Chapter 03

I sighed and sat down on the sand. My tears are falling on their own again. Why is it painful to love? If only I could drop them on the Vejars maybe I wouldn't be crying now. But to think that Mateo will be more angry with me, I feel weak. I don't know where else to go. I don't know what else to do. What decision will I take and can I still live the life I have. 

"M-Mommy..." I called out to my mother as if she could hear my complaints now. I seem to want to come back to us and let my whole being feel real comfort first.

I want to return to my parents, where I can experience real love and feel deserving of it. To experience the unadulterated affection that only exists in my family, I want to return.

I want to go back to my mommy's arm and cry like a toddler again to ease my pain...

If only could. 

If only I could, I would do it right now. I will cry on my mother's shoulder as I tell the world my grievances. I want her to calm me down by rubbing my back and humming a song she used to lull me to sleep. I want to go back to my parents, they are the only ones who can understand me. They're the only people who won't force me to do something I don't want even though it's causing me so much pain.

I stayed for a while and when I heard the old man's voice calling, I immediately stood up to meet him. When we got back, I had no intention of going upstairs and locking myself in our room again. It's sad there, I don't want to carry the sadness inside because I might end up going crazy. 

I caught sight of the other side of the Island. There are souvenir shops lined up and crowded with people.

I tried to get closer and that's how happy I was when I saw different key chains, necklaces and other things that could be buy inspired by shells. I picked one up and measured it, smiling at the sight of a bracelet on my wrist.

"That looks great on you." Said a voice.

My eyes immediately roamed around and I frowned when I couldn't figure out who it was from.

"In front of you, Ma'am." After saying that, I looked at the salesman.

My jaw dropped as I realized who was behind that deep voice. For a brief moment, I was transfixed by his appearance. He looks exactly like Chris Evans, but in an Italian way. I was immediately embarrassed when he laughed out loud, I bowed down because of shame.

"I'm used to that look, don't worry." He said airily that I looked up again.

My eyes squinted. "You're so full of yourself, Mr." I promised and resumed the selection.

I heard him again, laughing on the other side. "Chill, I'm just telling the truth. By the way, you're one of the Vejar right?"

I raised my eyebrows. Before I could speak, he was ahead of me. He extended his hand and smiled from ear to ear.

"Sébastien Lemuel Parisi, Vejar's business partner. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fayra Vejar."

My eyes immediately lit up when I remembered this person. I quickly reached for his hand and shook it. 

"Bastien, the man who cut my wedding cake!" I exclaimed, laughing.

He let go of me and scratched his head. "I was too drunk at that time, and it's the most embarrassing moment of my life. Don't remind me anymore."

I laughed and nodded.

"Anyways, are you alone?"

I shook my head. "I'm with my husband together with his brother, Morgan and his wife."

"How about at this moment?"

"What do you think?" I asked again but it was sarcastic.

He bit his lower lip. "Sarcastic. I like it." He said.

I didn't understand that, but my curiosity was piqued.

"What the hell is a Parisi doing in this place? Why did you suddenly become a salesman, Mr. Business man?"

He sat down at my question and suddenly got down and sniffed the shop in front of him.

"See that woman in a red dress?"

Before I answered him, I looked around the other side of the store, where I saw a woman. She smiles as she attends to his customers. She was wearing a simple red dress and her wavy black long hair was loose, accompanied by a pearl clip on one side of her ear.

"She's beautiful isn't she?"

Sébastien caught my attention again. When we looked at each other, he simply smiled, and so did I.

"Good luck then, Mr. Parisi." I just said goodbye and handed him the ones I had chosen. We argued for a while because he didn't want me to pay for what I chose, in the end he just made me buy two buko juices instead.

"See you when I see you, Madam!" He shouted waving both hands in the air. I laughed and waved him back.

I laughed as I approached the hotel. I don't like other people's love lives, but seeing that Parisi and that woman in a red dress, gave me butterflies.

How I wish Mateo would be like Parisi who looks up to me in that way.

When the elevator opened, I walked slowly while measuring a bracelet on my wrist. It's really nice, the beads mixed with pearls are very beautiful to look at, all crystal white that's why they steal more attention.

Sébastien also gave away some freebies. Freebies that I know can be invested in bracelets like this if he gives them to others.

When I got close, I inserted my card but I was immediately stunned, our door was not locked. I quickly put the bracelets back in the plastic. I approached there curiously and my eyes widened at the shouts of familiar voices exchanging words inside.

"I TOLD YOU, MORGAN. SHE'S JUST ON THE OTHER ISLAND! WHY ARE YOU WORRYING?!"

"FUCK YOU, MATEO! DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUESTION THAT IS?! FAYRA IS YOUR WIFE, YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE WHO'S ACTING LIKE THIS BUT THE HELL ON YOU, IT'S LIKE YOU DON'T CARE!"

I was stunned when I opened the door to our room. Even though I couldn't see them, my chest just thumped like that when I heard something hit the wall hard. I was alarmed because of that so I immediately went inside.

"SHIT! ARE YOU INSANE?!" Mateo asked nervously while his face was visible in pain. 

Mateo was lying on the floor while Morgan was standing in front of him and quickly stood Mateo up. He veiled it and shivered and leaned his brother against the wall.

"IT'S ALREADY MIDNIGHT, MATEO. IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR BEDROOM, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT YOUR WIFE WASN'T HERE. GOD DAMMIT MATEO, YOU ARE TOO MUCH TO TELL ME YOUR WIFE IS ON THE OTHER ISLAND !" He shouted and punched Mateo so hard.

"WHAT CAN I DO?! WHY WOULD I FOLLOW HER THERE?! ARE YOU STUPID, MORGAN? WHAT IF SHE GOES HOME? I LOOK LIKE A STUPID LOOKING FOR WHATEVER PEST SHE'S IN THERE!"

I cringed at what I witnessed when Morgan rained one punch after another on Mateo, who blocked him with his arm.

"STUPIDO! I SHOULD PROBABLY KILL YOU RIGHT NOW! YOU'RE FUCKING STUPID!"

Because of what I witnessed, I could not immediately move from where I was standing. I couldn't even shout to stop them both. I also started shaking with fear because of what I was witnessing. Mateo was about to answer when he turned to me. His face immediately crumpled and forcibly pushed Morgan.

"MORON, YOU ARE SO OVER REACTING!" He said while spitting blood. "Look behind you, Morgan. Fayra's here, safe and no trace of bruises." His eyes glared at his brother.

Morgan stopped and when he looked at me, his facial expression quickly softened. He quickly came to me and escort me on the sofa.

"Where have you been?!" There is a hint of concern in his tone as he keeps looking at me.

But I couldn't answer Morgan because of the sharp gaze that Mateo was giving me. Morgan seemed to notice that so he looked at his brother.

"Get him a bath, Mateo." He ordered his brother authoritatively. Mateo's eyebrows crossed and he was still whining when Morgan got ahead of him. "Are you going to move or I'm going to hit you again you cunt?" There was annoyance in Morgan's tone.

Mateo made a gesture of irritation and shook his head as he headed to the bathroom. Morgan just held his breath when we heard the splash of water from inside.

When he faced me, I bowed. Even though he hasn't spoken yet, I can already guess what he wants to say.

"Just like a while ago, you were defending my brother. What's your excuse now, Fayra?"

I didn't say a word.

"You all heard?" He asked handing a water bottle to me.

"I just arrived." I answered.

We were silent for a while. Next was Mateo's exit from the bathroom and his gaze rejoining us. I bowed and closed my eyes. The pounding in my chest still hasn't gone away. It's my first time witnessing this kind of mess. I feel like I'm going to have a nightmare later.

"Get soaked first Fayra, that will ease your fear." Morgan said softly. I looked up, he gave me a nod that seemed to guess my feelings.

"And you, Mateo," he turned to his brother after standing up. "Have Fayra treat your chapped lips---"

"Why didn't you do it?" Mateo interrupted. "Did he hit me that's why I'm like this?" He added more, irritated. 

Morgan grinned and patted Mateo's shoulder. "I wouldn't hit you if you didn't play your answer to me, Mateo. Don't act like that because I'm not your wife!" He pushed at the same time causing Mateo to lie down on the bed. "If grandpa is here and he's the one you answered like that, do you think that's all you'll get? You should always look for your wife, Mateo. Don't be an asshole."

Laughing, Morgan turned to me again. "I'll go first Fayra, maybe later I'll find my wife again and I'll beat up everyone here---"

"Just go immediately dude, you have a lot of words." Mateo again, interrupted.

Morgan grinned again and my eyes narrowed quickly when I noticed his brow furrowed.

"Wait, Morgan." I voice out. "Your eyebrows...." I stopped when his eyebrows rose.

He felt it and winced slightly. "Before I go, should I ask you to give me first aid, Fayra?" He asked with a smile.

I was about to answer when I was surprised when Mateo suddenly pulled me on his back. He was now standing in front of me, glaring at Morgan.

"Leave, Morgan. I will never allow you to be treat by my wife for that, you already punched me, you're not going to get treatment here. Go!" He screamed and kicked his brother's leg lightly.

Morgan waved at me shakily. "I will send food for you, Mateo and especially for you Fayra. Just wait." After he said that, he was out of our room in an instant.

Mateo turned to me later. "Go and take a bath now." He said while taking out his phone.

"I'll treat your wound first---"

"Don't bother, I already texted Rose." She groined and quickly changed her top. "If ever Morgan search for Rose and I, don't you dare tell him that we're together. If you say so, we're both having a big problem here." There was the threat in his voice.

"Fuck! Rose will probably be mad at me because of this. If you hadn't made yourself feel so important, we would have been having fun right now. Next time, Fayra, make it a habit to go home early especially if Morgan is with us." His heavy litany.

I didn't hesitate to answer anymore, I just turned my back and completely walked away from him. When I entered the bathroom, I thought I would cry again, but no tears wanted to fall. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the warm water on my body.

Somehow, Morgan got my revenge slightly. Part of me feels sorry for him but after hearing what he said today, maybe he deserved what Morgan did to him. He deserved his punches, not even enough. I hope he shook his brother's head. Maybe he will realize and wake up to the fact that it hurts so much to love him.

Lots of perfection today. I wasn't expecting everything to come  at once. I can't take in everything. It feels depleted to me. However, I must not dwell on it all at this time. For the time being, I just want to be at ease.