Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 381

The bright moonlight spilled down, suffusing the car with a gentle brightness. Amidst the air, an aura of romance lingered.

A soft breeze swept by, causing the roadside grass to sway. The blades of grass playfully nudged one another as they moved.

Inside the enclosed compartment, only the echoes of kisses resonated. The girl closed her eyes, relishing the affection from the man. With his eyes open, a faint crimson hue tinged his gaze. He tenderly traced every contour of her features, meticulous and attentive.

Tracing the memory of their encounter, he eased back slightly, granting the girl a brief respite to catch her breath before leaning down again to graze the tender, desire-laden corners of her lips. The pangs of longing spread freely between their lips and teeth, reluctant to part.

No number of kisses felt satiating. His hand instinctively ascended her back, moving leisurely until his palm rested on her neck. Their breaths grew labored, foreheads touching, synchronizing their heavy exhalations.

Ava’s face took on a flushed hue akin to a delicate blush. Her lips held a gentle swelling. Reluctant to let go of him, she clung to his neck fervently.

A husky resonance rumbled against her neck as the man asked, “Don’t want me to go?”

Ava nodded, her reluctance evident, as she nestled against his shoulder.

Eventually, with Ava nestled at his shoulder, he sent a message to Joseph, instructing him to come and collect her.

Shortly after that, Joseph’s car emerged from the estate. Spotting Joseph through the car window, the man patted Ava’s back, saying, “Your brother’s here to fetch you.”

At his announcement, Ava finally relinquished her hold. Frank affectionately tousled her hair and said, “Ill come to pick you up tomorrow morning. You decide the time.

“Alright,” Ava replied obediently, her tone laced with reluctance and a hint of helplessness.

Then, Frank swung open the car door and disembarked. Joseph, who was donned in pajamas a typical attire at 10:30 pm – briefly met his gaze before opening the passenger door, inviting Ava to exit.

Joseph’s keen eyes naturally detected his sister’s atypical rosy checks. He comprehended the situation but maintained politeness as Frank ensured Ava’s safe return. As such, Joseph said, “Thank you for bringing Ava back. Young girls shouldn’t stay up late at night. Perhaps, you can send her home earlier next time.”

Frank grasped the meaning behind Joseph’s words, recognizing that the latter had found it too late. He responded, “Ill do my best.”

He refrained from issuing a definitive commitment.

Matters of the heart were elusive to predict accurately. If he agreed and failed to deliver, he risked appearing unreliable.

Once Ava was seated in Joseph’s car, Frank addressed Joseph, saying. “Open the trunk for a moment.”

Joseph unlocked the passenger side, allowing his sister to settle in. Then, he popped the trunk open, observing as Frank retrieved bags from his car and transferred them into Joseph’s vehicle. A faint smirk danced on his lips, a nearly teasing gesture, as he commented, “It seems like you’ve made quite the investment.

Frank responded, “It’s my pleasure.”

to Frank, who was leaning

had pulled into the estate, Frank lingered a moment longer, reluctant to depart. After not smoking the entire day, he extracted a pack of cigarettes from the car. Tapping one out, he ignited it, and the crimson ember flickered brightly in the subdued ambiance. After taking a draw and exhaling, he turned toward the bodyguard, who had already started to walk away, and

shook their heads in unison, politely declining. Yet, out of courtesy, Frank extracted another cigarette from the trunk and handed it to the guard stationed at the main entrance, saying, “Working late

accepted the cigarette. But, as he was about the decline

a haze of uncertainty. The bodyguard thought. “To smoke or not to smoke? Is this

her heart for his actions. Why did he book such an early flight? People do not even wake up this early for work!

He expressed concern and said, ‘I’ve prepared some breakfast for you. Take it with you, and you can eat it on your way to the airport

the breakfast and helped load her suitcase into the trunk

the pair and instructed, “Stay safe. Four people are accompanying you, but they will not interfere with your trip or report on your

Rose nodded before opening her arms to embrace her mother.

shoulder, reminding her, “You’re running

I return.” Rose said before departing. Even though

softly. She felt touched and warmed in

a short white polo shirt and torn black jeans, a dark blue baseball cap on her head, and a

four men dressed in plain clothes. They were

toward the airport. People who

distance. Rose boarded the plane and found

considerate,” Rose thought to

beam of sunlight snuck in, and she was relatively content. The four bodyguards who followed her could not sit beside her since their

Having woken up early in the morning, she suspected Frank had done this intentionally. She did not remove her sunglasses, pulled her hat low, and covered herself with a thin blanket, preparing to sleep.

taken off yet, and she was already in dreamland. As such, she did not notice the person sitting

lowered eyelids glancing at her attire as he hesitated momentarily. He did not

his needs, but before she could speak, the man extended his long hand. gesturing for her to be quiet. He

assumed they were a couple and regarded

man did not want to explain further.

vibrating phone came from his pocket. After sending a reply, he turned off his phone and quietly laid back

was not great, and sleeping while sitting was

she had not reacted. She was sleeping soundly. Was this insomnia? Catching up on lost sleep after waking up

she

his hand, gently nudging Rose’s head toward the center of the seat. Yet, after two attempts, she still ended up slumped against his shoulder. After repeating this process three times, he ultimately surrendered, thinking. “Well, I suppose

for the upcoming two

shut, yet her hands were raised as if to rouse herself. She momentarily forgot she was

her, Edward observed her without expression and noted that her composure exceeded even that of

addressing herself and the person beside her, she muttered, “Forgot I