CHAPTER 14

Adela's Point of View

I turned back to where I came from and saw Margareth there. I knew they loved each other, so I won't do anything to make my relationship with Archer progress.

As I returned to the party area, Olivia immediately approached me.

"What happened? What did you talk about with my cousin?" she curiously asked.

"It's about Margareth and Primo. It seems like he wants us to be together," I replied, biting my lip.

"Oh well, I don't have anything to say about that," she said, and I looked around. There were still many people, but only our group of friends remained.

As my eyes wandered, they locked onto a guy sitting at a table. It was Primo, and he was talking to a girl, and they seemed to be having a good time. Oh great, have fun over there! I mentally scolded myself, realizing that I sounded bitter. Whatever, nevermind.

"Hey, Adela!" Olivia called, tapping my arm.

"What?" I replied.

"I'll get some drinks. Do you want one?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Okay. Stay here, okay? Don't get lost in your daydreams, you tend to space out too much!" she said, and I just nodded and looked for someone else to focus on.

My gaze landed on the pool, and I smiled at its size. Some people were swimming, but there weren't many yet.

I was standing near the sea, so I shifted my gaze towards it. It was dark already, and the only sounds I could hear were the gentle waves.

"Wow, the gold digger is here," a familiar voice sneered.

I turned to look, and it was Quincy and Catherine again. What do they want now? How long will they keep calling me a gold digger?

I noticed that there weren't many people around me because most of the guests were near the pool, where the music was loud and everyone was having fun. Many of them were already in their swimsuits.

"Nice summer dress you have there. Where did you get it? Olivia gave it to you, huh? You're really good at finding friends, huh? Rich ones who love fashion!" Quincy snidely remarked.

"What did I do to you?" I calmly asked, crossing my arms in front of me.

"Well, you had the audacity to get in the way of Archer and Margareth's relationship when you're just a lowly girl from the mud!" Quincy said harshly.

"I'm not getting in the way. Besides, why would I interfere when I'm in the right mind to understand them? How about you, Quincy? When will you stop your feelings for Archer? When will you stop seeking attention?" I said with a furrowed brow.

She always clings to Archer whenever she sees him. But why is it that she has the audacity to say that I'm the one blocking her relationship with Archer, when I rarely even interact with him?

"How dare you!" Quincy seemed furious and ready to slap me, but Catherine stopped her.

"Stop, sis. I should be the one slapping that shameless gold digger. Imagine, she stole Primo from me, how audacious!" she said, glaring at me.

Though I'm angry at their words, I have to hold back. I'll let them say whatever they want; there's nothing I can do if that's what they think of me. Let their stupid thoughts bring them down.

"Give Primo back to me!"

"He is not mine, so I won't give him back to you. He's not under my control!" I said, giving her a stern look.

"I'm really annoyed with you!" she said, and I was surprised when she and Quincy grabbed my arm and hers. While holding our arms, they walked towards the sea. They pushed me, and I felt my body fall into the water. The waves splashed, and I felt my back getting wet.

Damn, these sisters. I don't want to fight back because I'm afraid it'll make me look like the bad one. They have more friends here; it's difficult. I might end up ruining things here.

"Goodbye, bitch. See you again next time!" Catherine said with a smile and left.

Wow, they're really good at making scenes, those siblings. Oh well!

I stood up and saw my dress dripping water at the hem.

My back was completely soaked. I shook my head and walked back, and there I saw Olivia.

"Hey, girl! Where have you been?" she asked.

"I told you not to leave! Where did you go?" she asked again, frowning when she noticed I was wet.

"Ah, I lost my balance," I said to avoid further trouble.

"Tsk, who's going to believe you? Was it Catherine and Quincy?" she asked me, and I didn't answer.

Her gaze turned cold, and she was about to turn around to confront the siblings when I stopped her.

"Don't, I don't want any more trouble," I whispered, and she sighed.

"I'll let it go this time, but if they do it again, I'll rip their hair off," she said, finishing her drink. She looked at my dress.

"Oh, what now? Are you going to stay like that until later?" she asked, and I gulped.

Yeah, what now?

I saw Olivia look around, and when she looked back at me, she had a mischievous grin painted on her face.

"You don't need to change. Primo's house is far from here, and you might not come back," she said, and I gulped, pretty sure of what she was thinking. She wants me to wear my bikini now.

"Put on your bikini! I have a cover-up if you're not comfortable!" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Eh?" I could only utter as she grabbed my hand, leading me straight to the comfort room near the pool.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. She brought her paper bag and took my wet summer dress off.

"Oh my gosh! Adela, you have a gorgeous body! Let's take a picture later; I'll post it on my Instagram!" she said, making me gulp.

"Oh, that's embarrassing," I muttered while she handed me the cover-up.

I put on the cover-up to conceal my wrap bikini top and bikini underwear. Feeling a bit more composed, we went outside.

"You never said you had a great figure!" she whispered, making me shyly bow my head.

I don't want anyone looking at me!

But as we passed by the pool, I could feel the gazes of others on me. I followed Olivia with my head down, walking behind her.

"Hey Olivia! Who's that chick?" one of Olivia's friends asked, and she just shook her head.

"She's not for you, Ryle. You've had plenty of girls at my bar," Olivia replied, and we left while she laughed.

We stopped walking when someone spoke in front of us.

"Olivia, what the fuck is that?" the person said coldly.

I lifted my gaze, and our eyes met with Primo's cold stare. I could feel his anger even from just his gaze.

"Gosh, Primo. Don't be possessive. Adela can wear that if she wants to! Are you her father or something?" Olivia said, chuckling, which made me smile.

With Daddy, it's okay for me to wear this because Mommy said so, but with this guy, it seems like he doesn't want me to!

"So many people are looking at her," Primo added.

"Then gouge their eyes out and bring them back later!" Olivia retorted, still laughing.

"He's so possessive, and there's no label yet!" Olivia added, making me even more embarrassed.

"Tsk, let's talk, baby," Primo said, his gaze returning to me.

"Baby? Wow, huh!" Olivia teasingly commented, glancing at me.

"Oh, you have a chat with your 'baby'!" she said playfully, emphasizing the word 'baby.'

"About what?" I asked, avoiding eye contact with Primo.

"Just go to that cottage, Olivia," Primo said, pointing to a cottage far away from where we were.

"Eh? You're not going to accompany your 'baby'?" Olivia asked, emphasizing 'baby' again, so I lightly hit her arm.

"No," Primo replied as we walked together.

"You never told me you already have a baby!" Olivia teasingly said, and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I wonder what they're talking about," she asked with a grin, causing my face to flush.

"Shut up, Olivia," I said embarrassed, and she only grinned wider.

We reached the cottage Primo pointed out. Olivia moved a bit away from the cottage, smiled at me, and then I entered.

As soon as I entered, I saw Primo. The lights were on inside the cottage, so I saw him immediately. I noticed him gulp as his gaze traveled down my body, so I gulped too. He avoided looking at me when I sat in front of him.

"What are we going to talk about?" I asked, and he sighed.

"That clothing, I don't like it," he said, and I gulped.

"Well, you don't have control over it," I replied, biting my lip.

"I am freaking mad because of those eyes that scanned your body, baby. I don't like it," he said, standing up and walking towards me.

Now, he was standing in front of me while I remained seated.

"W-what should I do?" I nervously asked. My heart was racing as we got closer to each other.

I gulped when I understood what I had just said. Why the heck did I ask him that?

"Baby, your presence here with me is enough," he whispered, making me gulp.

"S-sorry."

"Why are you sorry, baby?" he asked, holding my hand and kissing the back of my palm.

"Because you're angry," I replied, blushing, and cursed myself for my words. I couldn't understand why I acted this way! It's infuriating.

He leaned closer, and I saw him rest one of his hands on the seat beside me. He moved my hand that he was holding to his neck. I wanted to protest, but my body seemed to be hypnotized. I couldn't move the way I wanted!

"Baby, there's no need to be sorry," he said, leaning closer to me, and I could feel his face nearing mine.

I gulped, and my eyes started to close slowly. My body felt weak, and I wanted this to stop, but I couldn't make myself move. My body was following Primo's lead, as if I was under some sort of spell.

As our noses touched, I opened my eyes wide, and he stopped there for a few seconds.

We stared at each other, and he closed his eyes and leaned in again, but this time I finally managed to push him away.

I nervously stood up, my body moving again.

Gosh, I almost let him kiss me!

"I'm sorry, baby," he whispered, and I just sighed.

"Sorry, Primo, I can't," I said, quickly leaving the cottage.

My heart was pounding so fast.

Gosh, Adela, you almost kissed him!

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