บท 17: Chapter 17: Are you hungry?

Laurice took the passenger seat in front thinking it might be impolite if she would rather be at the back because she believed that that would give away the impression that Sid was indeed her driver. Well, not that he looks like one. He's too dashing and too regal to be a driver. Still, Laurice did not have the heart to be that rude. 'And perhaps he might need someone to talk to anyway while driving.'

She immediately regreted her decision when they've hit the road.

How will she able ignore the man's overwhelming presence when he was just a breath away from her and knowing that they had just disputably shared an intimate act together awhileback?!

Her mind was still bugged by that sudden attack. She could not decipher the exact meaning of his hug. Not that she was never been hugged before. But those hugs that people gave her were somehow ... chaste and pure and friendly and sweet and definitely consensual! She was not a touchy person to begin with and not very affectionate, not even with her exes.

She was able to tolerate those hugs but nothing stunned her to the point of completely turning her on!

She was just too reserved. 'Or does she just look too open?'

But that particular hug that Sid gave her was unexpectedly ... pleasurable. 'No, actually it was divine.' She smirked.

She probably would not mind if he will hug her again without asking for her permission.

Oh no! She realized she was getting lustful again.

'Evil thoughts, go away!' Laurice tried to brush her carnal thoughts away.

But the man was simply too sexy. Too attractive.

'His girlfriend is so damn lucky!'

There seems to be no wife, but she doubts if the sexy man did not have a girlfriend.

For the first time ever, she was feeling jealous and annoyed towards an unidentified person.

She was feeling so helpless.

...

Soon, she realized that she was only thinking of sensual things and was feeling even more guilty about it. She then put her messy thoughts at the back of her head and decided to face her fears. She tilted to her side and peeked at the man.

She wondered.

'Why did he really hug me then? Did he just want to comfort me because he felt that i was upset for causing him multiples troubles and that he was really just worried about my health?'

...

Amidst her musing, Sid was also quite disturbed by the beauty beside him. He recalled the warm embrace that they have just shared. In reality, he only acted on impulse. He did not intend to be forceful towards her at all. Even during the instances when he wanted to just reach for her and caress her face and hold her in his arms, he would always take a huge leap backwards and ignore his desires. He did not want to scare the woman off. Especially not now that he was just trying to build a connection with her.

But his feet just naturally led him to her side as if it was a defining moment. His body felt that if he won't do anything then, then he will never have the same chance ever. He thought that the moment Laurice stepped out of the villla, that they will never meet each other again. So he decided to intervene with his own fate just to be connected with her somehow.

But he did not expect that the connection will be in a particular form. He hugged her!

'And damn right, she fits perfectly for him!'

Sid was elated.

He smiled inwardly recalling the feel of her body in his arms.

His eyes shone brightly as he drive ahead.

...

The silent awkwardness continued to fill the car as they drive, but Sid did not mind it all. He did mind though that the woman was actually peering at him. It seems the woman was really bothered by the hug herself. The fact made him feel delighted.

He thought that he might not be the only one who would not be able to sleep peacefully later tonight. He grinned.

...

After more than an hour drive southbound, they were now reaching City B's central district. The place was bustling with people and busy streets that there was a bit of a traffic probably because it was peak hours already. Sid roughly estimated and calculated the distance and time and their location mentally and was finally able to avoid the detours and took the shortest route heading towards Woodville Homes, thanks to the helpful gps but definitely to his assumption and technical skills Laurice did not have an idea about.

Sid initially wanted to drive for her longer than necessary but she might probably get tired from all the driving and waiting so he dropped his plan. The woman needed more rest and it was already lunch time.

Sid casted her a glance and found her eyes perked seemingly enjoying the view from over the windshield out of B City which in all honesty looks more like a simple and classic town and was rather smaller compared with A City.

Laurice seems to be memorizing the directions and landmarks along their way as well. .

Sid: "Are you hungry?"

He did not expect that the woman will be startled when he spoke..

Laurice froze for a second and then responded.

Laurice: "Not really, how about you?"

Sid: "What about me?"

Laurice: ' ... ?'

"Are you hungry?"

Sid: "Yes."

Laurice: " ... ! "

Sid: "Let's eat at your place."

Laurice: " ... ?!!? "

Laurice then recalled that she have nothing edible in her kitchen yet.

"I don't think that's a good idea." She said.

Sid: "Oh! I'm sorry. Nevermind then."

'What?! Hey! Why was he apologizing? Did i offend him somehow but that wasn't my intention. Did he misunderstood something again?

Laurice: "Sid what i mean is it's probably not a good idea because ..."

Before she was able to explain herself, the gps of the car cut her off.

'You have reached your destination.'

'Damn! They're here already. If only she knew that the man was hungry, she would have asked him to pull over at some restaurant while they were on their way so they could both eat atleast.'

She felt guilty that she actually wanted to ask him to go back at the central district to go find somewhere nice to eat.

Just as when she was about to ask him, the car halted.

Looking around it seems they have reached the village's entrance and a guard was already inspecting the car and plate while another guard went closer to personally check the people inside the vehicle. The procedure was somehow mandatory to protect and preserve the privacy of the village from outsiders. Sid opened his side of the windowshield and a security officer peered from outside.

Sid looked at Laurice seemingly waiting for her to provide the officer with her details and confirm her identity to allow them entry to the village.

...

Laurice was momentarily dazed yet again with his stare before finally being able to speak.

Laurice: "Laurice Azul, new resident. West Manor. 8th Residence."

The security officer was suprised when he looked at the woman and recognized her from yesterday and was able to confirm that she was indeed a new resident. His face brightened up as if he was mesmerized by her beauty.

Sid was instantly pissed. He obviously saw the admiration in the officer's eyes and he somehow wanted to poke his eyes.

'His looking at his woman.'

He made his presence known with a groan and the officer immediately retreated when he saw the resident's companion who was absolutely a gorgeous man himself and was actually looking rather irritated. He got some chills from the man's stare.

'He has no doubts that the man was not just driving the beauty to her home. He was definitely her boyfriend.'

If only Sid can read the officer's thoughts, he might probably forgive him for looking at 'his' woman.

The officer dismissed them right after as he lowered his head to pay courtesy to them, and made a few instructions before clearing them off.