|4| Ibiza

Riley’s POV

I jumped out of the bed, feeling overly excited for the day. My gaze snapped at the clock, making sure I had enough time to pack the things I bought yesterday.

“Great, it’s six now, the plane is in four hours,” I murmured to myself.

A knock on the door stripped me out of my thoughts. The door creaked open and Athena poked her head inside. “Just making sure you are awake,” she blurted, giving me a toothy grin.

“You are off to work?” I asked, and she opened the door fully, leaning on the door frame.

“My shift is in thirty minutes, and I also packed dad’s meds. Make sure he takes them, please,” she breathed, crossing her arms against her chest.

“Wow, what a big duty,” I said sarcastically, and she rolled her eyes. A flash of a smile crept on her face.

She opened her arms, and I smiled, throwing myself into her embrace. “I’ll miss you this week,” I mumbled.

“Me too, also don’t let hot boys make you forget to call me,” she joked, and I giggled as I pulled away from her embrace.

“Please, it would take me forever to think about boys, or fall in love again,” I snickered, and she cocked up a single eyebrow, challenging me.

Well, I fell in love easily, but after what happened I don’t know if I could trust someone again.

“Listen to me, hot Spanish men and you are a single sexy woman alone on vacation equals a short fun relationship, maybe having great sex,” she spoke in a serious tone, trying to fight to smile.

“Flirting is enough, but sex is a big no. That’s for marriage only,” I retorted, and she guffawed.

“Lara raised a saint,” she pointed out.

“And it worked. There was no teenage pregnancy,” Lara shouted down the hallway.

I heard her footsteps approaching us, and she stood behind Athena, placing her arm around Athena’s shoulder.

“But you are a grown woman now, Riles,” Lara trailed off.

Athena and I had a matching reaction as our eyes bulged out, staring at Lara oddly. “Why the funny look?” She questioned.

“Virgin Mary herself is telling her sister to get laid,” Athena quipped, and Lara gave her a sly smirk.

My jaw flew open, and my hand flew over my mouth, muffling the gasp. Lara blushed and covered her cheeks with her palms, trying to cover her flushed face.

“This moment needs to be in history books. Lara Jonathan finally found herself a man. Is he handsome?” Athena swooned, integrated to know more.

“Or how does it feel to not be a virgin anymore?” Athena nudged her, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Stop,” she said shyly, and I chuckled at her shyness.

“I’ll invite him over when Riley is back.” She smiled shyly, and I grinned.

“Can’t wait to meet him-” Athena’s phone cut her, and she groaned. “Work calls.” She beamed before running to the stairs.

I looked at Lara with a teasing smirk, and she groaned before following Athena.

Joy overfilled me when I saw that shy smile on my sister’s lips. It was a big deal for me, as I always wanted my sister to find her a partner, step down from being a mother to me, and start a family for herself.

She could finally have time off and stop taking care of me.

I made my way to the bathroom and did my routine, then returned to the room to find my sister on the bed. She looked through my bags, making sure I forgot nothing.

“I packed the rest of your stuff,” she spoke out, pointing at the black suitcase.

Or maybe Lara would never drop the mother act. I just know if she ever had five kids, she will always have time for me, even if it was one second.

I watched her as she stuffed my meds in the bag, disciplining me for forgetting them. “How could you forget the meds?”

“Lara, you are going to mess my stuff,” I walked to her, trying to get a hold of my bag.

“Dear baby sister, I wasn’t letting you go on that suspicious vacation,” she said in a quiet, yet strict tone. “But you need this vacation, and you’re a grown woman. I should trust you more.”

Lies.

Lara was always the one who panicked over the slightest things. Once I get on that plane, she will panic, waiting impatiently for my call.

“And I can’t believe you forgot to pack your meds,” she scolded as she organized them in the pillbox.

I groaned as she started coming up with the worst-case scenarios. She kept talking for a good five minutes until Kevin came to the rescue.

“She is a grown woman, she will be just fine,” he reassured my sister, using the same word she just said earlier.

I flashed him a wide grin while Lara got up on her feet and went to support Kevin.

“Why did you leave the bed?” She asked worriedly, helping him to the small couch in my room.

“Not you, too,” he grumbled, and I chuckled at him.

“I told Athena we should’ve stayed in her apartment. I feel like heavy luggage on you girls,” he muttered, and I sat next to him.

“Kevin, I already gave your daughter the talk, but I won’t mind giving it to you,” I said and he rolled his eyes, knowing what kind of talk it was.

“Don’t sweat it,” he muttered.

“I’ll go bring your meds,” I chirped as I stood up. Crossing his arms against his chest while a fake scowl grew on his face.

I walked to Athena’s room and found the meds packed on the nightstand, then I went to the kitchen, bringing a bottle of water.

I was on my way back to the room when I heard Lara’s hushed voice. She sounded upset…

I sauntered to the nearly closed door, taking a cover behind the wall to eavesdrop on her conversation. “We don’t really have a family, but you and Athena are ours. It’s been four years now and I’m thankful for having you guys.”

“I love you too, Lara. But you should’ve told your sister about your father’s visit.” I frowned at his words, feeling as if I got struck by lightning.

“Trust me, she’s better off without him. We are better off without him,” she argued back, and I could hear him sigh loudly.

“She was about to get raped if Athena wasn’t there, and I didn’t want to add more pressure on her. Antonio left for another family. He shouldn’t have returned,” she hissed.

I glanced through the small gap, finding Kevin patting her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Mixed feelings washed over me, mostly anger. I was angry that she never told me, but then I remembered how my mental state was a few weeks ago.

I was wrecked.

And she was just trying to protect me.

But why did Antonio even visit? I asked myself. I’ll try to talk to her on our way to the airport.

I swallowed the tension in my throat and breathed in before plastering a warm smile on my lips. I entered the room and Lara changed the conversation, talking with Kevin about a woman named Martha.

“Um… who’s Martha?” I asked as I handed him his meds and the water.

“His girlfriend,” Lara answered, and Kevin choked on the water. I quickly helped him, and he shot Lara a glare.

“I didn’t ask her yet,” he mumbled.

“Ooh, she is the lady who gave me those mouthwatering muffins,” I chirped, and he smiled shyly as the blood gathered in his pale face.

Even the old man could find love again.

“I asked her on a date before our chemotherapy and her son is picking me up, so I better get ready now,” he said, getting up with excitement.

My gaze followed him as he walked away, his footsteps echoing in the hallway.

“Everyone is in love these days,” I cracked a joke, expecting Lara to chuckle at least. Instead, I got a worried look.

“I’m fine, for god’s sake I’m going on a vacation. Riley is finally leaving her safe cocoon,” I gushed out, and she cupped my face.

“I’m proud of you, Riles,” if she knew how those words made me feel. Or how I needed to hear them.

It was an achievement to get out of that bed and go on a vacation.

“I’ll go bring your insulin,” she announced, breaking the moment, and I gave her a dirty look.

She let out a heartfelt chuckle, patting my shoulder before leaving me in the room full of my bags.

And I have time… I better check up if I packed everything.

A few minutes passed, and I heard footsteps approaching me. I lifted my gaze, meeting Lara’s confused one.

“Here’s the bag. If the ice melted, ask the air hostess for another.” I snatched the tiny blue bag, stuffing it in my backpack.

“And you know what happens if your shots are empty-”

“You have said the same thing since I was five. I know what to do if something happens,” I interrupted her.

She smiled at me like a proud mother, yeah I finally got everything down. I glanced at the clock. It was eight o’clock.

“If we leave now, we will have breakfast, then head to the airport. You will have thirty minutes to get through security and checkups,” Lara trailed, and I nodded.

She took the suitcase, and I brought my backpack, following her downstairs. It took us a few minutes to put my things in the car. Lara went to the driver’s seat, and I was about to go to the passenger’s seat. But I stopped when I heard a dreadful voice.

“Riley, hold up,” Chris’s deep voice croaked out, and I felt the blood freeze in my veins.

I gathered my courage and turned around, looking at him. His eyes locked with mine and all I could see was a ghost of regret.

He was about to take a step forward, but my voice stopped him. “I’ll call the police if you come near me.”

He pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded, standing still in his place. “I… ugh… I came to apologize. I’m sorry for what I tried to do. I was upset and Stephanie threatened to ruin my career if you didn’t fix Athena’s mess-“

“You shot Athena,” I bellowed and guilt filled his face.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered.

This word seemed easy for him to say, and it made me angry.

“You fucking tried to rape me!” I shouted at him, angry tears accumulated in my eyes, and of course, he averted my gaze.

“I should’ve been in prison. I deserved that,” he muttered, and I snickered, looking away from him.

“Saying sorry won’t heal the damage you did to me, Chris,” I hissed, taking a few steps towards him.

He didn’t dare to lift his gaze off the ground to look at me. He was ashamed of what he did, or maybe that was an act.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, and I wanted to rip his throat out, take revenge for what he did to me.

I was tormented, the way I felt that day was buried in my mind, not leaving any sooner.

Sorry won’t heal my heart, it won’t heal me mentally or physically.

“You better stay away from me, Chris,” I spat at him, and his eyes lifted to mine.

I left him in his spot and went to the car, hopping in the passenger’s seat. I glanced at the rearview mirror, looking at him as he turned around, walking away.

“Are you fine?” Lara asked hesitantly, placing her hand on my shoulder.

The words stuck in my throat and I couldn’t say anything as the memories from that night rushed in. I broke down, covering my mouth to muffle my whimpers.

Lara pulled me into her embrace and we stayed like this for a few minutes until I calmed down. I needed to cry to get things off my chest.

Lara pulled out and drove away. The entire ride, she tried to lighten my mood, and it worked. I was laughing at her stupid jokes and stories. I didn’t tell her I overheard her conversation with Kevin because I had enough on my plate.

Then we stopped at Starbucks for breakfast. I had a caramel latte and turkey sandwich while Lara brought herself black coffee and a chocolate muffin.

Everything went smoothly until we reached the airport.

It was time for a goodbye.

I know it was just a week, but this was my first time leaving the country without my sister.

She helped me get my stuff out, then she walked me to the entrance. I glanced at the people hugging their loved ones before turning to face my sister.

“I don’t want to go anymore,” I muttered, throwing myself into her embrace.

“No, you will go to Ibiza and have fun,” she ordered, and I shook my head.

She pulled me away and cupped my cheek, looking at me with so much care and love. “It’s just a week, Riles.”

I will definitely miss her for the next week.

“I’ll call you every day,” I said in a stern tone, and she chuckled, nodding her head.

She kissed my forehead and pulled away. “Don’t get too excited while I’m away,” I joked.

“Go catch your plane, Riles,” she barked at me, and I shot her a fake glare before laughing. I waved at her as I walked to the gates.

The thoughts of going to Ibiza filled my head, and I was excited to spend some time for myself.

…………………………………………………

I closed my eyes as the air hit my face. “This is your first time here,” the driver said in a Hispanic accent.

“Yeah,” I answered, fluttering my eyes open. My gaze was locked on the sky, looking at the shades of the sunset from the cliff we were on.

“Ibiza looks more beautiful than in the pictures,” I added, and the driver flashed me a smile, focusing back on the road.

I gazed at the driver, who was in his middle thirties, but he still got the looks. He was wearing a black and white floral shirt, along with white shorts.

“I’m Mateo,” he introduced himself, and I smiled.

“Riley,”

We kept talking until we reached the resort. “Hope you have a great vacation,” he said as he handed me my bags.

I was about to thank him, but he spoke again, “and if you want to go anywhere, I’m at your service.”

He gave me his number on a piece of paper. I glanced at it before looking at him. “Thanks, Mateo,”

He grinned at me, then hopped in his car, driving away. I stuffed the piece of paper in my pocket. Maybe I would consider his offer and call him when I need an adventure out of the resort.

I walked towards the reception, stepping inside the main hall. My eyes widened when I saw the line of people waiting for their turn to take the keys. I guess I’ll sit and wait for them to finish.

After an hour, the hall was nearly empty except for a few people entering right now. I got up and dragged my luggage to the reception, plastering a warm smile to the woman behind the desk.

“How can I help you?” She asked nicely.

I opened my waist bag and pulled out the paper I printed from the site I booked the room from, then handed it to her. She looked at the paper and typed something on her computer.

“Give me a minute, there might be a problem,” she spoke, and I knitted my eyebrows concernedly.

She called her colleague, and he came with a scowl on his face before facing me and offering me a light smile. “Don’t worry, ma’am,” he said in a sweetened tone, focusing back on the computer.

I watched him as he typed roughly on the keyboard, then he rubbed his stubble beard, hissing at the woman.

“Um… what is the problem?” I asked, trying to look at the computer screen.

Thanks to my height, I couldn’t see anything, so I stared at them as they whispered angrily to each other.

Then the man exhaled sharply and walked to his chair, talking to another guest.

I looked back at the woman, and she lifted her gaze, offering me a worried smile. “Apparently, someone booked the same suite and there aren’t any spare rooms.”

“And?” I questioned, not understanding the situation I’m in.

“You will have to share the room.” She shrugged, and I blinked at her, trying to process what was happening.

Sharing my room with a stranger? Is she serious?