Chapter 30: Chapter 30

After that tear-jerking conversation between Greyson and Garren, I went back to my room to fall asleep.

I tried to close my eyes for almost an hour, but to no avail, but it was futile. I even resorted to counting sheep in my head, but drowsiness wouldn't visit my body.

I irately stood up. I'm supposed to be sleepy right now because I got exhausted from our island hopping this morning... but my senses are still wide awake!

I sighed deeply as I realized it was nearly twelve o'clock in the evening.

"Maybe I just need some fresh air."

With that in mind, I dragged myself from bed and wore a jacket before I stormed out of my room.

I skipped down the hallway and the stairs quietly, careful not to wake Greyson and Garren up. I slowly closed the main door before walking towards the shore line. The island was already veiled in silence. But there are still some staff who are aware and roaming around.

The lights coming from the villas are illuminating the surroundings.

I took off my slippers and sat on the sand, the water touching my feet. The humid sea breeze is cold enough to send shivers down my spine, but I find it very comforting, .

I admire the dark yet majestic scenery in front of her. The bright moonlight shining over the distance is reflecting on the moving water, creating a beautiful seascape.

"Why are you still outside?"

I was startled when someone spoke behind me. I turned my head and saw Garren wearing a sleeveless shirt. Doesn't he feel cold at all?!

But what really caught my attention was the can of beer that he's holding. I didn't know that it's allowed here.

"Aren't you going to answer me?"

I faked a cough. "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go out and have some fresh air, sir. What about you?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Same reason as yours."

He sat beside me. There's space between us enough for our skins not to touch.

The sound of the waves clashing against each other serenades us to tranquility. The glow of the pale crescent moon reflects on the ocean surface, making the scenery even more breathtaking.

I hugged myself as the soft breeze of the night fondled against my skin.

From my peripheral vision, I can see Garren staring at the blanket of darkness above. His eyes are void of any emotions, as usual.

For a couple of minutes, we just sat there in silence, until he spoke.

"I still haven't forgotten what you did to me. You almost ruined my nose."

I caught my breath. I knew my hunch was right! He wouldn't let this day pass without confronting me about that incident.

"I'm sorry for that, sir. I didn't mean to slam the door right in your face. I was just shocked," I explained.

His deadpan eyes bore into me, causing a maelstrom of fear in my system. Shit.

"Apology accepted."

I was knocked for six. It's just that?! He didn't throw a fit or curse at me?

"Thank you." I stammered because I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he seems cool with what happened. I honestly thought he'd go berserk. Perhaps I'm just being overdramatic.

Once again, deafening stillness ruled us But it's not awkward, though. In fact, I like this kind of silence.

This is one of those rare moments when this guy beside me is not making my hackles rise.

"I've overheard your conversation with your friend a while ago."

My eyes widened. The serene air turned suffocating.

What part did he exactly hear?!

I was already freaking out with the thought that what he might have heard Lauren's obscenity, but then Garren said something that made me dumbfounded.

"And I want to say sorry."

I was caught on the hop. I clearly heard what he said, but my brain is having a hard time processing it.

Although I really want to hear those words from him, I already abandoned that hope because it's far-fetched. Just like what I told Lauren, this man's ego is higher than Mount Everest.

I already had it instilled that Garren apologizing to me was impossible- so I can't utterly fathom what's happening right now.

"W-What?" It was the first word that came out of my mouth.

He scoffed. "Are you deaf? I won't repeat what I said."

I internally rolled my eyes. He was sorry a while ago, and now he's being a jerk. How capricious and unpredictable is his mood?

"What are you apologizing for, sir?" I asked, acting oblivious.

I looked at him discreetly. He seems reluctant.

He sighed. "For being a jerk towards you."

I didn't reply and let him speak.

"I shouldn't have put the blame on you for what happened to my son when he was called to the disciplinary action. In fact, I should be thankful because you stood up for him and got into trouble because of it."

I can't really believe it. Am I really hearing this right now? This is not a dream at all, right? I wonder what kind of air had gotten into his thick head that pushed him to do this.

"I also want to say sorry for calling you a..." He coughed, as if he's having a hard time taking that certain word out of his mouth. "-gold digger and a whore. I shouldn't have had malice when you went out with my brother because you solely did that to make Greyson happy."

He took a pause and chugged the beer in his hands. Is he taking courage from that liquor, perhaps?

"You are not those names that I called you. I was just carried away by my emotions and was careless with my choice of words. I'm sorry."

My mouth was agape the whole time I'm listening to him. Garren is finally admitting his mistakes and how much of a jerk he is. The angels are probably rejoicing right now.

I observed him. He's not looking at me but at the ocean instead. Nonetheless, I can still feel the sincerity in his voice even though I can't see his face.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

His question snapped me out of my trance. I contained my laughter when I saw his forehead sweating. I know for a fact that he's anxious despite him trying to display a calm facade.

I drew out a sigh. "I'm not going to sugarcoat my words. I was really furious at you because of what you've done and said to me. I hated you so much."

It never crossed my mind that I would have the courage to say these things to him.

"That's exactly what I overheard in your conversation with your friend. I never imagined that you're keeping that much of animosity towards me."

I scratched my cheeks sheepishly. "You can't blame me, sir. I felt so disrespected. I can bear with your sarcastic remarks, but you crossed the line by accusing me of being a gold digger and a whore."

"I'm sorry," he uttered. There's a hint of mortification on his face.

I smiled. "Apology accepted, sir."

He frowned. "T-That's all?"

My eyebrows snapped together. "What do you mean that's all?"

"Aren't you going to curse at me or retaliate for the things I've done to you? I swear I'm not going to be mad because it's all my fault anyway."

Can someone slap me hard on the face right now just to make sure that I'm not dreaming? Because I swear, the words coming out of this man's lips are beyond belief.

"I don't need to do those things."

Besides, I've already cursed him enough inside my head.

"Your apology is enough, sir. The fact that you're owning up to your mistake and are sorry about it is enough. Having revenge won't bring me any good. It will just ruin my peace of mind."

I really mean those words. Of course, there are times that I just want to straight up punch Garren in the face, but aside from the fact that I'll drop dead to the floor before I could even land my fist on him, asserting revenge is mentally exhausting.

I'm already dead on one feet, I don't want to bear another burden.

Garren didn't reply. I was perplexed to see him just staring at me. There's an emotion in his eyes that I can't unravel.

"Is there something wrong with my face?"

I consciously wiped my face, but didn't find any dirt or whatsoever. Garren remained wordless, and it's already making me uneasy.

What the hell is wrong with him? Have he lost his ability to speak?

I snapped my finger right in front of his face, and at last, he tore his gaze from me.

"W-What were you saying again?"

My eyebrows furrowed when he stammered. He's acting weird. But I brushed it aside.

"I said the fact that you're owning up to your mistake and are sorry about it is enough. Because I wasn't expecting that from you."

He promptly narrowed his gaze at me.

"Are you saying that I'm incorrigible and narcissist?"

I pursed my lips together. "T-That's not what I mean, Sir Garren."

"Nah. I was just kidding. Go on. I'm listening. You can say anything you want."

He knows how to joke now, huh?

"Back to what I was saying, your apology is enough for me. So you're forgiven, sir. But I do hope that the same thing won't happen again."

He hummed. "Normally I would ruin people for telling me what to do, but I will let you off the hook just this once. But yeah, I'll try to be careful with my words next time."

I smiled. "Thank you, sir."

This moment honestly feels odd, but also overwhelming in a good way.

"I'm curious."

He gave me a questioning look.

"What pushed you to do this?"

"Do what?"

"Why did you apologize to me all of the sudden?"

It didn't escape my eyes how his Adam's apple moved. Is he nervous?

He looked away. "It's because of my son."

An imaginary question mark was written all over my face.

"Garren loves you very much. And I know that he won't like it if he knows that I'm the reason behind his nanny's exasperation. I don't want to be the cause of his distress anymore."

My lips curled into a cordial smile. "I guess you're right. Greyson will be happier if he knows that we're in good terms. His feelings are what matter the most. "

"You really love my son, do you?"

I nodded. "Your son isn't hard to love, sir. He has a kind and ardent heart."

A faint smile ran across his face. "I couldn't agree more with that. To be honest, it baffles me how he was able to grow up with such kindness in his heart. I mean, his father is a huge scumbag who abandoned him."

He let out a bitter laugh and guzzled the beer in his hands.

"If I'm in shoes, I would probably loathe myself."

Silence once again reigned over us, and I feel like I need to say something.

"You were wrong, but what matters is that, you learned from your mistakes. And now, you're making up for those times that you wasted. You're trying to requite your shortcomings and redeem yourself as Greyson's father. Don't cage yourself in dejection."

I stood up and brushed off the sand on my legs. "Sometimes we make bad choices, but that doesn't automatically make us bad people. It just means that we are human; imperfect, flawed, and capable of making mistakes."

I patted his shoulder and turned my back. "I'm sleepy now. Goodnight, sir Garren."

I walked through the villa and went to my room right away. I was about to close the window when my eyes caught a glimpse of Garren still sitting in that same spot.

A smile made its way onto my lips, recalling the conversation that we had.

"He's still a jerk, but he's not that evil anymore."