Questions

It was dark when I woke up. The lights were on and I am alone in the room. I looked at my phone and saw 3 messages. They were all from the same numbers.

"Hey Adam, it's Raine. You up already?" Said the 1st message.

Then the 2nd message, "We're in the coffee shop, text me if you're awake already."

Then the 3rd message was sent 5 minutes before I woke up. "Hey, I'm on the benches. They were all at the party."

I replied immediately. "See you there."

I hurriedly fix my hair and went out of our room. I stopped first in the coffee shop to get some coffee and went to meet Raine.

"Coffee?" I asked as I went to sit beside her. She was wearing a sweatshirt and jogging pants.

"Thanks." She smiled as she takes the cup. "Sorry if we have to leave you. They got bored in the middle of the movie so we went out for a walk. We didn't bother to wake you up. You seem so tired."

"That's fine." I smiled at her before I took a sip of my coffee. "How come you're not with them?"

She took a long drink from her cup before answering. "Well," She wiped her lips. "You said that you're not coming, so I want to keep you company."

Wow, I thought.

I drink immediately to hide my smile. She wants to keep me company. "Really?" I answered really too late.

"Yep." She answered flatly. "Aren't you hungry or anything?" She added.

"Nope, I'm good. Coffee is enough," I answered.

The place is more beautiful at night. There were bonfires lined on the beach, the trees have lights that look like fireflies, there were hanging lanterns above us and on pathways to light the guests' way. The place is very romantic. We can hear the music's faint sound from the party.

"I think party's starting." She said.

I just nod, then a sudden curiosity struck my mind. "Tell me, what's your favorite color?"

"Blue, and White." She answered instantly.

"Food?"

"Strawberry Ice cream."

"Book?"

"Hmm... Digital Fortress and Uhm... Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter? Really?" I asked a bit amused.

"Yeah? Why?"

"Isn't that's a children's book?"

She looks offended. "No! Of course not! It's for all ages!"

"Fine!" I smirked.

"Should I be the one asking you questions?" She asked.

"Why?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Cause you're Adam Cross! You are famous!" She laughed.

I smiled. "Wait, do you think I'm famous?"

"Why? Are you not?"

"What do you think?" I asked her.

She looked at me as if scrutinizing me. "You look ordinary...-" She stopped immediately. "Wait! I mean, not in a bad way. But you look normal for me!"

I don't know what to feel. A mixture of happiness, embarrassment, and relief washed over me. So she sees me as an ordinary person and not the "famous" person I am.

"But I want to know more about you," I answered.

"Me?" She was surprised.

"Yeah. You got a problem with that?" I asked before I sip my coffee again.

She shrugged. "I don't know. My life is not interesting, to be honest."

I scoffed. "So you're saying your life is boring? With all the arranged marriage and stuff in your life?"

She looked at me threateningly. I feel like I offended her. But before I can say anything, she spoke. "Not gonna lie, if not for Arthur, my life will be boring." She looked at me. "I want a boring life honestly."

I smiled politely. "Well, aren't we all are?'

She smiled at me then looked away. I can see sadness shadowing her beautiful face.

We talked for hours, exchanging questions and experiences. I've learned that she also writes stories and poems. And she attempted to learn piano and guitar. Just by talking to her casually, I feel like I have known her for many years. It seems like her life is normal not until Arthur came in and changed all of it.

We eat sandwiches when we got hungry and stayed in the lobby to wait for them. As I can see, we become fond of each other, and seems like we can talk about anything and everything without feeling awkward with each other. I saw her being silly and happy as we chatted while we wait for them. I really had a great time with her.

When they arrived at past 10, Ralph was already drunk and was supported by his sister and Kim. I helped them carry Ralph onto our room and retired for the next day.

Ralph woke up late the next day and we are already in the hotel restaurant having breakfast.

"My head hurts." He groaned as he took his seat beside me.

"Well, you drank so much last night and we have to drag you all the way to your room." Said Kim, a bit annoyed.

Ralph looked embarrassed. "Sorry, Kim. I was just. I'm sorry."

"That's alright Ralph, we're just having fun remember? Kim's just over-reacting." Answered Tina who's stirring her coffee.

Monique set down a cup of coffee in front of his brother. "Here, you need it."

Ralph's face brightens up. "Thank you, sis. You're the best!"

"You know, Katty should be here. Where is she by the way?" Monique asked as she seated beside her brother.

"I told you she's busy."

"Did you two broke up?" I asked.

He looked at me as if I disrespected him.

"What? I'm just asking."

"We didn't break up dude. She was committed to her work first when I invited her to join us."

"Oh. Ok. Whatever you say."

I was surprised when he hit my head.

"What the--? Why did you hit me!???"

"Serves you right!" He chuckled.

I looked at the girls and they are laughing at us.

While eating breakfast, we talked about how will we spend the rest of the day. And we decided to try everything there is to try on the resort.

We first tried the jetski and we raced each other. Then the banana boat where we got thrown out in the water. I thought we're going to drown but thanks for the life vest we stayed afloat in the middle of the sea.

We also tried windsurfing. I fell several times on my board, while the others stay on it. I really don't like sports, Ralph knows that I am not a physical type of guy.

We also tried cliff diving. I was never frightened of heights, but as high as this is, I don't know. It feels like we are standing in a tall building. The wind was too strong now that we are on top of the cliff.

Raine's thrilled about the jump because this will be her first time too. Monique and Kim backed out when they saw how high the jump is. Ralph's confident because he has done this already and Tina's afraid but willing to try it.

We agreed to jump in pairs. Ralph and Tina will jump first then Raine and I will be next. We chose to jump on the 15 feet cliff. The ocean's calm and the coast is clear. We watched them jump. By the way, Tina screamed, it feels like she has let go of all her fears, problems, and everything that's bothering her.

It makes me more confident and excited at the same time. We watched them plunge into the water, a motorboat is on standby to get them.

"Ready?" Raine asked me.

"Let's just jump," I answered her.

"Woooooaaaaah!" Raine scream. I smiled at her and nodded.

"Here. We. Go!"

We run for a bit and then we jump off the cliff.

We screamed our lungs out. It was the rushing of the wind that made me feel like flying. I can see my surroundings falling with me. I hear Raine screaming too and she's thrilled!

It's a short ride down but I feel the excitement, it feels like all my stress is gone when I screamed. Then, we drop on the warm water. The rushing of the water in my ears drowns the noise of the world. It is a great feeling. I emerged in the water and saw Raine a few feet behind me. Ralph and Tina were already on the motorboat that's waiting to take us back to the resort.

We can't stop talking about our experience. That was the greatest feeling ever.