Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Enemies On Both Fronts (Part 5)
Don stepped out of the bathroom with a towel slung low around his waist, feeling the cool air brush against his damp skin. He ran a hand through his wet hair, glancing at the clock on the wall just outside the bathroom door.
The red digits glowed 6:48 AM. He frowned slightly, realizing that his mid-morning exercises might have to be postponed. He wasn't on a strict timeline, but he was already beginning to appreciate the importance of sticking to a schedule.
As he walked down the hallway, his thoughts turned to practical matters. 'I should probably invest in a proper way to get around,' he thought, considering his options.
Borrowing Samantha's car seemed like a quick fix, but the idea of getting his own vehicle began to take root. The family seemed well-off, and if he played his cards right, maybe he could convince Samantha to buy him one. The thought brought a small smirk to his face, though he quickly dismissed it with a quiet chuckle. 'Maybe I shouldn't push my luck just yet.'
Reaching his room, Don entered and quickly dressed in a pair of black jeans and a plain white shirt. The simplicity of the outfit suited him; he wasn't looking to draw unnecessary attention, especially after the Central Mall incident which he hoped people would forget quickly as he really didn't want to be in the spotlight at the moment.
While thinking of the Central Mall incident, he remembered they weren't able to get any clothes because of it. He made a mental note to ask Samantha for some shopping money when he headed downstairs. His wardrobe could use a few additions, and now was a good a time as any to ask.
Once dressed, Don made his way downstairs, the wooden steps creaking softly under his weight. As he entered the kitchen, he immediately noticed Samantha.
She was bent forward near the counter, her loose pajama set clinging to her ass and curves in a way that accentuated her figure perfectly. The light pink tank top she wore was thin, the fabric hugging her back and revealing the subtle outline of her bra.
Her shorts were equally revealing, barely covering her upper thighs, and as she reached forward to grab something, the movement caused the fabric to tighten, leading to her ass being fully outlined for Don to see.
Don couldn't help but stare for a moment, his eyes tracing the curve of her waist as she worked. The sight was undeniably alluring, and for a brief second, he allowed himself to appreciate the view.
But he quickly shook off the thought, reminding himself of his priorities. Before he could say anything, Samantha straightened up and turned around, her expression shifting from concentration to surprise.
"Oh, Donnie," she said with a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't hear you come in."
Don shrugged, playing it cool. "Guess I'm quieter than I thought. I was wondering why you're not singing today. I thought I might catch you in the act."
Samantha's cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed again, this time more self-consciously. "It's embarrassing when people are around," she admitted, though there was a playful tone to her voice.
Feigning being hurt, Don placed a hand over his heart. "Oh, so I'm just 'people' now? I see how it is."
Samantha's eyes widened slightly, and she quickly shook her head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it," she replied, giving him a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated. "Why are you so interested in hearing me sing all of a sudden?"
Don shrugged again, keeping his tone casual. "Just curiosity, I guess. You always seem so happy when you're singing."
Samantha gave him a warm smile, but before the conversation could delve any deeper, Don shifted the topic. "By the way," he began, "I'm running low on clothes."
Samantha's smile faltered as she recalled the events of the previous day. "Oh, right," she said, a hint of concern creeping into her voice. "We weren't able to buy clothes because of the attack on Central Mall. I'll give you my card once I'm done here, and Amanda can take you shopping."
Don nodded, but before he could say anything, Samantha added, "Do you still have your driver's license, or do you need to start from scratch with driving classes?"
For a moment, Don was caught off guard by the question. But then he remembered that he'd already done some research on the driving laws in this world. They were essentially the same as in his previous life, and he felt confident that he could manage. The only thing he lacked was a familiarity with the roads, but that could be easily solved with GPS.
"I'll check my things," he replied. "But I should be fine. Why do you ask?"
Samantha shifted uncomfortably, her gaze drifting to the side as she considered her words. "Well, since you'll need to be getting around a lot, it's probably best if you have a car of your own," she explained, her voice hesitant as if she wasn't sure how he would react. "When your father and I divorced, I ended up with three of the five cars we owned.
I sold one, but the other has just been collecting dust in the garage."
Don blinked, momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events. 'Luck really is on my side today,' he thought, barely able to contain his surprise. He'd been considering asking to borrow Samantha's car, but the idea of having his own vehicle—especially one that was just sitting unused—was far better than he could have hoped for.
Samantha looked at him, her expression a mix of uncertainty and hope. "If you're interested, I can show it to you later. It might need a bit of maintenance, but it should still be in good condition."
Don nodded, not really needing to consider it for too long. "That sounds perfect. Thanks, Mom."
Samantha smiled, visibly relieved by his positive response. "I'll get everything ready after breakfast," she promised, turning back to the counter to finish preparing the meal.