Chapter 11: Chapter 11

•••

Chapter Eleven

ALEX

I opened my eyes to see a smirking Caiden looking down at me. I look around me, looking for Jacob and Nate but they aren't here. The devil’s face made my hands itch and I didn't think twice to slap that smirk off his face.

"Hmm, is that the proper way to thank me?" he raise a delicate eyebrow as he look at me.

"You're the reason why I fell!" I rolled my eyes, wriggling on his arms.

"Yeah, I know. I know that you really did fall for me." he smirk.

"Urgh!" I wriggled more until he sat down unto a chair with me on his lap. I look at him ridiculously as he suddenly rise a spoonful of froot loops on my mouth.

" Eat, dolcezza" Before I protest, he shoved the spoon on my mouth and scooped another one for him.

I didn't have time to say anything for he kept on shoving spoon after spoon. We finished it together, him smirking at me and me wriggling, trying to find escape from this iron-like grip.

He stood up and carried me to our room. I watched him open the door with me on his shoulders. What the heck! Is he some super hero with that incredible strength? He carried me in and put me on the bed.

"Now, take a bath, wear something comfortable and meet me here." He pushed me inside the bath room and there I made myself comfortable.

After having the most comforting shower, I entered another room full of clothes and picked out a light blue summer dress. I wore my flip flops and walked out to the room. I was surprised when a pair of hands grabbed me from behind. He put me down on a chair and kneeled in front of me.

"Sweet cheeks, I wanted to apologize to you for what I did" He looked into my eyes and continued."But it's really funny to watch you act that way" He laughed at my face, snorting as he did so. "Is that the proper way to apologize to me?" I asked him, he suddenly stopped as the words register to his head.

“ I'm really sorry for what I have done. Please, give me another chance. Mi dispiace, so che ero un coglione dalla prima volta che ci siamo incontrati e mi scuso. (I’m sorry, I know I was a jerk from the first time we met and I apologize.)”

He smiled at me, though I didn't understand what he said as long as I heard that he was sorry, and that he asked for another chance, I'll give it to him. Oh suckish, am I really that softie now? But I have other plans hahaha!

I smiled at him and he smiled back. We stayed like that for a while, lost in our own thoughts. Hmm, I wonder why he is doing all these, why was he suddenly guilty of what he did? I was startled when he suddenly got up and turn.

"Vieni, devo farti vedere una cosa" he spoke suddenly while I sat there wondering what does that mean. He turned around smiling.

"That means, 'Come, I need to show you something' so get up or else I'm going to carry you out." Hmm did I say that question aloud? He turn back again and went through the sliding doors.

I got up and followed him. I was shocked when a pair of arms suddenly enveloped me and that minty summer smell invaded my nostrils. My eyes were covered and I heard him laughing. Was this the consequence of him asking forgiveness a while ago?

I tried to hit him but all I got was thin air. He laughed again as he guided me for I can't see anything. I could feel his hands on my waist as we descend through the stairs. We turned and I heard the tap of my sandals on the woods.

”Are we on a gangway? “

“Just wait” He gripped my wrist and I could feel myself rocking.

“Ha, I knew it we are on a boat!“ I thought out loud as he continue to guide me.

"Si, actually, we are on a yacht." With that he pecked my lips and to untie my blindfold. I was blushing furiously and I'm glad that he can't see my face. His hands lingered on my waist as he finished, we stayed like that until he went inside the doors and I followed.

The indoor was magnificent, I mean no! Better than that, actually I can't find the right word to compare this sumptuous thing to the others. I was mesmerized that I didn't see him guiding me up the deck and to where the ship was controlled. He expertly went through the controls and I can feel the ship together with us moving.

"Where are we going? Are you kidnapping me?!" I asked furiously at him.

"Chill, I'm not kidnapping you for you didn't stop me when I guided you here and it's a part of my plan"

"F.Y.I , I can't stop you because you put a blindfold around my eyes and you said you needed to show me something and that stupid thing is just this yacht!" I screeched at him and he stared at me, amusement clear on his eyes.

"C'mon, stop being feisty, I know you love me" with that he wink and turned his back at me.

I went to the nearest couch and got myself a food from the fridge beside it. I was enjoying myself looking out of the window when the yacht suddenly stopped.

"Come, I'll show you something" He said while gripping my hand. He lead me down the deck and to the gangway where I saw the whole island.

"Wow, beautiful"

"I know, that's why I brought us here"

"But, where are we exactly?" I asked latching my arms on his, afraid that I might get lost if I didn't.

"We're on Isle Swindersen, the island 40 minutes away from Cony Island" he said as he continue to look down at me. He pulled us on a store and I smiled at the young boy who opened the store for us.

"Welcome, my lady" He bowed and I giggled. Caiden looked at me ridiculously before he entered another room. I followed him into it and paused.

"Why didn't you bring the guys?" I asked curiously.

"Because they are busy with their girls and, I want sometime alone with you" He said his back on me.

"Are you planning to do something?"

"Yes" he look at me and I watch him dropped his gaze "I mean No! I won't do IT, I'm not stupid" He said while turning around and giving me some oversize sunglasses.

"What is this for?" I asked as I shoved it into his face

"Well, it's for privacy and protection" He said while wearing his own

"Protection? For what?"

"Just wear it, Okay? I don't want any dumb questions from you anymore"

"You're such an airhead" He mumbled. Ha, is he thinking that I'm deaf?

"I'm not an airhead!" I followed him out of the store and shoved those eyeglasses on my eyes.

He led us inside another store and entered. He talked with the old lady while I made myself comfortable on the couch. My feet were sore on walking around the island. I hate to walk, especially on uneven stone path.The old lady hugged him and led me to another room. There I saw diving suits and two men who are just wearing their swimming gears. On the side of the room, you could see the vast ocean spreading through and through.

"We are going to swim?" I ask, a bit worried, tugging at his shirt. He chuckled and hugged me.

"Yes dolce, We are," He pulled me on those chairs and there they lectured us about the things we will do and how to put this and that. Caiden sat beside me in a bored position. I think, I'm the only one that's listening here!

They led us into another yacht, smaller than what Caiden had. They started the engine and there in the middle of the sea, we swam. I was nervous at first but as I dive in and see how magnificent it was underwater, I am at lost for words. It's too beautiful, amazing I should say! Caiden pulled me deeper and the two divers took a picture of us and I was surprised when Caiden hugged me tighter to himself and I watched him as he got nearer and tried to kiss me. Good thing is that we are wearing snorkels that cover our mouth.

We spend 30 minutes under the sea and after that we took off. Caiden and I separated ways to change into our clothes. As I got out, I saw him waiting on those benches. He stood up and made his way to me.

"Hey, I'm pretty sure you are hungry and I am too. As you could see, we needed some energy after doing that" He offered his hand but I didn't take it. I glared at him when he suddenly smirked.

He carried me out of the store and down unto the pave way where many people where staring at us. He put me down and started to walk south. I scurried off to catch up with his long strides when I notice that we are in a different place.

I just glared at the stone way and followed him inside this tribal restaurant. We settled on our seats and watch as he asked for the menu. He looked at it and passed it to me. I couldn't understand this things that were written on this menu so I just ask the same like what he had ordered.

When the waiter went away, I looked up to see a smoldering blue orbs that are just inches away from my face. I squeaked at that and that made him chuckle.

The waiter returned with two plates of yummy but weird looking food. He passed my plate and then he return inside the kitchen. I didn't resist the wafting smell of the food in front of me so I dig in.

I was so full after eating three nuggets that taste like, I don't know what it was but it's delicious, when my face felt heavy and my eyes getting droopy. I looked up to see Caiden sitting up, already finish with his food.

"I-I camb fidish thisch" I manage to say as I stood up. I walked out of the resto with him following. I didn’t know that the resto was just serving seafood and the thing is that I'm allergic to it. Is this a part of his plan? Did he already know that I have an allergy that's why he brought me into this island? Maybe he wanted me to look like a puffer fish, that he will laugh at me.

"Dolce! Dolcezza wait" He said snapping me out of my thoughts. I rubbed my arms as it began to itch. I turned around to see him looking at me, astonished.

"Whowk?!" I asked annoyed that he has the nerve to ask for me to wait.

"What is that?" He said poking at my face " Your face is getting red and it has rashes forming like a, a map?" I sigh as I look at his shaking form which is silently laughing.

"Ayb gock alordies krom teafoog! Hov you tweakd muh adain to eak thofe, tow thaf yow could lof at me?!" I turn around and walked off. Is he pretending again that he didn't know? I entered the yacht and lied down on the sofa. How am I going to treat myself if I don't have any-

"Hey there, com'on take this and, put this on those rashes. The doctor told me that you needed to wait for about 15 minutes before it will work." He handed me some tablet and began putting those creams on my face.

I can feel my lips shrinking and my eyes drooping. My head fall down unto the couch and I was welcomed on my dreamland.

•••

I woke up and stretched, but ended up falling. Hmm, where am I? I stood up and yawned. I look at the window and gawked. Am I dreaming? Is this an island? As I made my way down the deck, memories of what happen a while ago came rushing back at me like waves. Oh! Where is he? He's gonna pay for what he did to me earlier.

"Cade?"

"Caiden?!

"COLD FOOT!"

I went inside the rooms, calling his name but there's no answer. Even in the kitchen or in the game room there's no sign of him. How dare he leave me just like that?! I stomped my foot in frustration and made my way out of this yacht. I started to look out for him in the island; maybe he's just going to buy me food.

After a while though, I returned with no hope of finding him around this island. I waited for half an hour up the deck, staring out the vast ocean.I sighed in frustration as I stood up. I decided that I'm going to try to find him for the second time instead of waiting here for nothing.

I skipped on the stone way and headed inside the stores. I decided to have a little bit fun while staying here on this island. He will turn up if he wanted to, right?

I pick up a dream catcher and decided that it will be beautiful to hang it on my room. I paid for it and went out. I was taking my time walking on a dimly lit path when a hand gripped my wrist and the other one on my neck, holding a knife. I squeaked when I felt the knife on my throat.

"Help, someone, Help me!"

"Shh! Shut your mouth" whispered by the guy from behind me while tightening his grip.

"Who are you?!"

"I have no time to introduce myself to you"

"What do you want?!"

"Give me a good time or I'll kill you" I silenced myself, my eyes were still glued on the knife.

"No, I won't!" He gripped my wrist tighter and twists it.

"Oww! uggh hell!" I shrieked and that got me another slap. He picked me up by my hair and started to kiss me.

"Please someone, HELP!!!" My voice came out shaky and I could feel his lips curl. He tied the handkerchief on my mouth and laugh

"There, I don't have the time to listen for your plead" He laughed and continue his did.

"Mmh, mhlp! mhlp mls!" I tried as the tears flow freely down my cheek.

He undo his zipper and began grinding himself to me. He kissed me while pushing down my skirt. My eyes were getting blurry as more tears flow down. I keep on praying that somehow Caiden will come and rescue me. I can't believe it that I'm going to lose my v card to this island guy. I'd rather have Caiden rape me than this stupid guy!

"Haha, don't waste your tears babe. I'm going to get what I want" He started to pull down my undies when I saw a shadow behind him and the next thing I knew was that I was pushed down on the stone way.

My savior dodged the guy's kick. I snatch my skirt and wore it quickly as I could. The two of them fought while I was there on the stone way hugging myself, afraid that someone will take me. I felt myself trembling and I saw the face of my savior. Well, he's not really, it's the devil himself. He pulled me up and hugged me.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you the whole time!" I shrieked while hitting his chest with my hands.

"I've been following you the whole time but then, I lost you when you went through those stores." He said holding my hands up.

"But you should've followed me inside! I-I'm so afraid. I don't w-want to l-lose my V-v card to that g-guy. I'd rather have y-you take it" I mumbled through his chest, soaking it with my tears.

"What did you just say?" He asked pulling me off from his chest.

"Huh?" I asked trying my best to not blush.

"You said something about your v-card and me taking-" I covered his mouth as I blush profusely.

“I never say that!" I said looking down. I started to walk away from him when a pair of hands wrapped themselves on my waist.

"C'mon dolce, I will show you something." He said pulling me opposite from the way of the gangway.

"No! I'd rather stay on the yacht than joining you on your stupid surprises!" I said walking off, leaving him from behind. I squeaked, surprise when he suddenly carried me on his shoulders and ran the other way.

"S-stop!" I said laughing. I just can't seem to stay angry at this man anymore and I don't know why. He was the reason I got rashes earlier, almost lost my v-card a while ago and now he's carrying me unto the opposite way to the gangway. He walked faster and faster unto the top and it's like I weight nothing.

He put me down and I was surprised when I saw where he had brought us. It was an elevated land wherein you can see the view of the whole island, including the vast sea and the sunset. I was mesmerized with it that I didn't realize as he slowly inched closer, his face only a breath away.

"Cara, I know I've been a jerk and I'm sorry. It's just I can't accept it that I'm going to get engaged at the age of 19. I wanted to explore more, follow my dreams but now that I knew I'm now to be in charge with the company, I was furious, more than furious. I can't believe that I'm marrying a girl whom I don't know in three months. My anger was poured up on you, and you are lucky that I didn't hurt you physically but I did mentally, so please bear with me, Dolcezza slash Sweet Cheeks slash buffalo" He gave me his puppy dog eyes and I just laugh at how cliché, romantic and cute he was altogether.

"Buffalo? That’s new" I raised my eyebrow at his compliments.

"Well, you're heavy like a buffalo" He chuckled.

"Okay, devil slash Cold foot, slash Monkey but you have to-"

"Monkey?" It's his turned to raise a delicate eyebrow at me.

"Yeah you are my Monkey for you act like one when you are a jerk and you look like an angry Kingkong when I did something"

"Oh, Am I?"

"Promise me not to act like a jerk anymore!" I said offering my pinkie

"Well, okay, maybe. But I'm not really sure" He said smirking at me. I glared at him and looked down.

He raised my chin up and I was surprised when he suddenly crashed his lips on mine. His lips are so soft and he smelled like peppermint. I kissed him back and felt fireworks surrounding us, butterflies fluttered on my stomach and warmth is spreading all throughout my body. My heart had horses galloping in it and I felt like sleeping on a cloud.

I was enjoying myself but then my sanity came on me. I recovered from the kiss and turn my head on the side. I raised my hand and prepared to slap him. He grabbed it with one swift movement and hugged me from behind.

"I like your feisty moves but sometimes it annoys me" He turned me back to face him.

"You stole my first kiss." I mumbled looking down at my shoes.

"No, I didn't steal it you gave it. Come, let's go to the yacht. I have something for you, I know you'll like it"

He carried me again and ran to the yacht. He started the engine and I watch in sadness as he drove away from the island. A tear fall from my eyes and I wipe it quickly. I'll never get a chance to return here again.

"Stop crying sweet cheeks, I promise you that we will return here someday" I sobbed and hug my knees. I stared on the walls thinking about the things that had happen.

I was trying to get myself comfortable and sleep here on this fluffy sofa when I was swept away and carried out the deck. I kept my eyes shut and pretend that I'm asleep. Caiden paused as I felt myself being lowered together with him. Wait, am I on his lap?

"Sweet cheeks, I'm sorry that you got tired because of me but I really want you to see my surprise. It's been my dream to watch meteor showers with the girl I like, but now I was talking to you asleep" Meteor showers? Meteor showers!

"Maybe you are dreaming about that guy again. Oh, who's that? Right, it’s Dwayne. Pfft, lucky guy. But, for my opinion, he’s worse than I because thinking of him only makes you cry. I really don't know what happen to your past, but I don't have the guts to ask you that. Maybe you are going to tell me if you are ready right?" He shifted on his seat and I curled myself to him. I heard him sigh when I put my arms beside his chest.

"I don't know what to do with you, dolce. You're just too adorable to be hated and rejected and I don't know why I still can't trust you with my own feelings for it has been almost two weeks, maybe I'll learn as the days pass by, right dolce?" He touched my face and that made me open my eyes. He was startled along with me but maybe it's just a reflex for me to open my eyes.

"Did you hear anything?"

"What are you saying?" I asked, trying to act dumb.

"Nothing" He put me down, stood up and headed up the deck. I followed him and there I was enveloped by darkness. I bump unto him and the two of us fall down.

"What are you doing?" He asked, turning on the light on the railings.

"I can't see in the dark." I stood up dusting off myself. "What did you do earlier?" I asked him.

"Hmm?"

"Before I woke up, I felt your hand on my cheek"

"Uh, that. Well, I uh, I just wipe off the dirt on your face" He lowered the light of the railings and lied down on the floor.

"Oh, Okay" I imitated what he did and lied on my back. I was mesmerized on what I saw.

Here in front of my eyes, was the beautiful galaxy. Lighten with millions of stars, different colors, sizes, forming constellations. I can't believe it that I was seeing all of this again. It's been seven years, those memories.

Caiden inch closer to me and put his arms around my waist. I was stiff and I choose to stay that way but then my stubborn body refused to do so. I collapsed unto his warm arms and a sigh escape my lips. I can't deny it that I was feeling comfortable right now, it's unexplainable but true.

The feeling that I was contented and safe is what I was feeling right now. I didn't felt this way before, even when I was with Dwayne. Yes I'm happy with him but still it's incomparable than what I feel right now, right when I'm beside Devil slash Cold foot slash Monkey. I smiled at the thought of him looking like a hungry monkey when I did something wrong.

I sat up and poured myself a wine, I drank it slowly as I stared at the vast ocean. Caiden served himself one and had his two after it. What he said awhile ago left me thinking. He said that he's confused, like me, in our feelings. It's been only a week and four days and that won't explain what we feel. He's right, we needed time. But time around us is passing in speed of light that our two months of summer is slowly coming to an end. Hmmph, maybe I'm just overreacting, it's not that short time to realize what you felt for someone, right? He tighten his arms around me and I look into those blue orbs that were shining like the stars above me.

"Hey there Sweet Cheeks slash dolcezza slash Buffalo, Look there" He turned his face up, I looked up to see the stars falling."Make a wish" he whispered on my ears which made me shiver.

I closed my eyes and wished that I will forget about the feelings I felt of Dwayne, that I won't ever be confused at what I feel of Caiden. I opened my head and turned my head to my left.

Caiden was lying here beside me, looking as gorgeous as ever and with the effects of those lights, he look more like a god rather than a person. I watched him as he slowly opened his eyes and turned his face to me.

"So, what did you wish for?" I asked him curiously.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out"

"Okay" I sat up and hugged myself.

"D'ya feel cold?" He asked, sitting up

"Uhmm. Yeah" He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his lap.

"Felling better?" He hugged tighter.

"Hmmmmh" a whole lot better, I wanted to add that but decided not to. I cuddled deep into the warmth of his chest, getting myself comfortable.

"How about you, what did you wish for?" He asked out of the blue.

"That's a secret" I giggled on his jacket as he hugged me more.

"Okay then" He started to tickle me

"N-n-No! S-stop! puhlease" I plead him tightening my grip on his grip

"Not until you let go of my hair" I let go of it suddenly and stood up.

I ran and ran around the deck, trying to get away from crazy monkey. I slipped into one of the cabins and locked myself into it. I realized that I didn't have the chance to enter this room before. It was a simple cabin with photos around it.

I neared myself into one of it and saw a family picture. The picture includes Mr. Cole ford, in his arms was his wife and their son, Caiden. He's so cute and I can't understand it that he looks a lot like Dwayne. They are too much alike. Hmm, what if he's my Dwayne? Why did he know all about these? My fear in the water and the meteor showers…only Dwayne new all about this. Could it be just accidental, or maybe he's really Dwayne and he wants to surprise me. My thoughts were cut off when the room suddenly opens.

"Haha, caught you" He carried me out of the room. With the picture frame still on my arms, he put me down on a couch and sat beside me.

"Oh, you have that?" He snatched the picture away from my hands and put it on the coffee table.

"Why do you look like Dwayne?" I asked him

"I look like him?" He stood up and chose to walk to the far side of the room. I glare at my hands trying to understand all these.

"Say it. Are you really him? Why do you choose to ignore me?"

"Alex just drop it! I don't want us to fight again because of him, okay? He's been always the reason why we fight and I'm freaking tired, are you not? Please forget about the past and start your future with me" He pleaded with those puppy dog eyes as he pulled me up. He carried me into a room and there he laid me down.

"Sleep now, Alex. Sleep with me for I want us to be okay? Stop thinking about him anymore, I don’t want us to grow apart. Besides, what is the difference about us? Why do you keep on thinking about him when he's the one who left you? I'm here Alex, here beside you. Why do you choose to ignore my presence?" He took my hand and rub circles around it.

A tear fall down my cheeks and to the pillow as I say, "I just can't forget about him."

"You could, if you wanted to. I'm here Alex, from now on, until forever. Lying here beside you, no matter what, I'll be always here with you" He pulled me and kissed the top of my head.

I laid there crying my heart out, confuse of what I was feeling. I looked up to him, he's frowning. Is he angry again?

"I'm so sorry" I touched his cheek."I promise, I will forget about him" I snaked my arms around his neck and kissed him. I didn't care of what my actions are now. I feel like stopping this but I can't do it and I was surprised when he beat me into it.

"Alex, I don't want you to be forced okay. Let's take this, slow" He kissed my forehead and pulled me closer.

"Okay" I hugged him tighter to me.

"Oh by the way, Happy Birthday Sweet cheeks" He kissed my forehead and muttered thanks before dozing off.

I can't believe it that I fell asleep with me on his arms. It was just, unexplainable. But, I couldn't care less anymore, as long as I'm safe and secured with his comforting arms.

That was the first night of which I felt that my moon was back. And this time, I hope that he will never leave his star

© A.G_2018