
As it is based on an actual book, I had published a few years ago – free for your enjoyment – the story will not contain explicit material in all the chapters BUT don't fret, as it is more the exception than the rule.
Note that there will be a violent scenario. If this will trigger any trauma for you, please be aware of it before you start reading.
Please direct any comments or feedback to my email address at davidrolsynauthor2019@gmail.com.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Daniel
James wakes me up as we arrive at Jaco's place.
"We're here. Come, let's get you inside. Jaco, can you organise us something to eat? Daniel needs something in his stomach and I'm also starving. I'm sure Mark would appreciate something too." He looks at Mark who nods in agreement.
He continues, "And we also need something for the cab driver too. He's done an excellent job today. Here, take my wallet and include yourself, please. There're some Rands in there. I'm sure it'll be enough."
Jaco takes the wallet from Daniel. "I think a few pizzas would be best just because it will be quicker and feed all of us. You agree?" We all do and he heads out.
As James leads me into the room, the smell of sex hits me and the place is a mess. Embarrassed, I scurry to pick up a pair of my dirty underwear. "I'm terribly sorry guys. I didn't clean up before I left."
"Don't worry about it." Mark says and picks up a sweater off the small couch and sits down on it.
"No. I have to clean it up. Jaco was kind enough to take me in, when I left the estate, and I owe him a tidy place." I listlessly start picking up our dirty clothes and take them to the wash basket in the bathroom. I'll wash them later at the laundromat.
James helps me, by taking the dishes to the kitchenette and washing them.
"Thank you." Is all I say in his direction, as I go to strip the dirty bed linen and put on some new ones that I find in Jaco's wardrobe.
We finish tidying up by the time Jaco returns and he's impressed. "Thanks a million guys. I would've done it eventually."
"No. It was the least I could do for crashing here." I reply.
After we've done eating and disposed of the pizza boxes and serviettes in the bin outside, an awkward silence descends on the room. I know it's coming. The questions.
"Are you going to tell us about what happened earlier and why you left the estate in the first place?" James asks outright.
"No." Is all I say to that.
The awkward silence continues.
Mark saves me. "You know what guys. It's been a hectic few hours and I think it's best if we head out and leave Daniel be. He needs rest. I just think we should make sure he isn't alone."
I want to protest about being left alone, because it's embarrassing how they are all suddenly in charge of my wellbeing, but James interrupts me before I can get a word in. "Daniel can come and stay with me in the hotel. I'll book him a separate room and then he'll be at least away from here and I can keep an eye on him."
"Hey, wait! He's staying with me, man. I can organise to look after him too." Jaco glares at James, indignantly.
"Its ok Jaco. I think James' right. After what I nearly did this morning, I think it would be better for me to get as far away from here, as possible. I'm sorry if it hurts you, but I have to take care of myself, and I think this is the best thing for me at this exact moment." I touch his shoulder but he brushes me off.
"Suit yourself!" Tears well up in his eyes and he storms off.
"Don't worry about him, Daniel. I'll go have a chat with him." Mark gets up and leaves to look for Jaco.
Jaco doesn't return but when Mark does, we've packed my few belongings and retrieved my dirty clothes from the wash basket. We've just shoved it into my bags.
"You guys ready?" Mark asks.
"Yeah." James replies and after I take my belongings, we leave. I lock the door behind me and put the key under the worn welcome mat. Not very secure of Jaco, but then again, he takes a lot for granted.
I don't know if I'll ever see him again and feel a bit guilty at the thought. He did have feelings for me.
Where James' concerned, I don't know what I'm feeling now, especially since this morning. All I do know is that he's with me now and for the first time in ages, I feel safe.
We head back to the hotel where James' is staying and, after he checks me into my own room, making sure I'm comfortable, he leaves with Mark.
I'm not sure why though, since the taxi could take him back to his office, but I think James wants to thank him. They told me in the taxi on the way here, when I finally asked who he was, that he was the guy who had tracked me down.
Does he know about what's happened to me? He doesn't give any signs that he does, and if he did, he isn't treating me differently.
I snuggle under the covers, exhausted. This time I feel safe and will worry about my future tomorrow.
For now, I drift off to sleep.