Chapter 4: Happy just to be here with you

She was zoning out again for a minute and Alex was shaking her to wake up.

"Atasha will you speak?

"Alex can I think about it? I know its crazy but for me it's not that easy, hope you understand and will surely tell you when I'm ready”, with my head bowed.

Alex stepped aside for a while from Atasha then hugged her tightly as if he didn't want to let her go ....

"Alex I am ok ... you can let me go now, I can't breathe. And you have to talk to my brother about that too you know he's here.

"Sorry Sha and thanks for listening to me.” he said while holding her hands.

"I think we have to go down because Anthony might beat me up.” Alex said at the same time has his crazy smile.

As they descended they heard her cousins and her grandmother talking and laughing with them.

"Ehemm it looks like you really enjoying and feeling at home now”, Atasha smiling at them as if there was no confrontation happened between the two of them.

"Guys let's go to our haven" .. Bryle said and asked Alex to go with them.

"Dear cousin Bryle, you just really want to see someone you've been wanting to date for a long time and checking if they broke up”, Kyle said and smirked.

They all laugh at him while Bryle is hoping that he will see that girl during his first vacation here at the hacienda.

In the afternoon, they all decided to have a picnic by the river that covers the land of the Samonte. All the people from San Sebastian where Hacienda ANNICA is able to provide employment to its people. Almost all of the land in San Sebastian is owned by Doña Andrei ..

They are already preparing the equipment and food that they will bring to the picnic by the river.

They are headed to the river, all of them are excited especially they go there to have fun and enjoy the moment of being together. In less than thirty minutes they have reached the river .. They are all amaze because it has developed like Anthony wanted when he first got back from Paris.

"Kyle and Candy let's get ready for a snack”, Atasha said.

"Ok Shai”, simultaneous answer by her two female cousins.

"Speaking of the angel, Alex is the cool-man heavy? I will ask Ton to help you out because they put so much ice and beer in there ?” Candy said while setting the food on the picnic table.

“Nah I am find, I can handle this.” Alex said while watching across Atasha's way.

“Your so into Shai, hahaha" she smiled at him and looking where her cousin is.

"I heard that Kyle, and stopped giggling Candy.” Atasha said but smiling at them.

They were already busy preparing a snack when Alex caught his eye at Atasha's bathing shorts. Atasha felt that there was someone watching her and when she turned around, she and Alex's eyes met as if they were the only people by the river.

"Ah bro there's someone else here if you can keep it a bit for yourself”, Bryle smirked at Alex.

"You're really ruining the moment Bryle”, Alex said annoyed but smirking.

Atasha's cheek turned red from Alex's stare which everyone noticed ..

"Bro, you know that's my only sister and our princess. If I find out you make her cry again, your skull will really be broken this time.”, Anthony's threatening joke.

"Hahaha I know brother", Alex laughed nervously because he knew what Anthony could do when it comes to his sister.

But the thought of hurting her again is the last thing on his mind.

Alex wish he could turn back time but his not into Atasha way way back when they first met, but things are different now he wish they could have been lovers now, how much he wanted to hold her hands, hugging her, cuddling her in his arms but how would he do that if Atasha herself was afraid to be kind to him.

Alex think about it, she only wants to be loved like she admired and loved you before, you need to get her trust again in Alex's mind.

"Hey bro are you okay? Don't think too much of what Anthony said but you know whom you will face when it happened right, but hope it wont, I know you think it's really weird when it comes to Shai but when you know what she went through these years you will probably feel more than that”, Boe smiled at him and pat his shoulder.

"Hey guys lets swim”, Atasha invited the boys, her cousins Candy and Kyle are going down to the river.

The boys, on the other hand, drink beer and look at their cousins as if they were former models. Anthony asks Alex "Lex I notice you're into my lil sis much now as before, are you?

"Ton I just don't like her, no I mean I love her but I don’t want to pressure her about my feelings, she still hurt every time she sees me and I can see it in her eyes.”, Alex's confession.

They were all shocked when Atasha shouted for help her leg was cramping and she can't swim back, Alex hurriedly came to where Atasha and help her. He carried her back to his chair and he started to massage her leg gently and Atasha sighed in the sensation she felt, she feel it again everytime Alex hold her. She wants to hug Alex and kiss and say I still love you because this is what her heart wants but her mind is against it. She looked away as her brother said she will be taken home.

"No I'm fine Ton, I'll just sit here and rest for a while.” She said looking at Anthony.

"I insist I'll take you home and Ton agreed with me”, as he looked at Atasha seriously.

"Its ok with us coz you need to rest.” chorus of her cousins sticky eyes on her and they smirked at her.

"Guys, we head first.” He bid goodbye to them at the same time with the silly look at her.

"Hey you need to marry her before you attempt on her hitting her again!” Boe shouted after them as they left.

The two of them were silent as they made their way home to the mansion. Atasha just stared out the window looking at the trees and the locals' pets.

Alex broke the silence between them .... "Atasha"

"Hmmm" still staring at the view of the hacienda.

"Just happy to be with you even though we are like this.”Alex broke the silence but still his attentions are still on the road.