Chapter 38: Chapter 38

I have been avoiding Harry ever since we got here to the resort. I know, it’s a dumb move coming from me, who’s always talking about you should not raise suspicion from someone. However, he sees through me, and I don’t know what to say to him. I changed the topic at that moment, avoiding talking about related to the authorities. I know he might find it alarming because why can’t I say a simple yes or no answer? Why did I end up avoiding him all of a sudden?

Honestly, I don’t get myself sometimes. When I am under pressure, my mind isn’t working, and I want to slap myself. I sighed, rolling on the bed before laying on my back. I averted my gaze to the ceiling, squinting my eyes while staring at the chandelier. Since everything is free, I was surprised that Steve won this suite, and everything looks luxurious. They can afford this without a doubt, but I guess even millionaires like them take care of their money.

I have been hiding in my room for the past two hours. I don’t want to engage with anyone else on the beach. This place was loaded with people, and I didn’t care if I had already changed my appearance. I don’t want to go out, which is my final decision.

My stomach grumbled, and I had to hush it to tone down a little. Damn, I wanted to eat something, but the food is downstairs, which is Steve and Harry set up the picnic basket and left no crumbs here, I suppose. I wonder what they are doing now? They have been out there on the sands for two hours. Steve wanted me to join, but I shut him up by slamming the door in front of them before telling them they could go without me.

I know it was a rude and childish act, but I can’t make eye contact with Harry. It’s too much for me to handle, and if something slips off my mouth by surprise or accident, I know I can’t take it back anymore, and everything will fall apart.

I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want my family crumbled apart just because of me.

I flinched once again when I heard my stomach groan in famished. Well, there’s no harm in peeking outside to see if there is food. I slowly sat up straight, stretching my whole body. If only I could sleep off the exhaustion easily, but that is impossible. My mind is killing me for overthinking everything for the past hour. I guess I need to chill a little bit.

I crossed the gap between myself and the door. I twisted it slowly, making sure that no one was outside. When I peeked my eyes out, looking at the hallway, and everything was seemingly quiet, I pushed the door open. I smiled, letting out a smile of relief when someone spoke.

“Finally, you’re out.”

My whole body went completely frozen, and I couldn’t take a step further. I swallowed the lump in my throat before gradually turning on my heels. I saw Harry and Steve standing behind me. Their arms were crossed against their chest, except for Harry, who looked at me with concerned eyes as if he wanted to know if he had done something wrong and make it up to me.

“What are you doing? You’re missing all the adventures that await out there!” Steve was throwing tantrums. If looks could kill, I know I’d be dead on my spot right now.

When I didn’t speak, I heard a heavy footstep that crossed the gap between us. Before I could run away, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me to a separate room. For a moment there, my mind went blank, and I didn’t know what would happen.

“Natasha…”

Much worst, Steve wasn’t the one who grabbed and pulled me.

I bit my bottom lip, doing my best not to pour a tear. Get a hold of yourself, Natasha. You need to compose yourself and don’t say anything stupid to him.

“I’m worried sick. Why are you avoiding me ever since we got here? Did I do something wrong? Did I offend you?” he asked successively, and my tongue almost slipped a word, but good thing I restrained myself.

“Natasha, please, if it’s something I asked earlier, I’m sorry, okay? I won’t interfere again. I promise, just please, don’t be mad at me.”

That’s when I finally spoke…

“I-I’m not mad at you, Harry.” I looked away, biting my tongue when he placed his hands above my shoulder, caressing it.

“Upset because I am asking many questions you’re not yet ready to say?”

I nodded gradually, and I heard him let out a loud sigh of relief. He slapped his forehead, and I was shocked when he did this. I thought he had gone mad or something because he was being brutal to himself, but I caught him laughing slightly.

“I’m sorry, Natasha, if I become too insensitive. I know you are having a rough time and are still trying to process what is happening to your life, but I am going to assure you….”

My heart skipped a beat when he lifted my chin and made me look at him. Our eyes locked, and I saw how close our faces were to each other. I swallowed when Harry smiled, giving me a comfortable yet alluring grin that would make everything around me disappear.

“You can tell me everything, and I am willing to listen to everything you will say. I will help you, Natasha.”

His words caressed my heart, and everything I was thinking about myself vanished. I know this is not yet the right time to say anything, but something was giving me hope that once I told Harry why we’re being chased and why they want to kill us, he would understand.

“T-thank you, Harry.”

He was shocked when I embraced him. I rested my head against his chest, where his heart was beating, and I could hear how it was not in its normal rhythm. Harry stroked my back, and before we knew it, the door bust open, and Steve yelled at us.

“I knew it! Something is going on between you two! How dare you, Natasha, cheat on your husband-”

I smack his head before he could even finish his sentence before walking past him. Harry did the same, and Steve was grunting at us, pointing his fingers.

“You guys are such a fucking meanie to me.” I could see the side tears forming in the corners of his eyes, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his foolishness. In just a snap and everything was okay now. Well, my cloud of doubts is still here. It’s still lingering at the back of my head, but it’s caged now at the bottom.

I just hope it won’t resurface again.

“Are you ready, Natasha, to go out?” Harry asked carefully, watching my reaction.

I grinned, then nodded in response. Well, I can go back here if I want to when I feel something is going to happen or my guts would feel someone is looking. But I have these two with me, and I know some of Harry’s bodyguards are watching from afar to keep their boss out of trouble or venture.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Wait! Hold on! If you want to go out, at least change.” Steve motioned my body, looking at my dress disgustingly.

My brows knitted into a straight line, but when my eyes averted down on their bodies, I concluded that both of them were half-naked and only wearing beach shorts. The magnificence of their body is flaunting, and I must admit, they look like gods that were sent here on land. They are perfect for the way they are. Well, I’m already tied with Ethan, and I don’t find them that attractive in my eyes. No one can beat my husband.

“What?” Harry looks so confused by his friend’s statement. Steve slapped himself before running away. When he got back, he was holding something behind him. I glanced at Harry, who had no idea either, when finally Steve showed us what he was talking about.

“What?!” we both exclaimed and threw our hands in the air with exasperation. Steve raised a brow, confidently showing the bikini.

“I can’t wear that!”

“Yeah, she can’t wear that! There are too many people out there!” Harry’s voice thundered all over the room, shaking the interiors slightly.

“What are you two talking about?” Steve grabbed both of our hands and pulled us closer to the window. Steve pointed at something down the beach, and I squinted my eyes, looking closely at what he wanted to show us.

“What do you see down there?” he asks.

“People?” I answered.

“Lunatics?” Harry was not sure.

“That’s a bit harsh, but I am trying to point out that everyone is wearing their swimsuit. Be it two-piece, one-piece, or beach shorts. You can’t go out there wearing a long dress reaching your ankles, Natasha. I know you’re gorgeous as fuck, but we’re going to swim in that ocean whether you like it or not.”

I noticed that everyone, especially girls, was wearing the same bikini that Steve showed me. I mean, I don’t want to because I don’t have the confidence to show enough skin, and mostly, it’s also my first time wearing such a thing. I am not against it, but I don’t have the self-assurance.

“What do you say, Natasha? It’s your chance to show off-”

“Stop being a fucking pervert, dude!”

“Hey! I am not! I just want to show her what her body can flex! I’m-”

“Fine.” I took the bikini and went straight to the bathroom to change. God, I hope I won’t regret this.