Chapter 14

Jessica's POV

The pool was breathtaking. It was like being in paradise. How clever the Latsis were, making this kind of concept in a pool. It was a rock pool design with waterfalls, flowing river, jacuzzi and artificial white sand. Palm trees and different kinds of flowers surrounded the pool area.

I was tempted to take a swim the moment I saw it but I had to hold back because the weather was so cold. Like this morning, when I woke up, it was like autumn. But I was still hopeful to have a swim today, since I learned how unpredictable the weather in New Zealand was, it changed every hour.

The weather turned summer in the afternoon. I could not contain my excitement that I changed into one of the swimsuits that Mrs. Latsis bought for me, a white string bikini.

I realized that I loved the water, it felt so good on my skin and gave me some kind of energy. Surprisingly, I could dive and swim in different styles and strokes. I was even wishing for a surfboard and ocean waves. The discovery made me wonder if I lived near a beach in Florida.

I did one last lap, then got out of the water.

"Wow, you're a great swimmer. I was waiting for you to drown so I can give you mouth to mouth resuscitation."

My head turned to the man walking towards me. I recognized him from the picture in the living room. Edward, the second-born child of Mr. and Mrs. Latsis.

"I'm sure you're an expert on it, no doubt about that." I smiled at him, and took a towel to dry myself.

He laughed then continued walking towards me.

"Watch out," I warned him of the broken stone moulding on the ground. I almost tripped on it earlier.

Too late, he tripped his foot on it and fell on his knees on the ground.

"See? I'm falling for you." He groaned in pain and laid his back on the ground, holding his left knee.

I ran towards him and knelt beside him. "That's a cheesy one. Are you okay?"

"I'm not. I'm the one in need of a mouth to mouth right now. Can you give it to me?"

My lips twisted in the corner as I observed him. He was obviously playing a game with me. Another brother-in-law to deal with.

"You'll survive." I stood up and offered my hand to help him get up. He took it and stood up effortlessly.

"Hello, Jessica, I'm Edward."

"Hi, Edward." I smiled at him. "I recognized you right away from the photo in the living room."

"Ahh... that photo, it was not my best shot." He chuckled, then he guided me to a table with two wicker chairs.

When we settled on the chairs, he continued, "Talking of photos, you look different in person. I imagined you to be... older, I mean, mature looking."

"Oh. You must be disappointed."

He shook his head, then chuckled, "The opposite. You look young and ten times lovelier. No wonder Troy fell so hard on you. I can't blame him why he married you right away."

"That's very flattering. I hope you mean it well, because I know someone who would strongly disagree with you."

"You mean Aaron." He laughed, then turned to the maid who brought us some drinks, "Thank you," he said to the maid, then poured the bottle of L&P soda in his glass.

I took a sip of my orange juice and observed him. He was equally handsome as Aaron but more stylish.

Aaron wore a classic gray business suit and plain shirts, while Edward wore printed shirts. His dark shades were on top of his head, silver, leather and beaded bracelets on his right wrist while he wore an expensive looking black watch on the left. He also wore three thick silver rings on different fingers.

"Yeah, he could be too stern, authoritative and a brute, but trust me, he's a full blooded man. He recognizes real beauty when he sees one."

I shook my head. "He hates me. He thinks I was a bad influence on Troy."

"It's because Troy was weak and would easily believe in anything. That boy was too trusting."

"So, you share the same opinion with Aaron about me?"

"That you're a bad influence? Nope. I know Troy so well, he was not a saint. He did mess up many times and Aaron just kept on covering him to save the family's reputation." He took a sipped of his drink, then leaned back on his chair.

"Then why did he blame me?"

"Well... maybe because you messed up the family's plan for Troy."

"What plan?"

He leaned closer to me, then whispered.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, for sure Aaron will murder me. But you look so helpless having lost Troy and your memories. I really feel bad for you and I can't stand looking at your eyes full of questions. You reminded me of a lost sheep walking in circles trying to find home."

"What are you trying to tell me?" I asked him, the curiosity of knowing the truth was killing me.

"Aaron is very furious that you married Troy."

I sighed. "Obviously. He said that to me already."

"Do you know the real reason why?" He paused. "Because Troy was already engaged to Celine."

My jaw dropped open as I stared at him. So Troy was already engaged to marry someone and I got in the picture? Oh my God. I wonder if I knew that.

"Close your mouth, a fly will get inside." He laughed then took a big gulp of his soda.

"Who's Celine?"

"Celine Bennet. She's Troy's childhood sweetheart. Her parents are close friends of mine. The marriage was more of a business deal, but it was common knowledge to us that Celine was head over heels in love with Troy. Sadly, Troy was not so into her. But he agreed to marry her before he left for a vacation in Florida."

"Then what happened?"

"Of course, you don't remember. You two met and fell in love." He shrugged his shoulders. "It was chaos when Troy came back. Aaron was so furious and mom had an anxiety attack. But the family talked and settled the issue. Except for Aaron, we accepted Troy's decision to marry you."

"So that's the reason why."

Sudden anger overwhelmed me at the thought of Aaron meddling Troy's decision. He was treating my husband like a seven year old kid. How dare he try to stop our marriage, when it was me that Troy loved, not Celine.

"By the way, you're going to meet Celine tonight. She's coming for dinner to meet you."

The thought of meeting Celine destroyed my anticipation for dinner.

___

I left the pool feeling so upset upon knowing that Aaron was against my marriage to Troy. I hated him so much. I wished I could leave New Zealand sooner so I would not see him ever again.

I passed by the foyer when I heard someone behind me.

"Did you enjoy your swim?"

I turned and saw Aaron following me. My hatred escalated immediately, turning into a towering inferno.

What a hypocrite!

"Absolutely," I answered and continued walking towards my room, ignoring him. But he had long strides, it was very easy for him to catch up with me.

"Stay away from Edward, and don't encourage him."

I suddenly stopped and turned to him.

"As if I'm going to seduce him?"

"I saw you two at the pool. You looked at him like you worshipped him, and he fell for it. I knew because I heard him singing a love song."

"Excuse me. I did not do such a thing. We were just talking."

"Don't fool me, Jessica. You were talking and flirting." The corner of his lips twisted in distaste. "You're going to stay here for a month only, and I expect you to be in your best behaviour."

I was so annoyed by his rudeness and the tone of his voice, all my patience immediately wore off. I had enough of his accusations and belittlement already.

"Do you have to be so rude to me all the time? Your parents are nice people, so I expect that good manners and right conduct are the first things that they taught you."

"Trust me, they taught me so well. I even won all the Best Behaved awards in grade school. But whenever I see you, I tend to forget everything that my parents and teachers taught me."

"Oh really? That's how hateful I am to you, huh?"

His eyes lingered on my lips then travelled down on my bikini clad body. "Very."

I pulled the large towel that covered my shoulders closer, then stormed away from him.