See it for yourself
To avoid more conversation, I stayed silent. But it wasn't because I was scared of him. Obviously I have my own agenda. Because I value his trust, I don't want to test his patience.
Now, I’m trailing him from behind. Walking at the sand in front of the waves that’s crashing to the shore. I trail his steps silently. I’m like a kid trying to match my steps with his. I grinned because I find it funny how my foot is so small compared to his.
”Aww,” I bumped my head into a hard thing. When I lift my head it’s him that I saw.
He raised his brows with a quirky smile. I did the same.
”What now?” I pouted.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes in a dashing way. Within seconds of him grabbing my wrist, I was standing next to him. Instantaneously, he slid his fingers into mine and we were hand-in-hand.
My chaotic heart pounded. I could only stare at him in disbelief. Just staring ahead of himself, he seemed oblivious to everything going on around him. My throat was clear, so I didn't say anything. Great. Okay, this... could be useful.
”S-so… uh,” I tried to find my words. “Why did we leave?”
’Just fcking think about a goddamn topic, Alia.’ I talked inside my head.
”They’re noisy as hell.”
I chuckled. “I can’t believe you have friends with that kind of attitude.”
He sounded insulted, asking, "What attitude?"
”Hostile.” The thought of it made me chuckle.
I came to a complete halt when he did. His gloomy expression returned to his face. In order to suppress my evil grin, I bit my lip.
”Really? You’re that judgemental? Why? Have you seen me with my friends before?”
I shook my head while pouting.
”Then why?”
I rolled my eyes. “Have you ever heard of impressions?”
”Tss.” he hissed.
I chuckled again and we continued walking.
We became silent again. The crashing of the waves and the loud hiss of the trees is the only one reigning our silence. His hands are warm, and his feet are large compared to mine.
”So… you're an orphan?”
I was worried about bringing up that subject at first. The reason being that it crosses the boundary. It's none of your business. If he doesn't want to answer it, that's fine with me.
”Yes.”
I didn’t expect that, clearly.
”You haven't seen them since?”
He nodded. I looked at his side view. His lashes are long, and it became more visible in this view. Is there even a part of him that’s deserving of my insult. Cause I think there’s nothing.
”It’s must have been hard for you.” I uttered.
”No. I should be the one saying that.”
”Huh?”
”It must have been hard for you.”
As soon as he looked at me, I blinked. Involuntary, I wet my lips. My life's experiences flooded back to me like a river. Suddenly, there was a crushing weight on my heart.
"That wasn't anything I considered at the time." I said. I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept them on the sand. "" I was just thinking...' The future has promise for progress if I can make it thus far.
The man let out a long sigh.
”But thinking about it now, it is. It’s been like forever.” I laughed raw.
In response to the tightening of his grip, I turned back to stare at him. The tension in his jaw has caused it to stick out.
”But at least I have my father.” I smiled.
”Your father who did nothing but to exploit you.” he disagreed.
I pouted. “He’s still my father. Unlike you, I experienced having a parent beside me. “
”Don’t bullshit me, Alia. He’s never a father to you.”
My eyes widened in his reaction.
”I was just trying to compare.”
”Then stop it now.” he said with finality. I pressed my lips together to stop saying anything.
“If he’s a father to you, then you’re not supposed to be here.”
My lips parted in stunned silence. “Right here, beside me.” he continued.
All of a sudden, it clicked in my mind why we were doing this. What this whole thing is leading up to. In an effort to free myself, I withdrew my hands, but he only gripped harder. In that moment, I was completely helpless.
We arrived at our property and immediately showed me to my room. He suggested that I should relax because of our excursion this afternoon, but that we'd be going out for supper again later. That, however, was not something I could accomplish. I tried to get some sleep, but I just couldn't. Considering how much time I've had to think on the past events, my mind is occupied.
Before going out, I sent a message to Lulu.
Me:
Lulu. Can you do some research about this man named ‘Aciel Evans’?
Lulu:
Who’s that?
She doesn’t know who’s the man I’m with because I thought it is not necessary for her to know.
Me:
Just, please?
Lulu:
Alright. I’ll tell you the details once I get it all.
I thanked her and minutes later, Aciel knocked into my door. We went into another part of the beach. We must have been a little late because all his friends are there already. They’re kind of noisy and having their own night already. Aciel wrapped her arms around my waist when we’re getting near. I just ignored it and focused on the people.
After work, Molly kindly asked us over for supper. Almost at the very end of the long table, we took a seat. Like he did for me this afternoon, Aciel is quick to lend a hand. Before I could stop him, my attention was drawn to the woman across the table. To introduce myself, my name is Mia.
During the course of the meal, I said nothing out of the ordinary and maintained my casual demeanor. Then we had the campfire everyone is talking about now. While they got the fire and other stuff ready, I used the time to use the facilities.
As I emerged from the teeny cubicle, I noticed a woman examining her reflection in the wall mirror. To introduce myself, my name is Mia. She's doing her make-up in the mirror and doesn't appear to notice my presence, though I can guess why she's here.
”Oh hey,” she smiled fakely, acting like she’s not aware of my presence.
The woman towers over me in height. Her face is quite well-structured, which gives her an air of maturity. Her corpse? You might almost call it perfect.
”Mia,” she offered her hand. “Though I think you might have heard of me already.”
My response to her handshake was casual. As soon as she began talking again, her smile vanished.
”So… you’re Aciel’s?”
For a few moments, I just stared at her in silence, unsure of what to say.
”We are whatever you heard about us.” I simply said.
She laughed raw and shifted on her position. “Look, I know Aciel more than anyone else here.”
Honestly, I have no idea where she is headed. However, I listened and watched her without responding in any way.
”You’re not his girlfriend. That’s for sure.”
She stated it so definitely that it irritated me. We are not adversaries, therefore I know I shouldn't be impacted by her. In fact, I'd like to support her since she might end up being very useful to me. However, the way she mocks me at the moment causes a new type of fire to burn within me.
”Then believe whatever you want to believe. Excuse me.” I said and was about to leave but she stopped me.
”I can’t believe Aciel would stray this far.” she laughed. “He’s still not over me that he brought a stranger here? Where did he get you? What are you even?”
As I looked at her unpleasant pale face, I clinched my teeth.
”An escort? A whore?” she smirked.
My eyeballs trembled with displeasure. Perhaps because she knows the solution. Why do I feel such anger, though? Why do I find her tone so irritating?
”See it for yourself.” I said, sounding so unbothered then left her there with a heavy heart.
It looks like we have a good fire going for the night around the campfire. Without saying a word, I sat silently next to Aciel. He keeps sneaking peeks at me, and I can feel it. Mia returned, and I noticed that she sat with the rest of the group after she arrived. In fact, she had the nerve to carry on as if nothing had happened. She is chatting along with the other guys, and every so often she looks over at me.
I find myself getting quite angry about it. In all honesty, I am a whore. Too much feeling nearly caused my nose to become inflamed. I kept pressing my hands together to bring my attention back to the ache in my hands.
”Hey,” Aciel held my hand.
I reached out to separate ourselves, but he pulled my hand back and we ended up holding hands. Naturally, my gaze drifted to Mia. I don't know why I found joy in the fact that she appears to be constipated.
He even held my shoulders and pressed me into his body. “Come here, it’s getting cold.” He brushed my shoulders with his palm while the other one was clasped with mine.
Regardless, I keep my focus on Mia. When I started to smile, I forced a stop. She had a thick face, though. Her expression remained unruffled, as if she were trying to convey that she was unaffected.
”What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly upset? Something happened?” Aciel whispered to me.
I gave him a cursory look. A few inches separate our faces now. When I looked into his eyes and saw the raging fire in the center, my world spun about in confusion.
He said "Why?" and once licked his bottom lip in frustration.
I accidentally kissed him on the lips without thinking. Even though I felt his stiffness for a few seconds, he relaxed almost instantly. Now he's the one taking the initiative. He grabbed my nape and kissed me gently but firmly. Automatically, my eyes closed, and the next thing I knew, the entire gang was cheering upon seeing us.
See it for yourself, Mia the ex.
