Chapter 1

From: Kino Sloane

Subject: WHERE ARE YOU COUSIN

Hey, you’ve been out for the whole week. Where are you?

I frowned when I read my cousin’s email. Kino is my only cousin who’s my age. The rest of my cousins are all younger than me for at least three years. Also, Kino is the person my dad trusts the most. He even let him hold one department in his company. My cousin is business minded like Dad. I wonder what’s so good about business.

I like travelling in places more than staying in the office and drowning myself in projects and all.

I put my phone on airplane mode and only used it as a music player when I was riding in the plane. Even in my room, I only used it for music and other applications. I don’t want my Dad to know where I am. He’d come get me in a blink if he knew where I was.

I was the only daughter he had. My mother died giving birth to me, the reason why Daddy has been very protective of me since I was born. I was home-schooled until I reached college. I only saw the world when I was in college. It’s actually one of the best gifts my dad has given me.

I turned my MacBook off. I don’t intend on answering my cousin’s emails. He’s been sending me one every day. He’s been updating me about Daddy and the company even though I don’t really care about the company. If not for Daddy working nonstop for the company, I would not care about it entirely. But it’s important to my Dad.

I got up and prepared to walk around the area again. I’ve been here for a week but I’m thinking of staying here forever. The scenery is nice. The ambience is very good. The staff members are nice. The foods are delicious. Oh! I could stay here for all eternity if I could.

I put on my yellow overall and wore white shorts. I also slipped into my white cover ups. My hair is tied in a messy bun as I put on my aviators. I took my GoPro and my wallet before going out of my room.

I walked to the elevator and was surprised to see Nero standing in front of it. I haven’t seen him for the whole week since he helped my find my suite. The only thing I know about him is he is a surfing instructor. And he’s handsome. Well, anyone can see how fine he is.

He’s wearing casual clothes—a sky blue button-down shirt, khaki shorts and a pair of topsiders. He isn’t wearing the staff’s uniform. I wonder if surf instructors can wear whatever they can wear.

I frowned and walked closer to him. He looked so serious as his brows are furrowed as he read something on his phone. I pursed my lips and silently walked beside him. I don’t really know why I’m uncomfortable around him. I’m good with other staffs but something about him makes me really wonder and curious. And that thought makes me uncomfortable.

I didn’t give him another look when I was beside him, waiting for the elevator. I bit my lip because I couldn’t deny the forming feeling inside my system. Alright, he’s handsome and I haven’t seen him in a week. It is not a reason for me to feel uneasy around him.

The elevator door opened and I immediately went inside, trying my hardest to not be so obvious on the nervous note. I looked way when he went inside.

When the door closed, it was the only time that I was reminded of his manly scent. It’s different from what Kino or daddy uses. This one’s gentler than theirs.

I looked at myself standing beside him from the reflection from the door. He’s tall. Maybe he could pass as an NBA player. He could play one on one with Curry or whoever it is my cousin was cheering on. But then, he’ll also pass as a GQ model. He could stand side by side with Sean O’Pry and I would choose to look at him.

Hell. What am I even thinking?

This beach is clouding my mind, really. I came here to unwind and not find another reason to leave.

He’s still looking at his phone, typing something so furiously.

I chose to look away. I don’t want him to catch me looking at him because that would embarrass me more.

I counted to twenty until the elevator reached the ground. I immediately walked out and straight to the Strand Café where I’ve been spending most of my breakfast for the whole week. The food here is great and I think I would never get tired of it.

Blue, the man who happily serves me every day, came to me as I walked at the empty seat that overlooks the whole area. “Hey, Miss Kinsella! Same breakfast?” He asked with a smile on his face.

I smiled back and nodded. “Thank you, Blue.” I told him. I’ve been eating their chocolate pancakes all week coupled with their sweet milkshake. I’m getting a little diabetic the more I eat here but sweet is my weakness.

I looked around and took pictures of the sceneries from where I am at this point. Everything about this place is good. I could just sit here and take great photos of whatever it is.

I opened my phone to check the pictures I got from my GoPro and smiled to myself. I’m thinking of printing something when I came back home. If I go back home…

“It’s better if you took pictures of the beach from there.”

I was startled when I heard someone speaking from behind me. I looked to where the voice was and was shocked when I saw Nero looking down at me. His serious face is now gone and he’s finally smiling at me.

I frowned at him. He’s only noticing me now when we were even together in the elevator earlier.

“I’ll take some when I walk there later.” I replied and started to shrug him off.

I heard the chair in front of my move. I looked up and saw Nero sitting right across me. He’s looking at me intensely.

I narrowed my eyes at him, curious of what he’s doing right here. “Don’t you have other things to do?” I asked him.

He smirked and shook his head. “I don’t have someone to teach surfing right now.” He said.

I nodded and shrugged. “Then, you’re free the whole day?” I asked while looking at my pictures.

“Hmm… You can say that.” He replied. I still didn’t look at him. I couldn’t look at him easily alright. There are some unknown emotions spiraling inside me that I needed to calm first.

“You? What are you up to today?” He asked.

I shrugged. “Just walk around. Try some new stuff I guess.” I shrugged, still not looking at him.

“How are you finding your stay in the hotel so far?” He asked.

Alright. Maybe he’s just sitting across me because he’s asked to get feedbacks from the customers. Don’t think too much, Kinsella.

I looked at him and smiled. “The hotel’s nice. I’m having fun. It’s only been a week that I stayed. I have seven weeks left.” I told him.

He suddenly frowned.

Is there something I said wrong? I believe I praised the hotel with my statement. Why is he frowning?

He bit his lip before smiling. But this time, his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “That’s good.” He said.

I smiled and nodded before looking back at my photos again.

“Are you interested in surfing?” He asked me again.

I slowly looked at me and thought for a moment. “I think I’ll pass.” I smiled politely.

“Why?” He asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t want to drown.” I told him.

That’s true. I don’t know how to swim that well. We have a pool at home but I don’t get to swim in it all the time because I’ve spent my childhood swimming in it. I’ve gotten used to it that it made me lose its interest in me.

“You don’t know how to swim.” It was a statement and not a question.

“I know how to swim. I’m just not good at it.” I replied.

“Hmmm…” He mummed as if teasing me and I looked at him.

“I can swim, Nero!” I don’t know why I had to emphasize that.

His eyes widened at my statement. I stared at him and then it dawned on me. It’s the first time I called him by his name. Even when he led me to my room on my first day, I haven’t called his name. Well, it’s not like we really even talked that time. But this…I called him by his first name. I should have called him with a little more respect.

I looked away and pretended that it’s normal for me when in reality, my heart is about to leap out of my chest. What is happening to me?

It took him a while to calm down. “Alright…you can swim, Miss Sloane.” He said in a soft voice.

I bit my lip. He called me Miss Sloane. He can just call me Kinsella but I can’t tell him that. My ego is telling me not to. I don’t even know why.

Silence enveloped our table. Suddenly, I’m wishing he’d excuse himself and leave me alone. Just thinking about eating in front of him brings me horror. I can’t have someone looking at me as I ate.

And just as I thought, Blue came to my table and brought down the food I ordered. He nodded at Nero who just nodded back.

I looked at him. “Aren’t you going to eat, too?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I already ate in my room.” He replied.

I shrugged and nodded. So, if he already ate in his room, what the hell is he doing here in front of me? I don’t want to be watched as I eat! Damn it!

“Your food here is great.” I complimented just to bring something out in this dead atmosphere.

He nodded and smiled. “Yes. We have the best chefs in the state.” He said as he looked at me.

I gulped as I saw him looking at my face. He’s staring at me intently that it gives my whole system a world-shattering earthquake. This is the only time that I’ve noticed how his eyes reflects the color of the ocean. Blue. His blue eyes are so gorgeous.

“Fuck…” He cursed silently as he looked away.

I bit my lip and watched him as he tried to mess his hair. Despite of the stigma of the skin tone of the people near the beach, Nero has fair skin. Not too dark, not too white. He’s just the right color that would make women of all ages swoon. His hair isn’t bleached. It’s brown and is really hot even when he messes it.

I bit my lip and looked at my food. I should stop looking at the masterpiece in front of me right now before everything goes out of hand. I’m not going to stay here. In two months, I’m going to leave.