HIS CAPTIVATING SMILE

Another morning and Daerin felt like it was a new start for him. He had wild plans and a kind of naughty one. He hadn't gotten over the thought of how he almost got into Graceilla's mesh trap.

If he hadn't made his way out of it he might be in a very terrible situation. His parents wouldn't even care about it because all they were concerned about was their business and money. They never cared about Daerin's happiness.

That made Daerin sleep over a certain decision that he made in just the spur of the moment. It was ignited by his longing to take revenge on his parents. It was just a sort of prank for him, but he had to make sure it would have a great impact on them.

Daerin went down from his bedroom, fresh and dressed for the day. It was just a simple casual summer suit but presentable enough for a photo shoot. He arrived at the breakfast table just before his parents had.

If that only happened on normal days, Daerin wouldn't care to wait for them and would simply head off with his breakfast and walk out without waiting for them.

However, that day was different as planned. He had to do something, he had to let out a bomb that would blow his parents away.

They were a bit surprised to see Daerin on the breakfast table. Most of the time if he wasn't there for waking up later than breakfast time, he probably just had his breakfast and was already at the gym or swimming.

"Son, nice to see you at the breakfast table. Good morning."

Daerin abruptly stood up to give her mom a good morning kiss. That surprised both his mom and dad and made them smile.

"Your action made me even more worried. Is there something going on Daerin? Or are you happy to get away from marrying Graciella?" His dad asked.

"Apparently, yes I am happy. Do you even care to imagine what my life would be like being part of that family?" Daerin tried not to sound annoyed, so he said every word with an effortful smile.

"I could imagine you living with endless wealth, Daerin. I imagined you being the president of all La Ruffa's companies and their last name won't be on it in the future but those companies would be de la Croix." Daerin's mom gestured to a shape of a banner in the air as she dreamily pictured it out.

"You are concerned about nothing but money, don't you? Do you even care about my interests? If ever I want a wife, I want to be the one who makes a call for how we live. It will be my rule and I will be the master and I'm sure you know that I can never be that with Graciella. She is but a spoiled brat and daddy's baby. One wrong move, that barrel of his daddy's pistol is on me again."

"But we are hoping you will help us with our debt," his dad finally spilt.

"I'm sure whatever you used with that debt, I wasn't a part of it. It's not even stated in the company's book. It's not like you need to lend money so I can study or build this resort. I haven't even seen improvements in this resort. There were even many more things that needed some repairs. Now, tell me, dad. What did you use on that money?" Daerin unhesitatingly asked.

The table went suddenly silent, as Daerin had expected, he hadn't heard any answers from her dad and mom. He already suspected that spent most of his time gambling. She heard a few staff talking about how they skipped their salary and only gave them once they came back from the casino and won.

Daerin didn't need to force them to answer him. He didn't need those. However, he can't just let them slip that off. The resort's income wasn't just owned by his parents.

He had his shares on it. He put up some capital from his student loan and he still has to pay for that in time.

"You know if you want wealth, I can give you wealth. I will marry someone that can give you an uninvested wealth from the sea," Daerin uttered just before he stood up from the table and attempted to walk out.

"Wait Daerin, what are you saying? Have you seen another wealthy girl in the area that you got an eye on marrying?" His dad asked, confused.

"Was it the daughter of the mayor? I've heard that girl got a crush on you too," his mom commented excitedly.

"You will know her at the right time and she is not who you thought she was. You will surely be surprised."

***

On the other hand, Rexona missed Daerin, she wanted to see him again. She walked early to the resort. However, all she could only do was peek from the outside.

After what happened to them and the encounter with his family, after knowing what she felt for Daerin, it seemed like she lost the balls to be seen by any of his family. The look they gave her after she answered the question if she liked Daerin was degrading, she saw disgust in their expression.

However, part of her knew that she couldn't waste all her time doing that. Her parents need her help with expenses and she still has to dive for pearls. She had to realize that everything is not always about Daerin.

Although, for her, she couldn't go on a day without seeing him. At the same time, she was also shy to be seen by him as untidy as she was. She had thought of buying herself a new dress and new shoes.

Rexana wanted to be at least presentable for him. But she couldn't do that without money. So, she decided to just go to the sea and dive. She needed to head back home where the sea was more rocky and deep and where she could get more pearls.

She had dived back and forth and the colour of her skin was changing again. It was starting to burn and she felt so ugly when it happened to her. But she had no choice.

A while later when she already got enough pearls and she had decided to go back home she was surprised to hear the familiar sounds of an engine. It sounds like Daerin's motorbike. Rexana gasped the moment she looked back and saw Daerin, looking so handsome in his summer suit and he was walking towards her with such a captivating smile.