Chapter 24
1032words
Emma's POV
'Ah, Emma is that you?' Agnes asked when she stopped what she was doing to take me in. 'Wow, my child. I always knew you were very beautiful,' she added as she wrapped her arms around me.
I wiped a tear of happiness from my eye. I had missed her. I felt kind of guilty for forgetting about her, but Halley had become nice to me and we were bonding nicely.
'I've missed you at the house. What are you doing here?' I asked breaking from our hug.
'Mr. Hollen called me a few days ago and invited me here to cook while you all are here. Now, get out of my kitchen. I've got everything under control. Go and enjoy the beach or the front yard.'
'I came here because I was hungry.'
She opened the oven and took out several large trays. She prepared a plate of pineapple chicken, rice and peas, potato salad, macaroni pie and a slice of lasagna.
My mouth watered.
'Eat dear,' she said as she handed me the plate.
'Thanks, Aggie,' I smiled and went outdoors to enjoy my food with nature and the wind.
I had never been so relaxed and carefree. I ate everything on the plate while I enjoyed the sound of the crashing waves and the birds singing in the trees and the wind moving through the leaves.
I didn't notice Mr. Hollen was there, watching me as he leaned against the frame of the door. 'You like it here?' he asked.
I turned saw him smiling sweetly at me, which made me melt. Gosh, he is so damn handsome! 'It's nice,' I answered.
'Yeah, I love it here too.'
'Can I ask you something?'
'Anything, sweetie.'
When he called me sweetie, my heart skipped a beat. I had to search my brain for something to ask him. I just wanted to see his face and hear his voice some more. I wanted to ask him about what he did with me in my room back at the house, and about Sharon, and, now, about Agnes. All those things I could have asked, but I looking deep in his eyes all I could thing to ask was, 'Can you teach me to swim?'
He gave a light chuckle and walked towards me. 'Sure, I can teach you.' He put some of my hair behind my ear and looked me straight in my eyes.
I was lost in his, so grey and judging.
'When do you want to start?'
'How about,' I paused with a smile, 'right now?'
He smiled back. 'Okay, I'll get changed.'
Damn it Emma, you didn't bring a bikini. I slapped myself mentally. I ran back inside, putting my plate in the sink and rushing upstairs to my luggage. I didn't have anything that could have at least worked as a bikini or a swimsuit. Halley had only packed one for herself; I couldn't borrow her only swimwear, and I didn't want to go out to buy one because we wouldn't have the time for the swimming lesson again.
Then my eyes fell on an underwear set I bought while shopping with Halley. She'd persuaded me to buy it and it was in my favorite color, black. It was pretty, too pretty for the beach, but I didn't have a choice since I wanted a swimming lesson from Mr. Hollen. I put it on and headed to the beach to wait for him there. I didn't want anyone getting any ideas about us.
He came five minutes later, carrying a picnic basket, a large beach rug and floats. I laughed at the floats. Am I a kid now?
'You ready?' he asked.
'Yeah.'
'Wait for me!'
I turned around and saw Halley running.
She ran up to us, short of breath. 'I wanna join you too. You two left without me,' she pouted.
Obviously.
'Sorry, Halley,' said Mr. Hollen.
My smile faded. Halley just invaded our space. I wanted him to myself, and I wanted us to be by ourselves without a third party. Though it may sound selfish, because he brought the two of us, I was really attracted to him regardless of his 'name' and his fiancee.
'Um, I don't feel well all of a sudden. I think I ate too much,' I lied, holding my stomach.
'Are you alright?' Mr. Hollen with concern.
'Yeah, I'll be okay. I think I just need to lie down,' I said and started for the house.
I assumed Halley would follow but I was wrong. She stayed behind and so did he. I watched them from my bedroom window. She was squealing at the waves as she played in the water like a damn child. I cursed her in my mind. She then started to do some exercises on the sand, bending over backwards and forward in a skimpy bikini. All the while, Mr. Hollen was lying on the sand, taking in the warmth of the sun and the atmosphere with his eyes closed.
I lie on my bed, reading one of the books I had taken with me. A knock came at my door.
'Come in,' I said as I put the book underneath my pillow.
'Hey, how are you feeling?' Mr. Hollen asked as he sat down on my bed.
What's he doing in my room? I was just looking out the window and he was laying on the sand.
'I'm better. I guess, I just needed to lay down for a bit,' I lied.
I believe that was my second lie to him... or maybe my third. I had to keep track because I knew I would confess to them all one day. I rolled to my side. His eyes darted on me.
'What?' I asked. 'You've never seen me before?'
'You're so beautiful I just can't take my eyes off you.'
I was still in beach clothing with my so-called bikini underneath. I started feeling hot, like really hot. I couldn't understand why I feeling this way. I got up and ran to my bathroom and undid my clothes.
