Chapter two

"Hunter, what took you so long? I swear, I was running out of excuses to tell mom! Did you know that she threatened to put me in on the oven?! She was going to serve me to her guests in place of that bird you've in your hands!" Jade, his younger sister rambled as she rushed from their front porch to help her brother with the groceries. It was now six thirty in the evening and judging from how flustered his sister was, he assumed that his mom was now throwing a fit. He glanced apologetically at Jade and grinned at her sheepishly.
"Sorry, sis. I almost had an accident. I was a few minutes away from here but I didn't notice a woman crossing the street," A very beautiful woman with a very beautiful name.
Jade gaped at him, her eyes wide in obvious shock.
"And? You ran her over? Was she hurt?" Hunter shook his head. His sister breathed a sigh of relief.
"So that's why you were late! Well, at least no one got hurt, and no one died! Ugh, I told you, one way or another you're bound to hit someone! You, my brother, are one reckless driver. I'm still amazed, after all these years of driving, you still haven't perfected it." Jade poked her brother's arm and wrinkled her nose in amusement when she saw him grimace. She was thoroughly enjoying his discomfort.
"Ow, quit it! Mind you, I may be a reckless driver but I'm a fast one and my driving clearly saves lives! I get there before the fire spreads! Besides, who drives you to work each and every day, huh? Thanks to me, you get there just in time for the customers' first cup of coffee to be poured!" Hunter pinched his sister's nose and threw his head back in laughter when she touched her very red nose and grimaced in pain. She stuck her tongue out and grinned at him playfully. That's one of the things Jade admired about her big brother. He was so dedicated to his job as a fire fighter that to him, it wasn't just a job but a way of life.

He enjoyed the idea that he gets to save other people's lives and it didn't matter to him that he's putting his life on the line for his work. He gets his strength and resilience from saving people and for him this is such a heady feeling. But once in a while she still tells her brother to slow things down and take care of himself. His work is another reason why until now he still hasn't taken the time to date women and possibly take a wife.
"Hunter, by the way, I need to tell you some—"
"Hunter Brodick Helmsley! What took you so long? Heavens, son, I just asked you to pick up a couple of items from the grocery and it took you an hour! The guests will be here in a while and I swear, if that bird isn't cooked after two hours, you're the one who's going to end up in the roasting pan complete with the stuffing!" Patricia called out to her two children from the doorway, her hands on her waist, her right eyebrow raised. Hunter grinned at his mom and then glanced at Jade. She was trying to stifle her laughter but she ended up giving out unladylike sounds.
"And that goes for you too Jade!" Jade looked at her mom and cleared her throat.
"Now come quick, bring those inside." She followed Jade who's carrying the groceries inside their house, but turned to face her son.
"By the way, honey, I invited Isabella over. As I was in need of an extra pair of hands, she was kind enough to help me. She's such a darling. She's in the kitchen now."
Oh no… Isabella's here. As he watched his mother enter the kitchen, he crooked his finger at Jade. She rushed to her brother's side.
"Why didn't you tell me Issie's here?" He whispered.
"I was about to, but then mom showed up! You know, I don't really understand why mom loves her so much. She's pretty yes, but… Ugh! I don't know! I think she wants you to end up with Issie." Jade nodded her head and puffed her cheeks in amusement when she saw her brother roll his eyes upward.
"You think? I swear Jade, I never really saw Isabella in that light. She's a childhood friend and I don't think that I want that to change all because mom has her own tricks up her sleeve."
Jade patted Hunter in the back to let him know she understood him. She may be seven years younger than her brother but they're very close to each other. He admitted to her that she's his best friend and since then, all she's ever wanted was to look out for her brother the same way he's been looking out for her. And when it comes to matters of the heart, Jade is the first person her brother runs to for advice. She knows Hunter's taste for women and well, frankly, Isabella is way below his list. Issie may be beautiful, charming and sweet but Jade finds him too fragile and too prim for Hunter. Besides, she knows her brother only sees Issie as his long time childhood friend and he doesn't want it to change. Unfortunately, their mother says otherwise.
"Hunter dear, can you help Isabella set the table? Jade, darling can you come here in the kitchen please; I need your help with the pies." Patricia called out from the kitchen. Hunter sighed and looked at his sister, as if he felt helpless.
"Sorry, sweetie. You're on your own. I'll see you in a bit. Be nice, okay." Jade lightly pinched her brother's cheek and turned to walk away from him.
"I am nice."
"I didn't say you weren't!" His sister winked at her and laughed when she heard him snort.
When Jade disappeared, he headed out to the dining room where he saw Issie putting the water goblets on the table. He had to admit, she's looking very pretty tonight, her blond curls were flowing down her back and her black dress clung to every curve of her body. When she saw him, she smiled at him, her emerald eyes dancing with the dim lights of the dining room.
"Hey you." She approached him to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Nice to see you here, Issie. Thanks for helping mom tonight. She told me she needed an extra pair of hands." Hunter smiled brightly in return.
Issie nodded her head and went on putting the plates on the table.
"Well, your mom's a sweet lady and she's up to her neck with the preparations so how can I say no? By the way, I'm surprised to see you here. Your shift's done?"
"Uh, actually no. I decided to go home early. I've been feeling a little tired these past few days. Just thought I could relax a bit and see if there's anything I can do to help." Hunter busied himself with putting the silverware. When he looked up, he saw Issie was staring at him. Her eyes were fixed at his features as if she's been staring at him for quite some time now. It has been clear to him ever since they were kids that Issie has feelings for him. For her benefit, he tried his very best to maintain that friendly rapport between the two of them. But she really wasn't making this easy for him. Lord help him, Issie's clearly wearing her heart on her sleeve. Ohhh, boy. This is going to be a long night.
With Isabella there and with his mom using her charms and her subtle manipulation, he wondered if he can go through the whole dinner party and get done with it in one piece.

Some night it was.
Stephanie dumped her books and her folder on the coffee table and sat on the sofa to remove her boots. She massaged the back of her neck and sighed when she felt all the stiffness and tension there. Every part of her body was aching and how she wanted to take a nice warm bubble bath to remove all the pain, not to mention the grime and grit that came with her other job. Ever since her parents died, she learned to take care of herself and work for a living. She's been through a lot. Pretty much she had an idea of how hard life can be, but she wouldn't stop there. She won't allow herself to settle for living a lowly, classless life, like the way she's living now. She doesn't want to be called a hooker and branded as filthy all her life. That's why she parks herself on the streets at night and goes to school during the day. She saves the money she earns from prostituting so she can pay for med school. She's dreamed of becoming a doctor someday and she feels in her heart that she's close to a hair's breadth in reaching her dream. She's in her second year in med school, at the top of her class and she revels in the idea that after everything she's going through, it's still possible for her to start a new life. That despite her "profession," she would be able to find a man who will love her, who can care less about her past and just love her for what she really is and not what she does for a living. For some reason, she feels that that man, her warrior, is just close and that she would meet him soon.
Her right elbow rubbed against the sofa and she winced in pain. She looked at her elbow and saw it was still bleeding. She got up and headed to the bathroom to wash her wound and put some gauze on it.
Her thought jumped from her brooding warrior to the man who almost ran her over early that night. Hunter. Nice name, really handsome too. She felt guilty for shouting at the poor man. He might have been so close to getting her squished but he seemed nice and she had to admit, it was just so horrible of her to snap at him when he's been apologizing the whole time. He even offered to take her to the hospital. She can tell, he's a nice guy… his good looks matches his personality.
"I wonder if I will see him again." She muttered to herself as she soaped her elbow. It's likely she would run into him again, but she hoped the next time she sees him, she wouldn't be caught under his jeep and saying her last words. She really wished to see him again.
"Who knows, Stephy girl, he might be the one." She couldn't help but smile at herself. The possibility suddenly made her knees weak.
That's right…who knows?