Danger Island

My thoughts were drifting along the fluffy clouds outside the plane's window. My mind went from the complexity of my situation with Gregory then to what will probably happen to the island. Speaking of Gregory, he was seated across the aisle from where I was. We were on a private plane on our way to Isla del Carmen. As I turned around, Gregory was flirting with the flight attendant as she delivered his whisky on rocks. Charlotte or Charli, as she demanded to call her since we're friends now, was busy reading her book but was disrupted by the incessant selfie shots of Anna. Jason and Melinda, who miraculously showed up seconds before the plane took off, were maybe off somewhere more private since they can't help but devour each other. The pilot announced we have few minutes left before our arrival. I forced myself to look away from Gregory and just watched the large green island below outlined with white sand and scattered rock formations. I couldn't help but think of what mum has said to me. Gregory wanted the marriage. I was trembling by the thought of it since he was obviously uninterested. One day, he makes you feel you're something special then on the next day, it felt like you've never existed at all. I was torn between confronting Gregory or just annihilate him totally from my life.

Anyway, I should be excited coming home after a year. Isla del Carmen has been my home after Dad separated from my mum. I was practically raised by the locals there. Dad put up a luxury resort to provide employment for them which ended up being the most exclusive island resort of the country.

When we landed, we were received by a band of entertainers and some familiar faces. Leon, the resort's general manager and my childhood friend, stood out from the crowd. A wide smiled formed on our faces and I ran towards him and jumped at him. We hugged for a while before Jason coughed behind us. Leon was still as handsome as ever, somewhat you can call your local heartthrob. Leon let go of me and straighten his suit and bro-hugged Jason.

Jason introduced our guests to Leon. They warmly exchanged greetings except Gregory who became unexpectedly hostile to Leon. He didn't respond to Leon's handshake but rather nodded at him. I looked at him questionably for his disrespectful behavior. He was somehow glaring at Leon and me. Leon, being a sweet and humble person he is, just smiled at him. The locals put the yellow Plumeria garland over our heads.

"Okay, as per Jason's request, I brought the 6x6 off-road trucks," Leon announced as he handed three keys to Jason.

"Leon will be driving Charlotte and Anna. Greg, Artemis will be with you. And I...will be with my darling." Jason distributed the keys and left immediately with Melinda.

"See you later, Missy," Leon said as he led the girls to his truck. Anna mouthed, "Wow. He's super hot." She giggled and flirted with Leon. Charli, on the other hand, was becoming impatient at her. We were actually forced by Anna to wear our matching outfits before we flew. We firmly refused but her persuasion skill was good enough that it was impossible to do otherwise. So, the three of us were wearing floral bikini under our denim shorts and tank top with "we love the beach" print. We looked ridiculous but it made Anna extra happy.

Meanwhile, Gregory's mood lightened that he was smiling as he watched us. When he felt that I was staring, his smile diminished.

"Who is Leon to you?" he asked as he walked beside me to our truck. Why was he curious now?

"What is it with you?" I retorted, feeling annoyed by his swift mood change.

"You were all over him awhile ago," he stated with obvious disgust.

"All over him?! You know what? You're such an asshole!" I interjected as I looked at him with contempt and rolled my eyes. What right did he have to judge me? I couldn't still forgive him for the way he behaved with Leon.

I marched away from him in anger. I went to our truck which was larger compared to a normal off-road truck. Leon probably customized these. Since I was getting in a bad mood, I didn't notice that I was actually struggling to get in the truck since the door was a little bit high for me. As I tried to climb to open the door, I accidentally slipped, muttering "shit" as I felt myself close to the ground. This vacation was not I hoped for if I ended up hurt.

I closed my eyes as I expected a hard, painful thud on my back. Instead, a pair of rock hard arms caught me. As I opened my eyes, Gregory worried handsome face, half-covered by his hanging hair, was looking down at me. My gut, at first trembling with anxiety of getting hurt, was now feeling butterflies. His frown disappeared and turned into his wide, bright smile. "You're so cute when you're angry," he said chuckling as he put me down. I turned away from him since my cheeks were feeling hot and I started to sweat. My stomach was still in knots and a mental picture of a charming Gregory looking down at me filled with little hearts around his face stayed on my mind.

"Hey, are you okay?" Gregory asked as he patted my back and I writhed in instant burn with how his hands felt like on my skin.

"Yeah," I assured as I tried to cover my face with my hair. I might look funny but I rather be funny than having him see my face red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Artemis, if I upset you. I don't intend to ruin anything on this trip. So, I'd like to make it up to you by letting me drive," Gregory apologized as he asked for the key.

I fished it out of my pocket and threw at him. He caught it mid-air. "Are you sure you're fine?"

I nodded and went to the passenger's side. I tried to breathe a few times to compose myself. God, I was such a freak. I better stop acting and reacting like before I further embarrass myself.

Gregory was watching me the whole time. He was grinning like a fool.

"What are you doing?!" I asked him nervously.

"You're just too funny to watch, you know."

"Seriously? Am I some kind of funny show to you?"

"No, I don't mean that. I find it cute actually."

"Wow, thanks for the compliment," I said sarcastically. I turned toward the high door. I gripped the handle above me and put my foot on the bar step. I tried to jump a few times to get the leverage to reach the door. I failed so I backed off.

I jumped when I sensed Gregory behind me. "That's why I'm here. I'm here to help you up. Apparently, it's too high. This is some serious off-road truck you got."

"Jason and his obsession with big trucks. And apparently, I need your help getting up there," I said humbly as I well know I couldn't get in without some help.

He smiled and opened the door first. I grabbed the door frame and step onto the bar which was above my knee level. Gregory grabbed and hold up my waist as I tried to jump. Then, he pushed my butt in.

"Oh my God, that was embarrassing, Gregory. I'm sorry." I can still feel his hand on my butt. I don't know if I could live another day with this embarrassment.

"Artemis, you have to help me up too," he shouted from the driver's side.

I transferred to the driver's seat. He was looking up to me, holding out his hand to pull him up. I gripped his hand which was way larger than mine. I felt like he was grabbing a weak vine, not to mention his hand was hot and rough. I didn't expect him to have a lot of calluses. I tried to pull him up as he jumped in. He was too heavy for me. We were breathless when we finally seated.

"I'm gonna kill Jason for this!" I said and he just laughed since he knew I won't even dare in my entire lifetime.

I could still feel his hand on mine. It hurt a little but it felt magical. I know, I was overreacting but hey, I couldn't even understand myself now. I felt like I was on cloud nine for that little interaction.

He turned on the engine and tried to rev it. Before he drove, he turned to me and eyed my hand. I immediately froze and looked at him suspiciously.

"What?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"I'm sorry but I need your hair band. It's gonna be windy. Can I borrow yours?"

Yeah, right. Our truck was a top-down Scorpion MK1. I looked at my two hair bands on my wrist, they were both pink. Lately, I changed my usual black bands with unicorn colored ones. I was pretty old to be into it but I find them real cute.

"But it's pink," I said.

"So what? Who said men can't wear pink?"

I smiled and gave him one. He gathered his jet black hair at the back of his head and effortlessly pony tailed it while I was gaping the way his arm muscles etched at his swift movement.

Well, it didn't end there. He unbuttoned his cotton shirt all the way down. He had an inside shirt that has "we love the beach" print.

My eyes widened at his brazen act but what really caught my attention was the print on the T-shirt. A smirk formed my face and I tried so hard not to laugh.

"I know," he snickered as he looked down at his shirt. "Anna won't let me out of the plane until I put this on. She said you wanted it."

"I didn't," I cackled. "I guess no one can say 'no' to Anna."

We both put on our sunglasses on and drove away. Well, now I can secretly relish this yummy treat beside me. And that was me being a crazy bitch.