Chapter 10

Knowing him

But he only shook his head and smiled at me. He walked out of the cottage's door and looked over his shoulder. "What are you waiting for, Rish? Ariel might cancel your bet and force you to stay in CFM."

I tapped my forehead. Yes, I forgot that bet! I hurriedly walked out of the cottage and followed Tiden towards the three pools of CFM. There, I saw Ariel with bare top stretching his arms and leg beside the pool. When he saw me, he flashed an evil grin and my heart skipped a beat. What is he planning this time?

I GASPED and removed the wet strands of hair that covered my face. I looked closely at Ariel who was sitting on the edge of the pool with his legs in the water. "You cheated," I complained and swam to the stairs.

When I arrived at the pool earlier, he didn't wait for me to ready myself and he immediately dived into the water. He didn't consider that I still have my clothes on and event though I want to complain but he seemed no plan to stop, so I couldn't do anything but dived on the pool after him. After I did two turns and poked my head above the water, I saw him smiling while sitting at the edge of the pool.

He laughed and moved a little closer to me. He bent down so that our faces were level. I caught my breath when he grinned. "It's fair enough," he said.

"You dived first!" I insisted.

He shrugged and took a seat by the pool. "I don't understand why you can't accept your defeat, but rest assured your stay here will be worth it." The corner of his lips rose.

I blew air and went up. I even saw how the loose T-shirt I was wearing hugged my waist and chest and it made my undergarments visible. My cheeks burned hot. I walked to Ariel and folded my arms in front of him. "It's not fair. I'll go home later," I said, voice was resolute.

His smug smile hurt my eyes so I huffed and looked away.

He chuckled while sitting beside the pool. He turned his head to my direction and looked up to me. "I won't stop you, but I'll tell Tiden and June that you have no word."

I pursed my lips in annoyance. "You initiated it! You didn't wait for me!"

He smirked. "But you dived after me. Why would you do that if you want me to stop and wait for you?"

I stomped my feet, frowning. "Fine!" I then hastily marched back to their bungalow cottage. I don't know where Tiden had gone to since I dived after Ariel and I hoped that June's still in the cottage so I could change clothes inside.

"Ouch!" I groaned as my forehead hit something hard. I looked up. My pupils dilated when I realized it was Levi whom I ran into. I was speechless for a moment before I regained my voice. "L-Levi," I softly called his name.

He frowned. He looked at me from head to toe then looked into my eyes again. "You're wet. You okay?"

I blinked. "I-I'm fine." I swallowed nervously. "You know me?"

He stared at me for a few seconds before squinting his eyes. "You're quite familiar."

"I'm the girl you rescued from the dock. You don't remember?"

"Ah. You're that girl." He stared at me for a few seconds before smiling sweetly. My heart fluttered at that smile. I could feel both cheeks getting hot so I looked away, embarrassed. "I'm sorry for being reckless," he added.

"It's fine." I tucked the strand of hair that stuck to my cheek behind my ear. The wind blew and I shivered from the cold. I was shocked when Levi took off the cardigan he was wearing and wrapped it around my shoulders. "T-Thank you." I'm still a little bit shy to smile openly at him.

He nodded. "If you're free, I'll treat you a breakfast. I think I owe you one," he said with a faint smile on his lips.

Why does he always smile at me? I couldn't concentrate because my heart was beating fast. Last time he didn't smile at me, he didn't even look at my way. Why now?

I bit my lip. I'm not hungry but I want to take the opportunity to share table with him. I smiled. "Okay."

He walked to the restaurant first and I walked beside him. After a while he asked, "Your name again, Miss?"

"Rishel," I answered and cast my gaze down. He really didn't know my name and it might be the first time he noticed my existence. I sighed.

He took me to the restaurant where Tiden and I ate earlier. I winced secretly. Why the same restaurant? What's worst? Levi chose to sit at the exact table where Tiden and I sat earlier. My expression was still calm while sitting on the same spot, but I'm crying inside. Thankfully, my discomfort was relieved by his sweet smile.

Levi is so handsome!

"What do you want to eat, Rish?"

I was stunned. "What did you call me?"

"Rish." He smiled but it faded slightly. "You don't want me to call you that?"

"Ah, not like that. It's just... no one has called me like that before. It's just you."

"Then good." He smirked. I almost fell off my chair when I saw that. I bit my lip and looked away. I don't know what's happening to me, but the more time I spent with him, the more I lose my sanity. I can't help but admire his sweet smile and imagine myself by his side for the rest of my life.

Ah, stop it Rishel. Levi will be scared off when he'll know your thoughts!

He made the order. Fortunately, he only chosen seafoods. At least I'll taste something different. We ate in silence. I noticed that he didn't eat rice and he only ate seafood. Levi might noticed my occasional glance at his plate so he raised his head and stared at me. "Would you like to order rice?" he asked.

"No, no." I shook my head. "I'm good without rice. I like to eat this one as is." I then pointed my spoon on the large crab lying on my plate.

"Okay." He smiled again and give his attention back to his plate.

But a thought flashed in my mind. "Uh, Levi?" I called.

"Hmm?"

"Is it okay for Nicole to see us eating together?" I asked and swallowed the lump in my throat. I still remember the bet I had with her and her piercing gaze on me.

He stopped chewing for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"She's your girlfriend, right? But I'm here with you, eating alone. It might not good to look at ----"

He laughed suddenly. He shook his head and looked at me with a smile on his lips. "We're eating, Rish. Not dating. And Nicole is not my girlfriend. We're just friends. Besides, she's still asleep in her cottage so I didn't wake her."

"Oh." I was right to assume that Levi was still sleeping earlier when Nicole visited their cottage early in the morning. He didn't know the bet I and Nicole had. Smiling, I looked at him straight in the eye. "But everyone says you and Nicole are matchmade in heaven."

Levi was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "Nicole's just clingy. Nothing's going on between the two of us. Maybe people think that we're in a relationship but the truth is we're not."

"But he likes you," I declared, smiling. But deep inside I was hoping that Levi's telling the truth. Even if it hurts a little to ask their true status, but I will feel secure knowing the truth from him.

"Yes. She's transparent when it comes to me," he said with a frown.

I pushed my luck. "Do you like her too?"

I didn't notice I was holding my own breath, waiting for his response. He stared at me and I stared at him too. It was now I realized that the color of his eyes were different. A streak of green was visible from his blue irises.

I blinked. "Levi, do you not realize how beautiful your eyes are? They look good so you should face the camera more."

Levi was stunned for a moment before he grinned. "You have a pair of sweet lips, Rishel."

What's that?

My eyes and cheeks burned hot and I looked away. "I'm telling the truth!"

Levi just chuckled. I love to hear his laughter, if only I could stay by his side forever. But I know that this moment is just a lucky encounter and I will not have the luck to share table with him in the future.

Drawing my water-proof phone from my pocket, I opened my mouth to ask for a selfie with him when someone called his name. "Levi?"

My head snapped at the woman who suddenly approached our table. She was carrying a DLSR camera and smiling from ear to ear.

"Do I know you?" Levi asked the woman without glancing her way.

I secretly smiled at his reply. Such a rude remark but I liked it especially when the smile on the woman's lips faltered. Huh, serves her right for interrupting my precious time with Levi!

"Ah, I'm your fan. Can we take a selfie ---"

Levi cut her words in resolute. "No."

The woman went silent. Even I was stunned. I didn't know that he would hastily decline his fan's request. The woman glanced at me. I pursed my lips and raised an eyebrow at her. I saw her secretly rolling her eyes at me. My gaze darkened. Some bitchy type, huh?

"We're eating," Levi reminded the woman. His tone was strong and firm. "Leave us or I'll call someone to drag you out."

The woman's lips trembled and said nothing. She nodded and softly bid goodbye before hastily walking out of the restaurant. I realized there are a lot of eyes looking at us. The woman did make a scene.

"I noticed you staring at me earlier, Rish. Do you have something in mind?" Levi asked.