Chapter 36: I Would Love That

Crystal looked at Serenity and asked, “What did Nathan do when he saw Frank’s shrine to me in his house?”

Serenity: “Professor Davis nearly blew a gasket. He tore up the photos and the inflatable dolls, and then he burned the pieces in the backyard. He is usually calm and polite, so it was pretty scary to see him lose control of himself like that.”

Crystal shook her head and said, “You’ve got it all wrong. His calm and polite persona is just an act. The way you saw him when he was angry is what he is really like.”

Serenity: “That can’t be true. After all, Professor Davis said that he didn’t feed Frank to the sharks. As you know, Frank is one of his students. Professor Davis fired him, though, and then he threw him into a mine. It will take Frank ten years to dig himself out, which is punishment enough. Don’t you think? Professor Davis is my Prince Charming. He saved you as I expected he would. He’s so handsome, isn’t he?”

When Crystal didn’t reply, Serenity waved her hand in front of her face and said, “Earth to Crystal. Earth to Crystal. What are you thinking? Are you stunned? Are you touched?”

Crystal pushed Serenity’s hand away from her face and said, “I’m tired. Could you please leave me alone? I’ll talk to you later.”

Serenity: “Sure, sure. I’ll go downstairs and let you rest. Call me if you need anything.”

After Serenity left, Crystal’s room seemed unusually quiet, and she had so many questions going through her mind that she felt dizzy. The most persistent question was- Who is Nathan Davis? Was he the Saint that Serenity made him out to be, or the Hell-spawn she had thought that he was?

Crystal sat in bed for a few minutes, then she got up to change her clothes and went downstairs. Nathan was standing in the living room, talking on his cell phone. His slender figure was leaning against the sliding glass door. He had one hand in his trouser pocket, and he looked defiant. Crystal coughed, and Nathan turned around. Their eyes met, and Nathan frowned, and he abruptly ended his phone call. Crystal knew that she should thank Nathan for saving her, but he called her to him before she could.

Crystal obediently walked over to Nathan, and she allowed him to wrap his arms around her. “What do you want to say to me?” he asked her.

Crystal suddenly felt very nervous. His body pressed against hers felt too warm, and it made her uncomfortable. Despite her discomfort, though, she was able to smile, and she said, “Thank you for everything that you did for me yesterday.”

“Is that it?” Nathan asked. His chin was resting on her head, and he rubbed it gently. The faint scent of Crystal’s hair reminded him of yesterday, when she’d been naked, and how he’d dried her with a towel. With the fabric between them, he had touched every intimate part of Crystal’s body, and yet, he hadn’t touched her at all.

Crystal was startled by Nathan’s implication. She looked up at him and asked him what else he wanted, and he said that all he wanted was her to use the phone that he’d purchased for her. “If you do that,” he said, “Then I’ll be content.”

Crystal didn’t know how to respond to Nathan’s request. He had saved her life, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, but she valued her privacy. After a minute, when she still hadn’t answered, Nathan asked if her hesitation had to do with the fact that he’d altered the settings on the phone’s Contact List. Crystal didn’t want to admit that she didn’t want his number in her phone, so she denied it and said, “The phone is too expensive. I couldn’t accept such a lavish gift. And besides, I like the phone I have.”

Nathan nodded thoughtfully and said, “So all I am going to get is a verbal thank you?”

Crystal was puzzled by the question, and she could not think of any other way to thank him. She thought for a moment, and then she had an idea. She smiled and said, “Why don’t I treat you to dinner?”

Nathan: “That doesn’t sound like a sincere gesture of gratitude.”

Crystal: “What if I cook for you myself? Would that be sincere enough?”

Nathan: “I would love that!”

Crystal was relieved by Nathan’s answer. She rested her head against his chest, and she could feel his rapid heartbeat pounding against her cheek. After a minute, Nathan kissed her on the forehead and let her go, and the second she was free, she ran into the kitchen.

Crystal pulled open the fridge, but all that she found was a few slices of toast and some cheese. She remembered that Susie had been busy that morning and had not gone grocery shopping yet. Gotta do it myself- she thought.

Crystal went to the door to put on her sneakers and get ready to go, and on the way out, she shouted, “Hey! There’s no food in the house. I’m going to the supermarket.”

“Wait a minute!” Nathan yelled back, and he ran out of the bedroom with a key in his hand. “I’ll go with you.” Crystal looked at Nathan and realized that he was wearing a dark gray casual suit. She was used to seeing him in tailored suits and dress shoes, so she was surprised to see him dressed like a yuppie. Crystal shrugged and said, “Lead the way.”

Once they got to the car, Nathan opened the door like a gentleman and let Crystal in, and once she was settled, he reached across her chest and fastened her seat belt. After that, Nathan closed the door, went around to the front of the car, and got in the driver’s seat. Then he started the car and pulled away from the curb. Then, as Nathan merged with the traffic, he turned on the stereo, and soft music began to play through the speakers. Crystal could tell that he was in a happy mood, and she didn’t want anything to ruin the good time that they were having together, so she smiled and said, “Let’s not talk about our marriage, okay?”