The Good In Diavolo

Brooklyn.

Walking through the woods, I heard the sound of my feet hitting the ground. My surroundings almost scared me. Almost though. I have always loved mother-nature and this place was a familiar one by now. Whenever I felt low I would come to this place and just walk around, it really cheered me up. Today was one of those days.

After a couple of hours, it was getting dark. I could stay here forever but unfortunately, I had a life out of my fantasy world and I needed to reach home soon to not face my mother’s wrath. I checked my watch, noticing it was almost 6:30 pm. I didn’t go home since work finished at 5:15 pm. My mom was always a cool mom but after losing my older brother and father to a murder she demanded to know where we were at all times.

Jogging towards my car parked at the road-side, I clicked it open. I tried to start it, but it wouldn’t budge. I cursed softly under my breath and tried several times facing no luck. I knew the old car would stop working someday but didn’t expect myself in this type of situation.

″Dammit!″ I swore loudly as I got out of the car and towards the dashboard. Opening it, I coughed as smoke arose hitting my face.

″What the fuck is wrong with this car!″ I exclaimed to no one in particular and jumped back startled as I heard a deep manly voice reply,

″Be careful sweetheart, those are some very unpleasant words.″ I turned my head towards him and Oh my Goodness. He was what you would call a sex-god, I couldn’t bring myself away from looking him up and down. The tattooed neck, sharp jawline, high cheekbones or those light green eyes piercing through my soul and his smirking plump lips, how I would love to bite them...

Wait, what? When did my thoughts get so dirty? I snapped myself out of the awe-struck daze and cleared my throat, looking up at him. I knew he noticed me checking him out and that caused an embarrassed blush to rise up my neck.

″How can I help you, sir?″ I asked politely, not forgetting my manners.

″ It’s you who needs help, darling.″ He replied in a sexy voice and don’t get me started on the endearment. It was then I remembered that I was getting late and decided it was better to ask this fine specimen for help than sit here for hours.

″Oh, my car broke down. I don’t know what to do.″ I said awkwardly with a laugh.

He just kept a straight smirking face and brushed past me. He rolled up the sleeves of his suit-shirt to his elbows making me gawk at the tattoos on his arm. He moved forwards and examined the car’s damage, I think.

″Well, with a car like this you shouldn’t be surprised.″ He said after leaning back a little from the dashboard and looking at me.

I should’ve been offended or angry at his statement. But I wasn’t. Because what he said was true. The car was my dad’s old one that he gifted me on my 16th birthday weeks before he died. It was my last memory of him but I knew I couldn’t always keep it with me no matter how much I wanted to. One day or the other it had to go, and maybe the day has come. I didn’t have much money to purchase a new one but I could save some and buy a second-hand one.

″I know that, but it’s all I can afford right now,″ I said with a sweet smile.

″Well,″ He started,

″Brooklyn,″ I said.

″Yeah, well Brooklyn it seems like your car needs some serious repairing. I can tow it to the mechanic and give you a ride if you don’t mind?″ He offered.

″Oh no no, It’s alright. I can have someone pick me and my car up.″ I rushed not wanting to bother the kind man and remembering stranger-danger.

″I will tow it and drop you home, Brooklyn.″ He wasn’t asking anymore.

Surprised at his tone, I just nodded. He gestured me to follow him as he took out his iPhone and dialed someone. From the looks, he did look like a dangerous man but something about him made me feel safe and warm. Although, If he did try anything I knew self-defense fairly well.

″ Ryder...I need you to tow a car for me...To the mechanic..No, it’s not mine...Near the woods...I don’t think you are eligible to ask me anything just do your job..I’ll meet you at the house in 30 minutes.″ He wasn’t as monotone with this ‘Ryder’ as he was with me...His tone was harsh, deadly and it could make anyone cower.

After he hung up, he faced straight. I tilted my head to his side,

″Thank you but I could have handled it,″ I said barely a whisper.

″I knew you could have but I wanted to.″ He replied a bit less harsh but still flatly and showed no emotions making me wonder if he ever did.

We hoped in his Black Mercedes, which I admit was quite dashing and suited his personality well. I gave him the directions and pretty much sat gazing at the trees and houses rest of the way, in comfortable silence. When my house came in sight, I told him to stop which he abruptly did.

I stood outside, my hand holding the passenger’s seat door,

″Thank you. Once again. Please take my number and text me the details of payment for the repairment.″ I told, forcefully shoving a paper with my number on it on his rough but smooth hands. I felt sparks as I did so but decided not to ponder on it.

″It won’t be needed, Brooklyn. Your payment is on me.″ He replied folding the paper and pocketing it.

″I insist. After all, you’ll be needing it for delivering my car back.″ I said, smiling.

″Alright, bye Brooklyn.″ He said as I shut the door.

I smiled at him through the tinted window though I doubt he saw me and turned to walk towards my home before I remembered something. I turned back towards him,

″I never..″

My words stuck in my throat as he in one swift motion drove off, leaving me frowning and wondering about how,

I never caught his name.