It felt good to be dressed in comfortable clothes once again. Not that Thelonious' jumper and socks weren't comfortable, it's just that she received a few strange stares on the train, not that she cared all that much. It also felt good to peel off the tight dress she had been forced to wear underneath his jumper due to the cold.
Her eyes lingered on the dark jumper that she had laid over the back of her desk chair.
She would have to return it to him sometime.
Her lips twitched at the thought of using it as an excuse to see him again. Knight's Rest, his hotel was a quick tube ride away from her university, so she wouldn't be inconveniencing herself returning it either. She would be able to use that as an excuse if he questioned her.
Darcy was drawn out of her thoughts when a knock sounded on her bedroom door. Tearing her eyes away from the jumper, she met her dad's warm, loving gaze.
Her father, Elijah Blake, was a man nearing his fifties though did not look a day over thirty-five. The only tell-tale being his salt and pepper beard that connected with his thick locks of matching salt and pepper hair. It definitely wasn't her father whom she inherited her fiery head of hair from. With deep smile lines and slight wrinkles around his eyes, she loved him more and more every day.
Darcy had never felt the absence of her mother, her father had made sure of that. Even while working a full time as an English Literature professor at a University in London â not the one that she was currently attending â, they had dinner together nearly every day of the working week. The only exceptions being when she was still at university and would grab food with some classmates instead, or if she stayed over at Alice's dorm.
It was pretty lonely growing up without a mother and any siblings to pass the time with, but that just brought Darcy and her father closer. They had a pretty open relationship where Darcy felt like she was in a safe place to share her thoughts and feelings without fearing judgement or reprimand.
"I didn't hear you come in this morning." He was neither angry nor upset, simply just stating a fact.
"You were sleeping in late." She shrugged. "I didn't want to wake you."
He nodded. "You didn't text me last night." Another fact.
"I know, I'm sorry." She sighed and winced, disappointed in herself. Even though he didn't mention it, she knew that he had stayed up for her, worried off his mind. Having very few people to hold dear to them did that to a person. She instantly felt bad for getting so drunk that she hadn't even been able to call her dad and just let him know that she wasn't coming home that night.
It was a simple task and while it may seem silly or even overbearing for many, not many had a close as relationship to her father as she did. "I had a few too many drinks and didn't remember to text you." She was probably more disappointed in herself than her father was.
"I know, kiddo. I was just worried, is all. But it's all fine now."
"I am sorry, dad." She repeated before going in for a hug. A sigh escaped her as he wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss against the top of her head. "I won't let it happen next time." She promised.
"Don't worry about it, Darcy." He brushed it away. "How does brunch sound?"
"It sounds great, I'm pretty hungry." She smiled, her stomach already getting ready to rumble at the sound of food.
He chuckled before walking out of the room towards his own which was located at the end of the hallway. A guestroom that had never been occupied and a large family bathroom separated their rooms, with Darcy's being right at the top of the stairs. More reason as to why Elijah hadn't heard her come in earlier that morning.
His voice was faint as the distance between them increased, but she still heard it. "Get dressed. We'll head out in fifteen minutes."
Heeding his words, she got dressed in a thin jumper, a loose pair of light grey jogging bottoms and basic white trainers. Throwing a black oversized jacket over her shoulders, she got into her dad's car. Light conversation passed between them all throughout the car ride and brunch and before she knew it, they were pulling back into the driveway of their standard town house.
Except this time, her dad was just dropping her off while he headed out to meet some friends.
Planting a kiss on his cheek, she jogged into the house and locked the door behind her before heading straight up to her room. It might just be nearing the end of October and there may still be more than a few months left till her project was due in, but she wasn't taking any risks from what she had learnt the previous year.
Doing the bulk of the work before January exams was the way to go.
Her phone pinged with the notification of a message later that evening. She had been sat on her bed with her laptop strewn over her knees as she researched alternative databases for her project since her current choice wasn't as ideal as it had initially appeared to have been.
The number wasn't saved in her contacts nor did she recognise it.
Did you get home safe?
Her eyebrows shot up at the notion.
Who is this? She texted back almost immediately, curious.
Thelonious Knight
Her fingers froze as she stared at her latest message. When she didn't respond straight away, her phone chimed again.
From the hotel. Knight's Rest
He didn't need to remind her who she was.
Ah, Baloney
Her lips curled up at the thought of him scowling at his phone and texting back furiously. It was just so easy to rile the man up.
I hate being called that
Why? It's endearing
It's a piece of meat. And I don't even eat pork. Anyway, you left your ring in my room
I'm not a fan of it either. Wait, I did? I didn't even realise
Yeah, I've holding it right now. You want me to bring it round?
She pondered over it for a few seconds. Her dad would be home in less than an hour and it was definitely too soon for her to introduce them to each other, especially since there was technically nothing going on between them. There was also the fact that she lived outside London, which meant that he would have to drive at least an hour to get to her. But the thought was endearing and made her insides tingle.
No, I'll pick it up after university on Monday
I'm working Monday so I can just give it to you then
Her heart sank a little as he brushed her off, clearly not wanting to see her for more than necessary.
That'll be great, thank you
At this point, she felt embarrassed and feared that she had come across as too strong. If it were possible then she would leave the ring if it meant not having to face him after the undirect rejection, but it was her mother's engagement ring whom her father had passed down to her when she had turned 13.
It meant too much to lose just because she was embarrassed about a guy.
Her phone vibrated in her hands. She hadn't even realised that she was still holding it.
What are you doing this weekend?
Surprise washed over her as he continued the conversation. Not wanting to repeat her mistake, she waited a few minutes before opening the message. She didn't want to scare him off by appearing too eager.
I need to do some research for my project
Biting the bullet, she double texted him.
What about you?
Just working at the hotel. Going to head to the gym later though
You work out? She asked even though it wasn't much of a surprise. A body as toned and defined as his didn't come without hours in the gym. Lots of dedication and sweat.
Five days a week. You?
I just run a little.
We need to get you in shape
He added an emoji, the one with the arm flexing. Her stomach fluttered and she felt like a little school girl all over again. He was already typing before she could even get over his previous message.
I need to get back to work but I look forward to seeing you Monday
Thanks once again
Darcy then proceeded to lock her phone and drop it on the bed next to her. Her fingers typed away at the keyboard as she designed the GUI of her app â or attempted to, anyway â but her mind just wouldn't focus. It was running on high speed; it processed a hundred mundane thoughts a second and none of them regarding her project.
-
The next chapter will be uploaded on 04/01/2020! Happy New Years!
All my stories can be found on Inkitt for FREE: https://inkitt.app.link/RA__illuminating_
Chapters of Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1] will be uploaded on Inkitt a week earlier than on Wattpad as well as exclusive bonus chapters at the end of the story. So, be sure to check out Beating Hearts on Inkitt here: https://inkitt.app.link/RA__illuminating_
Chapter 11 is available on Inkitt NOW!
Layla Knight
26.06.19