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Zach Webb - Found

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[19th June, 2006]

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THIS MORNING COULDN'T GET any worse.

Kicking the flat tyre in a burst of irritation, Jodha wondered when her streak of bad luck would finally end.

Already late for her first day as a teacher at Forks Elementary, she grappled with the fact that she needed to sort out an action plan. But first, she needed to call the school and explain her situation.

Five minutes later, Jodha realized with a sinking feeling that her father hadn't placed a spare in her trunk, nor did he store the car mount, so there was no way she could change the tyre herself and be on her way.

Not that her pristine white blouse and black pencil skirt were suitable for manual labour but she'd been through worse things.

Walking the endless miles back to her house was senseless in itself and panic shot through her nerves at the thought of being late on her first day.

Way to make an impression.

Calling a tow was a viable option and she'd have to pray that Forks had at least one driver on Uber to help her get to where she needed to be.

With an urgency, she researched the nearest tow and dialled up their number - leaning on the trunk of her car as she gave a wary glance at her surroundings.

Being stranded in a meandering road bordered by lush woodland could be nice if she knew more about the place she and her father migrated to a week or so ago. After the grief of her mother's demise, her appreciation for life was sobering and by no means was she ready to meet her end. Especially in a foreign country.

"Great, just great."

Nevertheless, the place was gorgeous and the dull, cool weather was a welcome change to the blistering Caribbean heat of her home country. Homesickness had no place in her psyche or stomach and Jodha was eager to start this new chapter in her life.

Ten minutes later, she damned it all to hell when the tow service didn't pick up. A chill snaked up her spine, causing her chest to constrict in untold fear and panic.

She had no idea what to do or how she'd get to work now. The best thing, at this point, was to lock up the car, call the Uber and sort out something later.

Before she could open up the Uber app, the gentle hum of an approaching vehicle made her heart jump in hope. She stepped further out onto the road and waved until it slowed to a stop.

Expensive.

The windows were tinted, the body of the car sleek, shiny and thrumming with power. Most of all, anyone driving a car this fancy wasn't likely to be a serial killer scouting for their next victim. A nice upside, indeed.

"Lord," she whispered, fixing her neon yellow glasses while gathering her courage, "build my faith in humanity, please."

Walking closer to the window, and pointedly ignoring her mussed up reflection, she raised a hand to knock but it was already sliding down to reveal the most beautiful man she ever laid eyes on.

A shock of golden blonde hair, strands of which fell across his forehead in wispy licks, captured her attention. A sharp, strong jaw. A mostly angular face that seemed to soften at the edges were he to smile or laugh.

But it was the pools of liquid amber in his eyes that astonished her.

She knew Caucasians had unique eye colours - grey, green, blue or a flecked mix of one or two colours - but not one so...vivid or dreamy. Unusual but just as stunning as the Adonis who was before her.

Even odder was the emotion flitting through his eyes, indecipherable and unknown, yet it made a delicious coil in her tummy, a heat slinking towards every part of her until it settled within her. Breathing with her, living within her and moulding to her very being.

"Good morning, are you alright?" His dulcet tone was music to her ears, strong but light, a hint of an accent that incited a rhythmic pounding of her erratic heart yet also eased her jitters.

Overwhelmed by him, she took a step back - an intense heat flushing her cheeks. She'd never been so grateful for her dark complexion in that moment. "Um, hi, morning."

In that instant, she realized that she couldn't be making a fool of herself before this man. No matter how gorgeous he was. Steeling herself, she shook her head in response to his question. "I got a flat and I don't have a spare tyre. I was actually about to call for roadside assistance or something."

The handsome stranger looked at the pitiful flat, much to her chagrin, then gave her a warm smile. "No need for that. Just give me a moment to park."

Mere seconds later, he stepped out of his car and, with fluid movements, removed his suit jacket before rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt as he came closer to assess the situation. "I think I have a spare that might work. It's not the same size but it'll work enough to take you to the nearest tyre shop."

Jodha was already nodding, a grateful smile on her face. "I'm happy to make do once I can get to work on time."

He blessed her with a small grin this time, making her heart flutter. "Perfect, let me get my stuff and I'll change it."

She did not ogle his backside when he returned to retrieve the equipment from his car. Didn't notice the way he carried an air of sophistication about him despite getting ready to do some grunt work for a girl he didn't even know. Thanking her stars that he found her when he did, she stood beside the bonnet of her old car - unsure of what to do with herself as she watched him crank up the car before he started his work.

He took his time, an ethereal grace in his dismantling of the nuts and bolts. Every action made with precision and utmost care.

"You know, I never got your name, Mister."

The smile never left his face, even when he glanced up at her in acknowledgment. "Carlisle Cullen, at your service."

"Carlisle Cullen," she repeated, rolling the name around her tongue, oblivious to the way he clenched his hand around the spanner. She liked the sound of it a lot. "I'm Jodha Absalom. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance though...I wish it was a better situation."

A low sound emitted from his chest. Perhaps his way of censuring her. "Certain things happen for a reason, Jodha. Don't ever apologize for situations you can't change."

God, his accent was to die for. The way her name fell from his lips, each syllable dipped in pure honey, had her gulping. And his wisdom was enough to make her stomach curl in pleasure.

She should be ashamed of herself, thinking about this man in such a manner. Heck, she didn't even know his age yet her attraction was skyrocketing to dizzying altitudes.

He's really beautiful.

If she were to judge, he couldn't have been more than thirty-five - and that was pushing it. He oozed power, virility and a chivalry that could put medieval knights to shame.

"Besides," he continued, interrupting her study of him, "I'm certainly not sorry for meeting you. The pleasure is all mine."

Heat flushed within her once more and she chucked her funky glasses a bit higher on the bridge of her nose. "I...I take it you were also going into town?"

"That's right." He rested the deflated tyre at the side and rolled his spare towards him. "I work at the hospital."

"Oh, you're a doctor?"

"Yes, a cardiothoracic surgeon."

"Ah, I see." That explained his flawless dexterity and graceful, unhurried movements. "You're a very busy man, Dr. Cullen."

He chuckled, focusing on tightening the nuts. "As busy as one can be in a small town, I suppose." A lock of hair fell across his eyelids and he shook it off to no avail. Her fingers itched to brush it away but she dared not give in to the fantasy. "How about you, Ms. Absalom? I don't think I've seen you around Forks before."

"I moved here a week ago with my dad, actually. That's why." She shrugged. "I haven't had time to look around the town except to secure my job. It was a bit of a rush."

"Oh? Where are you from then?"

"The Caribbean," she answered, albeit evasively.

Another chuckle, this time deeper, richer. "I gathered as much from your lovely accent. What island exactly, my dear?"

My dear? Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

She swore she died and went to heaven. But, like any right-thinking woman, she played it off coolly. "Trinidad...and Tobago."

"The twin isle." He hummed thoughtfully. "Can't say I've been there before."

"Good."

Trying her best not to cringe at the bemused look he gave her, Jodha watched as he tightened the final nut with a sigh of satisfaction. "That'll do." He gathered up his tools and unmounted the car. "Like I said, this spare is not to be driven on for long periods. It's not the right size for your vehicle. There are about two repair shops on the way. Please stop the minute you see it."

"I will, don't worry." She rested a hand on his forearm, not missing the way he stiffened at her touch. "Thank you so much, Doctor. I have a gallon of water in my trunk, I'll get it for you to wash your hands." She didn't wait for him to protest, opening the car door to retrieve a kerchief from her handbag and pop the trunk.

He was a very smiley guy, a small quirk playing at the corner of his lips when she poured water over his hands at the side of the road. Then she placed the kerchief in his hand before closing the trunk.

"I owe you one, Dr. Cullen."

"You certainly do, Ms. Absalom." He finished wiping his hands but before she could ask back for the kerchief, he folded it and placed it in his back pocket. "I'll have it cleaned before I return it to you."

It was her turn to smile, a little teasing voice at the back of her head suggesting he may be fishing for an excuse to see her again.

Utter rubbish, considering it wasn't even an hour since they met.

Was there even anything like love - or lust - at first sight?

Still, his next words were enough to make her mouth drop open in shock.

"Also, to make good on your debt, you can let me drop you to work."

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I have no idea where I'm going with this but I do know it will be a mature path filled with adult themes. Be warned.

I do hope you're curious as I am as to where this story will lead us.

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Thanks for reading ❤️

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