Chapter 3

I met Dad in his office. He was busy dealing with paperwork but was shocked to see me soaking wet. His eyebrows rose. "You dive there?"

"No, Pa. Just fell."

His forehead furrowed even more before continuing to trade. "Take a bath first and change. Maybe you have clothes on the other room."

I crossed my arms against my chest. "Who is that Engineer Lyndon, Pa? He's very nosy. He even bought me clothes and adviced me to not go to the dock anymore."

He was stunned and frowned at me. "Where is he now?"

"He's okay, buying a dress at Gaisano."

"Why did he go there? You have a lot of clothes on the other room."

"Ah." I scratched the back of my neck. I met that Engineer earlier while entering the Larica building. He didn't stop asking so I asked him to buy me a dress. I coyly smiled at Dad. "I don't like to see him lurking around so I asked him to buy a dress," I reasoned out.

"Did you give him money?"

I shook my head. "He said he had money."

Dad sighed and shook his head. "Go to the other room. It's late and you might get sick."

"Alright, Pa. But who is that Engineer Lyndon?" I asked him again.

And why he couldn't stop asking me? I was still suspected of involvement in the massacre there in Boljoon. I huffed.

"Rishell. I'm busy right now. Get dressed," Dad said.

I shrugged and nodded before exiting his office. I opened the door on the other room, just beside his office, and went inside. I saw again the big Vine poster glued to the wall.

In the poster, Levi was smiling as he was looking at Nicole who was facing the camera. I sighed. He also had that sideview poster. The disturbing thing was that he's staring at Nicole. Well, he was Levi afterall. I guessed he didn't like to stare at the camera. But it's okay.

I giggled. He hugged me earlier and I was more than happy because of that incident.

I sang a happy tune and went outside, to the small balcony. Dad's office was on the second floor and the Larica building was just near the fishing port, so I could clearly see the Pasil Fish Market from the balcony.

The market was bright because of the big lights outside. I hugged myself as the evening sea breeze blew against my exposed skin. Hmm, my clothes were still wet. I should get dressed now.

There was a sudden knock on the door. Maybe that's Engineer. I quickly went back inside and opened the door. But I was surprised when I saw Dad. He frowned. "Your Mom called. She's sending you home. Why can't she contact your number?"

I was in dazed. "My phone fell into the sea. It had sank at the bottom so I didn't try to get it back. The sea's dark when it fell."

He took a deep breath and touched the bridge of his nose. I thought that it was his mannerism. "Buy a new one tomorrow and don't take a bath there at the pier. Go to Badian and take a vacation if you want. I didn't raise you to stink like a garbage."

I sniffed myself then smiled sheepishly at Papa. "Next time, 'Pa. Thanks."

"Get dressed, Rishell."

"Okay," I chirped happily.

He just nodded before returning to his office. I closed the door again before standing straight in front of the cabinet. It was at that moment that I inhaled the unpleasant smell I acquired from the dirty water.

I was still lost in my thoughts when there was another knock on the door. I drew a breathe and approached the door again to open it. I saw Engineer.

My eyes narrowed. "Why now ---" I stopped speaking when I noticed something on his polo shirt.

There was a big, bloody red stain there. My forehead furrowed. "What happened? It's..." I stepped closer, knelt in front of him, and smelled the bloody stain on his stomach. "Fish blood?"

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Huh?" I looked up at him.

His aura was dark. Lips pursed into thin line and forehead was furrowed while facing down on me and staring directly into my eyes. That's when I realized the way I knelt in front of him, so I blinked suddenly.

Heck!

I quickly stood up and shook my dress in embarrassment. I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry. Where's my d-dress?"

He handed me the bag. "Next time, don't just kneel in front of a man. Others might think differently so don't do it again."

My cheeks warmed at what he said. Would I know someone will look at us? The second floor was exclusive and ordinary people could not just casually visit that floor. So it didn't matter if I kneel in front of him, does it?

Hmmp. With the two of us, he seemed like the pervert one. So why should I believe his words?

I just averted my eyes and quickly took the bag from his hand. "I just checked your clothes," I defended myself. "But what happened? Don't tell me you went through the Fish Market?"

"Get dressed," he said then slowly unbuttoned his polo shirt. "Where's your Dad?"

My eyes widened as he undressed. Oh, wasn't he a pervert? I winced and looked away. "Why are you doing that?"

He raised a brow and finally removed the polo shirt. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that he was still wearing a shirt underneath. I knew that undressing in front of me wouldn't hurt me at once, but I didn't want any scandal here!

Maybe he had a girlfriend, then the girl would visit him there and saw her boyfriend naked in front of me, then she would pick a fight with me and would scratch my face. I winced at the thought.

Heck. That's the cliche plot in novels. It's a good thing that he was sensible enough to maintain his dignity, if not, then that would mean disaster.

"Miss Larica."

"You really like to call me that much?" I retorted, annoyance was in my voice.

He chuckled then mockingly smiled at me. "Make sure to take a bath. You smell like a rotten fish," he said and then walked into the next door where Dad's office was.

I was left thinking about what he said. Rotten fish? My face's flushed. I glared at the next door. That man was an annoying jerk!

I GLARED at him. He was just staring at me so my forehead furrowed.

He was wearing a T-shirt now and his hair was slightly wet. Looked like he washed or bathed before facing me. We both stopped our staring battle when when Dad called him.

"Mr. Davies, this is Rishell Joy Larica. Rishell, Mr. Davies, the head officer of project renovation and expansion of Larica building."

I looked at Dad. "Renovation?"

"Yes," Lyndon muttered. "It's nice to know you formally." He held out his hand to shake my hand.

Renovation project, huh?

I hastily accepted his handshake. I squeezed his hand tightly so that he would know that I was annoyed by him. "Same here," I muttered with gritted teeth.

But I just didn’t expect him to retaliate with a squeeze. I was stunned. I saw how his grin widened when he noticed that I was affected by him, squeezing my hand. The heck with this man.

I quickly withdrew my hand and turned my gaze to Dad. "I'm going home, Pa. I have an exam tomorrow."

"Will you take the bus?" he asked.

I nodded. "The trip is only 4 hours."

"It's not good to take the bus. The hour is late." Dad looked down at his watch. "Just wait for Gerard. He'll be here soon."

"But Pa --"

"Don't be stubborn, Rishell."

I drew a breath and pouted. I secretly glanced at Lyndon but quickly looked away when our eyes met.

He had been staring at me the whole time? Well, that's creepy!

"Okay," I casually replied to Dad. "I'll just stay on the dock then," I said then stood up.

Lyndon suddenly cleared his throat. "Don't dive in the waters again. I won't buy you new clothes."

I inhaled and exhaled, stopping myself from blurting out hurtful words to him in front of Dad. I shot him a glare and muttered,"Whatever!"

He laughed. I didn't look at Dad's expression because I already marched out of the office. My face was red because of annoyance and anger towards that man.

He didn't know me well, so why was he trying to interfere with my life? Even my own father would let me do what I want. And Dad, he didn't seem to be annoyed nor offended by Lyndon's jerkish remarks.

I hurried out of the building and made my way to the dock area of ​​Pier one.

The surrounding was darker than earlier but thankfully, some light poles were alive, giving light unto the dock. The Pier's beacon was also turned on, so I could see the ships starting to sail away from Dad's fishing port.

I walked quietly to the dock area. The salty sea breeze caressed my exposed skin and I could not help but to shiver slightly. I crossed my arms against my chest and rubbed my palms against my arms.

I touched the hem of the white dress I was wearing. The clothes set he bought was incomplete. There was no shorts. So, whenever the cold wind blew, the hem of the dress would fly up and my undergarment would be seen in an instant.

And I suspected that he intentionally forgot to buy a short so he would see me wearing the white undergarment he bought for me.

Huh. I felt disgusted by thinking how that man grinned from ear to ear.