| |
––––––––
BRANDON
DAMN. THIS IS BAD TIMING. Just when I thought everything is going my way, another fucking issue arises. But this isn’t just any problem. This is about Alayna and everyone’s safety. I can’t believe they made it this far to track us.
I called Cassius’s number promptly, and he answers right away.
“Cassius.”
“Thank God!” he breathes out. “I thought you weren’t going to call. Have you read my message?”
“Yes, but did you find out who the sender is? Oliver got it as well. I’m freaking out right now, and we still don’t have a trace.” I harshly rush my fingers through my hair.
“No, it was sent anonymously. Did you tell Oliver the plan? What the heck is wrong with you? You know that it is still dangerous for you to come out that far, and you went there with Alayna?” he scolds, and his voice furious.
“I know, but I was planning to tell her about our plan—your plan.”
“I just got back home, Brandon,” he complains. “Mother’s going to kill me if I leave again. You know the risk. Alayna’s life could be in danger too, and so is my brother and his fiancée. Tell Alayna everything tonight, and when you are done, you’re coming with me to Athens.”
I grit my teeth. I can’t imagine Alayna getting hurt because of me. What happened before can’t happen again.
“Whoever the hell they are; they know where we are! They know that I’m here.”
“Did you tell Alayna about the hot spring?”
“Yes, I'll ask the girls to visit the resort today.”
He exhales in relief. “Good. I’ll try to track the IP address again, but I have a feeling they used a private network. Listen... I’ll see what I can do to fly back there, and I’ll take care of the girls first. But stick with Oliver while I’m away no matter what. Do you understand?”
I guess I have no choice but to follow his lead. “Yes, yes. Thank you. I understand.”
He hangs up.
I clench my fist hard as I scan the photos Oliver and Cassius received from an anonymous sender. It’s a picture of the four of us in front of the villa. It was taken yesterday.
Please, not again.
I could never forgive myself again if something terrible happens to Alayna.
––––––––
ALAYNA
SOMETHING DOESN’T FEEL right with Brandon after his talk with Cassius. He’s abruptly dejected and cold when he came back. What could they have possibly talked about?
Oliver and Betty already left, and Brandon is still silent. We are now in the bedroom, and he’s staring vacantly at the stretched-out oceanfront by the window. The view is stunning, but Brandon’s mind seems somewhere else.
“Hey...” I call. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He turns to face me, takes my hand, then brings it to his lips. “I love you, Alayna,” he whispers out of the blue and pulls me against him, crushing me in his arms. I almost can’t breathe.
“Brandon, are you okay?”
“I don’t think I ever told you how I feel about you yet, but I do. I love you, Alayna. Never forget that.”
The normal reaction of a person would be delighted by hearing those words. I mean, of course, I’m happy. But why does it feel like he’s going to disappear? Like a lover saying his goodbyes?
“Brandon, can you tell me what’s going on with you?” I slightly move away from him so I can see his eyes. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Why? I can’t tell you how I feel?” he answers.
“It’s not like that, but—”
“I just can’t imagine myself without you.”
I can’t explain the emotion he is giving me, but something is troubling him. I can sense his restlessness.
“Where else will I go?” I ask. “I don't think I'm capable of leaving you unless you ask me to.”
“I won’t.” He smiles weakly. “Except today, with Betty. I will go after you, but I’m afraid I have to tell you to pack all of your things because we’re not going to stay here tonight.”
My eyes widen in shock. “What? I thought we would be staying here for a few days. This place is amazing.”
“Yeah, but something came up.” He brushes his thumb on my cheek.
“Is this about Cassius? What did he say to you? I heard you speak to him,” I ask curiously.
He scowls. “Cassius has nothing to do with this.”
I blink. “Is it work?”
He shakes his head and cups my face in his palms. “Don’t worry. We can still come back here, and I’m taking you to someplace I know you’ll like tonight.”
I curl my arms around his neck, smiling. “It doesn’t matter where you’re taking me as long as it’s with you. I need to pack my things then.”
“Do you need help?”
“Of course.”
Still dejected, we started to get our things ready for tonight.
From the very start, I completely understand how secretive Brandon is. I never fully expected anything from him given his situation, but rather accept everything he can do to make our relationship work.
I don’t want to pressure him into telling me everything. It’s his privacy. But I still wish he would learn to open up to me.
Brandon glances at his wristwatch. “We still have time. Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Just come.” He grabs my hand, entwining my fingers with his.
Brandon ushers me to another stairway in the house I haven’t seen before. It must be because it’s narrower and hidden inside a door. I’m guessing it leads to the backside of the house.
“Where does this lead? Hogwarts?” I joke.
He laughs softly. “You’ll see.”
When we reach the exit, there’s another pathway that leads to a garden house at the tip of the trail. But before reaching into the miniature house, you get to walk between the field of daffodil flowers.
I inhale the pleasant scent of the air as the petals sway with the wind.
“You wanted to show me this?” I ask as we continue to walk forward.
“It’ll be a waste if you don’t see this.” He smiles. “This place is my mother’s and is well maintained by the caretakers. I didn’t want to abandon what my mother cherished when she was still alive. Do you like it?”
“I love it! I don’t understand why you want to leave. You could stay here forever.”
“Then will you come back with me here?”
I curl my arms around his neck, smiling. “It doesn’t matter where you’re taking me as long as it’s with you.” I kiss his nose.
I have fallen deeply under this man’s spell. I have never felt so happy and so alive in a relationship before. But getting to know Brandon made me realize that I must’ve forgotten how it feels to be in a real one and that I’d learn to love someone again.
I hear him purr in my ears. “Alayna, I have to tell you something later.”
“And I’m not allowed to ask what it is now?”
“Not yet, no. It’s something important that I need to tell you... or show.”
Lowering his head, Brandon seals his lips over mine with another lush wet kiss. My hands move to his hair, sliding through his scalp. Just before we were led to something more, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
“Is that yours?” he asks.
“Unfortunately.” I pick up my phone and check my phone screen. “It’s Betty. She texted me.” I sigh.
Brandon laughs lightly, and the sound sweeps almost all my irritation away. “It’s alright, love.”
“It’s not alright!” I complain. I go to my inbox and read her message anyway.
Sorry, Alayna. Change of plans. I need to go to town first. Is it okay if we could just meet there?
“Well... I think I need to get ready.”
“Why?” He frowns, then glances at my phone, and I let him read the message. “She didn’t tell you if she’s with Oliver?”
“But that was the plan, right? Betty and I go alone, and then you and Oliver go?”
Brandon’s shoulder relaxes. “It’s time to go then.”
