Dangerous Driving

Chapter One

I put the key inside the door and push it open, lugging my groceries behind me. It's a stupidly hot day in Virginia and I blow out a deep breath, struggling to carry everything inside. As I give up and drop them to the floor besides the door mat, my eyes land on a white letter with the words URGENT stamped across the front in red lettering.

"That doesn't look good..." I mutter under my breath, bending down to retrieve it. I quickly tear it open, dropping my car keys onto the kitchen counter before heading for my bright pink couch. I freeze as I drop down onto it, my eyes skimming over the contents of the letter.

"Unpaid rent... four weeks before eviction... must be paid immediately..." I groan, dropping the letter to the floor and burying my face in my hands. My job working as a waitress isn't glamorous or paid well either. Since moving into my flat at the prime age of twenty two, I've missed six out of nine payments.

That's not great.

I glance around at my small but full of character flat that I've called my first home. It's designed with my favourite colours in mind - pink, pastel blue and green. Lots and lots of green in the form of plants. I love plants so I have them scattered around all over the place. My ex boyfriend called me a plant hoarder. I wouldn't take it that far. It's been two months since we broke up and I still miss him. He said I was beautiful and a great person but he felt like something was missing in our relationship.

I roll my eyes, wondering whether I'll ever understand the male species. I drag myself to my feet and head for the kitchen to pour myself a glass of red wine. It's the evening somewhere in the world which technically means I can have a drink, right? I pour myself a large glass before using my fingers to scrape my dark brown hair upwards into a messy bun.

"Well Mia Jackson, you should probably come up with an idea to make some money. . . And fast." I mumble to myself, sauntering back over to the sofa. My eyes land on the intimidating letter on the floor so I push it under my coffee table, out of sight.

If only I could do that with all of my problems.

I fall backwards and reach for my laptop with my free hand before placing it on my lap. The screen bursts to life and I sigh heavily before typing away in the search bar.

PART TIME JOBS IN VIRGINIA.

I click on a website and scroll down, my eyes skimming over every advertisement.

"Dog walker, nope. I'm allergic to dogs." I mumble, scrolling down. The next one is an advertisement for a gardener every weekend. I shake my head, taking a rather large sip of wine.

"I bet my allergies would love that one." I murmur, sounding like a miserable old woman. A little voice in the back of my head tells me to simply call my parents and ask for help. After that thought, I suddenly remember who my parents are and laugh out loud.

"Yeah, right." I snort with laughter, the wine already going to my head slightly. My parents are simply impossible to deal with, hence why I decided to move out. Having my own apartment is important to me and my independence so I need to find a way to pay the rent. After searching for hours with no luck, I eventually nod off with a half empty bottle of wine next to me.

When I wake up, I find myself engulfed in darkness. The only light source is my laptop screen on the coffee table. I groan and sit up slightly, turning my neck side to side to relieve some tension. I'm still dressed in my denim jeans and tank top so I stand up, attempting to take them off. I stumble to the side, losing balance slightly before giggling to myself.

"Someone's a little drunk..." I whisper before a wave of reality smacks me hard in the face. I'm twenty two, living alone with my plants, single and struggling to pay my rent with my dead end waitress job. . .

This isn't exactly how I planned my life to go.

I can feel myself beginning to grow emotional, tears stinging my eyes. I quickly reach up and brush them off, blowing out a deep breath. Once I manage to get my jeans off, I sit back down and begin to search again for a way out of my money troubles. Instantly, I'm drawn to an article that was listed an hour ago.

DRIVER WANTED.

Must be reliable and have a clean license. I'm looking for a driver who can drop me off in the morning. Evening pick up may also be required. Contact me for more info.

I sit back and re-read the ad again, trying my best to focus. The wine has definitely taken over some of my brain cells but eventually, I decide this could be it.

"I drive and I'm reliable. . . kind of." I shrug, reaching for my phone. I find the number and punch it in, completely unaware that it's currently past midnight and I'm responding to the ad. The line rings for what seems like forever and I'm a second away from hanging up when finally someone answers —

"Yes?"

For a moment, I freeze at how low and smooth the voice is I'm listening to. Then I remember that I'm on a phone call and I frown at his choice of words. . .

Who the hell doesn't answer the phone with a simple hello?

"Erm, hi?" I respond eventually, his wording completely throwing me off. There's silence on the other end and I slap my forehead repeatedly, wondering why I'm a complete idiot. I blow out a deep breath and decide to try again.

"Sorry, hello. I'm responding to the ad you have online. You're looking for a driver, right?" I say more confidently this time. I pause, allowing him to answer. All I can hear for a few seconds is his low breathing and to be honest, it's kind of creepy.

"Right. I want a driver."

I remain silent, wondering whether he's going to elaborate. He doesn't.

"Cool. Well I drive and I have a clean license. I can pick you up tomorrow and drop you off wherever you need to go." I tell him, suddenly growing anxious.

"Great. Pick me up at seven. I'll text you the address." He responds, his voice smooth like melted butter. I glance down at my arms, noticing goosebumps trailing up and down them.

Huh, I must be cold.

"That sounds great! Erm, final question." I say slowly, wondering how to approach the topic of money. He pauses on the other end —

"You'll be paid two hundred additional to gas money at the end of the week. Does that sound good?" He says confidently, taking me completely by surprise.

Two hundred bucks just to drive him around?

Hell yeah, that sounds good!

"Yes! I mean, yeah. That's fine, I'll see you tomorrow." I respond, trying my best to act collected and professional. Before he can respond, I quickly speak again —

"I'm Mia Jackson by the way."

For a second, I'm sure I hear a low chuckle on the other end before it quickly turns silent again.

"See you tomorrow." His words are spoken softly, almost angelic. I breathe in deeply before responding, my words barely above a whisper.

"See you tomorrow."