Chapter 16

Becoming his partner

"But w-why?" I asked under my breath.

Levi continued to stare at me and it's making me gulped. I might looked like a cooked shrimp with my hot cheeks but I couldn't look away from his penetrating gaze. Suddenly, the corner of his lips curled up and he let go of my waist and the back of my neck. He swam back to the shore leaving me floating in the middle of the sea.

I was confused with how fast thing between him and me happened. Knowing that Levi's heart is only for Nicole, I didn't hope and assume that he has feelings for me. But the way he held me earlier felt different.

My mind was still in state of confusion while I was swimming back to the shore. I picked up my robe and put it on before climbing up the stairs. Thinking of facing Levi in the cottage made me shiver in nervousness. I didn't know what should I react after what he did underwater.

I took a deep breath and made my way back to the cottage. The sun's rays have reached the trees. I think it's seven in the morning.

I saw a lot of guests walking around the resort. There were several children chasing each other nearby. Remembering the bet I had with Nicole and what happened last night, I hastily walked to the cottage and loweing my head in the hope that nobody will recognize me. But I was wrong.

"Hey, isn't it the girl last night? Who got drunk before the contest?" a girl asked her companion while looking at my way.

I tried to ignore them but my first clenched when I heard her companion say, "Ah. I guess she's the loser last night."

My steps quickened while lowering my head in shame. I could hear their laughter when I walked past them and I gritted my teeth. If only I was more cautious last night, I might not forfeited my chance to win. With a lowered head, I stepped inside the Vine's cottage only to see Levi standing in the living room.

He wore nothing on top and only a towel covered his lower body. Levi was drying his hair with a spare towel. He glanced at me and our eyes met. I saw the strange color of his eyes again and I knew he didn't wear his lens. I was surprised when he reached for the paper bag on the small center table and handed it to me. "Wear this. It's the same design with the one you wore yesterday," he said.

I looked down at the paper bag. "Thank you," I whispered.

I walked past him and entered the bedspace, walking to the bathroom. I quickly got dressed. Seeing myself in the full-body mirror, I knew he was right. The design is the same as the white dress I wore yesterday. A smile appeared on my lips. I slowly ran my finger over the floral pattern engraved on the waistline of the dress.

Levi, he's too sweet.

I left the bathroom and returned to the living space. Levi's already dressed in a maroon T-shirt and khaki shorts. "I'll treat you a breakfast," he said when he saw me and stepped out of the cottage first.

I followed. "Where are the other three?" I asked after a few minutes when I noticed Tiden and June were missing.

"Are you worried?" Levi asked.

I saw in the corner of my eye his slight smirk. "Uhm, y-yes."

"Ah." Levi glanced down at me for a moment before he grinned and looked ahead. "They're having fun with girls. Don't worry about them, Rish."

My gaze cast down and fell silent for a moment before I asked, "The same restaurant?"

He paused before laughing softly. "That's the best they've got here."

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard his laugh. I thought after what happened earlier in the sea would make him angry and the slight smirk was just a pretense, but I guess I was wrong. The sun rays hit gently my eyes and I had to close them for a moment. The sun had risen in the east.

"About earlier... I didn't mean to scare you," he said suddenly.

I shook my head. "That's my fault. You don't have to apologize."

He didn't say a word after that so I cast my gaze down again. But I halted in my steps when a ball hit my foot. I blinked as I felt the slight throb in my foot and I looked at the children grinning while running in my direction. They didn't apologize and instead grabbed the ball meters away from me and ran back to where they were playing at. Well, what could I expect from them?

"Are you hurt?" Levi asked. When I looked up to him, I saw his face was leaning a little closer to mine. He's looking at my injured foot.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

Levi's jaw clenched and he glared at the children for a second before averting his gaze. "We'll drop you off at El Grande Lat before traveling to Poblacion."

Blinking, I stared at him. "Poblacion? Are you really going to Ili Rock?"

He glanced at me for a moment. "Yes, with the whole team. Maingey wanted a strong Vine before the concert."

"I see," I said and smiled softly at him. "You are very dedicated to the band."

He stopped walking for a moment and so was I. When he looked back to stare at me, I bravely met his deep gaze. "I should be. If not, what would I do outside Vine?"

"Uhm, yeah. Why did I say such silly words." I laughed wryly and glanced at him from time to time. But I couldn't help myself. I drew my phone out of the pocket and asked Levi, "Can I have a picture with you?"

If I ask it yesterday, I might have second thoughts. But after what happened under the sea, I suddenly thought it's okay. I don't know but I have great confidence that whatever I ask of him, he'll give it to me.

"Come closer," he said and he himself took the cellphone from my hands.

I never knew that at that moment was the start of my entanglement with him.

I WANT to come but I prefer to stay at El Grande Lat. They're gonna have a team building and I know I'm only ruining their moments. I waved at the car and sighed. Tiden even asked me to come along but I declined. Remembering how sharp Nicole's gaze on me was, I sighed. I remembered that girl's haughty words...

"I'll give you a month to pay me the money you owe. If you can't fork it out after a month, then say goodbye to your reputation!" Nicole said before getting in the car.

The corner of my lips twitched and I looked away. Great. I have another problem to worry about and I don't know where to get that money.

Sighing, I turned around and entered El Grande. A golf cart greeted me and I hopped in. After awhile, I reached the mansion and I walked in. I saw a number of maids busy cleaning around. I raised my eyebrows. The atmosphere seemed strange. Did I miss something?

I poked the maid who was closer to me. "Where's Mom?" I asked..

She was surprised at first but answered quickly. "The Madam's at the veranda, Miss, with your father. There's also a man joining them earlier."

Dad? I frowned. He's not the type to stay home during weekend. It looked like an important visitor had come. I decided to fix myself first before climbing the stairs and head toward the veranda.

They were sitting around the round table. The man who I thought was a visitor had his back on me. The back view of his body was familiar but I didn't think about it too much. I have seen many business partners of Papa and he's probably one of them. My gaze turned to look at Mom and smiled. "Ma, Pa," I greeted them.

Mom looked at me for a brief moment before turning her face to Papa sitting beside her. "Your lakwatsera girl has come home," she said. (TL Note: Lakwatsera means someone who is fond of travelling, often seen as negative trait)

I laughed wryly. "I asked permission," I whispered and smiled widely at them. "I'll excuse myself."

I was about to run to my room when Papa called me and said, "Sit down."

Sighing, I obeyed and sat in the empty seat next to the male visitor. I simply turned my gaze to the man and my eyes widened in shock when I recognized him. "Lyndon?"

He glanced at me and smiled.

Papa frowned at the tone of my voice so I immediately 'apologized' and shut up.

"There will be a party at the Waterfront the next day. I will attend with your mother, Rishel. Mr. Davis will also attend and you can join him."

"What?" I looked back and forth between Lyndon and Papa. "Why should I? I'm not needed at the party," I whispered the last sentence.

"It's the congressman's birthday and all the bachelors and business owners here in the city are invited. Mr. Davis is one of the guests of honor. He chose you to be his partner in the party."

I clenched my fist hidden under the table. "Can I decline?" I asked timidly.

"Why don't you want to attend?" Dad asked.

The corner of my lips twitched and I looked away. CareLikeGoldFish, my favorite author, and I agreed to have a greet and meet the next day but I couldn't voice out that excuse because Papa would definitely not agree.

I'm running out of my wits when Lyndon suddenly said, "Vine will attend the party."