Chapter 4

I was startled by the noise coming from outside the house. When I looked at the time it was nine o'clock in the morning. I was awake all night watching ‘Netflix’. The series I'm watching is really good and the scenes are really intense. I didn't know the time so I went to bed at two in the morning. I did some stretching first before getting up to go out of the room and see who was outside.

"I have bad feeling about this."

I looked up at Auden who had just left his room. We stared at each other when he also saw me just came out. Curiousity were painted to both of our faces.

The noise from outside most likely irritated him as well. Because they keep knocking, I'm wondering how'd they opened the gate. The noise will undoubtedly wake you up. He averted his gaze and proceeded to the living room.

"Looks like the two are still sleeping; perhaps let's just come back later?" a woman said talking to someone outside.

Auden came to a halt and turned to face me. The woman's voice was familiar. What are they doing here?

"Do you expect them today?" Auden asked, pointing his finger at the door. His brows were nearly touching. Take a look at this man. Always put the blame on me.

"No! I don't even have an idea what they're doing here," I replied with a shake of my head. I dashed into the living room and threw away the leftovers from the night before. It's embarrasaing for them to see.

Due to drowsiness, I was too tired to clean it last night. Auden walked up to the front door and pushed it open. A chubby lady with curly hair that is beyond waist length entered. Her eyebrows were also furrowed.

"It took you so long to open the door! We thought you were still asleep," Mommy complained. A smile changed her frown when she saw me. She hugged me tightly and Auden as well. Next is Daddy. I miss them, especially when Mommy scolds me for eating foods that's bad for me. And when Daddy reminds me to take my medicine.

I thought Mom and Dad were the only ones here. So I was surprised when Auden's parents came in as well.

"Mom, Dad," Auden greeted them then we kissed them on the cheeks.

"What makes you visit?" I asked as we were all seated in the living area. They first stared at each other as if they're talking with their minds before Auden's mommy answered.

"We have something to discuss to both of you," said Mommy Lucy, Auden's mommy. A wide smile flashed on its lips.

"We have decided to celebrate a three day honeymoon... Your honeymoon." She turned to my mom as if she's waiting for her answer. They nodded in agreement.

"Honeymoon?" I asked. I was a little shocked by what they said but eventually it sank into my mind as well. And now, I was getting excited. Where so? I looked at Auden who was just silent and seemed to be deep in thought.

The excitement I was feeling seemed to diminish. I don't want to be complacent at first, he just looks like... He's already protesting.

"Look at this dress that I just brought for you, 'nak," mommy said excitedly. "It's a beach dress because I know you don't wear a bikini outfit." Mommy handed the paper bag to me. I pulled it out and smiled.

She really knows my taste when it comes to clothes. I'm very fond of dresses. Especially the korean style dresses. I rarely wear pants. I only wear when needed but I really prefer dresses.

"It's not necessary, classes will be starting soon. I'd rather enjoy my cup of coffee and read books at home," Auden complained. His arms crossed as his eyebrows met.

"Dad, did you plan this, too?" he also asked his daddy.

"We planned this. It's only three days. We know you're gonna be busy once the class started. That's why we planned it while it's still you vacation," his daddy replied. Auden just sighed. He stopped arguing and was silent again while his arms were still crossed.

"Stay on the ridge for three days, it's my close friend's beach resort. Everything is going to be free since he's the one who requested both of you. We also have no plans to hold your honeymoon here in the country. But I can't refused the offer so I agreed, " my dad explained.

As I watched Daddy talking, I suddenly missed the days he teased me especially to Auden. I know he's really happy for me now.

My mommy stood up and clapped. There was excitement and delight on his face. "Okay, everything is settled!"

I look at Auden and I feel that he doesn't agree with the honeymoon.

"Mommy, it's fine not to continue it. After all, the class is about to start, we still need to get ready," I said. She suddenly lost her smile and was sad so I felt a little guilty. Maybe it's okay if there will be nothing like this. I definitely wouldn't enjoy it either if my partner was always frowning.

"It's a pity then," Mommy Lucy said. Her face was sad like my mommy's.

"Don't think about Auden, he's not only really fond of vacation but that's totally fine. Go ahead. We simply want you to enjoy your vacation, we don't expect you to rush for things that neither of you are prepared for, ”Auden’s dad said. I'm still not used to his aura, I get nervous every time I see him. It doesn't feel scared. I just feel intimidated when I'm around him. Especially he’s a bit bossy. But what he said made me think.

What is it that we are not ready for?

Did he mean that... That's impossible! He just kissed me in the wedding. So it is very impossible for anything like that to happen!

When I looked at Auden, the expression on his face did not change. His expression has no difference back in the day they announced about our wedding. He no longer argues, he just let everything planned and just go with the flow. I immediately felt pity for him. It was as if he had no freedom. I feel guilty. He was forced to marry me even it is against his will.

"This is will be the last thing we will decide for you. Then we will let you run your life as a couple, you are grown up. You already know what is right and what is wrong. But we are still here to guide you. So I hope you'll give it to us," my mom said. Speaking of which, her face is not as happy as before. She did an eye to eye contact with us, jus Auden and me. I really miss her sermons.

The next day, we woke up early as our parents had said. Since we hadn't had breakfast yet, we drove through the Starbucks we passed. Auden got himself a black americano and I got a hot chocolate. He also ordered a sandwich for two. I only have a sandwich once so maybe it's okay. The taboo is really delicious. Wews. I'm really hungry.

We ate as he drove again. I stared at his jaw line. As well as the way he rotates the steering wheel of the car with one hand, he uses the other one to handle the coffee. Almost everything he does seems to attract me. It was as if I didn't want to take my eyes off him.

"Don't expect that this is going to be fun. Don't ruin my entire vacation. Do whatever you like and leave me alone," Auden said breaking the silence between us. I almost choked with panic. He wasn't looking at me but looking straight at the road.

I sipped on my drink before answering. "But we're supposed to have fun together, aren't we? That's why we're here," I replied then sniffed. Honeymoon, eh. I'm still excited because he's with me. But that seems unlikely.

"It's a pity," I added. He looked at me in the rear view mirror for a moment.

"It's still up to us to decide how we will spend our time there. They won't know unless you tell them," he said. He was referring to our parents.

He just doesn't want to be with me, why don't he just tell me that. I nodded and acted like zipping my mouth. I have no intention of telling our parents about this. Besides, he's right, they probably won't know how we spent the three days. I just agree so there's no argument.

But me, I will enjoy every bit of our vacation. I love beach! Especially the sunset. Arriving at the resort we immediately went to the hotel where we will stay for three days. We arrived at ten o'clock. It's early for lunch but I'm hungry.

"Here's your room key." Auden handed a key to me and then walked away immediately. I chased him and followed him.

"What does this mean? We'll stay in two different rooms? Won't our parents know about this? The owner of this resort knows we're here for a honeymoon. They might be surprised when he finds out we're in different rooms and then tell our parents about it," I continued. I said it as I followed him. He paused for a few seconds before facing me.

"Fine!" he said. He maybe realized that I had a point. But he's looking at me meaningfully when he said that.

He took the key from my grasp and walked away, leaving me puzzled. What does he mean by his gaze? I just told him the possibilities. But he didn't seem convinced at all. I just shrugged and patiently waited for him.

When he returned, we stayed in the same room. The room has two beds and has good scenery from the balcony. While Auden was quietly reading a book, I decided to take a shower before I invited him for lunch.

When I entered the bathroom, I took a shower. I was in the middle of soaking in the bathtub when our current situation entered my mind. We were in the same room and he was with me. Just him and me. It's the same situation at home but we sleep in different rooms unlike today.

I almost collapsed in excitement at my thoughts but I restrained myself. I relaxed myself first because the trip was tiring even when I was just sitting. After I finished, I got up and left the bathtub. When I reached for the towel on the side, my foot accidentaly slipped.

"Aaahh! Ouch ..." I rubbed my hip because of my fall. "A-Auden... H-help me- Ohh..." I gasp every time I move my hip.

It's good I didn't lie down, maybe something worse happened to me. Why am I so clumsy! When the bathroom door opened, a frowning Auden appeared. I didn't lock the door. It would be nice if I didn't have more problems asking for help.

The expression on his face changed immediately when he saw me. Fortunately I reached for the towel earlier so my body was covered but I couldn't really stand up.

"F*ck! What the heck are you doing? Are you trying to seduce me !?" he exclaimed. He turned his back on me, avoiding looking at me. My face couldn't believe what I heard.

"Of course not! It was an accident. I just need help to get up." I arranged the towel wrapped around my body. He turned around and took a deep breath. He held my arm to help me stand up but I could not balance because of the pain in my hip. I screamed and he was swept away. I gasped as my eyes widened. His other hand is cupping my breast.

"A-Auden ... Your hand ..." I said softly to let him know that his hand was currently on my chest. He frowned when he saw it. It's just a shame I'm carrying. At first I came out wearing no Bra and only a T-shirt. Now this is it.

"This is crazy! D*mn it!" he cussed. He fixed his hand on my arm. We have settled down while he is still supporting me. I could feel the heat on my face with embarrassment. It was as if sweat was also forming on my forehead. I no longer knew how to deal with Auden. With the sheer force of the pounding of my chest it was as if at any moment it would come out of my rib cage.

No one spoke between us until we went down to eat lunch unless it was important but his answer was short. I woke up that night. Suddenly I felt sorry for half a day. I couldn’t swim and I also didn’t see the sunset I was waiting for. I hate this!

After dinner we got ready for bed. Auden on the other bed and I on the other. That is obviously the set up. I haven't been able to sleep yet because I've slept so long before. No matter what position I take, I can’t get my sleep. It's still early. When I turned left again.

I saw the most beautiful scenery I have seen in my entire life. Moonlight and lamps serve as lights so I can see Auden's face, facing me.

I stood up and approached him to look at him more closely. I bent down slightly to make his face more transparent. I stared at my stand by his side as I watched him.

He's sleeping as if he's an angel and you wouldn't think he's so rude and arrogant. He is wearing a black sweater that he usually wears whether the weather is hot or cold. I smiled because I remembered what happened the other day. I found out that somehow he was worried for me.

Even though he didn't really like me, he still had a heart as a person to feel concern for others. I was about to part his hair when he turned to the other side. I was a little nervous because I thought he would catch me. I almost caught! Wews.

I got off and went to the beach to take a walk and fall asleep. A cold breeze was hitting my skin so I hugged myself with both my hands.

When I’m in this kind of place, I lose my stress. I don't seem to have a problem. The sound of the waves crashing on the sand was like music to my ears. It's so peaceful.

I passed a man sitting on the sand and quietly drinking. He's wearing a white shirt and a beach short. He seems familiar so I stopped and went back to approach him. When I was sure that he was the man, I caught his attention. I'm curious if he's okay.

"Hey," I whispered. He looked up at me. He reflected on me first before speaking, maybe he also remembered who I was.

"Hey, I didn't think I'd see you again." His smile was almost ear-splitting as he stared at me. "Would you like some?" he asked. He lifted the bottle of wine to show me.

"Is that red wine?" I asked. I can have red wine because my doctor says it's healthy.

"Uhm, yeah? Do you prefer hard drinks, I'll get some for you." He stood up but I held back. I shooked my head. He thought maybe I was choosing wine so I asked.

"No, I mean... I have a heart condition. A red wine will do." I sweetly smiled at him. He was stunned at first but later on, he nodded and put me some wine in the glass.

"Thanks," I said. I drank it and closed my eyes as I tasted it. Refreshing.

"I'm Dash, and you?" he said as he refilled my glass. I tilted my head toward him.

"Cami," I answered briefly and then smiled.

"I guess we're too formal," I said and laughed softly. He did the same and nodded.

"Is it because of your illness that you seem to have pulled so deep in the past?" he asked trying not to make the atmosphere awkward. His smile was annoying. I pursed my lips and nodded. He laughed and then shook his head.

He doesn’t seem to be the man I met recently. His aura is not the same anymore. If you think about it, he looks heart broken and emoting here. It is not that easy to get over grief. But I knew he was still fighting. That's good. Depression is not a joke. It takes a lot of time to overcome. Maybe it would be easier if he told someone about his problems.

"If you wouldn't mind, may I know what are you doing here?" he asked. He was drinking from the bottle of wine.

"Ahh ... Actually, I'm on a three day vacation, and you?" I turned to him and waited for him to answer. We talked better unlike when we first met, a bit tense.

"Who are you with?" he asked without answering my question. He just stared at the sea in front of us. He watches the waves crash on the sand.

"I'm with my-" I interrupted when someone spoke behind me. My eyes widened as I recognized whose voice it was.

"Can I join you?" We both turned to the speaker. He grinned as he smirked. Cold breeze air blows his hair as well as the polo he is wearing. So handsome! I stood up and approached him.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were sleeping?" I asked him as I approached. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Why did you bother?" he asked arrogantly. I looked at him confused. I shooked my head but he spoke again.

"So, who is this man you are talking to?" He looked at Dash while there was still a trace of grin on the edge of his lips.

"Dash, bro." Dash held out his hand to Auden but ignored it so he just lowered it.

"Let's go first, Dash. Just next time. Bye!" I waved at Dash and pulled Auden away. Other people are affected by his trip to me. If I just didn't know that he was just making me depend on what he was expecting before, I would have shivered.

When we arrived at the Hotel room, I couldn't stand it anymore and talked to Auden. "What were you doing there before?" I asked him. I seem to feel a butterflies in my stomach for no apparent reason. 'Don't assume, Cami!

"I was just passing by. Then I saw you," he simply said. He turned on the T.V and sat down on the couch. I just nodded even though he couldn't see. I wasn't convinced but so that the argument wouldn't escalate I just kept quiet. This is what I'm talking about? I just hoped he was looking for me. Psh.

He just quietly watches T.V even though he doesn't seem to be comfortable in his seat. Just a few seconds ago Auden looked at me from the couch with a serious face.

"Aren't you going to explain what I just saw awhile ago? Who is he and why you're with him? You even have the audacity to share a glass of wine with him? Seriously?"

I was stunned and immediately fall silent. I don't know how to answer his questions. This is the first time I heard him talk that long.

This is unbelievable! I don't want to be thrilled! No! No!

It's just nothing. He don't mean anything about it.

But wait... Omg. Is he already jealous?

"I'm just thinking about what our parents will say when they knew it. I'm just trying to be considerate. Isn't that what you said to me earlier?" he said sarcastically while raising an eyebrow. He grinned before facing the T.V. Is he taking revenge from me? Annoying! I assumed!

"Assuming," he whispered but enough for me to hear.