Irreplaceable Love
A couple of days after Jacob received the call, he made a decision to follow the man's orders. Although he had no idea who the man was, Jacob knew what he wanted. He'd stare at his phone the entire day and wait for the man to call again, but his phone never rang. He tried dialing the number the man used to call him, but it just kept ringing.
"Something wrong?" Peter asked slowly drinking from his wine glass.
Jacob put his phone away. "It's nothing. I just seem to be too paranoid lately."
"We're finally in my father's resort. Aren't you suppose to take this chance to get closer to Molly?"
"There's just some conflicts at home," Jacob responded. "It's something unavoidable."
Peter patted his back and gave him a serene smile. "Everything will be alright. Just enjoy the last two nights."
On the other hand, as everyone started preparing dinner, Nicholas and Adeline went for a walk at the beach as they dipped their toe in the water.
"Remember that we used to play outside till dawn?" Nicholas gave her a cup of ice cream. "Such memories shouldn't be forgotten."
Adeline sat down and hugged her knees. "There's no use doing so."
"Are just gonna stay like this now that I have a girlfriend?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Nicholas grabbed her wrist. "How long are you gonna treat me this way, Adele? Do you plan to just stay angry at me forever?"
"Why do you care?" Adeline stood up. "We're just strangers."
"Am I just a childhood friend in your eyes? Everything we've—"
"What else would you be? You're nothing more than that."
"Stop pushing me away!"
"I'm heading back to the hotel," Adeline replied curtly as she started walking away.
"Stop, Adele! We haven't finished talking yet!" Nicholas yelled.
When Adeline still refused to listen, Nicholas ran after her and hugged her from behind. As soon as Adeline felt his arms on her waist, she tried twisting herself free from his grip, but failed to do so. She couldn't see his face, but felt his rock-hard body pressed against her back. Closing her eyes to take a deep breath, she couldn't prevent the shudder that rocked through her.
Adeline's face reddened. "Let go of me! Ella might see us!"
Nicholas hugged her tighter. "We're not doing anything she isn't suppose to see."
"Look, I'm sorry about a while ago okay? Can you let go now?"
"Tell me the truth." Nicholas pouted. "What's wrong?"
"Shouldn't we be keeping our distance from each other?"
"You know what I mean, Adele."
Adeline gave him a flat look. "I was just disappointed that you usually spent most of your time with Ella and rarely have enough time for me..."
"Really?" Nicholas furrowed his eyebrows. "Nothing else?"
"Of course there isn't. We don't keep secrets from each other," Adeline lied.
"I've known you for such a long time. I'm not easy to fool, Adele."
"Believe me or not, my answer won't change."
Nicholas loosened his grip and turned her around. "No matter how angry you get, you always end up forgiving the people you love."
"Y-You... What nonsense are you talking about?" Adeline looked away. "You have a girlfriend!"
Nicholas brought his face closer. "You love me right?"
Adeline flinched back. "What?"
"Don't make me repeat my question."
Adeline scratched her head. "Uhh... Maybe...?"
Nicholas' furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean maybe? I love you and—"
"Stop this nonsense, Nic. I do love you as a best friend."
"That's what I wanted to hear."
"I have a question." Adeline looked at the bright orange and red sky. "Why did you choose to hug me if there were a hundred ways you could've done to catch me?"
"To be honest, I don't actually know the answer to that too. I apologize if you felt uncomfortable."
"You're always are gonna be mama's boy aren't you?"
"Why? You prefer the bad type?"
Adeline bursted into laughter. "Let's head back. I'm starving."