Chapter 13

Alitha's POV

Unknown number: Good morning!

That's what I read this morning when I woke up. I did not answer him. I am excited about what we will do today. I never told Auntie and Uncle that I don't have classes today. I might not be allowed when they find out where I'm going.

"Your Daddy called me last night. He said I will remind you about your practice tomorrow."

"Yes, Auntie. I'm going tomorrow."

"You know your Daddy. You only didn't go once because you were tired, he got angry right away. I was preached to. It's because I tolerate you. He is really like that."

"He didn't even call me that day. He called you instead. "

"If you only knew."

"You also need to rest. You go to school Monday to Friday and then on Saturday, you have practice. Who can't get tired of that routine?" Uncle Dan said.

"You don't even have a party life unlike your sister. She keeps on clubbing and going out with friends. Your Dad doesn't forbid her. But you, who only came home late once, got angry right away."

"We are not saying that you should go clubbing, attend parties with your friend, singular because you only have one friend which is not normal. You need to enjoy just like other teens are doing. But you need to limit yourself. Clubbing twice a month, attend parties once or twice. You know."

"I get that, Uncle. I will remember what you have said."

"We call that limited enjoyment, darling." Aunt Caroline laughed while tapping Uncle Dan's hand on the table.

They are good and beautiful couple. Why can't they have children? They will be a perfect parents if ever. That's how they made me feel while I was here in their home.

"You enjoy but you need to set boundaries. You're still young. That's the reason why your parents are overprotective to you. Enjoy while you're still young. Have a lots of friends but with the good ones."

"Okay, darling. Continue that tonight. We need to leave because we're already late. Ali, sweetie we have to go."

"Yes, Auntie. Take care you two."

Thirty minutes after they left, I have already prepared. Changing clothes and driving to Glaiza's house. Glaiza got in the car as soon as I got to them. She mentioned a certain place where in we should meet.

"Nice outfit you've got, Ali."

"Thanks, you too." She wears white long sleeves while I wear black jacket over my biege spaghetti blouse.

"I can see your cleavage, Ali. Are you planning to attract someone?"

"What? Of course not." I just laughed at her. "I'm just following the trend. Didn't you tell me to wear nice? You told me not to settle with a pair of t-shirt and jeans."

"You still wear jeans, Ali." We both laughed.

"Do you want me to wear shorts short? My legs will turn black under the sun."

We just keep on talking until we reach the famous restaurant, our meeting place. Cedrick is already in the parking lot when we arrived. As usual, they kissed as soon as Glaiza stepped out of the car.

"Hello, Ali. It's nice to see you here. And it's good that you agreed to come with us.

"Can I refuse that to your girlfriend?"

"You said it." He grins and gives me a 'you know' look.

"Where is your friend?" Glaiza asked him.

"He just bought his vitamins."

"Oh, okay." We approached Cedrick's motorbike and we waited there. Maybe one of his fratmates is with us. I look around and saw a black SUV from afar. I know that car. But I just ignored them. They always tailed me and I'm used with them around.

Soon we heard the motor rumble. I looked at the source of the sound. I was quite surprised to see him. Nikolai is riding towards our direction with a stick of cigarette in between his upper lip and bottom lip. His eyes half close because of the smoke and the wind.

"Why is he here?" I asked Cedrick and I saw him hesitating to answer me. "I thought he can't come?" I looked at Glaiza then.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" Nikolai said as he stopped by my side. He's in his usual get up. Ruggedly handsome and he looks hot because of the black cloth wrap around his head. Ruggedly hot.

"She just didn't expect you to come, Nik." Glaiza explained to him.

"Is she expecting someone other than me?"

"Yeah. I thought you're not coming." I have already answered him. It is enough to secretly praise this man.

"That's why you came?"

"Yes." Frankly speaking, I said yes.

"Don't worry. You will feel heaven when you're with me."

"You're so indecent!"

"Am I?" Pretend not to know why I said that.

"Oh hey, let's go. You might fall for each other with that."

I was struck by what Glaiza said. I widened my eyes at her but she just laughed at me.

"Why? You look good together."

"Glaiza?!"

"Okay, okay. I was just kidding. Come on, let's go."

"I will ride with him?"

"Yes."

"Can we just swap?" I wanted him to hear me that I didn't want to ride his motorbike.

"What?! No way. Nikolai is harmless. Don't worry."

"Hop in. I'm not going to do anything bad to you." Nikolai suddenly said to me. He had finished smoking so there was no more smoke blocking his face.

"Go with Nik, Ali. Do not worry. He doesn't hurt a woman." Cedrick laughed before getting on his motorbike.

Am I still acting like this? I had no choice but to ride his motorbike with him. I frowned as I approached him. He stared and handed me the helmet. I casually picked it up and put it on.

"By the way, you look sexy."

"I've been sexy for a long time!"

"I know."

I want to squeeze my heart because of its beating speed. It was as if it was jumping when he heard what the young man said. I did not let him know my reaction. I went to the back and got on his motorbike. With him in front of me, I felt that strange feeling again. My heart seems to be growing. And if I don't control my emotions, I will have a hard time breathing.

"Hug me." He exclaimed.

"What?!"

"Wrap your arms around my waist." I bet he is grinning from ear to ear.

"No need. I can take care of myself."

"Tsk. Okay, you said so."

He pulled his motorbike away. Since there was not much traffic in that area, we quickly made our way to the middle of the road. At the speed of his driving, I was already holding the hem of his jacket on the back. We were able to follow Cedrick and Glaiza.

I can smell his scent. I was tempted to lean my head behind him. But not possible. He might drop me when I do that. Whatever angle I may look at him, in front or behind, he is still the most handsome to look at.

We were out of the city when he ran even faster. I almost fell off his motorbike so I had no choice but to hug him. I don't think there was any malice in him. I could feel him stunned when I hug him tight. I held his stomach tightly.

I could feel his abs in my arms pressed against his stomach. The hardness of his stomach. Then the width of his back. Those didn't calm my mind. Because of our position I was already attached to him. But I avoided sticking my chest behind his back.

But I don't think it's really inevitable. I clung to him when he suddenly braked because there was a car ahead. My chest was very close behind his back. The faster I clung to him, the faster I broke away from him. But the feeling of being pressed to him lingered in my mind.

My cheeks glared upon remembering our position earlier. This is unfair. I rubbed my cheek with embarrassment while he seemed to have nothing to feel. After all, he is used to being touched by many breasts. There is something even bigger than me. Tracey's for example.

He continued driving while I am hesitating to hug him again. But like before, I just hugged him as he drove faster. I thought we would roam around, should enjoy the surroundings. But the way he could run the motorbike, I could barely see where we were going. I am not enjoying the scenery at all. I'm just worried about how close we are.

"Where are they?" I asked him loudly when I could no longer see them ahead.

"What?" His voice was also loud. I repeated the question but he still couldn't hear me. I have no choice but to lean closer to him. I put my mouth near his ear but tried not to stick my chest behind him.

"Where are they?"

"They're ahead of us. Cedrick drives fast. "

I noticed. I didn't answer and just kept quiet. We climbed up and we went to the highest part. Soon our path became flat. I was amazed at what I saw. I see blue ocean on our left side. While there are many trees on our right. We're on a cliff.

We slowed down until we stopped next to a big tree. The lone tree near the cliff.

"Get down."

I let go of him and got off. I removed the helmet and laid it on the seat of the motorbike. He got off and walked near the ravine. Take a cigarette and light it.

I gasped when I finally saw the beauty of nature in front of me. I almost cried at the beauty of the surroundings. This is the first time I have seen such a beautiful place like this. Usually, I only see such scenes in the book. So I can't believe I'm now in one of the most beautiful places I've seen in the book.

"Let's rest here for a while. We have another hour to travel." I walked closer to him. Stop next to him. We're both quiet. Standing at the edge of the cliff, we both watched the waves crash on the shore far below.

"Are you okay?" His tone was different this time. Not rude, not irritating and not sarcastic.

"Yes. Do you always come here?"

He blew smoke before answering me. "Yes. This is one of my favorite places. I often rest here." I nodded.

"What is this place?" Admiration for the environment is in my voice.

"This is my sanctuary. Many people do not know about this place. So I want to go here. Nobody's around, it's quiet and undisturbed." I looked at him. Are those what he wants? If he wants to be in a quiet environment and not chaotic why is he fond of fighting?

"Why did you bring me here if you wanted to be alone in this place?"

"It is not like you want to come here everyday, is it?" His eyes dawdle in my face seriously.

I did not say anything. I averted my eyes from him and look at the beauty of nature instead. I close my eyes and feel the breeze of the ocean hitting my face. This what I need and I love most. Inhaling fresh air and appreciate the beauty God made for us.

"Do you like this place?" I opened my eyes and answered not looking at him.

"Are you kidding? I love this place." I smile sweetly knowing that he won't see my face.

"If you love this place, you will love more the places I planned to show you." That's when I looked at him. Is there anything more beautiful in this place? "Hence, I could see that you were mesmerized by the nature and I bet this is your first time seeing the real one, I have a proposition to make."

Proposition?

"What is it?"

"I will bring you to nice places I have been, in one condition." My forehead furrowed. What is he thinking again?

"What. Is. It. Nikolai?"

"Let's be friends."