Chapter 70 - Gone Boy

It was like deja vu all over again as she rushed out to peer at the window. Gone, was the car and she was left all alone trying to search for him in the vicinity.

Her beast was nowhere to be found. This made her cower in angst to believe that everything that happened yesterday may in fact be a dream. Fleeting however sweet it felt, wasn't enough if he weren't there before her to confirm the strange turn of events.

She faintly remembered watching through heavy lidded eyes however, Cleo making a tie for Dane as her imagination played them like a pair of doting lovers. Her hand then crept to her lips as she also recalled the feel of his lips against hers right before his departure. His kiss was full of gentle longing.

Cruel beast.

How could he leave her without waking her goodbye?

The sound of the car engine running caught her attention and she bolted to the door. Before her, the car pulled up into the driveway but the only person that greeted her was Cleo. Cleo walked into with his bucket of cleaning supplies and a colorful striped orange apron that made him look like a kindergarten school teacher.

"Where's Dane?" was her first question as she expectantly peered over Cleo's shoulder but all to no avail, did not find him.

Cleo handed her a phone, "He left to attend to...pressing work matters. Here, this is for you."

Prisana surveyed the rose gold colored phone. It was the latest Samsung galaxy model, exactly similar to the old phone she lost to that bear in the woods. So he even remembered the kind of phone she had although the model she owned was at least two generations behind.

"He said he wanted you to call him when you got the phone. Press one to dial his number."

She pressed one and nearly flushed in shame as Cleo also found the words 'Hubby' with a heart attached next to it on the phone screen. Cleo picked up his cleaning supplies and left her alone to talk with Dane.

"Good morning love," came that sickly sweet voice she was already dying to hear.

"Cruel beast," she sadly whispered. "Why didn't you wake me up before you left to work?"

"If I've woken you up, I would have never wanted to leave you. I'd quit my job and stay home with you forever."

"That's silly. You make it sound as if you'll be gone forever."

"I'm on a plane as we speak."

"P-Plane?" she nearly dropped her phone and slowly repeated her thoughts to him. "What are you doing on a plane?"

"...Business related matters. I'll be flying to California for a week. Don't miss me too much, hmm?"

"So you're already trying to divorce me, huh?" Prisana joked, but then turned serious. "...Is it bad that I already miss you terribly?"

"Then, it should be even worse that it's taking everything I have not to cancel my flight and find my way back to you."

"Don't," she chided him through a smile. "Although, that doesn't sound like a bad idea in itself."

'...Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of this flight. Thank you for choosing XXX Airlines. Enjoy your flight.'

"I must go now."

She heard the announcement but pouted anyways, "So soon? We've only just begun our lover's talk."

"Don't get cute on me..." he chuckled and cleared his throat. "Prisana, before I left, I made sure to enroll you in orientation. I know you're almost done with the online classes and I thought you might like XXX University. It's...where I went to college too."

A wondrous thought popped up inside her head. The college Dane, how did he look and act like?

"Oh Dane, thank you but you didn't have to."

"But I wanted to. And, one more thing before I forget."

"Yes?" she asked, thinking he took it upon himself to do more for her.

"I love you."

Prisana's beast of a husband was too smooth. So smooth that it really took her breath away and turned her into a flushing mess first thing in the morning. Those three letter words were simple. Simple yet filled her insides with complete delight that yesterday was not a dream.

"And I too, love you," she had to whisper this low so that Cleo wouldn't hear her embarrassing confession as he was still in near vicinity. "Take care, beast."

"Take care, lynx."

It was difficult for her to press the end call button but when she heard the beep, her heart faltered. Prisana slapped her cheeks. A week without the beast should be joyous! Why? She'd been deprived of sleep night after night with the exception of last night. Her body would be able to fully recuperate from being so wanton until his return.

The first thing she wished to do upon Dane's absence required Cleo's help. She went straight for Cleo as he dusted off the furniture in the living area and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"I need your help."

"Wah!" he squealed, then plucked off her hands from his shoulders. "P-Please refrain from doing that in front of his truly. I'm afraid my lifespan would be shortened considerably."

"Teach me how to make a tie."

"What?...Geez, that's it? I thought you were going through love sickness troubles or something..."

"You always make one for Elias. I don't see why I shouldn't be able to either."

"Oh aha, don't tell me it's jealousy?" he arched his eyebrow.

Jealousy?

Prisana mulled over it for one moment. Perhaps she was jealous. When she thought about someone else making a tie for Dane, it made her wish to do the same for him. After all, it would really make them feel like newlyweds as she made a tie for him right before he headed out to work.

"I-I just want to do things that might please him," she admitted, clearing her throat. "Please, I need your expertise."

Cleo smiled, "There's no way I can refuse when you're asking so earnestly."

"Alright then, why don't we get started?"