(Arata)
The blissful days with my family and loved ones on this magical island seed to have ended too quickly.
It saddened to so extent, knowing that I would have to return to my complicated life.
Last night, before we had to depart, we held a barbecue. After everyone had ravished the charcoal at, we grabbed drinks and set up a huge bonfire on the beach.
Everyone sat around the fire to enjoy each other’s company and tell spooky tales. It was Zaylen’s idea, knowing us girls frightened easily.
The yellowish-amber fire slowly crackled, sending tiny sparks and smoky tendrils in the air. The warmth felt comforting against the harsh winds that blew from the sea.
Baba held Mom as both of them were snuggled under the sa blanket. Other couples did the sa.
Stella and I were cuddled up in a single blanket too.
Mom started the stories as we listened to her made-up tale related to this island. She believed that once it was inhabited by a shifter and his lover–the goddess of love. Hence, where her story "Reborn As Cursed Alpha’s Mate" originated from. Everyone listened, spellbound.
She even told us about a flower that blood every twenty years. Baba and she had been among the lucky few who had seen it.
After her tale, more and more spooky tales continued.
Grandma told of a vengeful spirit who clung to her lover, refusing to let go until she took him to his grave and ate him up so they could be together—forever.
That was a very macabre way towards eternal forever. Fear crawled down my spine and a shiver ran through as I hugged a shivering Stella.
The howling winds from the sea made the experience even more chilling and I ducked under the blanket. Zaylen made funny noises, seeing hiding like that.
"Seems like soone is frighteneddddd," he hollered.
"Shut up, Zayn," Stella reprimanded him and their bickering started.
Horror stories frightened , I was all for romance and fantasy, not horror. It wasn’t my cup of tea along with closed spaces like the damn rectangular steel boxes that moved and humans nad as elevators.
Uncle Lawrence told the most grueso and frightening stories, and he gave such sound effects that knocked the living lights out of soone.
"So when I entered the basent holding my flashlight—-suddenly, the batteries died and I was left in the DARK..." He moved his hands like a fake ghost from Scooby Dooby Doo. "That’s when...soone placed a gnarly hand on my shoulder, cold and bony like that of a skeleton..." He stood up with the blanket dangling on his shoulders and hands hanging down like that of a skeleton.
Stella and I scread loudly while the guys laughed, seeing our scared faces. Cherry was recording with her cellphone, she was used to Uncle Lawrence’s stories.
"Your Uncle Lawrence is being dramatic, it’s just a story, girls." Baba ca to our rescue, seeing we were scared.
"No, it really happened," Uncle Lawrence emphasized and Baba narrowed his eyes on him.
"Lawrence has a flair for being dramatic," Aunt Mawar pointed out, winking at us. Both of us relaxed slightly at her words.
After the stories, the elders began to retreat inside the villa to get rest as we had to head back to Angel City the next day.
Cherry received a call from her fiancé so she retreated to her room early too.
Stella removed the blanket and got up.
"Let’s take a walk," Zaylen offered and she glanced at .
I was too stuffed and too lazy to get up.
"You guys go, I am going to relax a bit." I gathered the soft blanket all around . They went ahead, leaving only Callum and behind.
Still shivering from the horror tales when Callum spoke up, mustering courage. I had seen him squirming in his seat for a while.
"Arata, is it alright if I speak with you?"
"Of course," I said, peeking at him from my blanket.
He offered a shy smile and brushed away his hair in nervousness.
"I know it’s still early for you after what happened with Andy.... but if you ever consider dating then can you.....consider ."
A drumbeat of panic erupted in my chest.
No!
No! Don’t go there.
Sitting opposite in his red t-shirt and crisp white shorts, he appeared handso. He had this rugged look which he had inherited from Uncle Kail but he also had this charismatic charm of his mother.
Too bad those looks did nothing for . I found him too young. I admired slightly mature looks, like Karsten’s.
Now, that was a man I couldn’t get enough of; couldn’t even get him out of my mind. Slowly he was seeping into my soul, and even sleeping with Azul didn’t relieve all of the sexual tension I felt for Karsten.
I sheepishly smiled at him because he was a nice guy, but he couldn’t handle the depravity my mind held.
Calmly beginning I addressed him.
"Callum, I understand and appreciate you saying that, but after everything, I am not looking for a relationship; I am sorry."
His shy smile slightly faltered and he lowered his head for a second, rubbing his face with his hands in clear frustration. Maybe he was expecting this answer.
"I know, I am not up to your standard, but I won’t wrong you like Andy did. I am nothing like him."
Oh! Boy, now he was just making feel miserable.
How was I going to reject him without sounding like a an bitch because this sweet boy was not my type?
Rejecting soone had to be the hardest thing one had to do. Knowing you would be ripping out soone’s heart which they had offered on a gold platter.
"Callum, it’s not about the status if you are referring to it. I am not like that. I think you know that much about , but I am not ready." I shook my head in frustration and furthered. "I don’t know when I will be. That’s why I don’t want you to hold yourself back because of , it will be wrong." I offered him a sympathetic smile. His shy expressions had disappeared from his face, leaving it just sad.
"I am sorry, Callum," I quietly said, not knowing what else to say to him.
Miserable, I felt absolutely miserable.
"Please! Don’t be. It’s all good." He brushed it off with a wave of his hand as if he didn’t just get jilted from .
My heart sank, seeing his fallen face. It hurt to be the cause of pain for soone, especially soone so sweet and down to earth as Callum.
"Can I at least walk you to your room?" He requested, tiredly getting up from his seat and standing to his full height. His hands were behind his back, and a sad smile graced his lips.
"Of course!" I finally willed to move my lazy ass.
He offered his hand and I accepted it. Getting up while wrapping the blanket around . He helped so I wouldn’t feel cold.
Like I said, a gentleman, just like his father.
We headed towards my room in awkward silence. Reaching it, he opened the door for . I paused to face him and our eyes t. After a few uneasy glances and hesitant smiles, he awkwardly said.
"If ever you feel like it... I am here. If you need anything which I can provide, don’t hesitate. And please, don’t let this change the friendship between us."
I answered while wrapping the blanket tightly around .
"It won’t affect our friendship, don’t worry. And yes, I will keep that in mind. Good night, Callum."
"Good night, Arata." I entered the room and he softly closed the door behind . Yawning after a fun-filled day, I brushed my teeth and went straight to bed.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I checked it.
Karsten’s ssages welcod , and excitent which Callum or any other failed to instil inside of rose like a wriggling serpent and swallowed .
I had taken so pictures of the island so I forwarded them to him. As if waiting for my ssages, he instantly replied.
{Beautiful island, seems like you are enjoying your vacation.}
I wanted to retort ’Yeah, because I don’t have to make coffee that can absorb soone’s soul.’ But I refrained.
{I am, it’s like a mini paradise.} I hit send.
{Maybe, soday you can show ?} He answered and a sly smile appeared on my lips. I could imagine myself walking with him on the beach.
So I put up a condition.
{It’s a promise then, I will show you this island but only when you will quit smoking.}
He took his ti to reply.
{Hmm,,,we will see. Get so sleep, Arata. Night.}
It seed like my condition didn’t sit right with him, but I was stubborn and was going to keep trying until he would let go of this habit.
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