Humphrey Lexington

Chapter Two

"He didn`t even help me." I rolled my eyes while pulling my things up to my cabin.

That man just dropped me off at the dock and then he left. I was lucky a local was there to help me. Although he didn`t let me pay because he said didn’t need money, he should have at least helped me or was I asking too much?

"Nevermind. I can do this myself." I even tried pulling one of my suitcases but the wheel got stuck on the bamboo stairs.

"Why is it so hard to... OUCH!" I shrieked when my back hit the floor of the small porch.

Caressing my back, I went down the stairs and carried my baggage instead of pulling it. It took me some time to fix my things inside the cabin which used up half of my energy.

“Thank you.” I smiled when the staff delivered my food.

It was already lunch when I decided to grab some food. Honestly, I don’t have plans for today but I might go for a walk tonight. The caretaker told me the beach is safe even at night.

“That’s cute,” I commented when I saw a couple dancing with some of the locals here.

This restaurant has everything. Everyone can come here to eat, drink, or even dance. Staying here is a good choice, I can clear my head and get away from work in the meantime.

After having my lunch, I stayed for a little longer and watched the locals have fun with some of the tourists. They seem happy and I love seeing happy faces, it brightens up my mood.

“You should join them.” Someone approached me.

I gave her a timid smile and politely declined. “I would love to but maybe next time.”

“Sure. I would love to entertain you,” she offered.

“I will surely keep it in mind,” I replied. Maybe I should come here more.

“I’m Lola, the owner of this restaurant,” she introduced herself and extended her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Lola. My name’s Nadia. Your place is beautiful and the food is tasty,” I replied and shook her hand.

Lola’s smile widened. “Thank you, Ms. Nadia.”

“Please drop the formalities. Just call me Nadia.” Formalities would be awkward since she’s a lot older than me.

“Alright. Then call me Lola. Here, a welcome present,” she uttered and showed me something.

My jaw dropped. “It’s beautiful, Lola!”

It’s a bracelet made of shells and a lot of colorful stones. I should keep this as a souvenir. I’m afraid it might slip off my wrist if I use it everyday.

“I made it myself,” she said as she put it on my wrist. “See? It looks pretty on you,” she added.

“Thank you for saying that. I will keep this.” I raised my hand as the bracelet dangled from my wrist.

“Do you have plans today?” she asked.

“I don’t. But I might go for a walk tonight,” I replied.

“You can call me if you need someone to accompany you. I can help,” Lola suggested.

I would love to but I don’t want to bother her. She has a restaurant to look after. “Sure. I’ll come around and ask for you soon,” I answered.

“I think I have to go. My staff is looking for me. It was nice meeting you, stunning Nadia!” she complimented me and I couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

“Nice to meet you too. See you around, Lola. Bye!” I waved as she bid her goodbye and approached her staff.

“This is perfect,” I murmured with my eyes fixed on the waves enveloped by darkness.

The moon was up and so did the stars. It wasn't cold either, just the perfect ambiance for a little self-reflection walk.

The thing is, I felt pressured when I became the youngest ambassador of Hope Foundation. Of course, I made the choice and worked my way up without pulling any strings. Although no one said a thing during the summit, I still have to prove my worth.

I sighed. “There’s too much going on.”

My Aunt Amanda, the founder of the charity wanted me to be her heiress since she has no child of her own. The problem is, I’m too young for that hence, I suggested gaining experience in the field before climbing the ladder. Aside from that, I’m an architect and not a social worker but I’m doing my best to help.

“Well, I needed this break after all,” I whispered.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice I wandered too far. There wasn't any cabin here aside from one that was meters away from me. The light on its porch is flickering and it bothers me so I walked straight to it.

“Uh, hi? I think you should change your light bulb on the porch. You can ask the caretaker for a new one tomorrow.” I probably look like a creep standing outside someone’s cabin and warning him or her about the lights.

No one responded and out of curiosity, I went to the porch to knock but the door was left ajar. “Why would someone leave the door like this?”

“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” I flinched out of surprise when someone spoke from behind, stopping me from taking a glimpse inside.

“You startled me!” I wailed when I turned to face the man and recognized who he was.

“What the f**k are you doing here, Snow White?” he asked and obviously, he wasn't enjoying my presence.

“Uh… I was just passing by?” I was unsure of my response.

“Really? What about peering at my cabin like a creep?” He folded his arms in front of his chest and looked at me.

“I was just passing by and got curious. I decided I had to check the cabin and talk about the lights,” I defended and even pointed the the light bulb still blinking at this point.

“For a frail woman like you, that’s a terrible habit. You should stop it,” he said as if he was giving me a warning.

“Okay, first of all… Why was your door left ajar?” I asked, raising one brow.

“I didn't know a rabbit would want to sneak inside,” he shot back with a grin pestered on his lips.

Did he just call me rabbit?

“Can you talk nicely? You've been calling me nicknames.” And he always has this sarcasm each time he speaks.

“And then what, Jasmine?” Of course, why did I think he’d listen to me?

“Nevermind. Were you smoking?” I can smell the faint scent of cigars. That must be him, right?

“Yeah,” he responded with a bored tone.

“You’ve been drinking.” It was a statement. He was drinking early in the morning and then now too.

He scoffed. “You should head back,” he murmured.

I glanced at my wristwatch.“Oh, it’s late.”

“Let me walk you back,” he offered and I wasn't sure what to say. “You might meet drunk tourists on your way back,” he added.

Right. By this time, the beach is not safe anymore. But can I trust him? Although we conversed, both of us are still strangers.

“Uh, won’t I be a nuisance? I mean, it’s quite late and you might—”

“Just get down here, Rapunzel,” he muttered after he cut my sentence midway.

“Fine. Let’s go,” I surrendered.

We started walking but he was so quiet the whole time and I’m not used to it. The deafening silence is making me go nuts.

Turning back and facing him, I asked. “You’re not much of a talker, are you?”

“And you talk too much,” he replied.

I was walking backward and just watching him drink from his Heineken. Is that his favorite? I never tried that one before.

“I guess so. The silence is killing me.” I probably sounded over dramatic.

“Watch out. You might trip yourself down,” he warned me.

“I’m good,” I replied ignoring his warning.

He said nothing but a shrug. I knew this would happen but I had to keep the chat going.

“So, have you been staying here for quite a while?” I initiated the conversation.

“Yeah,” I replied shortly.

“You must've been enjoying your stay here. I will be here for two weeks and then get back to work,” I told him like I was conversing with my friends back home.

“Is that a habit? Spilling everything to a stranger?” he was eyeing me like I did something wrong.

“I was just keeping a friendly chat. Was that a bad thing?” I asked.

“You got a lot of bad habits,” he countered and took a shot from his drink.

“I do? No one ever told me about—”

“f**k!” he cussed as he dashed towards me.

I tripped. But he quickly held me by the waist and pulled me close to him. Just close enough to keep my feet on the ground and maintain my balance. Our distance was so near that he could feel my warm breath at the crook of his neck. Although I was in state of a total shock, I could hear his breathing getting heavier.

“What did I tell you?” His voice was low and soft. He gently pushed me to make a gap between us and scanned if I was hurt.

“I… I’m sorry. I was careless and…” I don’t know what to say anymore.

He sighed and pointed at my damp dress. “My drink is all over you.”

I fixed my posture and smiled at him. “It’s alright. I’ll take a shower later anyway. Thank you for saving me.”

“You should be careful.” He held both of my shoulders and made me face the right way.

“I am careful.” I’ve been trying to defend my stupidity.

“Yeah?” That’s it. He doesn't believe me.

Alright. There’s no point in defending myself anymore. He reads me like an open book.

“My cabin’s right here.” I stopped in front of my cottage.

“You have a lot of neighbors,” he commented.

“And you don’t,” I countered.

He studied the area before giving me a serious glance. “Keep your doors locked everytime.”

“I always do.” Isn’t that a normal thing?

“Hmm…” he hummed.

“Thanks for walking me back here,” I meant it.

“Yeah.” He always keeps his lines short. I get it, he doesn't like talking.

“I’m Nadia, by the way. Shayla Nadia Imperial. How about you? Can I at least get your name?” I introduced my name and asked for his.

He remained silent and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I can’t read him like he does to me.

“Well?” I’m still waiting for him to talk.

The wind blew and I shivered because of the cold. I wasn't wearing a sweater aside from my dress.

“Get inside,” he said instead of answering my question.

“Okay. Bye!” I waved him goodbye.

I understand if he doesn't want to introduce himself. He was about to leave but then he stopped without turning his back to face me.

“It’s Alistair Ross…” He mentioned his name and walked away.

Alistair Ross. Even his name fits his face really well.