Vote
Later that afternoon, we came back to our villa. It was never the same again. I can’t look at him the same way again. For that short period of time that we are at the sea. It’s like a huge twitch of fate happened.
As I lounge around on the bed, I check my phone. I quickly read through Lulu's chat log. Everything focuses solely on the latest developments in her "quest" to locate my father.
Lulu:
To be honest, I'm still not convinced. However, my own research suggests that your father was last spotted at a port heading east.
I frowned thoughtfully. Port?
Lulu:
And that’s just not it. It seems like he’s hopping from one place to another as if he’s running from something.
Then he must be having a blast, right? Given his financial situation, his behavior is understandable. But that bothers me a little bit since the police might end up catching him.
How come I'm still outside if that's the case? After being missing for what seems like forever, I finally feel like someone is on the lookout for me. To be honest, I think Aciel poses the greatest threat to me.
Lulu:
And about the man ‘Aciel Evans” . I did some research but it’s a lot of information so I think I’ll need to call you.
We exchanged responses.
Me:
Alright Lulu. Thank you so much. I’ll be calling you once I’m available.
Aciel told me that he’ll need some time to email some things, and maybe that’s about business and all. So instead of dozing off, I decided to come out of the villa and take a walk at the shore. I glanced at his door and it’s still closed. So I guess he’s really busy about something.
I saw Molly at the beach. She’s alone, which is a bit unusual. From afar, I can already see her wide smile because she noticed my presence while she’s at the lounge. She waved her hand and pointed to the lounge on her side.
”Hey! "Join me," she invited.
I smiled and sat beside her. Judging from our few encounters, Molly seems to be a jolly and outgoing person. She’s easy to be with and she makes me feel comfortable. Unlike Aciel, and his husband.
She enquired, "How was your yacht trip?"
For a few brief moments, I reflected on what had taken place. I grinned naively and nodded my head. When she offered me the drink she had next to her, I politely declined.
"By the way, where is Aciel?"
”Uhm, he’s in his room.”
She narrowed her eyes. “His room?”
I nodded. “He said he needs to work on something real quick.”
”No no no. Like… his room? You mean, ‘our room’ right?”
My lips parted. I didn’t know what to say so I just looked her in the eye. After a few moments she chuckled like she just heard some ridiculous statement.
”You’re not his cousin, obviously. The way you both stare at each other’s eyes and the way you made a scene last night.” she smirked.
A flush rose to my cheeks.
”But he got you a separate room for this trip.” She emphasized the last words.
I know. Just like you, I have no idea what's wrong with him. What gives me away as a disappointed person? No!
”He’s courting you?” She tested the waters.
I shook my head slowly. Naturally, I am anxious because I have no idea what to say to her.
”Friends?”
My eyes were glazing over as she asked each inquiry. Everything she suggests seems like a bad idea. Okay, I see where this is going.
”Alright, I get it. I’m not gonna put you in a hot seat.” she laughed sensually.
My internal pressure had finally eased. Good thing she has some common sense.
”But as you know, I acted that way because clearly, that’s new.” she shrugged.
”What… Do you mean?”
She gave me a sidelong glance as if she'd just heard the same ludicrous thing I had. As she looked at me, she squinted. Being stared at like that made me feel a little uncomfortable.
”You’re eighteen. Where the hell did Elijah get you?”
With a gulp, I looked away from her.
”Did he kidnap you or something?”
When I looked at her, I shook my head.
”Well cause… you’re one hell of an innocent lady! Where the hell did that asshole get you?” she raised her voice.
There's nothing I can do but stare at her.
”You don’t need to answer.” she shook her head and sipped to her juice. “I also don’t want to interfere. It’s just that, you seem so innocent about all this. And I’m thankful because he seems to be treating you right.”
I bit my lip. Treating me right? What kind of treatment, it varies depending on the situation.
”I’m actually not that close to him. I’ve known him because he’s friends with my husband. You know, like a childhood friend.”
“You told me he’s an orphan.” I said.
She nodded. “Yeah, but someone took care of him and died when he was a bit of age. That’s all I know.
I listened to her.
”And he’s almost like a family. Hugh’s mother and grandmother took good care of him when that ‘guardian’ of him died.”
So Aciel might be an orphan but someone took care of him growing up? But died as well when he’s a grown up? Or when he’s still young? What age then? I need to know. I want to know.
”You know, I can’t help but to be proud of him as well. For someone to bounce up that high without an actual relative beside him, that’s something to be proud about, you know?”
I gave a slow nod to show that I understood.
Because of this, I had to bite my lip. If there's one thing I've learned about him, it's that he's successful. If you look up his name online, all you'll find are articles praising his accomplishments and describing how successful he is.
”Well anyways! I expect you know Mia by now.”
Upon hearing the name, I immediately pursed my lips. And I had to nod in agreement.
”Which is… his ex.” she continued. “I’m not exactly in the position to say this to you, especially that you too seem to be unsure about what’s between the both of you but…”
She paused for a few seconds, taking stock of the situation before leaning in toward me.
”I don’t like her for him. My vote goes to you.” she winked.
My lips parted and I don’t know why I felt a bit of joyous moment with her short statement.
