6 Chapter 6: Beach [With A Stranger]

Intense heat strikes the busy town as the sun slowly rises from behind the towering trees on the east. One of Elvery's first thoughts upon hearing the word 'summer' is the beach, 'cause who doesn't look forward in spending a day at a beach and enjoy the cold water that contrasts the sun's prickly heat upon the skin? No one, of course.

Elvery checks her packed things before bringing them out. From her terrace, she glances at the Smith's residence where an SUV is parked.

It's almost the end of May and it's been almost a month since she witnessed the escape of Aida and the visitor from that gate. Almost a month since Mr. Smith's untimely death. Almost a month since she sneaked at the construction site. Almost a month since a piece of jewelry was found at the crime scene and turned out to be a precious one.

And almost a month since Elvery stopped butting into the MaXa case.

All she knows about it is that the killer is still on the loose and the police haven't gone anything far yet. They are tailing for two suspiciously missing persons: Aida Letran and a certain Jeron Lander which is believed to be the last man who was with the victims before the incident happened. It is really doubtful that Aida who was believed to be a loyal helper of the Smiths was suddenly nowhere to be found. Jeron Lander is a construction worker and the MaXa project is ongoing that time yet he disappeared like a bubble after the murder.

No further information does Elvery has aside from those. She tried so hard to stop her curiosity and she successfully did. Whenever Lila sends a news article link regarding the case, she fights with her urge to read it and chooses to forward the message to Khael.

Speaking of Khael, it's been almost a month too since she first met him. They go along well though the last time they saw each other was the day they went to the jeweler. Khael must be preoccupied with his detective stuff and Elvery is busy working in her summer bucket list, too.

And speaking of the bucket list, Elvery hasn't gone swimming yet for the whole vacation. Thanks to Mrs. Smith for inviting her for an overnight stay at a beach resort. Carrying her things, she walks towards the Smith's residence.

"Oh hello, dear," Aunt Lex greets her and lets her cheek touch Elvery's. The woman has her usual sweet smile plastered on her face which Elvery gives back in return.

Aunt Lex motions her to get inside the car where she finds Lila with four other people.

"Hi, Elvie!" Lila taps the seat next to her. Just like her mom, she lets her cheek make contact with Elvery's.

"So guys," Lila enthusiastically blurts, calling for everyone's attention, "this is Elvery Warren, my friend. Elvie, you already know my mom, right?" Before Elvery could respond, Lila immediately motions to the man behind the steering wheel, "This is our family driver, Kuya Carlo." She, then, points at the couple at the backseat, "These are Mon, my cousin and his girlfriend, Alisa."

Elvery receives hi's, hello's, and nice-to-meet-you greetings. She returns them back politely.

Elvery brings her gaze next to the sleeping man beside Lila. His head is jerked towards the window, relaxed on a soft yellow-colored neck pillow.

Lila seems to understand Elvery's gaze. "Oh, I forgot," she says, "this is Troy, another cousin of mine."

Elvery nods.

The town of Mabseteer is near the edge of the country. Being surrounded by water, it gives people an array of beaches to choose from. After almost 45-minute drive, they reach the location—the most secluded and expensive beach resort in the area. For sure, most beaches and resorts will be crowded with people so the Smiths chose the not-all-can-afford one.

Elvery is the first one to go down the car since she is the nearest from the door.

"Elvie, I need to pee," Lila says as soon as she stepped out of the car door, "Let the men carry your things. Let's go!"

Elvery does not have time to protest because Lila grabs her towards a certain direction. Fortunately, there are signages along the area so they do not have a hard time finding the restroom.

"Lila, are you doing number two?" Elvery teases from outside the restroom when Lila has taken much time for peeing.

"Shut up, Elvs!" she hisses.

Elvery laughs at her friend's reaction.

"Elvery?" a man calls her name from behind.

ELVERY WARREN

Her Point-of-View

I turn around to face the only man who owns that voice. I narrow my eyes. Why does it feel unusual? There's something different from this man's face. Oh, I get it. Unlike the first time we met, he has no dark birthmark on his cheeks. But I cannot be mistaken. I am sure that this man is the same man who saved me back in the construction site.

"Khael?"

"What are you doing here?" he asks. I can sense the bother in his tone.

"Well," I respond, "I'm with-"

"Elvie, I'm done," Lila blurts as the restroom door opens. There is a short pause when he saw Khael, "Couz?"

Khael seems surprised.

"You know each other?" Lila asks.

"Uh-yes."

"No!"

I look at Khael who immediately avoids my gaze. Why did he say 'no'? Uhh, he's acting weird.

Khael clears his throat. "No, we don't. Uh, I'm just asking if someone is in the restroom."

This time, I'm the one who's surprised. I shoot a confused look at him. Lila beside me can't see my facial reaction.

"Ooh," she says, "Well, you will be seeing each other a lot during this outing so you better know each other."

Both of us are too shocked to respond.

"Couz, this is Elvery, my friend," Lila says, pointing her hand towards my direction.

I notice the yellow neck pillow clinging on Khael's neck. I can't help but frown.

"Elvery, this is my other cousin I'm telling you," Lila continues, "He's Troy."

I blink three times, trying to process how Khael became Troy real quick. Is it his second name?

Khael—or Troy, whoever he is—lends out his hand to me. I stare at it for a moment but eventually accept it and faked a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Elvery," he says.

"N-nice to meet you, too." I flash an ingenuine smile then throw a glare at him before removing my hand from his. I dart him with a you-have-much-explaining-to-do look, but he just keeps his smiling face. Oh, his acting skill is great.

Khael—or should I say, Troy—leaves for the restroom while Lila invites me to the hotel room to change into our swimming attire: just simple rashguards and cycling shorts.

All day we swam and enjoyed the beach. We took photos, ate foods, and played volleyball. Most of the time, I was with Aunt Lex and Lila, Mon was with Alisa, and Kuya Carlo was with Khae-I mean, Troy.

It's already eight in the evening and we are gathered at the beachfront. They decided to have an overnight stay at a beach to celebrate Aunt Lex's birthday. Besides, it is a way to pamper themselves from the sadness caused by Mr. Smith's death.

I look at the direction of Troy. I don't understand why he can act normal as if nothing happens. Yes, I understand that he changed his name, after all, I was a stranger back then. But does he need to deny that we know each other? And why the sudden disappearance of the birthmark on his face?

His gaze meets mine which I immediately avoid. Now I know the answer to my first question. He denied our acquaintanceship because we don't really know each other. I don't really know him. This time, I feel that I am staying at the beach with a stranger.