Daryn's trance broke. Startled, he looked at Maya who was trying to pull him away from there. 

"Let's go," she said. "I want to stay with you. We are meeting after such a long time. Father has arranged for a party in the evening. I have to buy a dress and matching jewelry. You have to help me darling," she said in a husky voice. 

​​

Daryn didn't know how to react. He stared at Maya as if staring at a ghost. He was so fended off by her. She dragged him. Daryn looked in her direction but his gaze was blank, he did not see her. He let her pull her. At the same time he was disgusted by himself for liking a neotide to this extent. There was certainly something wrong with him. This was unreasonable, illogical. 

--- 

"We have to go quickly. I need to brief you with my new project," Azura exclaimed enthusiastically. Since Dawn had said that she would work on contract-basis, he had prepared a nice and light job for her for the first month so that she could spend time settling in her house and if possible also spend time with him. 

"I am so dead-tired, Azura," Dawn complained. "Can we discuss it tomorrow?" she wasn't ready for plunging in the work right that day.

"Of course! I understand. We will discuss it on the way," he said hauling her suitcase. They walked to the car parking area. Before leaving Dawn turned to look back at the man who had held her gaze for so long, but he wasn't there. She shoved the thought out of her mind and followed Azura and Cole who were now in some deep rugby conversation. 

Azura stashed the four suitcases inside his white Lincoln. Dawn sat on the passenger seat. Old childhood, painful and happy memories of Bainsburgh returned. 

On the way she noticed that the place hadn't changed much except that a lot of real estate development was going on. Azura filled her with the project. "I will send you its summary over email along with attachments. Check it. We are planning to float shares of one of our companies in the market because we need capital. It has shown positive growth. I want you to read the report and let me know." 

"Sure," she replied. 

"Also if you are free tonight, we can have dinner together," he suggested. 

"What? Why?" Cole intervened. Why the hell would a CEO like him even go out to dinner with his sister? "No, we aren't free," he replied curtly. He was unsure of this man's intent. 

Azura gritted his teeth. Cole was really a protective and problematic. 

Dawn laughed. "I think I have to pass your invite today Azura. Both of us have a lot to do. We have to figure out the house, the rooms, the kitchen and also my—" she was about to say 'my dragon" when she bit her tongue. 

"My what?" asked Azura. 

"Documents. I have a truck load of them," she replied, exhaling loudly. Her mind went to Quetz. Where was he? Was he safe? Did he already reach? How will she find him? She had requested Azura to give her a home somewhere on the outskirts of Bainsburgh, in the countryside. 

"Okay," he replied in a heavy voice. 

"Where's our new home located?" she asked as she watched the scenery outside. 

"Dawn look!" Suddenly Cole shrieked. Dawn turned behind to see what he was saying. She saw him pointing towards the left side. She bent a little and her eyes became wide with pain. The siblings looked at their real home – the estate that belonged to them, the place, which was snatched from them. 

"That is Luke Wyatt's house," said Azura. "He was a prominent businessman of the city. Unfortunately he was murdered. The police haven't been able to solve the case." He sighed. "That place is mysterious. Folks say it is doomed. The real owners no longer exist."

Dawn bit her lips as she listened to him. Tears swelled in her eyes and Cole tugged her sleeve from behind. Both of them became absolutely quiet. The memories of her home were fresh in Dawn's mind. Her determination to get back what belonged to them returned with full force. 

They must have driven for an hour before they reached the destination. Dawn noticed that they had entered a lovely avenue that was lined with grey and silver poplar trees that stood as tall as some fort pillars. Their top branches were shining brightly with golden and green leaves as the afternoon sun fell on them. The vivid overhead canopies covered the entire road. She noticed that the houses were lined neatly on the right side of the road at very large distances. On the left of the road there was thick lush greenery. They pulled in front of a stand-alone home with a small garden in front. She could see tall aspen trees at the back, which probably meant that the backyard opened into the woods. "This is lovely," she said as her eyes inspected the area. 

"Do you like it?" asked Azura. He had painstakingly looked for a house according to her specifications. This was the best that came near her specs. He didn't ask as to why she wanted such a secluded place but had simply bought it. In fact he bought one more house, five houses further, but he never told her that. In a few days even he planned on moving there, if everything went according to his plan. 

"It's superb!" she said with a smile. 

They took the luggage out of the car and went inside. The house was pretty with a wooden floor and three bedrooms. The kitchen was already functional. 

"Thank you so much," said Dawn. "You have really helped us a lot." 

"Oh, it's nothing! You are a valuable employee of my firm. This was the least I could do," he replied waving his hand as his face became red. "I have a small request though."

"Sure, tell me," Dawn asked all ears. 

"There is a private party on the weekend. There will be political presence and I need to attend it. Would you be kind enough to go there as my partner?" he asked politely. 

Dawn jerked her head. "What kind of party?"

"Daryn Silver, a prominent businessman, is getting engaged. I hate to be present there but with you, it would be bearable." 

As Cole watched him with a clenched jaw, Dawn laughed. This was the least she could do for him. He had been so kind with her. "Sure," she replied. 

"Great!" Azura jumped. "I will come to pick you up at 7PM." 

"Okay," she nodded.