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SABINA's POV

I couldn't help but to cock up an eyebrow while watching Xzavier playing with the kids in the water. He was acting like a big fish, chasing after them, pretending to attempt to eat them and the children's laughs and squeals echoed in the surrounding.

This was the kids' first time meeting Xzavier but looked like they already like him that much. I didn't expect him to be avuncular. Even a while ago, he even helped the younger children on putting on their swim floaties.

"I thought you were going to swim? What are you doing here sitting by yourself?" It was Henry. He just came out of the water.

"Don't mind me. I just lost the interest to swim." I answered while still watching Xzavier and the kids. Henry's eyebrows arched and followed my gaze.

"Why? Because of Mr. Montaño? Don't you like his presence here?"

I heaved a sigh. "No. It's not like that."

"Then, why? This is not like you. I know how you love swimming in this place. One time, last year, you even sneaked out and came here alone but thankfully, I saw you heading towards here that's why Billy and I managed to follow you. I still remember how mad Uncle Steve and Aunt Sarah were towards you back then." I pouted.

"They got mad because you decided to be a snitch and told them about what I did. I just wanted to have a break and relax. You knew how stressed I was because of studying hard for our exams."

"Yes, I understand but that time, it wasn't safe. You know what happened to Natalie during that time. She almost got raped by that masked man who was wandering here in the ranch. Until now, that intruder hasn't been caught yet." Yes, everyone was terrified back then because that was the first time that someone committed a crime like that.

Thankfully, that man didn't succeed on harming that young lady. But unfortunately, Natalie got traumatized of what happened.

This place has always been safe because it's a small community. Everyone knows each other that's why it's common for children to just play around the area without parents' supervision. Even the women felt safe to just walk outside during the night because they're confident that no one would harm them.

But ever since that attack last year, everyone was advised to be careful. Well, the Novells added security guards patrolling around the area 24/7 so nothing of that sort happened again ever since.

"Well, I think everything turned back to normal after that incident. Even though something that awful happened, I was kinda brave enough to wander around alone like that time because the security tightened by the Novell family to prevent some incidents like that to happen again."

"Yeah, but look what happened to Natalie. The poor girl had to undergo some kind of rehabilitation to overcome her trauma. We don't want that to happen to you that's why we're trying our best to protect you. Anyway, enough with just sitting here and let's just swim."

I released a deep breath and then looked at Xzavier who was still playing with the kids. I wanted to swim but for some reason, I was afraid to be near him.

"Maybe later, Henry."

"Why do I have the feeling that this is really about Mr. Montaño? Are you avoiding him?" I feigned a chuckle.

"What are you talking about? Of course not."

"Then, what's the matter? You're worrying me. Today's your birthday that's why we're here but you're not participating. This is not like you." I looked at him and he indeed looked worried. I sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Stop looking at me like that and let's go." His face brightened.

"Really? Finally!" He gave me his hand in order to help me stand up. Shortly after that, we joined everyone.

"You finally decided to join us." Xzavier voiced out upon seeing me and stopped playing with the kids for a moment. I noticed how he discreetly raked me a stare full of awe and desire and my body reacted. To hide that, I sneered at him and ignored him.

I swam towards my parents and Henry followed me.

"I'm glad your cousin here managed to persuade you to finally swim, my dear. Your dad and I were beginning to be worried because you've been moping around, sitting on the picnic blanket alone." Mom said when she saw me.

"I wasn't moping around, mom. It was just too sunny for me a while ago." I alibied.

"Really? I don't think that's the real reason. I mean, you've got no problem with the sun before even if you spend the whole day swimming." Henry butted in.

"Henry is right. You've been acting weird since this morning. It's your birthday today but you look unhappy." Dad said with a hint of worry. I smiled.

"That's not true, dad. I'm happy. Sorry for acting weird. Maybe, I'm just tired because I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"You didn't have enough sleep? But why? Did something happen at the party last night?" Dad asked full of concern and I groaned inwardly for slipping like that.

"Nothing out of the ordinary, dad. Anyway, let's just enjoy the moment before having some snack. We brought a lot of food and drinks and it's a waste if we won't eat and drink it. Tomorrow, everyone will be busy again so we should make the most of it." Before anyone could answer, I swam towards one of the big float bed and got onto it.

The flow of the water in this area wasn't that strong because of the rocks around the area that's why it's a perfect place for swimming even for kids. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed floating in the water when a jerk came and decided to sprinkle water on my face. I opened my eyes and looked who it was, annoyed.

Of course, it was none other than Xzavier. The kids whom he was with were snickering.

"Sorry. My bad." He said that with a grin on his face and leered at him.

"Don't say sorry lightly when you know that you're not sincere." I said coldly and paddled on the water using my hands to get away from him but the jerk decided to be a nuisance and prevented me from getting away from him by holding the float bed still.

"Why don't you play with us, Ina? I'm sure, the kids will be delighted to play with you." He suggested and I glared at him. He was obviously enjoying this. I was about to snap at him when Lucas, one of the kids, spoke.

"That's a good idea. C'mon, Sabina. Say yes. The more the merrier."

"Yeah, Sabina. It will be more fun if you joined us." Katie, another kid with us, said. I was ready to decline but when I saw the look on the kids' faces softened my heart.

"I am not a good swimmer." I tried to alibi, thinking that they would buy it and wouldn't prester after that.

"That's a lie. You're a good swimmer and everyone knows that, right, everyone?" Katie asked the other children and everyone nodded their heads. I groaned inwardly.

"You always say not to lie during our bible study at the church." George, who was the youngest kid there, said. Yes, I always say that to them. Every Sunday, there are children's activities at the church and I'm the one who serves as their teacher that's why all the children in the ranch are close to me.

We do some activities such as learning about the stories in the bible, games and many more and I always make sure for them to enjoy that's why they love participating.

"That's not a lie because it's been so long since the last time I swam. But anyway, forget about that and let's just play."

"Really, Sabina? You'll join us?" Lucas asked excitedly.

"Yes, because I don't want to be a party pooper on my own birthday."

"Yehey! Sabina is joining too!" The children cheered in unison and I couldn't help but to smile.

"I'm glad, you decided to join the fun." Xzavier said, smiling.

"I just didn't want to disappoint the children." I answered casually and then got off the float bed. Shortly after that, the game started. It was just a simple game. We were divided into two teams which consisted of Xzavier's team versus my own team.

This time, we played dodgeball in the water. While playing, the others gathered around us, watching cheerfully and supporting their preferred team.

"I think, this will be more exciting if we have a bet. Whose team do you guys think will win?" Each one shouted which team they wanted to win. "The loosing team will treat the winning team. How's that?" Xzavier then suggested.

"But we don't have money." One of the kids that was on his team complained. He chuckled.

"Don't worry. It will be on me if we happened to lose and if the opposing team loses, Sabina will be the one to treat us because she's the leader."

"Really? Yes! We should do our best!" The children looked happy about that.

"Fine. But make sure that we won't go down without a fight, okay?" I told my team.

"Okay!" And they answered in unison. Soon after that, the game began. I didn't think much about it but as it progresses, I noticed that I was already enjoying it. Just like I've expected, Xzavier's team gave us a hard time. He looked so relaxed while playing, but his eyes were focused on me.

Of course, I tried to ignore his stares and just focus on the game. When the match was close to its end, the cheering around us became louder.

"Go, team Sabina! You can do it!" I heard Billy, followed by Henry and my parent's voice. It was a close match and we did everything we could to win and to my surprise, we actually won by 1 point.

Everyone went out of the water.

"Yehey! Mr. Montaño will treat us!" The kids in my team happily said.

"Congratulations, Team Sabina. You all did a great job." He praised and then looked at his team, who were sad. "Hey, what's with the sad face?"

"Because we got lost."

He chuckled. "Enough with the long face. Don't worry because I will treat everyone including you guys." Their faces brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes, so smile now."

"Yehey!" The children joyfully cheered. That voluntarily made me smile. Seeing them happy was all that matters.

"You did great too, my Ina. I'm glad, I saw you smile and hear your laughs again after felt like an eternity." He whispered to me when he approached me. Yes, during the game, the game was so fun that I let myself loosen a bit.

"I just joined the game for the children. Anyway, just treat the kids. They're already expecting it so make sure to keep your promise." I said the last sentence with a hint of bitterness and I caught a strange emotion that passed through his eyes.

"What about you? You're part of the winning team."

"I'm good, thanks." I was about to walk away from him but he stopped me by the hand and made me face him. Our gazes locked.

"No, I insist. That's what we agreed upon before the game started so I should do it." No one dared to look away. I could tell that he was determined to make me say yes.

"Anyway, I have something for you." I furrowed at him when I felt something in my hand. I gingerly looked at the thing that he gave me and saw a beautiful necklace.

I took a closer look at it and was surprised when I saw its pendant. It was a small heart-shaped pendant and our initials were engraved on it. My hand tightened around it. Just one look at it and I already knew that it was expensive.

"What is this for?"

"That's my gift for you. This is a special necklace, made by one of my friends. It's a custom-made made specially for you." My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, everything came back to me; all the happy and painful memories that we shared together, and it brought bitterness and heartache in my heart.

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