Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Greyson and I spent the remaining time building his sand castle. When we went back to the villa to change clothes, Greyson told me that he wanted to take an amble nearby the beach.

"You should tell your dad first that you want to stroll around,."

So right after we ate snacks and rested for a bit, Greyson rushed to his father, who was reading a newspaper in the living room.

"Dad! I want to walk around the island! Is that alright?"

He smiled subtly and stood up. "Of course. I'll come with you."

"Sure! Cleo will come with us too! We want to take pictures everywhere!"

His smile disappeared in the blink of an eye. And it's not just that. His face also puckered. But what made me really appalled was when he went back to sitting.

"Is that so? Have fun, then."

Greyson frowned. "Why? Don't you want to come with us now?"

He lets out a laugh that I'm certain is fake as hell. "I suddenly feel tired, buddy. Perhaps it's because of all the surfing that I did. Don't worry, I'll follow you guys once my legs aren't sore anymore."

Worry passed through the kid's eyes.

"Then you should really take a rest for now, dad."

"I will."

Greyson then dragged me out of the villa excitedly. While he's having the time of his life, I kept on overthinking how his father acted earlier.

If his son bought his lousy and pathetic excuse, I didn't. I know he's lying. The way that his expression changed when he heard that I'd come with them could attest to that.

He obviously wanted to avoid me. But why?! Is this still connected to what happened a while ago? I don't even have the slightest idea why he suddenly left without saying anything.

I shook my head, brushing those thoughts away.

That man is unpredictable. He's like a riddle that is impossible to answer. a code that is too mystifying to decipher.

Hence, I shouldn't bother myself reading him.

We had a great time sauntering on the beach, admiring every picturesque scenery. The island is surrounded by a canopy of coconut and palm trees, which sheltered us from the heat of the sun. The melodic song of the birds, the playful sound of the water lapping on the shore and the sound of leaves rustling every time the wind blows bring me a sense of peace and tranquility.

When we got tired, we went back to the villa. Garren was not in the living room when we entered.

"Perhaps he’s resting in his room," I replied when Greyson asked me about his whereabouts.

We climbed upstairs and went to our separate rooms. While I’m busy looking for my charger, my phone on the bedside table rang out of the blue.

I picked it up, thinking that it was my brother. But much to my surprise, it’s not Archeus but Lauren. I answered the call.

"Hey-"

"Cleo Harriette Remington!" She cuts me off with a raucous shout.

I put my phone away from my ears.

"You don’t need to be so freaking loud, you know." I scorned.

"Oh shut the hell up. You have a lot of things to explain to me."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What the hell are you saying?!"

"I went to the Montreal mansion and was planning to ask you to hang out because it's been a long time since we went out together..."

My eyes widened. I think I already knew what she's fussing over.

"But guess what?! The head maid told me that you went out of town and are having a vacation with your boss!"

I swallowed a lump.

"The last time we talked, you were fuming mad about him. And now I'm hearing that you're on vacation with him?"

The mischief on the tone of her voice was evident.

"Did I miss something? I'm your best friend, so whatever happens to your life, I should be one of the first to know. I'm beyond hurt right now," she said dramatically.

I heaved out a sigh. "I forgot to tell you about the vacation. With that, I'm sorry. But whatever ridiculous thing you're thinking right now, shut it. I still hate Garren, and that will never change unless he apologizes. But that's like herding cats because his ego is as sky-scraping as Mount Everest, so I'll despise him as long as I'm breathing."

She huffed. "Oh, and you really think I'm going to buy that crap? You won't have a vacation with someone that you abhor so much, Cleo."

I slapped my hand on my forehead. She's really stubborn as a mule. So I had no choice but to tell her everything so she could finally shut her mouth.

"Long story short, it was Greyson who wanted me to come on this vacation, not his father. Now stop with your delusion," I chided.

She chuckled. "Sorry not sorry. You can't blame me for freaking out, though. Who would not be surprised after hearing such a thing, right?"

"Whatever. Where are you anyway?"

"At my apartment. I have another question."

"Fire away."

"Do you share the same room as him?"

My jaw dropped to the floor. If I'm just drinking something right now, I would've spat it out.

"Are you out of your mind?! Of course not, you dumbass!" I snapped at her.

She just giggled. "Take a chill pill. I was just wondering."

I rolled my eyes. "That man is rich as hell. He doesn't need to share a room with someone else. Where is your common sense?"

"You're so irascible."

Someone suddenly knocked on the door. It's probably Greyson.

"I gotta hang up now. Let's just talk again some other time."

"Sure. You have a debt to me, don't forget that."

I frowned. "What debt?"

"We have to hang out together as soon as you come back here."

I smiled. "Fine. I'll make time for you. I don't want you to throw a tantrum at me."

"Shut up. Also, bring me a souvenir when you come home. I'll pluck your eyes out if you don't."

I scrunched up my nose. "I can't even afford to buy myself a souvenir."

She hissed. "You're so stingy."

"You befriended a stone broke. Bear with it. I'll go now. Bye!"

I didn't wait for her response and ended the call. Lauren doesn't know how to shut her mouth, so we might just prolong the farewell.

I stood up from my bed and hastily ran towards the door. Contrary to what I assumed, it was actually Garren who was knocking, not his son.

"What took you so long?" He asked with knitted eyebrows.

I feigned an apologetic smile. "I was on a call with my friend, sir."

The creases on his forehead didn't fade. I was already preparing my ears for some jeering remarks, but he didn't do that. He just turned his back instead.

"Tidy yourself up. We'll eat at a restaurant for dinner."

I followed him with my eyes as he walked away and headed downstairs.

"Well, that's a surprise." I shrugged my shoulders.

I closed the door and looked for an outfit that I would wear later. After minutes of contemplation, I decided to settle with a plain blue dress with puff sleeves.

When I stormed off, Greyson was also heading out of his room. We walked down the stairs together.

"Dad!" He called his father's attention.

Garren closed his phone and looked at us, causing our eyes to meet. But it did not last long because he swiftly tore his gaze.

"Let's go."

He stood up and held his son's left hand. After he closed the door, we headed outside.

I trailed behind them, listening to their natter. Greyson is telling trivial stories to his father, and the latter is listening to them.

They seem really comfortable with each other now. It seems like Greyson has unconsciously abandoned his plan of ignoring his father on purpose.

Be that as it may, I'm happy for them.

The cold night breeze suddenly blows, making me quiver. I hugged myself and rubbed my arms to take the chill off.

"You should've brought at least a blazer or cardigan with you."

I was struck dumb for some seconds when Garren stopped on his track said that.

"Dad's right, Cleo." His son seconded.

"I forgot, sir." I replied.

He hissed and shook his head. When I thought that I wouldn't be more shocked, he took off his own coat and handed it to me.

"Here, wear this. You might catch a cold and possibly infect us. That will ruin the vacation."

I was knocked for six. For a couple of seconds, I just stared at his extended hand in perplexity. What the hell is happening to the world?!

He was ignoring me the whole afternoon and now he's being nice?!

"You don't need to do that, sir. I can handle the cold pretty well," I declined.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't be stubborn and just accept it," he insisted.

"Cleo, just wear dad's jacket. We're just taking precautions," Greyson butted in, a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

Although quite reluctant, I got the coat from him. "Thank you, sir."

He didn't respond and resumed walking. Meanwhile, while I'm fitting Garren's leather coat, I can't help but smell the scent attached to the garment. It's a familiar woody scent that he always wear.

It didn't take us that long before we reached the restaurant that Garren was talking about. There were a few customers when we entered, which are certainly tourists as well.

The receptionist assisted us to the vacant table, and a waitress approached us right away.

"What do you want to eat?" Garren asked his son while scanning the menu.

"This one, dad!"

He nodded and turned to me. "What about you?"

My heart starts racing inside my chest out of anxiety. For Pete's sake, I didn't know how to pronounce and read the dishes written on the menu! This is the first time I've encountered them.

I pretended to cough. "A-Anything, sir. I'm not really a picky eater."

His expression flattened. "There is no such thing as 'anything' in the menu, Cleo."

It's cold and yet I can feel sweat starting to form in my forehead. All their eyes are on me, including the waitress who is waiting for our order.

Garren scoffed, as if his patience was at the hilt now. That's his signal that I should collect my shits together.

I swallowed hard. "I-I want this shredded beef with w-worcest-"

I tried my best to pronounce it, but my tongue kept on twisted. I can see the smile on the waitress' face. I know for a fact that she's just holding her laughter.

"She'll have shredded beef with Worcestershire sauce," Garren said. He spoke that word perfectly.

I was relieved.

"Noted! Is there anything else, ma'am?"

"And this Gnocchi (no-chi)," I said, referring to the dumplings.

I was confident and didn't stutter because I thought I pronounced it right, but I was wrong.

The waitress laughed awkwardly. "There's no such thing as nochi on the menu, Ma'am."

My cheeks reddened. "R-Really?"

She nodded. "Perhaps you're saying Gnocci (nyo-ki) dumplings, ma'am."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Greyson tittering. But what surprised me is Garren, who has a faint snigger on his lips while watching my suffering.

Well, that's a rare sight.

"Ma'am?"

I turned my attention back to the waitress and nodded sheepishly. "Y-Yes. That's it."

"Anything else? What about your drink?"

I scanned the menu book. Fortunately, their drinks are normal.

"I'll have the cranberry juice."

She repeated our orders before she left the table. I breathed a sigh of relief.

That scene is a hard reality slap to me that I don't really suit fancy and expensive stuff like this restaurant. I look like a social climber.

"That was hilarious, Cleo!" Greyson teases me.

My nose crinkled. "Those cuisines are so hard to pronounce, and you were even making fun of me." I feigned a sulking tone.

He giggled. "Dad was laughing too! You should scold him as well!"

I gave Garren a once-over, but I didn't expect that he was also looking at me, arms-crossed in front of his chest.

He raised his brows and mouthed "what" that I chose to ignore.

Our orders arrived on our table in less than fifteen minutes. I had to remind myself not to be piggish because the food served in front of us were all mouth-watering.

The dinner table was unexpectedly not awkward, all thanks to Greyson, who kept on initiating a topic. Garren and I were just listening to him most of the time.

Nonetheless, I think it's one of the best dinners that we have ever had.