Saving Justice

Chapter Ten

As soon as I see the majestic view of the Lummus Park Beach from the suite's balcony, I declare that it is the right decision to go here. The sky as blue as the sea below is granting me serenity and tranquility. It's incredible how you can hear the humming of winds along with the mellow crashing sound of waves. It is genuinely a great harmony that nature can produce.

I'm not afraid of heights, but I hate flying when traveling; that's why Cole and I often go on trips where there's no need to take a flight. It's rare for us to travel to places where a land trip is not advisable. And whenever I go back home in Denver, I'd rather have a sore bum from sitting in the car for more than half a day than to travel by air. But if this is the therapeutic view that awaits me every time, I would not mind. It's all worth it.

"Guys, get change, and let's go to the beach already!" Saddie wants us to go to the beach, but Aubrey has already found a comfortable position on the king-sized bed. Her eyes are already closed, trying to take a siesta, but Saddie's voice startled her.

"Can't we reschedule going to the beach tomorrow, instead?" Aubrey tries to negotiate, with her eyes still closed, not wanting to get up.

Saddie dramatically sighs. "We're only here for three days," she reminds us. "I know we're all tired from the trip, but let's make the most out of it. Our flight on our third day here will be at one. We don't have much time."

And because of that, Saddie successfully persuades Aubrey to get up. I have no problem with it, so I just go along with Saddie's planned itinerary for us three.

We ate at a famous local restaurant first before heading to the beach. Although Illinois can be damply hot during the peak of summer, it is nothing compared to the weather here in Florida. Even when the sun is about to set, it is still scorching hot. To think that we decided to come during the hottest month of the year, I think that's the biggest mistake we made. The sea breeze does not help as it blows humid air. The only way to beat the heat is to soak your body in the sea.

We spend our whole time at the beach swimming after torturing ourselves in the outdoor fitness gym available in the park. We also enjoy riding jet skis and doing other water sports. After playing on the beach, we are dead tired. We have no energy to eat outside, so we just ask for room service, eat dinner, and drift to sleep right away.

Fortunately, we have a chill itinerary for our second day. We only go to a spa salon and the mall to shop for clothes and souvenirs. Since we don't have the time to pamper ourselves, we spend that day indulging.

The shopping part is a big temptation, though. I need to watch the balance of my account. Swiping my credit card is not an option for me, so I didn't shop a lot, unlike Aubrey and Saddie. I just rely on the cash I withdrew. The mall is not on sale, but they still shop like it's their last. I have no idea how it will fit their luggage.

When we arrive back at our suite, the moon has taken over the sun's position in the sky. It's already seven in the evening, and I'm surprised to see how our suite is so dressed up for the bridal shower that Saddie had prepared for me. There are scattered rose petals and small balloons in pink, lilac, and white on the floor. The alcoholic drinks and appetizers are on the center table.

So that's why we ate dinner outside because we're going to drink for the whole night.

Saddie tells me she asked some hotel staff to help her. I feel slightly guilty because I'm sure that she and Aubrey had paid quite an amount for it, but they tell me not to think about those things and just enjoy my night. And to show my appreciation, I really enjoy the bridal shower with the two of them.

It is a wholesome bridal shower. We play board games while drinking and have late-night talks about our problems and future plans. Even though it's just the three of us, I have the best time of my life in Miami. I can't remember what time we went to bed. We are almost late for our flight the next day. We were all wasted last night, especially Aubrey, who opened up about her relationship with her boyfriend. She told us that they are having a rough time due to the distance separating them, mainly because Timothy might extend his stay there for five years more, on top of two years left. I'm not surprised that Aubrey's actually considering moving there with him because of it.

"I'm done uploading our pictures on all of my social media accounts," Saddie announces while we're walking out of the arrival area at O'Hare, after landing back in Illinois. "Look at this picture." She excitedly shows us a wacky picture of us from last night. Both Aubrey and Saddie were hugging me in the photo. The hotel staff took this. "I really like this shot."

"Upload all the photos on your drive." Aubrey turns to Saddie. "I'll copy it all on my laptop."

Saddie nods her head. "I'll upload it once I get home."

They both exchange more conversation as Saddie shows Aubrey all her solo photos while my eyes are fixed on the man directly looking at me from a distance.

Seeing Cole, my heart starts to beat rapidly. I remove my wayfarer. A huge smile appears on my face when I get a clear vision of him without the tinted glasses, especially when he spreads his arms like he's preparing to hug me once I get close.

He didn't call and text me when we were still in Miami. He told me that he'd give that time to myself and my friends, and I didn't have to worry about reporting our activities to him.

I appreciate that so much because I know how clingy he is as a person. He must be at his limit now. He couldn't wait until I got home and came here to pick me up.

Almost running, I briskly reach him quicker than my average walking pace. It looks like Aubrey and Saddie finally notice Cole's presence when I leave them behind, as they are still scanning the pictures.

"Cole's here." I hear Aubrey say.

Cole locks me in his embrace and kisses the side of my head. I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of my love.

"You're home now," he whispers in my ear.

"Yes, I am." I smile and hug him back.

He kisses my head once again.

I suddenly remember when I also waited for him to come out of the arrival area after being away for almost a month because of his project in San Francisco. It's like we're reenacting that scene.

We have our intimate moment until Aubrey lets out an intentional cough while Saddie giggles. I turn to my friends. s**t. I almost forget that I'm with them.

Aubrey raises her eyebrows. "You both look like it's been years since you last saw each other," she sarcastically says. "Let me remind you, Griffin. It's been only three days."

"Actually, if we're going to count the total number of hours since you two last saw each other, three days have not passed yet." Saddie crosses her arms. "You love my friend that much?"

I can feel my cheeks blushing because of all the teasing, even though it's not really directed to me. The target, on the other hand, is just smiling. Cole looks so chill, like he doesn't care.

"What can I say?" Cole smirks, unbothered by it. "I can't deny that. I really love Venice, so..." He shrugs his shoulders, and I slap his arm because I can't take the embarrassment anymore.

Luckily, they stop laughing because of my reaction. Cole offers to drive them home. Of course, they don't let the opportunity to taste convenience slip from their hands. They accept the offer, and after driving them home, Cole takes me to dinner outside and a movie date before we finally go home.

I give the souvenirs to Cole's family from Miami except for Justice because she is not in the living room.

"Where's Justice?" I ask Natalie.

"In her room," she answers with a huge smile on her face, liking the dresses I bought her.

Actually, all the things I purchased during our shopping sesh in Miami are all for Cole's family and my family. I only bought one pair of running shoes for myself, which is the same style I bought for Cole, but in a different color.

I look at Cole, trying on the shoes and jacket I bought. "I'll just give this to Justice."

I show him the paper bag containing the dresses for Justice. He just nods at me and starts to tease his sister again, saying that she doesn't look good with the dress I gave her.

My smile fades when I enter Justice's room. The lights are dimmed now, and she's already sleeping. Guess I'll just have to wait for tomorrow.

Our eleventh session is supposed to be today, but I moved it tomorrow since I just got back from the trip. I can just give this to Justice during our session.

•••

I wake up late the next day. Cole and Ronan already leave for work, while Eleanor has lunch with her friends outside. Natalie is about to go to the café when I get down to eat brunch.

As far as I remember, her shift starts in the afternoon now.

"Is Justice in her room?"

She nods her head then turns to me. "Why did you wake up so late, by the way?" Tying her hair, Natalie asks me.

"Cole and I stayed up late last night. And I also felt tired because of the trip," I answer nonchalantly while eating scrambled eggs and meatloaf.

Natalie shoots up her brows and gives me a meaningful look. I realize that I used the wrong words.

Knowing what's running inside her pretty head right now, I groan and explain. "We stayed up late to look for houses because we're already cramming."

She laughs. "It's okay, Ven. You and my brother are old enough. I'm also very open-minded. You don't have to lie."

But I didn't lie.

I want to say that, but before I can even defend myself again, she already heads out to work.

Some may be surprised if they find out, but Cole and I haven't really done anything more intimate than making out. We never crossed the line. I'm kind of old fashion when it comes to those things, and he respects me more than anything, so he never forces me to do it with him. I still believe that our first night together will be the best gift that I will give him after we get married.

After eating brunch, I head to our room and get my gift for Justice before heading to Justice's room. Instead of reading a book, I catch her painting something on her sketch pad using watercolors.

"Wow..." I'm impressed when I see her painting of a landscape. In the center of a colorful garden, there's a rose in black and gray color. "You can paint, too?"

Justice really has so many hidden talents that I have yet to know. I wonder what she can't do. She's smart and talented!

"Yes..." she answers quietly.

Looking at her closely because of her indifference, I squint my eyes, wondering what happened when I was gone. But she must also be focused on painting to answer me enthusiastically, so I show her the dresses I bought her instead of questioning her.

"Look, Justice," I excitedly pull out the dresses from the paper bag. She looks up with a lukewarm gaze. "I bought these dresses for you when I was in Miami. Can you try it on for me? Let's see if they fit."

Biting her lower lip, she nods her head without hesitation, but I can tell that she just half-heartedly agreed to my request.

She puts the sketch pad away and stands up. Before she can even reach out for my gifts, I step back and hide the dresses behind my back. She looks so wronged because of what I did.

Sighing, I look at her with concern. "What's wrong, Justice?" I ask her. "Did something happen while I was away?"

Keeping her silence, she bows her head and plays with her watch just like before.

"Justice, I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong."

"I'm sorry..." she says with her voice unstable because of her sobs.

I'm stunned to hear her faint sobs. Why is she crying?

Feeling guilty that I may have frightened her with my tone, I kneel in front to try and meet her eyes. My heart feels like it is being clenched by a fist when I see her tears streaming down her face.

"Justice―"

"I saw your pictures with your friends in Miami," she suddenly says. "They prepared a bridal shower for you."

Confused on why she's bringing this up, my forehead creases. "W-what's this about?"

"You... You may feel like I'm being immature or too sensitive, but I'm jealous of your friends," she tells me, and my lips part. "I'm working because I want to throw one for you with my own money, but your friends already did it."

What the... I honestly don't know what to say. She's jealous of my friends, and she's working on throwing me a bridal shower? I mean... why?

"You're always there for me, and I want to do something in return to thank you," she explains like she heard the questions inside my head. "I really want to do a surprise bridal shower for you, but I have no confidence now. It's done, and you look so happy with your friends."

"J-Justice, you don't have to repay me―"

"But I want to do it," she cuts me off with a frustrated tone.

I sigh and think of a way to calm her. "If you really want to give me a bridal shower, do it," I encourage her and smile if that's what will make her feel better. "I don't mind having another one."

"Can I? Really?" Her voice is now filled with hope.

"Of course! I would love that!" I smile even more. "Let's do one with you and Natalie."

She pouts her lips, looking worried. "But what if you won't like it? Will you hate me?"

"Of course not!" I stress out. "Why will I hate you?"

Now, the corners of her lips rise, then she moves closer to hug me. Caught off guard, lost and bewildered by her sudden mood swings, I just lightly tap her back.

"I'm sorry for being too sensitive about this, Venice," she apologizes again while hugging me.

I bite my lower lip.

"You don't have to say sorry," I tell Justice. "Your feelings are valid, no matter if you think you're being immature or sensitive. It's okay."

Nodding her head, she tightens her embrace like she has no plans of letting go.