Long Past Dawn

If you would have told me three months ago that I would have to change colleges, I would have said that it would be the worst thing in the world that could happen to me. Now, as I gather my scarf close and prepare to exit the plane that took me across the country, I breathe a sigh of relief and my Flowerbomb Swarovski Edition perfume. The best thing that could have happened to me now was exactly this- the chance to start over in a town where no one knows my name.

My father insisted that I attend this specific University, even though it seems remarkably unspectacular from what my research dug up. Whitefish, Montana has a population of about 7,700 people, so it's no wonder why I wasn't able to find much about the college here. With that considered, I trust my father's opinion and if he believed this school will be better for me than the last, I'll take that risk.

As I take the steps that lead from the First Class section, the cool, damp air hits my face, making me blink in surprise. The weather in Palm Beach was nice this morning since Florida is typically still warm in October.

I suck in a breath of the strange air and continue down the steps to the airport, where my rental car should be waiting. This is only until I graduate, I remind myself. Just three more years.

The airport is peaceful compared to what I'm used to, despite it only being one-thirty in the afternoon. While I wait for my baggage I pull my phone from the pocket of my romper and check my messages. It doesn't seem like anyone misses me yet.

I let my dad know that I arrived safely, and he sends me a message back within a minute, letting me know that he sent someone to help me with my bags.

I furrow my brow and lift my gaze, taking in the few people around me. I still have to make a two-hour drive before I make it to the campus, so it might be nice to have some company.

There are a few other passengers that were on the same flight as me waiting for their bags, but none of them seem like they would be who my father would employ. A woman with her young child in her arms waits beside me, and an older couple, likely returning home, stands on her other side.

I return to my phone and compose a message to let my father know that I don't see them.

He should be there soon, he lives in the area. Let me know when you make it to the campus.

I sigh and tuck my phone back into my pocket, continuing to be patient. My stomach growls embarrassingly, and I silently hope that the mother next to me didn't hear. I refused the food that was offered to me on the flight, concerned that the chicken wasn't going to be cooked to my liking but I didn't want to bother the attendants with that. I told them I wasn't hungry and that I just wanted more water.

After a few more minutes my baggage comes around, triple the amount that the other passengers brought. I heave a noisy sigh and reach for the lighter items, pulling them off of the moving belt.

Just as I push my platinum hair back from my face to pull the heaviest of the bags down, a larger hand reaches for it at the same time.

"I'm sorry I'm late, traffic was horrible on the interstate," a voice states clearly, hoisting the rest of the matching bags down from the belt with surprising ease.

I look up, feeling cross that he made me wait for so long. I open my mouth to say something snarky but snap it shut again when my gaze falls on his face. The first thing that I notice is how tall he is, towering over me, even in my Jimmy Choos. The second thing that catches me off guard is how young he looks, despite the stubble on his sharp jaw.

I've heard that Koreans typically look much younger than they are, but I haven't met many in person. I'm pleasantly surprised to find the rumors to be true. I make a mental note to ask for his skincare routine later.

"Oh," I stammer, taking a step back. I gather myself and raise my chin a bit to mask my surprise. "No problem. My dad said that you would be here, but he didn't say that you would be so young."

My Baggage Boy smiles, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. His amber-colored eyes seem to reflect gold in the overhead lighting as he gazes intently at me. "This is my first real job," he says, his fresh breath fanning my face. It smells like he just ate a mint before turning the corner. "Thank you for being patient with me, Ms. Loveday."

I can't explain why butterflies flutter violently in my stomach when he says my name. I've felt less feelings from men more handsome and classy, so it takes me by surprise. I've spoken and even flirted with dozens of men, so what makes this one any different?

They're all the same. The voice in my head reminds me, quelling my nerves. That's right. They are, with my father being the only exception.

I keep my expression cool and turn on my heel, leaving him with the bags. I feel the need for the cool air in my lungs again. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Can we get going?"

Despite my eagerness to leave him behind to get a moment of fresh air alone, his pleasant voice comes from right behind me, keeping pace. "Of course. The car is parked right out front."

Startled by his proximity, I glance over my shoulder with a raised brow. Somehow, this man has all of my bags collected in his arms and hands, carrying it all as if it weighs nothing more than a sack of feathers. I hadn't even noticed him pick it up, and expected him to have at least a bit of trouble with the weight and quantity of my luggage.

The young man catches up to me in just a few paces until he walks alongside me. His expression gives nothing away, but the charming grin never leaves his face. "My name is Adrian, by the way. It's nice to finally meet you."

The automatic doors open and I have to restrain myself from leaping out onto the sidewalk. I breathe as deeply as I can without being inconspicuous and take a moment to soak in my surroundings.

I'm sure it's just jet lag, but I can't shake the nervous feeling that I get from Adrian. He, on the other hand, seems unaffected by me, which is rare for a guy my age. The exposure to the crisp air helps me to gather my emotions a bit.

I feel his gaze on me, like a laser burning through my back. I glance behind me, masking my expression. "Which car?"

As I expected, his eyes lock with mine as soon as I look towards him, his lip still curled in a smile. "The black Escalade," he says, gesturing to the SUV parked by the curb with the four ways blinking.

I'm surprised to see that it's the newest model as I walk towards the passenger door. "Is it a rental?"

Adrian matches my stride and meets me at the door, somehow managing to free a hand to open it for me. "It's mine. Mr. Loveday insisted that I accompany you to your residence, where your own car is waiting. I hope that's alright."

I climb into the SUV, looking back at him. "I suppose so. Don't drop any of my bags, please. They're very expensive."

Adrian exhales humorously and nods. "Of course. Watch your fingers," he warns before lightly closing my door.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, grateful for the second I have alone. I quickly pull the visor down to check my reflection before Adrian lifts the hatch to load my baggage into the back. I don't see anything on my face that would be making him smile so much, and I didn't wear anything more than chapstick, vaseline on my lashes, and bb cream on my face, since I wanted to be comfortable for the flight.

I glance at him through the mirror with a scowl. He glances up at me unexpectedly, as of sensing my gaze, and smiles at my reflection, seemingly unbothered. I watch his bicep flex beneath his long sleeves as he reaches up to close the hatch before I snap the mirror closed and push the visor back in place.

He pauses for a moment outside of the driver's door, taking a purposeful look towards the parking lot beside us where a few cars are parked. I lean forward to try and see around him through the heavily tinted windows but don't see anything.

His back looks stiff, but when he turns around and enters the vehicle with me, his smile is still in place. "Are you alright?"

I check my expression before responding. "Of course. Just the jet lag," I lie, pulling my phone from my purse.

I send a message to my dad. Where did you find this guy? A daycare?

"If you insist," Adrian says casually, putting the car into drive and pulling away from the curb. "Are you hungry at all?"

I shrug nonchalantly, glancing up from my texting. "They offered food on the flight."

He glances my way, his gaze seeming to cut through my lie with ease. "Okay then... Are you sure?"

I furrow my brow in annoyance. "I'm fine," I say, and as if on cue the sound of my stomach growling slices through the quiet interior of the SUV, calling my bluff.

Adrian snickers as he takes a turn onto the main highway. "You haven't eaten anything today, have you?" He says as if he knows me well.

My phone vibrates in my lap and I open the message.

Adrian is 26, so much older than you, honey. I'm good friends with his father, so try to be nice.

I roll my eyes. Nice isn't exactly a popular word in my vocabulary.