Whiplash!

Aubrianne Ivanov

But like I said, I am no expert.

"Is everything alright?" I asked. Concern, well, more curiosity was laced into my voice.

We were approaching the library.

"Oh," snapping out of his.... whatever that was a bit startling, which he quickly recovered from, by the way, "it must have been so hard for you, I can only imagine," he answers.

OK then, seems like he is not going to elaborate on what that was all about, all his hand movements and neck rubbing. Is he really going to act like it's nothing and decide to deflect?

I thought we had passed this and opened up to each other. I inwardly rolled my eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the library suddenly, it being the most exciting thing in the world, wondering why he is being cagey. I then exhaled before my mind took its own path on the matter.

Then, after a beat, "We are here."

"Come this way," Daniel directed me through a side door. It was not the main entrance.

We made our way in.

"Side entrance? Do you have shares in this library, Mr. Grey?" I asked jokingly.

He chuckles, "Ah, no, I don't, but I know the man who owns it."

I was afraid to even ask, "Who owns it?"

"Mr. Thornton." He replies with a grin.

Shaking my head and rolling my eyes, "figures."

Then I was instantly captivated by the inside. If I thought the outside was picturesque when I passed yesterday, well, it does not hold a candle to the interior.

The flooring, the ceiling, the walls, the chairs and desks, and the shelves that housed the books ran from floor to ceiling, which was about five stories up.

Wow.

Oh my god.

Uh, so lovely.

Wow.

Wow.

Look at this.

Daniel trailed behind me as I walked from area to area, brushing my fingertips on some books' covers over here, gently touching the lovely decor over there.

I was literally in a different world.

You could get lost in this library. Soon we went to the front desk, by the receptionist, as I wanted to become a member.

And I was excited to borrow my first novel from this library right away as I am already here.

After filling out the forms, I ask excitedly, "Can I borrow my first book now?"

"Oh, sorry dear, we have to vet you first, you see here," The receptionist pointed to the form where it said references. I listed Daniel and Ivan Grey as the two people I knew here.

If there was a third line, I would have put Daniela.

"Yes," I answered.

"We would need to contact them and go from there."

"Oh, I say," looking at Daniel as he intervened.

"No need for that, Barbara. As you can see, she listed my father and me. However, we really need to speed up the process in this case. If you like, I can contact Mr. Thornton directly to have this membership approved immediately."

Daniel finished, pulling out his phone, and started dialing when Barbara said, "Oh, no need to disturb Mr. Thornton with something as small as this. I can handle it. So are you vouching for her?"

"Yes, I am." She then went on to ask Daniel a series of questions while I checked out the books they had close to the desk on a rack that spun.

I saw a book that reads Protective Custody: The Demon King. Interesting, another fantasy-type story.

I picked it up and went back to Daniel's side. They were just finishing up, and Barbara returned Daniel's form of ID.

"I would like this to be my first book." I said, looking expectantly at Barbara."

"Sure, this is a popular one. That is why it is out here. The copies never stay on the shelves for too long," taking the book, Barbara scanned it and then gave it to me and said, "Please return one month from today's date."

Overjoyed, I thanked her enthusiastically.

My only two choices were the museum and the library. We visited both. Daniel and I made our way out of the library, and he took the lead from here on.

The sun was setting, casting a gorgeous orange, purple, and pink hue in the vast sky. It had such a magnificent glow to it.

I stared at it momentarily before taking the nice relaxed walk back to where we parked.

"Are you having a good time?"

"Yes! I am. Thank you for today, Daniel." I said, looking up at him honestly.

"I am happy to hear it," Daniel admitted, "and you are most welcome!"

We walked in complete silence for a moment before Daniel said, "I am also sorry about your childhood."

I glanced up at him, a bit taken aback by where this had come from. However, I responded, "Hey, no need to apologize. It was what it was."

"OK, were you ever mad at your mom for not telling you?"

"No, not really. Well, sometimes...my mom not telling me anything about my dad hurt me. Part of me felt betrayed and thought she was being selfish," I began explaining, then fiddled with my bag strap as this conversation made me a little uncomfortable, but for some reason, I didn't mind sharing.

So I continue.

I chuckle at the memories that flood my mind. Some of these memories were not as welcome, but I took the stroll with Daniel down memory lane anyway as we walked to the car and headed to our next destination, the amusement park, before calling it a night.

The following day, I woke up at the sound of my alarm blaring at nine am. I start work next week, so I intend to get up late as much as possible. However, I set my alarm for nine am this morning because Daniel is picking me up at ten am to take me to his father's.

Finally!

I groan after my stomach growls loudly. Surprisingly, yesterday, when we returned home, there were baskets outside by the gate. I smile as I remember that massive grin on my face when I saw them.

I felt all warm and fuzzy inside at the thought of having cooked meals just ready to grab and heat.

The baskets were filled with various things, from a basket of fruit to a basket of bread, to a basket of apple pies, a basket of pancakes, toast, syrup, whipped cream, and I believed that to be a breakfast basket. I mean, you name it, I am sure it was in one of those baskets.

I placed the fruits in the fridge, left out one of the breads, and froze the rest. I froze all the apple pies and everything else because I could only eat so much at a time.

After a long stretch, I got off my bed and decided to have some breakfast quickly, then brush my teeth, shower, and get ready for the day.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I wondered if Daniela would be up for some shopping after I met with her dad. New city, new clothes, and the looks of the building I will be working in, yeesh! I would love to go shopping...

I badly wanted to do some shopping—a girl still wants to pick out a few things independently. Nothing I own would be good enough. Though my closet in this house has an array of choices I can choose from, I can easily start there, but...

Plus, the same way I feel about the car is the same with those clothes in there.

Yesterday, when I got in after my tour and saw how beautiful the city was at night, I went through my closet top to bottom after putting away all the food.

I wanted to have a good idea of what I already have so that when I do go shopping, I won't be doubling up. That would be such a waste.

I need to maximize every penny. I smiled sheepishly.

There I go again. Was I accepting it or not accepting it? I am so on defense, but my problem is that I need to understand the reasoning behind all this before I can freely allow myself to accept anything.

But damn, this back-and-forth is giving me whiplash!