Thread: My Best Friend, My Owner [Searching4shadows / Jarrod]

If you don't mind me saying, sir, you look troubled. Something bothering you? asked Sean, the family's long-time chauffeur, as he navigated the black Audi through the labyrinth downtown roads. Roads which were pretty much deserted this late into the evening. Nicholas stared out at the shuttered storefronts and empty pavements, his thoughts swirling... This one's different than the others. Used to know her. You could say we were friends. Could make things complicated. Raindrops prattled ceaselessly on the car roof. The perfect background noise for reminiscing. Jenna, oh Jenna, what in the world happened to you? To be honest, Nicholas no longer cared for high school or that period of his life that boy has no resemblance with the man he is today. Heck, he had went by 'Nick' back then. As far as Nicholas is concerned, he truly began living at the age of 27, when his father passed away leaving behind the family business and the estate. He was molded and defined by the experiences and events of the last 7 years. On the other hand, memories from the high school years had became episodic, and hazy in details. Jenna Sanders, though, Nicholas remembered Jenna. They hanged out all the time. Their pure, beautiful, platonic friendship was probably the only good thing he took out of school. What he liked best was how he could be completely at ease in her presence, she somehow created a bubble where he could be himself. Come to think of it has he ever found another girl like Jenna? But like most high school friendships, they had slowly drifted apart. He went off to college while she stayed behind. Correspondences over the internet were frequent at first, until it trickled to the annual 'Happy birthday's. Even after he moved back, plans made for catching up found themselves scuttled. The truth is these days the two of them moved in completely different social circles. Nicholas hardly recalled the last time they saw each other. The sedan had stopped moving. Prompted by Sean, Nicholas looked up at the grimy, two-star establishment and grimaced. Did she think she could escape the government's claws by staying in a hotel? Nicholas wondered as he rode the elevator up. The mirror inside looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in weeks, yet still managed to give a good reflection of the 6'2'' broad-shouldered man standing before it. While Nicholas could never be filed under the word 'handsome', his intense, deep-set grey eyes and weathered features made him look a couple years beyond his real age - and gave off an impression that he is a man you don't fuck with a man who is used to having his way. Which is perfect for the people Nicholas has to deal with - in business and at home. As the elevator slowed to a stop, he ran a hand through his cropped dark brown hair to wick off any rainwater. He found himself in front of her room and rapped hard on the door twice, before he has a chance to change his mind. When old friends meet one could reasonably expect a warm embrace, or perhaps excited 'Hi's or 'How have you been?'s, or at the very least a smile. When Jenna opened that door she would find none of those. In one swoop Nicholas' eyes took in the woman and the dingy hotel room behind her. New protocols begin right now. Jenna. I'm Nick, from school. I'm taking you in before the Feds do. You are aware of this exception? Pack what you need. Leave the non-essentials behind. If she hesitated, he would add Come on! Chop chop. I would rather not be on the premises when the Feds show up.