Sleeping in all day was obviously going to be out of the question. Jack let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.

Another knock, just as gentle yet firm as before.

"Come in," Jack called out, realizing he had forgotten to lock up before succumbing to the comfortable bed. He quickly sat up, just in time for the door to open inward.

Sarah entered, natural heavenly scents seeming to proceed her.

She smiled at him, closing the door. "Still in bed at 9:30?" she consulted a watch on her wrist to be sure. "How bourgeoisie!"

Jack didn't know how to begin the morning with her, whether with annoyance at her little jabs or with laughter at how witty they actually were.

"Hey," he chose to say, instead, with a courteous smile, "the bed was really nice. Thank you."

"Right!" She crossed her arms over the chest of her black jumpsuit. "That'll be a cool one grand for the night."

A lightbulb switched on in Jack's brain, causing his eyes to bulge out of their sockets. "$1000 for one night in this place?" he exclaimed incredulously.

She scowled at him. "What, you don't think it's worth it? Not as lavish and extravagant as your fancy hotels back home?"

Jack couldn't believe she was serious. "Even back home, with all its swanky prices, a hotel has to be pretty darn high-class to charge that much for a night. This isn't even on par with a budget motel room!"

"Take that back!" she protested, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Jack realized, with a sinking feeling, that she had been teasing him all along.

"You're not serious!" he gasped, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Her laughter filled the room, causing her to throw back her head. Jack couldn't help but admire how her jumpsuit hugged her body perfectly, paired with gray heeled boots that reached just above her ankles.

"You should have seen your face," she snorted, holding back giggles.

"It's not funny!" said while running his hand through his hair.

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"Oops." Her tone suggested she didn't really mean it and would definitely try to pull a prank like that again.

Jack sat up in bed, still dressed from the day before. His socks, which he had worn to bed, clung to his feet, and his shirt remained buttoned, wrinkled from sleep. He hadn’t even bothered to reach for his bag, which was still in the car. In fact, he hadn’t thought about his phone until just now.

"I am feeling much better now, Sarah. Thank you. I'll go wash up and then I'll ask for that gas can and directions to the nearest station... So I won't bother you anymore."

Sarah hesitated and scratched the back of her ear, a sign that something was amiss. "Actually," she said slowly, "I think you'll be staying a bit longer than planned. Possibly until tomorrow."

Jack's heart skipped a beat and he felt a surge of panic.

His car must have been stolen!

"Why?" he asked anxiously.

"You left your car keys at the counter earlier while I gave you a drink before bringing you here to sleep. So, this morning, I asked one of my staff to get the gas from the station for you..."

Jack's relief was great. "How gracious of you. Thank you." But there was something she still wanted to say. He saw it in the unsettled nature of her face.

"Is... Is there a problem, though?" His panic came back.

"Well, I told the staff to also help you start the car and warm the engine for whatever trip you would want to still make today. The thing is, Gabriel tried and tried, but the vehicle wouldn't start."

"What!?"

She nodded, even though she had done nothing wrong, her wide eyes making her look like a little child caught in the act.

"We were clueless about what was going on. Gabriel suggested that maybe it had something to do with the length of time you spent driving here and the complete depletion of fuel."

"That doesn't make any sense!" Jack exclaimed, standing up from his seat. "It was only a few hours. What good is a car that won't start?"

"Is there a problem?" she said with a frown. Her voice carried a hint of apology, as if she were somehow responsible for the car's malfunction. "We called the town's mechanic," she explained, "but he's out for the day. He'll come by tomorrow morning to take a look."

"Tomorrow?!" His voice was loud and sharp, causing her to flinch.

"Is there a problem? “ she asked sharply.

What am I supposed to do here until tomorrow? What could this place possibly offer me until tomorrow?

Jack's voice had risen again.

He saw rage building on her beautiful face, like oil bubbling in a frying pan. She could either punch him in the stomach or kick him out, along with his broken-down car. Her eyes bore into him. Just as Jack was about to crumble under her gaze, she began to rant.

"I don't know what you want to do with yourself, you ungrateful Mr. ‘Famous Writer’. Perhaps if you weren't so insufferably arrogant and constantly trying to prove your superiority, you might actually find some purpose or something a little worthwhile in your life or possibly even in this town!"

With a loud slam of the door, she stormed out, leaving Jack alone to ponder her words.