Strange Scent

Aubrianne Ivanov

Daniela and I got to know each other better as we roamed from warehouse to warehouse. She was free-spirited, and I liked it.

A while after, a voice can be heard over an intercom of sorts, paging Mr. Grey. Please report to Vehicle section B, paging Mr. Grey, report to Vehicle section B.

He turns to us with a shit-eating grin and says, "let's go".......

Daniela Grey's POV.

I am bursting at the seams with excitement for my brother because I know he loves sports cars. He is not the need-for-speed type or anything like that. He just has a profound appreciation for fine luxury sports cars.

And he had been saving for this type of car for years. By now, the make he had in mind had been upgraded from what he initially fell in love with. But hey, it was a sexy, upgraded look.

We all went to Vehicle section B and found Donna. She was the one assisting Daniel. She directed us to the back section of the warehouse, where vehicles are stored.

And there she was, clean, prepped, and ready to hit the road in all her beautiful and sexy glory. No wonder Danny and Aubrianne were here that long. I assumed this was all part of their long wait. No complaints from me. I was more than able to make it in time to hit the Mall with Aubrianne.

I glanced at my big brother, who was totally gushing right now. He was in the zone, having his moment, giddy with excitement as he walked around his new ride. Slowly rubbing his palms together.

He closely inspects it as he, from time to time, ever so slightly brushes his fingertips along, listing off almost everything he touches and the vehicle's features. I watched him as he got in and adjusted the seat, pretending he was driving.

He was full-on geeking out with a massive grin.

I am so elated for him. That is a sweet ride, and all the while, I am wondering when he would let me drive it or a big IF. I was soured on the latter. I hope I get to, honestly.

Nevertheless, Aubrianne and I did the same, checking out the vehicle. Aubrianne seems just as excited about Daniel as I am, and she looks gorgeous as she walks around this sweet baby.

I must admit that the little time we have spent together thus far has been great for me. I enjoyed getting to know Aubrianne. I sense she is a little guarded, but that's expected.

From what I heard, she's starting an internship at TCTA and just moved here from far away, someplace called Clifton Hill. I don't know where because I have never been.

To top it off, she is alone, so I can understand her being that way.

Eventually, I know she will fit right in because she is the sweetest, and I love her already, so I will surely see to it. I like her spirit, there is something about her that I can't quite put my finger on right now, but I am excited to learn more about her.

The handoff instructions were laid out, and then the rep showed Daniel where things were when that eerie feeling came upon me again. I sniffed, and the same strange scent lingered around at Gloria's yesterday morning when we were having breakfast.

And I couldn't shake the feeling now that we were being watched. Either myself, Daniel, or Aubrianne. The three of us were at breakfast, also.

Or maybe I am simply a bit off. It could merely be a foreigner doing the same things we were doing. Coincidentally, but then, that does not explain the eerie feeling that keeps crawling up my spine.

'No, you are not off, I agree,' my wolf, Sephora, spoke. 'Something IS off.'

After debating whether I should inform the group or maybe at least Daniel first, I decided, 'We would keep an eye out. Don't want to raise an alarm simply because of a feeling.

"Spare tire, tool kit with hand ratchet, a combination of wrenches, and here is your manual." Donna was wrapping things up.

Daniel seems thoroughly contented and then tells us to "get in, and let's head to the Mall."

"Shotgun," Aubrianne shouts, far from her usual harmonic melody of a voice. She then opened the front seat door and got in quickly.

She immediately laughed when I was sure she realized she wouldn't let me get in, to go to the back as I stood next to her, but no big deal, I started laughing.

"Daniela! Oh my god, my bad," she says with a slight blush of embarrassment creeping up her face. Smiling, I said, "it's ok, don't worry about it. It's cool. You just completely forgot about little old me over here, huh?"

Then I made my way to Daniel's side as he gestured me in. "Get in, sis," he said.

Daniel looks at Aubrianne and smiles, "gas brains, huh?"

"Oh my god," Aubrianne's honeyed voice sing song hiding her face with her palms.

She then laughed again but didn't say anything else. She just remained with a massive smile. I know she felt even more embarrassed.

So I just laughed along with her, "Daniel, leave her alone. I am sure she just loves this ride."

"Yes, yes I do," she groans out the last word, sounding so sexy. "I love this bad boy and wanted dibs on the front seat," she pipes up.

Then she turned and looked me in the eyes with her big beautiful brown apologetic eyes when she said, "Oh Daniela, I am so sorry, and I didn't mean to forget about you."

I smile genuinely as I look at her— she seems worried and worked up about this little mishap. She needs to lighten up. "It's ok, Aubri, water under the bridge," I said as I leaned forward and gently stroked her shoulders. Not long after, we were off to the Mall.

We made light conversations now and again, mainly about this bad boy we're in. Then Aubrianne mentioned she just wanted a banging outfit for clubbing Thursday night, a few workpieces, and maybe some skinny jeans."

"And I know just the right stores and boutiques to take you to get everything and more. Don't worry, I got you," I answered.

"You guys are so similar, down to even the way you both speak," she says, looking between Daniel and me, eyes sparkling, amazed.

Daniel and I answered her almost simultaneously as he blurted out, "Never." I said, "No way, you must be mistaken."

Still looking between us, her eyebrows furrowed, shaking her head, "nuh uh, Daniel said to me that very same thing you just said to me just now."

"Oh, don't worry, I got you?" I asked.

"Yes, that."

"Well, no, that's all, Daniel, actually," I said sheepishly.

Daniel butts in with a grin and that mischievous look in his eyes "yea, she is always taking my lines, my little quips, everything. It's like I am her personal dictionary."

"Shut up, Daniel! Stop exaggerating, jeez," and I playfully shoved his shoulder.

Five more minutes and we're at the Mall. I continuously look at Aubrianne's reaction, as I really enjoy watching her. Daniel said she went crazy for everything on their tour together, and now I am psyched to see her go crazy in my world.

I know this particular Mall is much bigger than the ones in Clifton Hill by far, no doubt in my mind. I have never been to Clifton hill, but this Mall is in the top ranking of the Largest Malls in the world—I think it's number two on that list.

Daniel found parking after a good minute, and Aubrey's beautiful brown eyes were like saucers, "guys, the hell?" She breathlessly whispered, "wow, this is humongous," slightly twisting her body, looking between Daniel and me.

Daniel smiles and says, "yup."

"Wait till we get inside," I told her, basking her in excitement.

Her voice now takes on another pitch: "This is like five malls in one."

"And no one has ever walked the entire Mall in one day," I said.

With an 'awe' like tone, Aubrianne asks directly, looking at me with her eyes sparkling, "Where does one begin?"

Feeling giddy myself— as I can never shop too much, there is no such thing— I say, "don't you worry about that. I got you. Besides, I am taking the lead from here on out."

"Uhh Huh, you got that right," Daniel says, then switches off the engine, and we get out. Well, of course, I was the last to get out. But hey! Who is complaining?