Chapter's song: Firestone by Kygo, Conrad

҉       A ƤriƝɕҽsslɣ CoƝƝҽCƬioƝ        ҉

ChaPtEr SEveN             _________________________

Stupid hormones…

The most important lesson I was learning in Mexico was that I shouldn't assume things. Not talking about them would help, too...

My whole I-can-deal-with-anything attitude was completely fading away as I stood in front of the kitchen counter with stinging eyes. I was trying really hard not to cry but the tears would fall down even as I closed my eyes several times.

"Bugger...this is just too hard..."

Maria looked at me sympathetically. "You'll get used to it."

Oh well. That was not reassuring at all.

My feet hurt from showing everyone to their rooms.

My head hurt from Sol’s explanation of the housekeeping software.

My stomach rumbled because I was hungry and I’d skipped lunch since one of the guests needed help with her kid.

And now my eyes stung because I was chopping onions non-stop since Maria needed help with dinner.

How hard could it get?! It couldn’t get any harder than this!

Oh. And I hadn’t earned a freaking tip…

Someone started to chew an apple behind me. The sweet dainty apple aroma reached my nostrils. It seemed like a blessing after smelling onions for the last forty minutes. After rubbing my eyes for the gazillion time, I looked behind to find Jason examining the bowl with chopped onions. His grey eyes turned to me as I glared at him.

What the bloody hell? My onions were perfectly chopped. I mean, yeah…I messed up the first one because I chopped it into bigger chunks and Maria asked me to redo-it, so I ended up having a fight with the stupid onion and my knife; thus the stinging eyes.

But he didn’t know that! The pretty much smashed onion was on the very bottom of the bowl.

“Wow…you smell” he took a step back as my mouth hit the floor.

How rude!

“How was your day?” Maria asked Jason seeing that I was about to explode on him.

He took another bite of the juicy apple. “Great! I helped Pablo, served lunch and stuff, got a huge tip from the Aussie couple,” I narrowed my eyes at him as I totally drooled over his apple, “and Pablo showed me how to make mojitos and piña coladas,” he shrugged and delighted her with a bright smile, “it was fun.”

Awesome.

I took a deep breath before restarting to murder my last onion.

“Marianne, gracias. I got it…” Maria held my hand and grabbed the knife, “Toma una manzana (grab an apple), like Jason and take a break, would you?”

Jason’s eyes watched me amused as I washed my hands clenching my jaw. I could feel his eyes on me as I passed next to him to grab my apple. “Gracias Maria.”

She smiled back as I grabbed a bite of the red apple.

“I take it you haven’t had such an awesome day like me?” Jason sat on the chair next to me.

I ignored him completely as I finished my apple. The only comforting thing was that I was going to ask my aunt to let me waitress so I could get tips. I really wanted to do the paddle thingy…

Jason chuckled, “you should redirect your frustration because-“he leaned to me, “you’re stuck painting with me for the next two days.” My eyes snapped to him as I started to choke with my apple. He patted me, hard, on the back as Maria placed a glass of water in front of me.

“What?” My voice was raspy even after I drank all the water.

His smile widened, “we both know you heard me, cupcake…” he wriggled his eyebrows before getting up. “Gracias Maria!” he turned to me and saluted me, “it was fun talking to you.”My lips formed a fake smile as I waved at him. He looked completely amused as he walked away.

As soon as he disappeared out of sight, I turned to Maria, “do you need more help?” She shook her head and I sprinted towards my aunt’s office.

It was on the second floor, I knocked on her door while I heard her talking on the phone. A moment later, she opened the door and smiled at me gesturing to take a seat. As she finished her call, my eyes roamed all over the room. On the right was a large bookshelf filled with different hotel management books and a few architecture ones. Next to it was a small table with several orchids and different portraits; Aunt Patricia was in most of them. With her mother and other family members, as well as with Maria, Sol and Pablo. That made me smile. They looked a few years younger and I could tell that they were not only employees but part of her family.

She didn’t have pictures with my parents or us. To be honest, she’d came to England a few years ago but since she really didn’t want to appear on magazines and stuff, she stayed at a hotel and only had dinner with us twice. It was a bit sad that we weren’t close.

“I’m so glad you came!” she grinned brightly as she sat on the other side of the glass table. “Your mother has been sending me incessant texts all day long!”

I chuckled. Mom was a doting mother…

“Are you alright, though?” her brows furrowed for a moment as she assessed me.

“I am, thank you. Just tired.” I bit my lip, “there’s just one little thing, though…” she listened me intently, “am I going to paint with Jason for the next few days?” I kind of wanted to whine that I wasn’t going to earn any money. Besides the fact that Jason was an obnoxious ass. But that would make me look immature, so I bit my tongue.

“Well, you need to be close to him, plus, maybe you’re a bit overwhelmed from all the work, so I think it could be good for you. Is there a problem, though?”

I blinked at her. That he’s insufferable? “No…”

She smiled, “great! You can call your mom from here. She told me that she’d be up waiting for your call, anyway.” She stood up, “I’ll let you talk to her and I’ll see you later at dinner, ok?”

I sighed, “thank you.”

She closed the door as I grabbed the phone. Mom answered on the first ring. “Hi honey!” I smiled at her eagerness.

“Hi Mom.”

“How are you? Are you liking it there? Is everyone being nice to you? Are you ok?”

I rolled my eyes as I walked to the window. “I’m fine, Mom. I only started out today and everyone has been really nice to me.” Except Jason. But she didn’t need to know that. Besides, I kind of acted out on him too. And she definitely didn’t need to know that. “I’m just tired…”

Mom sighed on the other side. “I think we kind of overreacted…I’m sorry, honey. But I hope you do learn to be careful with your choices.”

“Yeah…I got it…” I trailed shrugging as I peeked through the curtains and admired the pool and the ocean at the distance. “How’s everyone there?”

“Well, your Dad is moody…” I could see her rolling her eyes, “and guess what? Turns out that your sister is dating a rock star!”

“Ashley? Seriously?” Ash was such a geek, I could not picture her with a musician.

“I know! But I’m glad she’s getting out there, you know? Both of you are always too guarded for your own good, you need to go out there and-“

“Live.” I finished for her. She had already said that. Like a million times.

“Exactly.” I shook my head as I took a deep breath. “Anyway, I already talked to your aunt and she’s going to give you a cell phone.” She huffed, “apparently, I annoy her with all my texts.” I chuckled. Good one, Auntie. I guess Jason will take you to get one soon.”

“Mom, do you really think I need a babysitter?”

“I don’t. But he’s not a babysitter. He’s there to take care of you.”

“So, he’s a babysitter,” I rolled my eyes annoyed.

“At least he’s hot!”

I made a face, “Mom, that’s just gross!”

She laughed, “Just admit it, honey!”

“I think it’s dinner time, so I should go.”

“You’re no fun, Marianne…” I chuckled at her words, “You’ll text me soon, right?”

“Yes, Mom…” I said a bit annoyed and amused at the same time. “Say hi to everyone!”

“I will. Love you!”

“Me too, Mom.” We hung up. Despite the fact that I was doomed to be with Jason for who knows how much time, I smiled. I loved my family. And it was pretty cool that Ashley was dating. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her date before. I frowned as I stepped out of the office, maybe my own dating experiences scared her.

I’d only dated once. A year ago, actually. I met David at Uni and he was fun to hang out with. He never treated me differently, so I thought he was the real thing. We went out for a month before pictures of us started to circulate over the internet. Then it was the magazines. And he rarely wanted to stay in. The more crowded place, the better. After six months, he suggested me to take nude pictures for him. That was it. It was clear that he wanted to get out something from our relationship. Completely broken hearted, I told him to fuck-off. I hadn’t gone out with anyone since then.

Would I ever find someone that would actually be interested in me? Just me?

Sighing, my steps slowed down as sadness and longing engulfed me. My appetite was completely gone as I reached the kitchen. I could hear Aunt Patricia talking animatedly with Sol and Jason. Pablo laughed on the background. A pang of envy played in my chest. They were real friends. People liked them just for being them. Nobody wanted to take advantage of them.

Please, dear God, let Ashley be happy with her boyfriend...

Swallowing hard, I pushed the wooden door with a small smile on my face, trying to hide my true feelings.

Dinner was fine. I ate silently as everyone talked around me. I answered any question that was directed to me but I wasn’t feeling like trying to make conversation. Just as I finished dinner, I excused myself by saying that I was really tired and walked to my room. Before I reached my door, I heard the crashing waves and decided to take a small walk to the beach.

The wind picked up. The waves were large and rough. I sat on the last rock of the path admiring the moon and the stars. My eyes brimmed with tears as I remembered about David. I don’t think I loved him. I sure loved the idea of him. He was really nice to me…maybe too nice…the fact that he loved doing anything I did should have been my first clue. The thing is, I wanted to have a boyfriend. I wanted to experiment what it was like to be with someone who liked you…

But how could you tell the difference? How would I know that someone actually wanted to be with me?

Wiping my eyes with the palm of my hand I watched the sea for a long time. From the corner of my eyes I thought I saw someone over the rock path but when I looked around there was no one. When my skin started to form goose bumps from the cold wind, I rubbed my arms and walked to my room.

Sol gave me a small alarm clock to get up on my own. I programmed the small clock and set it to before dawn. I kind of wanted to see the sunrise to cheer myself up. So when the thing started to beep, I got up and took a quick shower before heading down the beach.

The sky was a light blue as I reached the sand. I took off the shoes and started to walk breathing the sweet scent from the sea. The cold water felt fresh against my feet. The sky changed colors, pink, orange and purple invaded the blue. The sun started out as a bright orange line over the horizon and started to emerge within minutes.

It was beautiful.

Already with higher spirits, I reached my room at the same time Jason was going out for a swim. I tried not to swoon…much.

“Hey,” he looked surprised to see me up and dropped his towel to the floor.

“Hi…” I swallowed hard as I couldn’t help but stare at the muscles on his arms as he bent down to pick the towel.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked softly not looking at me.

Throwing a confused look at him, I cleared my throat, “I’m fine.”

“Good.” His hand signaled the rock path I had just returned from, “I’m going to-“

“Swim,” a small smile formed on my lips as I tried really hard not to look at his chest. Damn those abs looked great….

“Yeah…” his brows furrowed for a moment. “See you at breakfast?”

“Sure.”

“Awesome.” His eyes glanced at me for a moment before he averted his eyes and walked away.

Awkward much?

I followed him with my eyes for a moment before I realized how inappropriate I must have looked just standing there and pretty much ogling at him.

He’d been at the beach last night, didn’t he? My stomach clenched as I entered my room and laid on my bed.

It’s his job. He’s your babysitter, remember? It shouldn’t bother me…

Maria greeted us at breakfast. She was wearing a colorful embroidered shirt. I complimented her as she grinned at me. She’d made enfrijoladas, chicken wrapped in tortillas on a black bean sauce topped with cheese, cream and avocado. They were so good that I ate four. My appetite was back in full force.  

After I washed my teeth, Jason gestured me to follow him to the back of the house. Three large cans of white paint laid on the entrance of the storage room. He grabbed a painting brush and one of the cans. “Grab your brush and the other can,” he ordered.

I looked at him like he was crazy. “I can’t carry that.”

His eyes shone amused, “if you carried around your luggage, you can carry that.”

“I pulled my luggage. Pulling is different than carrying.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll see you there,” he pointed towards the other door, the one that led to the main entrance of the hotel and started to walk away.

I wanted to scream at him. He is just too damn…ugh!

Swallowing my anger, I grabbed the stupid paintbrush and placed it on my short’s back pocket and tried to lift the can.

It was too damn heavy!

Huffing, I placed both hands on the handle and pulled the can to where he had pointed. At least he’d left the door open. When I reached him, after going through the same torture as I’d had with my luggage, he had already painted half a wall.

“Nice to see you made it, cupcake…”he murmured without looking at me.

Narrowing my eyes, I wiped away the sweat from all the pulling. Ignoring him, I tried to open my paint’s lid but I didn’t have the tool to open the freaking can.

Chuckling, Jason opened it without effort. “That’s your wall,” he pointed to the other wall.

I eyed him work for a moment before I mimicked his every move. “Don’t I get a thank you?” he mocked me as I started the job.

“Stop calling me cupcake, then.”

He laughed, “But where would be the fun in that?”

Ignore him. Just ignore him.

I did just that. We worked for the next couple of hours in complete silence. To be honest, it was getting a bit boring. I missed my phone with all my saved playlists. Music would have been a blessing at a time like this.

Breaking the silence, Jason stopped for a moment since he’d already finished the first paint layer. Sol had brought us water an hour before. He grabbed two bottles of water and pretty much shoved one on my arm. I took it in silence as he sat on the shades.

Refreshed after drinking most of the bottle, I could feel his burning stare on me. “What?” I met his stare.

His lips tugged up as he played with the bottle’s cap. “What did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

He looked at me with a don’t-play-dumb-with-me expression on his face, “I don’t think your parents would have send you here just for the fun of it. What did you do?”

Like I’m going to tell you!

I finished my water and placed the empty bottle next to my paint can. “It’s none of your business.”

He tapped his bottle against his forehead completely intrigued and amused at the same time. I took the paint brush and restarted to work on my wall.

“I’ll share my tips with you.” My hand froze as I heard him speak. “For the whole summer,” he added pretentiously.

I turned to him, “why would you do that?”

He shrugged, “I’m getting paid anyway, so I don’t care.” He smirked, “and I’m curious.”

My lips twitched as I tried to suppress a smile, “curiosity killed the cat, Jason…”

He laughed, “I have nine lives, don’t worry.” He eyed me for a moment before getting up, “Just so you know, I got twenty-five dollars yesterday.”

Twenty-five?! I got nothing! And I even took care of the little brat by the pool!

“And my offer expires in like five minutes…”

I rolled my eyes before glaring at the wall. Think about the paddle thingy. And your ice-cream…and maybe I could get one embroidered blouse, they were really pretty…

My shoulders sagged.

Gosh…I was so regretting this…

“You can’t tell anyone.” I pointed at him with my brush. “And I mean no one. Like the press or Sol or whatever. Not even your non-existent girlfriend,” he rolled his eyes at that.

“Yeah, yeah…” he sat on the top step closer to me.

“Like give me your boy-scout’s promise.”

Exasperatedly, he heaved a sigh. “I’m not a boy-scout.”

“Marine soldier, whatever.”

He shook his head but I could see in his eyes that he was amused. He reached out his hand, “You have my word.”

Nervously, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I dropped the brush on the can, wiped my hand on my shorts and shook his hand. The moment our hands touched, my heart skipped a beat. His hand-shake was strong and firm…and well…it felt nice...and it was disturbing because he was staring at me intently and I…I felt like I could get lost in those grey eyes…

Sharply, I pulled away my hand. My skin seared where he’d touched me. I averted my eyes from his a bit awkward. I was pretty sure that my stupid hormones were getting in my way here…and that his were perfectly fine.

“You’ve just made the worst deal ever, dude.”

His chest rumbled with laughter. “Probably. I’m bored out of my mind, though…so I think it’s worth it.”

Warily, I told him about the pranks. He was obviously laughing since the first moment I started the story until I recounted how the police officer broke his arm. By the end of the story, I was grinning like an idiot with him.

“I can’t believe your parents sent you to the other side of the ocean for this!” He said in between laughs.

I was already regretting telling him. “You promised not to tell anyone!”

“Oh, I’m not!” his eyes looked at me with a malicious glint in them, “but I never promised not to tease you about it!”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh for Christ’s sake! What are you, like five?”

He was still laughing his ass-off.

Awesome. Just freaking awesome.

Completely annoyed by him, I took the brush on my hands and kept on painting as he continued to laugh on my behalf.

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