Chapter 60: Chapter 60

"Where are we exactly heading, dad?" Greyson asked in the middle of the ride.

Being this close with Garren again is enough to make me anxious. So I'm here in my seat and trying my best to make the slightest gestures.

Gladly, Greyson is here to ease the tension in the air.

"Picnic Grove. It's an hour ride from here," Garren answered. "You'll have a lot of fun there."

The depressing silence returned as Greyson went back to playing with his iPad.

"Have you ever been to a picnic before?" Garren blurted out all of a sudden.

See? This is what I'm talking about. He initiates conversation with me, something that he stopped doing.

"My parents brought me and my brother to a picnic before." I still responded because I don't want to appear snobbish.

"What do you guys do when you're there?"

"It's nothing fancy. We eat the foods that my mother cooks and then talk about some random things."

A smile made its way on my lips, reminiscing about those simple yet happy memories—during those times that I wasn't aware of the cruel reality of the world. When the only thing that stresses me out are my assignments.

I miss my salad days.

But along with that euphoric feeling, is the despair of knowing that I'll never experience those things again with my father.

If I were given a chance, I would do everything to turn back the time and once again feel his embrace.

"You seem to have a simple yet happy family," Garren remarked.

For the first time in a long time, he said something that made me smile.

If his mouth only says these kinds of things, then we wouldn't have a bad blood.

"Hmmm. We might not be rich in money, but we're wealthy in love and affection from our parents, and that's something that I wouldn't trade for anything."

Of course, whenever we suffer financially,  I silently hope that our lives were a bit different. But I love them nonetheless.

Garren smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. It looks dismal.

"You're lucky to have them," he mumbled.

I want to ask him about his family too, because I feel like there's something grievous obscured by his last words, but I repressed my curiosity.

His family matters aren't my business. I don't want to be nosy.

So I just replied with a dismissive, "Thank you," and went back to staring at the window.

The rest of the drive was ruled by silence. After a couple of minutes, I noticed that both sides of the road are beginning to be covered with trees.

"Are we near, dad?!" Greyson asked in high spirits while looking at the vast greenery ahead of us.

"Yep! So suit yourself."

We stopped in front of a gate. Garren talked to the guards for a while before he resumed driving, and after five minutes, he parked his car.

"We're here!" He announced.

I unfastened my seatbelt and opened the door on my side. Greyson hopped out on his own.

"It's so beautiful here!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.

He's full of beans, and I understand why. The place is indeed scenic and breath-taking. From where we are standing, I can see the lush green valleys from afar.

Before I got immersed in admiring the landscape, I helped Garren carry the stuff he brought with us. I don't want to be an encumbrance here when I'm just a chaperone.

As we began walking through the viridescent meadow, I take the time to admire the place. There are sporadic tufts of Acacia, Aspen, and probably the most beautiful one I've seen, willow trees.

The Bermuda grasses and shrubs carpeted the vast and seemingly endless earthen crust. The soft and nippy breath of the trees anchored our souls in peace and solitude.

This place is a garden of heaven.

After walking for a couple of minutes, we finally stopped beside a huge acacia tree.

This is a perfect spot because the crown of the tree is enough to shield us from the sun.

I wandered my eyes around and saw that there are quite a few people near us. There are benches around the area too, and some stalls and stores.

After Garren laid down the mat, I placed the food baskets.

"This park is really calming," Greyson remarked, still in awe.

His father smiled. "I'm glad that you like it. Anyway, do you want to eat first?"

Greyson shook his head. "I'm still full. I want to stroll around!"

"If that's what you want, then let's go."

They stood up while I remained sitting, which made Garren frown.

"I'll look after our belongings, sir. You and Greyson can have fun." I already knew what's on his mind.

He hissed. "You have to come with us. I didn't bring you here to be our warden."

"If no one will be left here, we might come back with just a mat," I reasoned out.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Are you defying my words? You have to come with us whether you like it or not. I'm saying this as your boss."

I internally cursed him in my head. Now that he's using the boss card, how could I not oblige?

"Stop worrying about our stuff because no one will rob them. This is a private land, and the people here don't need to steal because they can even buy a hectare of it," he added.

So that explains why there was even a guard when we entered. I was fretful over nothing then.

With that, I stood up. Then we walked towards Greyson who's having the time of his life running around.

He held both of our hands.

I suddenly feel cautious of my surroundings. Call me paranoid, but I don't want to be seen with a famous businessman and his son and lit up scandals.

But when I cast a vigilant glance around, no one seemed to be paying attention to us. Everyone is absorbed in their own worlds.

That relieved me.

It hasn't been five minutes since we began sauntering around when we passed by a stall that rents bikes. Greyson persuaded his father that he wanted to try one, and the latter agreed.

"I've always wanted to learn how to bike," he blurted out while choosing the bike he wants.

"Really? Then this is the perfect opportunity for you to learn!"

"She's right." Greyson emerged from behind and stood beside me.

The air thickened with his presence.

"I'll teach you today, buddy."

His son's face brightened up. "I can't wait!"

He resumed what he was doing. After several minutes of deliberation, he settled with the blue bike.

We walked towards the counter and paid for the bike along with the protective gears and the stabilisers that Greyson decided to add.

"I'll allow you to have them for now, but next time you have to bike with just two wheels, alright? That's part of the learning process," Garren said, pertaining to the stabilisers.

"Noted, dad! But you and Cleo should also rent a bike so we can all have fun!"

"You know what? That's actually a good idea."

He was about to walk back inside the store, but I held his arm to stop him.

He gazed at my hand touching him, so I quickly pulled it away.

"Y-You don't have to rent a bike for me, sir."

He frowned. "I'm not that cruel to let you walk while we're biking. If you're worried about the money, don't. I have plenty-"

"No. It's not like that," I cut him halfway.

But that's partially true, I don't like him to spend money on me either. He might add that to the list of arrears I owe him.

I puffed out a deep breath. "I don't know how to ride a bike. So if you're going to rent one for me, that will be useless because I won't be able to use that anyway."

Although it's not that unorthodox that at my age I don't know how to ride a bike, I still feel abashed about it.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then a smile crept between his lips. He mumbled something, but I wasn't able to hear it clearly.

"You can use a stabiliser if you want," he suggested.

I stared blankly at him and fervently shook my head. "Absolutely not."

I would rather graze myself than be seen using two extra wheels. That would be my very last straw.

But today is not the right time to have scars.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, then. Just ride the bike with me."

My mouth hung open because of what he said. Before I could utter my objection, he turned his back.

The store owner then took out a bike with a small seat on the back.

Great. This man decided without even asking if I liked his stupid idea.

"Let's go."

Greyson enthusiastically followed his father, while I silently cursed him before walking after them.

His father taught him how to pedal first. Surprisingly, it didn't take him that long to get used to it.

"This is exciting!" He shrieked while biking around the place.

We watched him in silence for a couple of mutes. Afterwards, Garren walked towards his bike and rode on it. Then he looked at me and pointed the rear seat.

"Come on, Cleo."

I scrunched up my nose. Is he really serious with this one?

"Sir, you really don't have to. I'll just watch you guys here-"

"Don't make me repeat my words," he interjected.

I secretly clenched my fist. Why is he such a mulish?! Can't he understand the word "no"?

I blew a fuse and walked towards him. Since I'm wearing a dress, I sat on the bike sideways.

"I'm all set." I informed him.

He arched his brows. "What are you doing?"

I frowned. "Uh, sitting?"

He rolled his eyes. I was caught off-guard when he suddenly grabbed my hands, which were holding tightly to my seat, and wrapped them around him.

I felt electricity running through my veins when I felt something hard—it's his abs.

Shit. I could feel my cheeks heating up and my hands quivering.

"It's just abs, Cleo. You don't have to act like a fucking teenage girl!" I mentally reproached myself.

"You have to hold on to me unless you want to fall face-first on the ground. I might be a great biker, but we don't know the hurdles along the way. It's better to be safe than sorry," Garren affirmed.

While I understand his point, it still doesn't change the fact that our position is making me uneasy. The mere fact that we're close to each other right now is enough to put me on tenterhooks, now he wants us to have a direct physical contact?

So I took my hands from him and held on to his shirt instead, without saying anything.

He sighed. "Whatever."

Glad that he didn't make a fuss about it.

We began strolling around the park. And I won't lie, this does really feel serene. The soft wind fondling against my skin brought me to nirvana.

I closed my eyes for a moment and reveled in the moment. I couldn't stop myself from smiling because I feel like I'm at Arranmore with all the verdant flora.

But my peace was disrupted when the bike suddenly made a violent movement as we passed by a bump.

My heart almost pumped out of my chest when I slightly slipped from the seat. So I instinctively wrapped my arms around Garren's waist—tight enough to close the little distance between us.

Now my face is literally slammed against his back. I could feel the heat of his body underneath the thin fabric of his shirt and his scent, which never fails to stir something inside me.

Realizing that I'd been holding on to him too much, I carefully distanced myself from him and cleared my throat.

"I'm sorry."

He chuckled. "I told you to hold on to me, but you were too stubborn."

I didn't reply. Although that almost put me on the brink of death, I will stick to my guns and will never hug him.

Never.