Above is a picture of what the bungalow may look like.

This chapter is dedicated to @star_crossed_dreamer for always commenting and making my day!

 Go check out her book on her profile!

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I had been on the road for ages and much to my alarm, I had begun to feel myself nodding off slowly. Slapping myself was only going to help me for so long before sleepover overtook me and my coffee had become lukewarm and tasted disgusting. Even music did little to help.

Suddenly the navigation cut through my self-pity party and the upbeat pop song that was blaring through the radio.

"Exit the motorway in six hundred yards. You will reach your destination in fifteen minutes".

That was enough to wake me up. I would probably get there sooner as this area was pretty much isolated which was... strange.

Turning out from the motorway, I drove onto a side road that should lead me to Colsens. I glanced around quickly for any speed cameras - there obviously were none - and stepped on the pedal. Within minutes, I saw the sign announcing that the village was up ahead.

The sign, although not many people would see it, was well polished and proudly proclaimed "Welcome to Colsen's". Driving past the sign, I immediately fell in love with the village. It was stunning. It gave off a feeling like it was stuck in time with cobbled streets, thatched cottages and a large town centre square with a tall clock tower casting a shadow across the street. The only visible modern touches were the cables, some pylons in the distance and a few cars scattered around.

I drove over the stony road feeling every bump, but not minding at all whilst I took in the gorgeous scenery. KK, however, did and a couple of hisses escaped her mouth which I ignored. As I drove through the town square, I noticed a huge tanned figure emerge from the quaint inn located in the middle of the village. He had a large frame and as he made his way to my car, I didn't know if I should have felt scared by him or if I should have laughed at the apron he wore announcing him as 'The World's Sexiest Cook'. But he had the nicest, bluest eyes I have ever seen in my life with prominent wrinkles indicating that he smiled frequently. He walked up to my window and rapped on it, indicating that I should roll the window down.

As I did so, a huge smile made its way across his face and any thoughts I had about being scared instantly flew out of the window.

"Hello, Miss! I haven't seen a new face here in a while!"

I leaned out of my window and shook his hand, firmly.

"John, John Meyer".

"Hi, my name is Arya, Arya Carlson. You must not get many people if you've noticed my arrival within minutes".

John laughed and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah, I wonder what gave that away. We only get some deliveries once a month but apart from that we're pretty much an isolated, self-sufficient community". He leaned in conspiratorially and whispered. "And then there's the mental institution not far from here".

I whispered back just as ominously, "That's why I'm here".

"I knew it! Holston's is the only reason people will come over here to live in a secluded village like this. Well, in that case, welcome to Holston's village!" He said, laughing at his joke.

"Holston's?" I asked confused. The village was called Colsens, maybe he got mixed up?

"Yes. The locals call the village Holston's as a joke since so many staff live in the village now. But we don't mind the extra people as we actually have proper medical staff now". He turned around and gestured towards the cosy flowered looking inn that he came from. "This is my place. Kept in the family for generations. If you want to get to know people, pop in sometime and I'll introduce you to everyone and to my sons; I'm definitely not trying to set you up with them though", He said as he winked at me.

"Well, I won't hold you any longer, my missus is going to beat me up for taking so long. Come around and see her, we only have one daughter and she's off the rails so Jada needs the company"

I laughed, "Don't worry, I'll pop down as soon as I settle in. Tell Jada I said hi, okay?"

"Okay". With that he patted my car as if it was a horse, waved and strolled back towards the inn, his big frame barely fitting through the door.

-

I had just pulled up in front of my house and it looked even better in real life. It was a bungalow style cottage with an open porch and white shuttered windows. The cottage was surrounded by greenery, vegetation and a well-kept lawn. The cottage was quite big, for a person and a cat, but my parents didn't need to know that.

It was beautiful and most importantly, it felt like home and I couldn't contain my excitement. As soon as I parked the car, I almost sprinted to the huge oak door along the pebbled path with my keys in my hand in excitement and then I came to a stop in shock. Awaiting me was the most complex system I had ever seen in my life. There, was a fingerprint scanner, a four-digit keypad and double locks. What. The. Flip. I knew I shouldn't have trusted my dad. On closer observation, I noticed CCTV cameras perched inconspicuously around the property. No way was I letting my family spy on me. I didn't mind the security but I did mind my dad helicopter-parenting, like a mother hen constantly fussing.

A while later, I managed to open my door and instantly received a notification on my phone. Opening it, I saw it was a message from my dad.

"Nice to see you've arrived in one piece!" and underneath that was two pictures. One close up of me staring at the door and another of me looking for the CCTV with my hands on my hips.

A new message pops up

"lol".

If I was mad before, I was fuming now.

I responded with an angry face emoji and switched my phone off. I needed to unpack. I could deal with my dad's antics later.

-

I had barely gotten started and I was already exhausted. I was low-key wishing that I took up my parent's advice with a moving company and ignored my trust issues.

I dragged my feet, dropping the box I was holding in front of my house door and started the five-minute journey back to the car. Suddenly, I realised there was an unfamiliar figure standing next to my car.  A tall man was leaning into my car through the passenger window with his hands inside. I slowly crept up behind him.

"What are you doing?!"

He yelled and jumped up in shock

"Shit, I'm so sorry. I probably look creepy, don't I?"

"Yeah, you do",  I said, warily. He was tall and muscular looking but I could probably take him down with a well-placed kick in the groin.

"Give me a sec to explain. My name is Karl and I'm your neighbour by the way - the house on the left". He grinned at me, deep dimples on display with blue familiar-looking eyes sparkling in excitement. "I was just playing with your cat. She's pretty cute - a Calico, right? - what's her name?"

I stared at him, good looks weren't enough to fool me into being comfortable with Karl, but cat knowledge sure as hell was.

"Yeah, she is. My name is Arya by the way. Just moved in for my job at Holston's. That demon in the car is called KK".

I shook his firm outstretched hand and tried not to blush as he stared at me with a little smile.

"I'm assuming you have met my dad, the guy who owns the inn?"

"Yeah, I have. He cornered me the moment I drove into the village. I thought your eyes looked oddly familiar. You both have the same bright shade of blue".

"That sounds exactly like him. Unfortunately, your arrival means I owe some money. My brother - Luka -, Dad and I made a bet on who the next person to come to the village would be. I thought it would be the delivery truck person and they both bet that it would be a Holston's staff. What job do you have at Holston's?"

"Oh, I'm a Clinical Psychologist, fresh from the university"

"Really?" He asked, surprised as he gave me a once-over. "You look younger?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I thought healthcare courses in university were very long but you look like you're eighteen".

"Please, there's no need to flatter me. And I'm twenty-five, not eighteen", I chuckled.

He winked at me. "Ooh, guess how old I am".

I looked over at him. He was definitely young and definitely had youthful handsome looks. His light brown hair was ruffled and swept to the side like he had just rolled out of bed. He must be around the same age as me. "Hmmm, I think you're twenty-six?" I guessed.

He grinned, "No, I'm twenty-five. The same as you. Seems like fate".

"No, more like a coincidence. Since you're here, want to help me take all this into the house?" I laughed, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Urgh, don't be cute. Now I have to help you".

"Good, I need a break. Just carry everything to the front door and I'll deal with it from there".

"Fine, fine but on the condition that after we are done with this, you let me take you around town and introduce you to everyone".

"Your dad already has the honour of introducing me to everyone, but you can show me around and we can get lunch. Deal?"

"Deal".

Throwing me a smirk, he picked up some boxes and walked off to my house.

My phone immediately went crazy in my pocket and without checking it, I knew it would be my dad. I knew he would be watching so I made sure to ask Karl to help me out. I should also 'accidentally fall' when I'm next to Karl so that he could catch me and cause dad to have a heart attack. I stuck my tongue out at the nearest camera that was facing me. Revenge was sweet.

---

So, this was supposed to be yesterday, there are no excuses for laziness. I make so many mistakes when I write (because I write super fast) and it takes forever to edit.

Anyways, I just realised how subjective attraction is. Like you may not like someones looks at all, but someone else is really attracted to them. It's weird, right?

I have two questions.

First question. Do you have a type?

(I don't exactly for some reason. There is some criteria I would like a guy to fit but as long as I'm attracted to him, it doesn't matter too much the colour of his hair etc.)

Second question. What's your favourite food?

I don't really have one (Yes, I am very indecisive). I like everything.

What do you think about Karl? (I just realised this is another question)

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Also, let me know is there are any mistakes in my work.

Bye for now!

P.S. I've dedicated chapters to active people so please comment and vote!