His Pounding Sea

Chapter 5

Elena's POV

“Of course it’s me, silly.” She had removed her mask.

“Who else would it be? Peter Pan?”

I chuckled at her sarcasm and pulled her into a hug.

“But how? I thought…?" My words trailed off, knowing my parents must have planned this.

Jane was part of all of this.

“I flew in this morning; your mother hid me.”

That might explain the call this morning, and after they dropped the party bomb, I was too distracted to even notice who was coming and going.

“You didn’t even phone or text me; shame on you.” Jane scolded me.

“Poor baby, did you miss me that much?” I hit back. Not that helped. I gave Jane a dirty look, and she knew all too well where I was hinting.

Sorry, princess, but I had to keep this one a surprise. Your father promised me a jet flight!” She answered and sat down next to me, crossing her long legs and pouting.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her, “spoiled brat!” I teased, “You're forgiven this time; don’t do that again.”

“I will not promise anything, but I will try not to hide from you again.” She sighed and looked a bit worried. “You have no idea what a pain in the buttocks it was to sit in the room next to you and know you are not happy.” Jane said and pulled her face back, “I almost blew the surprise after I overheard the way you spoke to your mother...”

I turned crimson after that; she was not the one who needed to hear how I felt or how I spoke to my mother.

I turned to my mother, who was sitting on my right. She was deep in conversation with one of my father’s business associates' wives.

I caught her attention and gave her a smile and a nod of the head.

“Thank you, mom, this made my day.”

“My pleasure, sweetie; I’m pleased that you are happy.” She gave Jane a quick thank you with a nod of her head and looked back at me. "Now, please enjoy your party, honey!”

The party was in full swing when Alice Mickelson, an old associate, came to tell me that Jason, my first and only crush, was waiting for me on the porch.

Yes, he was one of the reasons I refused to date.

My mind wandered off to the worst birthday party I ever had.

My father had arranged for a carnival to come to our town for my sixteenth birthday.

Everyone was excited, including me.

Like any other person, I couldn't wait to get onto the rides, and I enjoyed all kinds of rides the carnival provided.

Yet, after one of those stern rides, my stomach had enough and couldn't handle the rides anymore.

Jason waited in the queue to get on the ride I just went on, and just as Lady Luck would have had it, he ended up in the crossfire...

I groaned at the memory. Poor Jason was drenched with the contents of my stomach. He kept his composure and played the gentleman's part.

He took my hand, not saying a word, and carefully pulled me toward the restroom. He chased everyone out and helped me clean myself before he drove me back home.

I could see that he was disgusted with me, but he kept his composure.

I tried to apologize over and over again, but every time he stopped me.

I eventually gave up and kept quiet.

He couldn't be mad at me. I didn't do it on purpose.

When we stopped at home, Jason helped me out of his car and led me to the front door. He then told my parents that I had gotten sick. My father was grateful that he was so kind to bring me home.

Dad had replaced Jason’s jacket and sneakers the next day.

Yet, after the incident, he made a point to avoid me at any function we attended together, and, for some reason, I believed that he found me revolting.

I suddenly wonder if I should take the time to greet this handsome blue-eyed boy...

Has Jason changed much?

Would I recognize him when I saw him?

Why was he suddenly interested in me? And what does he want to talk to me about?

It wasn't as if we were ever friends; we were acquaintances. His father and mine worked together.

He never showed any interest in me; why would he have any now?

It had been so long that I had no clue what I would say to him.

So far, my birthday has gone as planned without any hassles.

I silently hoped that I wouldn’t mess up this meeting with Jason.

My heart was pounding uncontrollably in my chest as I exited the hall and walked toward the porch.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the full moon just peeking under the clouds, trying to escape them, and the stars in the sky shining brighter than usual.

I took a moment to appreciate the scene before me, watching the snowy waves that were crashing gently on the beach.

The warm breeze pulled teasingly on a stray lock of hair.

The beach sure looked peaceful, yet the ocean was calling me, and I was willing to obey.

My soul longed for the ocean's water...

I had taken my shoes off and placed them on the porch. I walked barefoot down the narrow path toward the beach.

A smile played at the corners of my lips as I took my first step onto the sand, wiggling and digging my toes into the sand.

Excitement played inside of me as soon as I reached the water.

I came to a stop and dug my toes into the sand, and the waves tenderly teased my feet with their cold water.

How I missed this...

This felt like home.

I got lost in my little world, daydreaming of a world under the sea.

“Hallo Scylla," a husky voice spoke from behind me, startling me, yet his voice sent sweet shivers down to my core.

I could hear the intense sadness and agony in his husky voice.

I could feel the intense emotions and longing in his presence.

His voice sounded too familiar to my ears and carried so much power over me.

I slowly turned around, and I found myself lost in the scent of the ocean breeze and a tint of pinewood.

****