chapter 23

It had been four days of our stayed in Bali. Since our encounter in a pool, i hadn't spoke to

him. He came late last night, and left early this morning. Deep inside i was grateful, i didn't how

to face him after that stunt he pulled yesterday. I wore a red maxi sundress and put on a

strawberry lip-balm before i covered it with a nude lipstick. I made my way out the villa and

found Costner nodding politely.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on his tail right now ? And where are my hulks ?" I

looked to the left and right searching for Simon and Rick existence.

"I was instructed to guard you today, Ma'am. Mr.Black won't need my assistance today, so he

took Simon and Rick instead."

"So you're my guard for today. Only in one condition." I gave him a devilish smile.

"And what would that be ?" He asked curious.

"Don't ever call me 'ma'am' when James's not around. I hate it, i'm too young for that term." I

threatened and he chuckled.

"Your wish is my command, Miss. Where are you going ?"

"I want to go to the beach. It's silly that i haven't touched the beach since i got here."

"Mr.Black would be strained if we go to the crowded beach. The private one will be preferable,

Miss." He suggested.

"Fine with me" I shrugged giving in.

Costner took me to the Finn's private beach. The beach was so calm. There were only couples

of people on the beach. I walked barefoot to the shore while Costner stayed guarding me from

afar. Sun, sands, sea. These were all a girl could ask for. I sucked in the fresh wind, felt the warm

sands under my feet. I walked nearer to the waves until it brushed my dress

What an enchanting pamper for a prisoner like me. Who was i to deserve this glamorous? My

path was to be kept and Iocked in the room or be sold to the cartel, not enjoying this fancy life.

He said i wasn't his prisoner anymore, but his guest. A guest that he would like to keep forever,

what was the difference in prisoner. I couldn't registered the words he whispered that night,

but i was a hundred percent sure he said he loves me. He can't loved me, a guy like him can't

possibly knew how to love. He just wanted to possess me, own me.

For the first time in months, Ryan never crossed my mind. I hadn't thought about him in days.

My thoughts were consumed by James. How could I think about other guy instead of my own

boyfriend ? 1 shouldn't have a thought of other guy, let alone feelings. Ryan had been so faithful

to me, while i was sleeping with other guy. But i will be damned ifi lied about feeling safe when

i was with him, Ryan never made me feel that way. I started to get used to have him sleeping

next to me. His scent calmed me as a prove of his presence. And no one ever gives me the

protection his arms offered when my phobia hit me. I was unsure of my own feelings, that was

the reason i've been avoiding him. I supposed to hate him, not craved him.

I was lost in thoughts when Costner came behind me.

"You'll get burn, Miss. Your lunch and drink are served."

I smiled to him and made my way to the beach patio with a big umbrella on it. I savored my

salmon steak while Costner got a call

"Don't you want to join me ?" I asked when he got back.

"No, Miss. I already had my lunch."

Had he ? When did he have a time to eat while he was watching over me all day ? I didn't push

him anyway

"Well at least I required a conversation during my lunch." I looked up to him sipping my

strawberry juice.

"Of course, Miss." He said calling a servant to order another glass of juice for me.I was about to ask him a question when he got a call. I finished my lunch. And sipped my

second glass of juice. Can i stay in this heaven forever?

"Was that him?" I asked Costner when he finished the call.

"Yes, Miss. He asked for your whereabouts."

"Of course he did." I said weakly.

"He was just concerned about you, Miss."

"He was ? Why do i get the feelings that he was just making sure i'm not running away ?"

"He knows you won't if i'm the one who is guarding you" He smiled triumph.

I scoffed smiling at his confidence. My smile vanished suddenly when a question popped my

mind.

"I don't know why he keeps me as a mistress."

"I think you're more than a mistress to him, Miss."

"What do you mean ?" I confused.

"He never slept with his mistress especially in his bedroom, he never buying gifts for his

mistress, he never brought his mistress to his business trip, and of course he never concerned

about his mistress."

"But i can never know what's in his head. I don't know how to react or response to him. He's so

unpredictable, demanding, and very intimidating" I said the last words with whisper.

Costner let out a long sigh before he sat in front of me. He gave me a weak smile and

understanding look.

"This may be a strange life to you, but you have to know it's strange for him too."

"Enlighten me, please."I clearly didn't know what he was talking about.

"All his life, he only felt pain and cruelness. He has no inkling of what love and affection can be.

Until you came." He smiled purely.

"You brought gentleness and kindness that he never felt before. You calmed him down, you

ignited something in him. That's why he would never let you go. Because he needs you in his

havoc life. He needs you to be a stabilizer, to keep him on the ground."

"I don't think I could fit in his life."I bit my lower lip to my insecurity.

"Just give him time, Miss. You don't need to adjust to his life. He's the one who adjusted himself

to yours."

"How do you know that ?"

"Because he changed since he met you. And i'm the witness to his change of decisions in many

things."

I processed his words to my brain. James had changed? Because of me ? Did i effect him that

much ? I hoped he did, i knew he had more compassion now than the first time i met him. How

could i was so resentful to someone who would change to be a better person ? Cassandra, your

mom taught you better than that. I unconsciously played the charm bracelets he gave me. I

realized he gave me so much, and i gave him nothing but a resentment.

"T think it's time to take our leave."

Yes, Miss. I'1l go get the driver."

When we were on our way to the villa, we got stuck in a traffic of pedestrians. I looked out the

window to see fancy stores, until my eyes lingered on one store. I told Costner that i'd like to

stop here to buy something. He obliged and ordered me to wait until he opened the door for

me. He got out of his door and opened my door. We headed to Omega store while the driver

parked the car. Costner open the store door for me and i walked in to the store. A young male

greeted me with a polite smile and professional manner."Good afternoon, Ma'am. Welcome to Omega. Is there anything you need ?"

"I want to buy a gift." I smiled shyly.

"For a guy ? It's delightful. Do you have something particular in mind ?" He ushered me to sit on

a velvet settee.

"Actually i don't know what his preference of times collection. So i just want to buy a bracelet

maybe."

"We have exactly what you need, Ma'am."

He offered me some types of bracelets. I refused the one with a buckle. I smiled to the sailing

bracelet one, he would love this moulded rubber straps.

"Do you have this in black ?"

"Of course, Ma'am. We'll wrap it for you"

"Thank you." I handed him James's credit card.

"Please wait for a moment, Mrs.Black." He said while reading the name on the card.

He got back in three minutes with a small white paper bag and my credit card. He ushered me

out the store and thanked me. We arrived at the resort at 6 pm. I surprised to see him at the

patio of the villa. His back was on me, he looked out to the ocean. As if sensing my presence, he

turned around and smiled. He ended the call and shoved his phone to his pocket.

"Hi." That was all i could manage.

"Hi" He replied carefully.

"I thought you'd work late tonight"

"Everything is back in control now, all the problem is solved. The construction is free to go on.

Had a little shop ?" He pointed the paper bag in my hand with his chin.

"Oh.. This."I put my purse on the table and walked towards him.

I took out the red box from the bag and handed it to him. He looked at the box and back to me.

Confused with the thing in my hand. He reluctantly took the box from me and opened it. His

face showed nothing but he kept staring at the bracelet.

"I bought it for you, in an exchange of the bracelet you gave me. Do you like it ?"

He said nothing but gave me a wide smile. I think that was the biggest smile i've ever seen on

his face. I took out the bracelet from the box and put it on his right wrist. He never lifted his eyes

from the bracelet. It took a long seconds until he lifted his gaze to me. He wrapped his arms

around my waist and kissed me softly.

"Thank you for the gift, i love it."

"You do ?" He nodded.

"No one ever gives me a gift." He confessed.

"Really? Why do i find it hard to believe ?" I teased him.

"Don't second guessing my honesty, woman." He pulled me closer and I chuckled.

"Maybe you rejected all the gifts you get, that's why you never received one."

Now his turn to chuckle. I smiled looking up at him. This guy was trying to change to be better.

He tried to fight the monster inside him, to fight against himself. I knew it wouldn't be easy for

him, it took times, and he needed me for that.

"Are we leaving the island soon ? Since the problem has been solved." I asked but deep inside i

felt disappointed.

"I told you we stay in here for a week. We still have three days left."

"Do you have plans?"

Of course i do. Do you like sailing?"