Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Should I feel proud about it?" I sarcastically spat out, but somehow, I can feel a warm sensation on my chest. And it felt good.

"Are you?" Van probed, while looking at me straight in the eye.

I was the first one to look away from him. Good thing some strands of my hair was covering half of my face or else he can clearly see that I'm blushing furiously like a steamed crab.

"I-I think it's better to have my own bike--!" I was about to turn my heel towards the house again when I heard Van's pleading voice.

"--Please. I know it's a selfish request, but I would really want to give you a tour around town." Van cajoled at me.

"He sounded sincere." I thought at the back of my mind.

"There's nothing to loose,right?" argued the other part of my brain.

With a resigned sigh, I stiffly sat at the backseat of his bicycle.

"There's no next time for this. Remember that." I curtly pronounced.

"Don't just grasp on my shirt! It'll be dangerous for you. You should wrap your arms on my waist." advised Van.

"That's sexual harassment!" I defensively said in return.

Van lets out a big laugh.

"Sexual harassment, huh? Can't you think of something else more original?" he teased me.

"I'm still a girl, let me remind you that." I reprimanded her.

"Can't you hold unto me tighter? You're treating me as if I have some skin disease!" complained Van.

I'm getting tired of having a useless discussion with this guy. I didn't have any choice anymore. I immediately wrapped my arms unto his waist so that he cm shut up.

"There, that's better. We should go now. I'll take you somewhere special." Van informed me, as he started to pedal on his bicycle.

====================

"We're here." Van announced, as he stopped the brakes of his bike.

"Where are we?" I changed the subject almost too quickly.

"At the beach." Van responded,while carrying a wooden picnic basket.

I decided to follow him without saying anything...

"The reason why we're here is because I wanted to show you my secret paradise. And you're the only person I invited to see that place." Van started to talk, as he reached out for my hand.

We've been walking for almost like half an hour, and I was getting really tired. I was already gasping for breath but Van still continued to walk, never letting go of my hand.

Both of us are now walking on a uphill-like road.

"Are you sure we're on the right track?" I questioned him.

"We're almost there." Van shortly answered.

And so we continued to walk. After few more minutes, the wind is getting stronger and I could hear a loud splash of the wave.

"Are we there yet?" I asked, and I couldn't contain my excitement.

Van glanced back at me and smiled.

"Here we are. Now, if you'll take a look at the ocean, you'll see the most beautiful jewels hidden there..." Van instructed.

My eyes gleamed with anticipation as I gave him a nod. I took a few steps forward and looked down. Under the strong rays of the sun, the pale blue water sparkled

against the sun, and just like what Van said, it's like a bed of shining jewels!

It was more amazing than the real precious stones displayed at the most expensive stores in the big city, and it made me feel breathless.

I turned my back attention to him.

"We're on a cliff, aren't we?" I unbelievably asked him.

"You realized it just now?" Van grinned.

"I never thought you knew a place like this!It's beyond my imagination!" I yelled excitedly against the loud waves.

I took a deep calm breath while looking at the pristine ocean.

All of my worries seems disappear in an instant.

I wasn't able to realize that Van was already preparing a blanket, and he's opening up the picnic basket which was laden with food.

After a few minutes, Van called me.

"Come here, Nao! Let's have a picnic!"

I smilingly walked towards him. I'm really excited to have a picnic while looking at the wonderful view of the cerulean-blue ocean.

As soon as I sat on the picnic blanket, Van was already giving me food.

"Say aahh..." Van said, while holding a fork with a bite-size piece of ham on it. He was aiming it at my mouth.

"Don't be silly! You're still a hundred years early to be my boyfriend..." I stopped him,while busy munching on the other food that he prepared.

"Aha! Is that an encouragement coming from you?" Van cracked up.

I helplessy sighed as I stared at him.

"That is why nobody is taking you seriously." I enunciated.

"You're right. Nobody does. But you did..." Van spoke.

"I did?" I paparotted, while looking bewildered.

"You took me seriously when I suggested that bet and now you're having a date with me." Van pointed out.

I rollled my eyes heavenward.

"That's because I lost the bet. That's why I agreed on this!" I stated.

"Maybe you're right. Mika must've told you about me,right?" probed Van, as he gazed at the endless blue horizon.

"But she didn't say anything bad about you." I replied at him.

Van chuckled in return.

"Oh, I know that. Mika-chan is like a sister to me... And she's one of the few people who can really understand me." he replied.

"Few people?" I puzzily asked him.

Van nodded.

"Very few people." he responded.

I became silent for a moment there.

I never expected Van to look this serious.

"So, what's your story, Van? Oh, I'm sorry, maybe you don't want to talk about it..."

"--Everyone in this town knows my family's story... It won't hurt me anymore if I tell you my story. Are you willing to listen?" asked Van.

"I'm willing to listen." I nodded in return.

Van took a deep breath, and afterwards, he started retelling his lifestory..