It’s not Love

DIANA POV

I opened the door and gaped at my unexpected guest. Of all the people on the island, the most frequent persons who come here are the island staff. But today, a guest came unwelcomed.

"Hi! Umm.. I came here to apologize for the way I acted earlier. Well, I bet you would feel the same way if you're in my place, right?", Christina said as she fidget with the chains on her purse. Her strong facial features and eye contact doesn't imply sincerity as she apologize. Actually, even if I were jealous, I wouldn't act the same way as she did.

"I understand, Christina.", I nodded, not moving from where I'm standing.

"Can I come in?", she said as she move closer.

I took the key card and shut the door. "The view from here is much better than inside", I firmly answered.

"Of course. I guess the heat makes your bungalow smell stuffy huh", she said like she's testing my patience. "Anyway, me and my girls are having a spa date. Would you like to join us?", she continued with her tongue lining upper teeth.

"I would love to, but now is not the perfect time.", I respectfully refused and smiled a little.

"Oh not a problem", she immediately said like she was really expecting I would refuse, staring at me from head to toe before looking into my eyes.

As I was about to go back inside she said, "Oh! before I forget, my boyfriend, Scott, wanted to tell you that the bonfire party tonight is cancelled. Just so you know." She wrinkled her nose and smiled ear to ear before heading out. "See you when I see you Diana", she half turned and raised her hand goodbye.

'Boyfriend?', I let out a chuckle. This girl is really something. Seems to me, she came here just to make sure I won't stand her way to Scott. "See you, Christina.", as I closed the door lightly.

I didn't feel an ounce of hate or anger towards her. In fact, I pity her. With her pleasing looks and strong character, she's still desperate for love that she could get from herself. I saw how Scott's body language towards her, I don't know what to call it but it's not love.

I saw love among my patients. The gaze and the smiles seemed warm and full of affection. Their eyes sparkle as it reflects the feelings of the heart. The embraces and even the lightest touch is soft and ease, with grip that seems to never let go. I never saw that in Scott for Christina.

Love is gentle.

I don't have much experience with love because I never had a boyfriend. It is not an open option. I just got too busy with medical school and the duties my mother required me to fulfill making my hands full. I find it a good reason to stay unattached with the complicated thing called love.

Love is torture.

I saw Kate fell in love a few times. I've seen her highs and lows in love. And with every heartbreak, she die a little everytime. She cries at night, eats chocolates, doesn't talk for days, and stares in the wind. If not for love, she wouldn't feel horrible.

Love is dangerous.

My mother said that my father died for his tremendous love for us. If not for love, he would still be alive today.

You do stupid things for love. I think, that's the reason why my mother was never affectionate towards me. So I thought, self love is better because you love yourself too much, you don't let yourself get hurt. You are in control with your own happiness, and you don't expect anything from others.

As for Christina, she gives me a vibe that she'd do anything for love. Even if the saying goes 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer', I'd like my enemies farthest from me as much as possible.

I wore a royal blue low back satin midi dress with a slit in front of my left thigh, then combed my hair loose keeping it down. 'The bonfire's cancelled huh? I don't feel like going there, anyway', I thought. Well, there's only one thing I would love to do, spend time with Apollo.

I wore my nude strappy sandals and went out. I tried to remember the way Scott led me earlier, but it's a bit dark so I can't tell. I just went into the woods hoping I'd reach the stable. It's been minutes until I reached the road trail. I paced the trail until I saw somewhat a party going on the beachfront.

*****

The west side of the island beachfront was so lit with yellow toned light bulbs and was chicly decorated in boho-inspired glamping style bonfire party. Circling the six feet tall bonfire, there were five wooden cabanas covered with white sheer curtains, with a long aquamarine couch and gray Sacco chairs that could seat fifteen people. There's a long tiki bar that offers endless beers and wine.

Sitting with some of his male pack and a couple of Christina's girl friends, Scott kept on glancing on his watch. The bonfire party started an hour ago and still, there's no sign of Diana. Cory, David, Austin and Allen came rushing to the island looking forward to meet the pack's Luna as soon as they've heard that their Alpha already met her. Lucas was dancing intimately with a girl that was introduced to him by Christina.

Christina, on the other hand, is with her friends at the bar. Some guests swarmed the beachfront dancing and drinking until the last drop.

'I knew she wouldn't come. I wonder what she's doing right now', he thought. He lit a cigarette and sit back with his one arm resting on the backrest of the couch.

A blonde girl in a cream crochet dress sat beside him and seductively asked, "Want to join the fun?". The pack and the girls were starting to engage in a drinking game.

Scott looked at her, puffed the cigarette onto her face. When the girl was about to touch him, Scott caught her hand and took it away. "Don't", as he threatened her.. The girl trembled in fear and left Scott alone.

Meanwhile, Diana noticed that the bonfire wasn't cancelled after all.

'My, my Christina', she thought witha chuckle. She observed the party at a proximity where she could still notice Scott sitting with a blonde girl. She also saw Lucas being intimate with someone.

"Boys will be boys", she whispered.

From where she's standing, she could now see the stable and then proceeded there to see Apollo.