Chapter 39

Lia. . . she was the daughter my father was referring to back then.

“We’ll go.” Grayson pulled me.

But the woman held his hands.

“Son. . . it’s been years since I last saw you. Can we talk?”

He sighed.

“Mo— Ma’am, I need to go.”

“Please, son. I miss you so much.” She held onto his hands tight, pleading.

Grayson turned to me but I avoided my gaze.

“I’ll go.” I removed my hands off his and turned my back on them.

He sighed.

“Grayson, talk to her.” I heard Lia.

My head was empty the moment I entered my room. I couldn’t process the fact that my math professor and dad’s mistress seven years ago is his mother.

I had a lot of questions in mind but my body was tired today that it gave up.

Consecutive rings from the doorbell made me woke up.

I rose up and yawned.

Who could that be?

With a lazy body, I stepped my way towards the door.

I opened the door and there, I saw Grayson with his loose Hawaiian polo short and white shirt in it partnered with black broad shorts.

“Is it morning already?” I yawned.

“It’s 5 in the morning. Their having a swim downstairs. Did I disturb your sleep?”

I nodded.

He looked down on my body.

“You didn’t change. You slept with wet body?” His forehead was knotted.

I looked down on my body and I realize that I was still wearing my bikini with his muscle tee.

“Come in. I’ll take a bath.”

“Maybe you want to invite me to take a bath with you?” He smirked.

I glared at him.

But he just laughed and entered my room.

“You look hot by the way.” He said and sat on my bed.

I closed the door.

“But next time don’t sleep if your wet. It’s not good.”

“You’re the reason why.” I shrugged.

His brows furrowed. He didn’t get my joke. Or if it’s called a joke.

I went inside my bathroom and brushed my teeth while he was observing my every action.

“Why don’t you swim with them. It might take me long here.” I said and opened the paper bags we brought yesterday.

“If someone flirts with you like yesterday because you look hot, tell him that your boyfriend is the owner of the resort. I could kick him out.”

I picked the Hawaiian beach dress just like what he was wearing right now, only it was a short dress.

“I look hot. So I’m not cute anymore?” I asked and stood.

“I prefer and like more the cute one with tom and jerry pajama on.” He laughed.

But his laugh dissipated when I sat on his lap.

“Tell me what you like. Tell me more about you. Thinking of it, I don’t know you that much as much as you know me.” I said as I stare right into his eyes.

Yes, I know I should be mad. I want to . . . but I just can't. I just can't bring myself to hate him. Damn it, how crazy of me to be this foolishly in love.

“What do you mean by that?”

I sighed.

“You know my favorite chocolate. You know my favorite cartoon. You know who my family are. You know what I fear and what I like but I don’t know yours.”

He stared at my eyes for a few seconds.

“What do you like and what do you fear of?” I asked in a serious tone.

“I like you and I fear of losing you.”

My lips parted to utter a word but I got dumbstruck for a second after processing what he just said.

Shit! How could he say those words easily while my heart is thumping hard?!

I cleared my throat.

“That’s not what I mean, Mr. Grayson Drake Alonzo.”

“But that’s what what I want to say, Ms. Alessia Mae Robins.”

I rolled my eyes and kissed his lips, a peck.

He kissed my cheek, a peck.

I kissed his cheek too, a peck.

He kissed my shoulder with a peck.

I kissed his shoulder with a peck too.

He kissed my neck in a peck.

But I didn’t kiss his neck back.

I know it might arouse something if I kiss his neck.

He laughed.

I stared at his laugh.

“Laugh if you’re happy, cry if you’re sad. I don’t want to differentiate your mood through your laughs and chuckle.” I flicked his lips.

“Nah. . .” He kissed my neck.

I tilted my head upward when I felt his tongue on it although his lips were smiling.

He grabbed both my legs and wrapped it around his waist. My body faced him and because I’m only wearing a bikini, I could instantly feel his against mine. He's such a healthy man.

His hot palms entered the muscle tee I’m wearing while I moved my hips that made him groan.

“Wanna take a bath with me?” My voice was slurred.

He swiftly pulled my muscle tee up leaving only  my bikini as my left cloth.

“I might get punish by your mom.” He whispered in his husky voice.

I sighed in disappointment when he grabbed his phone on his pocket.

He stared at his phone while I was waiting for him to move again.

“Take a bath, baby. I’ll answer the call.” He kissed my cheek and lifted me to settle me beside the bed off his lap.

What the?! After leaving me wet?!

“Hello, Ethan?” He answered the call.

With a stomping step, I went to the bathroom and banged the door loud.

I huffed loud and with all frustration that was in me, I scrubbed my body as harsh as I could and as slow as I can take.

Wearing the clothes I picked earlier, I went out of my bathroom along with my frustration that left me but it soon erupted after seeing him, sleeping on the bed peacefully as if he didn’t do anything wrong.

Well, he didn’t do anything wrong.

But he left me wanting for more!

I banged the door loud that made him jolt out of the bed.

“Good morning.” I greeted in a sarcastic tone and turned my back on him to walk my way out.

Inside the elevator, with crossed arms, one legs in front to stop the elevator from closing, I waited for him and as soon as I saw his figurine, immediately, I pressed the button and removed my feet off for the door to close.

“Wait!”

I let out an evil laugh when the door of the elevator closed, leaving him alone there.

I look crazy and childish but whatever.

Humming, I hoofed my way towards the beach.

“Alessia!” Lia shouted my name after seeing me.

They were on the bonfire. Andra was there, talking to Herra, Aiden was also there, beside Lia, in a circular position, they all looked at my direction, their body was wet and the sky is in the dim morning.

I ran towards them and sat beside Aiden.

“Where’s my bro?” He asked.

I shrugged and looked at what they’re grilling, it’s a fish.

“There he is.” Lia informed.

I turned to him but the moment his eyes met the bonfire, immediately, he avoided his gaze and closed his eyes, panting and shaking his head.

“You had a fight, hadn’t you?” Lia assumed.

“Not my fault.” I shrugged.

“Are you okay?” Herra asked Grayson.

I looked at Grayson and he looks pale, both hands were on his knees, catching his breath.

“Yeah. . .” He breathe in deep, “Maybe I was just tired of chasing over her.” He was not looking at us as he uttered those words.

“Wonder what did you fight over.” Haley said in her amused tone.

“Come here, Grayson. Let’s have a breakfast.” Lia invited him.

He gulped and shook his head.

His eyes then wondered around the beach, with a fast breathing, he seems like he’s thinking of something.

“I-I should swim, I guess. I don’t want to eat.”

My forehead knotted because he doesn’t look okay.

But before I could confirm it, he turned his back on us.

“What happen?”

“I’ll talk to him.” I stood.

“Grab a room after!” Jason teased.

But I didn’t mind him and ran towards Grayson.

“Blue ocean, soft sands. . .” He whispered as he walk and touched his arms. “hard. . . you are at reality,” he breathe in deep.

I stopped after hearing what he whispered. With a disbelief eyes, I looked at his back as I process the words I just heard.

“You are safe. You are in safe place. They aren’t real.” He continued to murmur as he walk.

That wrecked my heart.

My tears cascaded down the moment my mind started to form a painful conclusion.

He has PTSD?

I became immobile for a moment, watching him step  away from me.

And do you know what’s more painful?

Seeing him being calmed down by another woman.

I was just there, watching them as Rhiana was uttering a word in front of him, both hands cupped on his face, making him focus on her face while Grayson was nodding, I’m sure he needs her help.

And even if I’m facing his back, I know he’s catching his breath,  having a hard time controlling himself, and it hurts with the fact that I know that he needs a person who can be with him, calm him down, talk about his problems, not a woman who’ll just add fuel to his sleeping monster.

Not a woman who will reach for his feet, asking for help in exchange of him being stagnant with his state.

The sight of her, hugging him, while he was asking for her help, hurts.

Why didn't you ask me for help? I have hands too. I’m very willing to reach and lend you a hand.

Even though I know my hands are not that strong to hold to. Even though I know my hands are already weary for loading everything all this years.

But with my imperfect hands, I know I could still lend you with a smile.

Because you lend yours too even with a back full of painful past.

With a throbbing heart, I turned my back on them and decided to leave.

“You got serious problem?” Aiden sat beside me.

Staring at the swimming pool, seated on the floor with feet drip in the water, I sighed and bowed my head.

“He has lots of secrets. Does he not trust me?” I asked, as if he has answers to my problems.

“Maybe he’s just afraid. He had known Rhiana for years, it might had also took Rhiana years for him to open up.”

But will we even last a year?

“Does he has. . .” I looked at him.

His eyes were attentive, waiting for my next words.

“PTSD?” It was hard asking that question.

He tilted his head along with his mouth that parted, shock by what he heard.

“What?”

I sighed and shook my head.

“I wish I was mistaken.” I smiled full of bitterness.

It was a moment of silence.

He must be shock by my conclusion. Of course he would. He loves his brother and knowing that he has such an illness, it’s impossible that he wouldn’t be—

“What’s a PTSD?” He broke the raging crickets.

I huffed and looked at him with disbelief.

He scratched his nape.

“People Too. . . Strange,” he paused for a while, “Deeds?” He added, guessing.

What the?

“People with Too Strange Deeds,” he confirmed. “My brother’s strange?” He asked, dumbfounded.

“You are strange.”

He tilted his head in confusion.

I can’t help but to laugh. All I thought was that he was worried but it looks like he didn’t know.

“Stop flirting.” Grayson’s voice from behind that made me shriek.

“Wassup, bro.” Aiden greeted.

“Stop flirting with my girlfriend.”

I looked at Grayson but he’s looking at Aiden using his perilous eyes.

“Do we look like flirting?” I asked, sarcastic.

“That’s what I at least think.” His voice was serious.

“That’s only a delusions of your thought. Stop overeating, Grayson.” I suddenly became irritated.

“Back off.” He warned him.

“No. Stay here, Aiden.” I said, firm.

“Get out.” He threatened him.

I gave him my irritated look.

“What’s wrong with you?! We are just talking.”

“You don’t know who he is.”

I was offended in behalf of Aiden.

“He’s your brother, Grayson. What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t trust him.”

“Then trust me.” I put emphasis on my every word.

“No. Let’s go.” He pulled me to stand up.

And because he was strong, I got pulled by him. Aiden too, stood, he looks lost.

“I’ll stay.” My tone was rigid along with my foot that stayed.

“Alessia.” He warned.

“I’ll talk more to him because I want to.” I uttered in monotone.

His jaw clenched along with his eyes that darkened.

“No. Don’t talk to him.” He commanded.

“No. You have no right to order me around.”

“I’m your boyfriend.” Based on his tone, he was telling me that he has rights to.

So he can talk to his ex while I couldn’t to Aiden who’s just my friend? How unfair.

I scoffed.

“So what?”

“Listen to me.” He tightened his grip.

“Let go.” I commanded, equalling his fuming gaze.

“Uhm. I think I’ll—”

“Stay!” I shouted at Aiden.

“Alessia.” He warned.

“What’s wrong with talking to him, huh? And so what if you’re my boyfriend? I do what I want to do and   I want to talk.”

“So you have rights to command me while I don’t? It’s just a simple command, Alessia. Why can’t you do it?”

I huffed.

“I have rights? Oh really? Did you follow my request to block her? No! She can still call or text you!”

“See? You’re controlling me too!” He defended his stand.

“But did you follow it? You didn’t, Grayson. Instead, you lied.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“Liar! You have a second phone!”

“You didn’t ask.”

I closed my eyes and breathe out due to my frustration.

“Who in the world would think that you had another phone!” I raised my voice.

“Why are you suddenly changing the topic to my phone? My commands are just simple, Alessia. Stay away from him.”

“Why would I?” I asked in my restraining voice.

He massaged his forehead and motioned the man beside me to get out.

I held Aiden’s arms.

“Stay. Don't listen to what he’ll say.” I commanded Aiden.

“Alessia. . .” He warned again.

“Give me a valid reason on why should I not talk to him.”

He let out a heavy sigh as if having a hard time explaining.

“You won’t? Then—”

“Because he slept with Rhiana while I was dating her.” He cut me off.

My lips parted out of shock as I look at Aiden who looks uncomfortable. Immediately, he avoided my gaze.

Minutes of silence.

“So what?” I asked, anger still present in my tone.

“What?” He asked me in disbelief.

“So what if they did? Did you see them together after that? No. That means they both regretted it.”

He let out a breathe of disbelief.

“So you’re tolerating cheaters when you yourself is a victim of cheating?”

“I’m not tolerating them. I’m pointing out with the fact that he regretted it!”

“Did you?” Grayson asked Aiden.

I looked at Aiden.

“No.” He said that made my jaw drop.

“See?”

“But I am not like Rhiana!” I defended myself.

“Yes you aren’t but I don’t trust him! I’m afraid I might lose you if I trust you!”

I was appalled and became dumb for a moment.

He’s afraid of trusting me?

“If that’s the case. . .” I paused for a while. “Let’s break up.” I added.

“What?” He became dumb.

I didn’t respond and turned my back on him.

I started to walk my way without even considering a thought with what I just uttered.

I was already in the middle of the sand, hoofing my way towards the building of hotel when a man hugged me from behind. And by the scent and figurine of it, I already know who it was.

“Please return what you said. Don’t say that word easily.” It was Grayson behind me.

I sighed.

I know I didn’t mean it.

I loosened his hug and faced him.

He hugged me.

“I’m sorry for shouting.” He apologized.

I didn’t respond.

His hug tightened.

“Please don’t say that word easily again.” He pleaded.

I nodded.

“I won’t.”

But who would’ve thought that it was him in the end.

It was him who can utter those words easily.

“Let’s break up.” His voice was as cold as ice.

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