Chapter 8

• After eating breakfast, Nero waited for me to change into appropriate attire before going out of the room. He made me change three times. First, he didn’t like that I wore bikini. Second, he didn’t like the shortness of the skirt. Third, he didn’t like how revealing the neckline was.
• On the fourth try, he approved. I wore a gray rash guard and a pair of mid-thigh length board shorts. I was glaring at him the whole time but he just wouldn’t budge. He’s so strict with the dress code.
• I don’t even know why he doesn’t want me to wear bikini. It’s appropriate for the place and for the ambience. Anyone can even skinny dip here and it’s going to be fine because it’s a beach.
• I was mumbling words under my breath as we went inside the lift. He’s also mumbling something under his breath. I looked at him and glared. He glared back.
• I rolled my eyes and just brought my phone out, reading another message from Kino.
• From: Kino
• I see that you’re booked ‘till the end of summer. How about I go there and have fun? >:D
• I almost cursed when I read his message. What did he mean he’ll come here? For what? He’ll just spread animosity!
• I felt Nero walk beside me, trying to read the message too. I heard a frustrated sigh coming from him. I looked at him with narrowed eyes only to see him glaring at my phone.
• “I thought you’re alone?” He asked in a tone full of frustration.
• I nodded. I suddenly melted when I saw anger in his eyes.
• “Then who the hell is that person?” He pointed at my phone.
• I looked at the screen and got what he is asking me. “Kino is my cousin, Nero. What’s the problem with that?”
• He paused for a moment before narrowing his eyes at me. “Your what?”
• “My cousin. Kino Anthony Sloane. He’s my cousin.”
• The frustration in his face suddenly went away. Now, he looks so guilty for getting mad at nothing. I bit my lip to hide the smile that’s about to come out of my lips. Now I think he looked so adorable getting frustrated because I’m texting a boy.
• He let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
• Now, I smiled. “I don’t let everyone know about my family anyway.” I replied.
• I barely talk about my family elsewhere. Well, that’s what I learned when I entered college. When my classmates asked me who my father was and I answered that it’s Kurt Sloane, they all became friendly to me. But the thing is, they’re only friendly in front of me and stabs me behind the back. There, I’ve learned that some people might just cling to you because you belong to somewhere they also want to belong to. So, I maintained my silence and just stopped being close to anyone.
• Kino said I have trust issues because I hung out with the wrong people. I guess, he’s right. He, even with our familial status, has a lot of friends who are true to him. Maybe I just got mixed up with the wrong people. And now, it’s so hard for me to trust anyone.
• Which is why I’m so surprised when I suddenly reacted so fast with Nero. I wouldn’t trust someone this fast. Maybe I’m just overwhelmed. Or maybe I’m just challenged. But either way, I’ll know in time. If he’s using me, then it’s so bad. If not, then maybe I can be friends with him…or more.
• I told Kino I will kill him if he does hoping that it will be a threat enough for him. I know it won’t. I know how stubborn my cousin is. Well, it runs in the blood.
• When Nero and I got out from the elevator, Lucy and Heart were standing by the reception. They are all smiles at us. They greeted me brightly and I smiled back.
• But when Lucy started to talk to Nero, I tried my hardest to not roll my eyes physically. I wonder if he likes her too. He seemed so fond of her. That night, she snaked her arms around his neck several times but he didn’t even budge. Yesterday, I saw them talking to each other sweetly.
• Hmmm…how did his heart change from Lucy to Kinsella all of a sudden?
• I frowned and walked towards the glass door, leaving them all inside. I immediately walked towards the direction of the water sports equipment without looking back if Nero is following me or not. If he can’t be with me because he realizes being with Lucy is better, it’s fine. I can find someone to teach me anyway.
• I told myself to stop thinking that I’m going to leave anyway. I thought that it’s better to think that I should just enjoy myself here and just worry about those stuffs when the time comes. Besides, if I’m going to leave, I’d escape from all of the things I left here. I’d have to wait for some time to get over them all.
• “Good morning, Miss! Jet ski?” A man wearing nothing but board shorts and sunnies asked me. His dimple showed as he smiled at me gorgeously.
• I nodded.
• “Good. Are you alone?” he asked again.
• “Yes.”
• “No.”
• I was shocked when someone spoke from behind me. I glanced at my side and rolled my eyes when I saw Nero standing beside me.
• “Oh, Mr. Bennett.” He nodded at Nero.
• “Having a good start, Ian?” Nero asked.
• I crossed my arms. So he knows everyone in the resort. Alright! He’s been here and working so I guess he knew about all his colleagues.
• Ian, the topless man, smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, exposing his perfect muscular body in front of me. “Yes, Mr. Bennett. I’m sorry I didn’t know this pretty woman is with you.” He looked so shy.
• I narrowed my eyes at Nero. “Why are they calling you Mr. Bennett like you’re the boss here?” I asked him curiously.
• There was nothing malicious in my question. That was a product of my curious mind.
• “Because he is—”
• “Everyone is polite here, Miss Sloane. We call each other formally almost all the time.”
• Nero answered and cut off what Ian has to say. He looked at Ian and he smiled sheepishly nodding and agreeing with Nero all of a sudden.
• I narrowed my eyes, still not convinced at what he told me. Well, he doesn’t call Lucy by her surname. Well, if she’s the girlfriend, why would he call her formally? He could call her baby or sweetheart or darling or what.
• I shook everything off and waited for Nero as they set up the jet ski on the water. He walked up next to me and handed me a life jacket.
• “I won’t let you drown but I need you to wear this.” He told me.
• I nodded and got the life jacket. I’m still not talking to me. I don’t know why seeing talk to Lucy made me angry. I don’t usually get angry. I don’t get angry at all…with the exception on Kino of course. It’s hard not to get angry at him.
• “Tie it properly, Kinsella.” He even groaned with that angry tone.
• “This is the tightest I can do.” I retorted and glared at him.
• “Tss…” He shook his head and tightened the life jacket around me. He looked so focused and serious while doing that. It’s as if his life depended on it. “There.” He looked at my eyes.
• I rolled my eyes and just looked at the jet ski that’s waiting for us. I’m pretty sure he’s following me because Ian was smiling at someone behind me. What? He’s not even smiling at me. He’s looking at Nero like he’s trying to impress him.
• I shook my head and waited for Nero to be the first to ride the jet. He and Ian assisted me right after.
• “There! All done, Mr. Bennett!” Ian said.
• Nero nodded at Ian and glanced at me. “Hold on tight, Miss Sloane.” He told me. I nodded and wrapped my arms around his body. “Is that even tight enough?” He asked as if this whole thing is frustrating him off.
• He held my hands and wrapped them a lot tighter around his body. I even got pulled because of the tightness. “There. That’s tight enough.” He said before starting the engine.
• My heart revved with the engine. This is it! I’ve always wanted to ride the jet ski. If only dad was able to let me come during field trips in college. But I was always at home. I didn’t understand him then but now, everything has much sense. He’s scared to lose me. But seeing how he hasn’t freaked out and took me home yet made my heart swell. He’s letting me travel. He’s letting me follow my heart for this.
• “Are you ready?” Nero asked me.
• “Yes.” I almost shouted so excitedly.
• The blood in my veins is getting pumped up. Adrenaline is taking over my system as Nero started driving the jet ski. When he picks up the speed or when he glides because we have to turn, it makes me feel ten times more thrilled. I can’t believe I’m only experiencing this great feeling now for all of my twenty-two years of existence.
• Other couples are also riding the jet ski that suddenly, someone challenged Nero for a race. He didn’t turn him down and now, I think we’ve reached Manhattan Beach. The woman was cheering her boyfriend on as they took the lead. But then, Nero kept up before reaching the land mark they talked about.
• We were all laughing when the race finished.
• “Let’s head back, dude.” The man from the other jet ski said. “I’m Greg, by the way. This is my best friend, Leslie.” He introduced.
• “Nero, man.” Nero said.
• “I’m Kinsella.” I introduced myself before Nero does it for me.
• Greg and Leslie smiled at us before waving and heading back first. I watched them from afar. They look like they’re a couple. But they’re best friends. I wonder if they’re hiding their feelings for each other or they’re really just…hmmm.
• “Let’s go?” Nero asked me. I nodded and wrapped my arms around him again.
• “Alright. Hold on tight.” He ordered before turning the handle and drove us back to Hermosa Beach. We had a little more turns and curves before we decided to get off of the water. I wanted to swim in the water but I hesitated.
• Nero held me when I got off the jet ski. He held my hand and threaded his fingers with mine which I immediately yanked away. He looked at me questioningly.
• “Others are looking.” I said awkwardly before walking first. God, what am I feeling?