"Eleonora?! What are you doing here?!" Claudette's face screwed up as she turned to Garren. "You dipshit! Didn't I tell you to not call me by my second name?! Do you want to die?!" I was flabbergasted by how she talks to him. If I were to talk like that to Garren, he would surely kill me. "Whatever. Seriously, what are you doing here?" He walked towards us. "When did you arrive? You did not even inform me that you were coming. I could have picked you up at the airport." "I told Xavier. I don't know why he didn't notify you because I only said not to spill my arrival to mom and dad because I wanted to surprise them." Someone suddenly emerged from the door, pulling luggage behind him. It was Xavier. "I forgot to tell him." He shot daggers at Claudette. "You didn't even help me carry your luggage, you brat." While staring at them, I noticed the similarities in their features. That gave me a hunch about their relationship. They are probably siblings. I was abl

"I want Cleo to come with us." The room was ruled by crickets after he averted his demand. I gave Garren a side-over. His face can't be described because of how screwed up it is. I cleared my throat and sat beside Greyson. "I don't have to come with you. I'm pretty sure your dad will take good care of you." He shook his head. "No. I want you with us, Cleo. If dad doesn't want that, then there will be no vacation." I held his hands and smiled. "This should be a special vacation with your dad. Didn't you tell me that you've been wanting to go out of town with him?" As much as I fancy the idea of going out of town, visiting places that I've never been before and having a view of picturesque tourist spots around the world, this vacation should be exclusively for them. I'm neither a part of their family nor a close acquaintance. I'm only close to Greyson. It will be weird if I come with them. Moreover, I know that Garren is against it too. "But I will get to enjoy it m

My eyebrows furrowed at what he said. What does he mean by that? "Cleo." I faced Garren. "Yes, sir?" "We need to go now. Stop standing there looking stupid." I felt my hackles rising. Curse him. We rode in a black car once again that led to the hotel. "Cleo, look! The ocean looks so great on this side!" Greyson shrieked, peeking through the window. When I took a look at it, I was in awe. I saw the golden rays of the sun reflecting on the surface of the crystal clear ocean. It does really look beautiful. As the car moves, I notice that the traces of the metropolis are gradually fading into view. I can barely see any infrastructures, and both sides of the road are covered with a canopy of trees and tall grass. Where are we heading exactly? After almost a twenty-minute drive, the car finally stopped. "We're here," Garren announced. I helped Greyson unbuckled his seat belt and he excitedly stepped out of the car. I shook my head. He's full of beans today. The humid sea br

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." So right after we ate snacks and rested for a bit, Greyson rushed to his father, who's 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 anym

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 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 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