SM owns Twilight.

(CozItRunsInMyBlood /Rose B. Mashal) owns the plot.

(BandMum) is the wonderful beta.

(hlsmith) is the amazing pre-reader.

Chapter 8 Part 1

The idea of being watched by that assistant through the security cameras made me feel uneasy. I tried my best to ignore it all, block it away, and pretend it didn't exist.

The night was restless like any other night, but I was grateful that I wasn't cold or hungry. To top it all, I was safe. Or so I hoped.

When I awoke, it was past eight o'clock. There was a sandwich, salad and orange juice on the nightstand, and next to them were two familiar tablets and a capsule. I realized Dr. Cullen wanted me to be well fed and take my medication before I left.

A small smile played on my lips at the idea of someone taking care of me, then that smile was gone when I shrugged the thought away. Dr. Cullen probably did the same with Smokey. To him, I was nothing more than another lab rat.

I took a quick shower, dressed in the cleanest jeans and top I had, then had my breakfast and medication in complete silence.

When I was finished, I heard a small peep coming from the phone Dr. Cullen gave me last night. I picked it up and it said there was an incoming message from him. I clicked on the notification the way I had seen my mother do, and the message opened.

'Good morning. The car will be waiting for you outside in a few minutes. Be ready. I have a question: What's your favorite color?' the message read.

I frowned, not only because I was confused by using a smart phone for the first time, but also because of the question.

It was difficult to answer. I didn't know what I should tell him. I didn't know why he was asking, and I thought if I knew his favorite color, maybe I could answer then. The right answer was his favorite color, right? I didn't know; I was confused.

'Black' I sent. Dr. Cullen always wore a black winter coat, so maybe that was his favorite color. But then again, he was a doctor and he often wore white coats. What if 'white' was his favorite color? I was stupid.

'Black is your favorite color? Are you sure?'

I bit my lower lip. Apparently it was the wrong answer. 'I don't know sir' I typed, then hit send, hoping that I didn't make him angry with me.

Not a second later, the phone peeped again, but with a different tone, and I realized Dr. Cullen was calling me. With a shaky voice, I answered, "Hello!"

"Hello, Bella! I'm in a hurry but need to make sure you know what I'm asking. You said you don't know what your favorite color is?"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"There's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I don't know how to answer. I'm afraid I will upset you." I decided to be honest with him.

"What? You won't upset me with any answer, dear. What are you talking about?" Dr. Cullen sounded confused.

"I... I don't have a favorite color."

"Okay. Is there any color that makes you feel happy? A color you see, and your eyes feel comfortable looking at it, and want to keep staring at it?"

"Um, I like the color of the sky on a sunny day." I told him, hoping that he wouldn't think I was too silly.

"Sky-blue?"

"I think so, sir."

"That's a beautiful color. Thank you, Bella. I have to go now. I hope you have a nice day out. Remember, open budget." I could hear the smile in his voice, and it was such a relief.

"Thank you, sir. I remember."

"Get a cover for your bed. I'll see you later."

I let out a long breath and willed my racing heart to slow down. The short phone call made my anxiety rise, and I didn't even know why. I guess it was still difficult to think that Dr. Cullen wasn't playing games with me; he was just asking a simple question.

Dr. Cullen wasn't him.

Five minutes before ten, I left through the same door I came in. A black car waited for me outside, and next to it, was a guy in a chauffeur uniform.

My steps slowed slightly, but I continued on my way to the car. The chauffeur was in his late sixties, his gray hair peeking from under his hat. His wrinkled features were soft, and his smile was kind as I approached him.

"Hello, Ms. Swan. I'm Eric Yorkie. I'm going to be your driver today."

I smiled, pleased that he didn't offer his hand for me to shake. I didn't want to start our day with awkwardness. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Yorkie."

"Call me Eric, please," he said as he opened the car door for me.

"Call me, Bella, Eric," I smiled back as I got in.

Until this day, I hadn't told Dr. Cullen my full name. Yet, his chauffer just called me by my father's name. Dr. Cullen must have picked it up from my father's grave.

It was comforting, but only because it meant he didn't dig for information about me, and if he did, he wasn't successful. My last name was Dwyer, not Swan. My stepfather changed it to his when he adopted me right after Charlie passed away. I was only six years old then. I never liked it, and never would. It was nice to be called Swan again.

"Where to, Bella?"

"Walmart, please." I figured that I could get everything I needed at Walmart, and without spending a lot. Dr. Cullen was generous enough to let me go on my own with his credit card, but that didn't mean I was going to abuse his kindness. It was much more than I'd ever imagined.

The drive to Walmart was long, but quiet. I was grateful that Eric didn't try to make small talk. When we made it to the store, I got lost in there, not knowing what I should buy. I got myself pajamas and a couple of tank-tops that had a big discount on them. I also bought jeans and T-shirts, then a toothbrush and hairbrush with a few other toiletries.

When I was about to leave, I remembered that Dr. Cullen told me to buy a cover for the bed, so I got the cheapest I could find. On my way out, the sweet smell of freshly baked Cinnabon hit my nose, and my stomach growled. I wasn't going to stop until I realized that I could actually buy myself one.

I was absolutely terrified as I bought the pastries; I wasn't sure if food was included in Dr. Cullen's offer when he told me to buy whatever I needed. Though the Cinnabons were delicious, my worry prevented me from truly enjoying them.

The idea did cross my mind that it would be easy to take everything I had now: the phone, the card, and things I bought, and flee. But not once did I think I would do it.

First of all, I could never get away with it, even if I wanted to, which I didn't. I'd heard that cards and smartphones could be tracked.

Second, I really wanted to do this. I wasn't feeling completely safe in Dr. Cullen's house, but at least I wasn't cold, hungry, and in constant pain.

I wanted to believe that Dr. Cullen was a good guy, I truly did. But it was difficult. I knew that was my fault. My past with a terribly evil man stood in the way of me believing that someone out there could be completely different.

Third, and finally, if Dr. Cullen was honest about everything, I could help myself and other people fighting this disease.

By the time I finished eating and got back to the car, I was unquestionably positive of my decision and willingness to go through with the testing. No doubts, no regrets. I would be a complete fool to waste such an opportunity.

"This is for you," I said to Eric as I offered him the bag with a few sweet rolls inside. "It's fresh."

"Oh, thank you so much! I love Cinnabon." He took it from me with a big smile on his face and I grinned back. To be able to give something away was one of the sweetest feelings.

"You're most welcome."

The sun was going down when I returned to Dr. Cullen's house. I was surprised at how much time I spent shopping, since I didn't buy much. However, I did use lots of time searching through the sale things.

Eric helped me with the bags, and I thanked him. As I started towards the lab entry, I noticed a dark figure standing in one of the windows on the second floor. A man. I knew immediately it wasn't Dr. Cullen; this man was taller and slimmer.

I wouldn't have though much of it, until the person disappeared the moment I looked directly at him. I wondered if he didn't want to be seen.

I frowned. Who the heck was that?

~WtSGD~

Author Note:

How are you all holding up with all the Coronavirus chaos? I haven't left my house for about three centauries and a day. Waaa! What about you?

Did you check out my new book on Amazon? It's on sale today!
Blurb: Secrets. Blackmail. Murder.
When passion becomes obsession, is anyone safe?
A Sci-Fi Romance filled with thrilling mystery and suspense.

Just search Amazon, iBooks, or Kobo for: Temptation by Rose B. Mashal, and find out how far could she really go. I'm so excited for you all to read it.

A question:

If you were offered an open budget, what would you buy first?

Don't forget to leave me a review and tell my what you think. :*

Join my readers' group if you haven't yet, it's so much fun in there. (CozItRunsInMyBlood)

Until we meet later…

Love and kisses.

Cozy.