Awkward

I watched as Christian starts setting up the pool table. Charlotte decided to make us margaritas in the meantime. "Ah shit" she cries

"What's wrong?" Christian runs to her

"Just cut my finger"

"Is it deep?" I ask

"No, I don't think so. I just need to wash it and put a plaster on it" she says holding her bleeding finger

"I'll be back" She says as she leaves with Christian following behind her. I turn to face Simon who was standing by the pool table looking at me.

"I guess it's just us" I give him a short smile.

"You want to break?" He says pushing forward the pool cue.

"I've never ..I don't know how to" I see a slight smile appear on his lips before he slowly moves towards me.

"Here I'll show you" he hands me the pool cue and stands by my side.

"Lean forward and place your cue in front of the ball" I look up at him then place my pool cue right in front of the glossy black ball.

"Now pull the pool cue back and strike as hard as you can" I feel his hand on the back of my arm. He pulls my arm back slightly.

"Strike right in the center"

The contact of his skin on mine made my throat dry and erupted goosebumps all over my body. I could smell his aftershave and hear his breathing next to my ear.I pull the cue and strike as hard as I could. I look at the balls in disappointment, only a few balls budged from the triangular position they were in. I look at him placing my hand over my eyes in embarrassment.

"That was terrible" I laugh.

"That's okay. You need to practice. You'll eventually get it right" he takes the cue from me and bends forward and strike the ball causing all of them to spin around. Some going into the pockets. I study his face, he was calm and serious. His eyes find mine and we stare at each other for a couple of seconds, before I shyly looked away. His gaze was so cold.

"Well you're definitely great at it"

"Try get one in the pocket" he hands me the cue again

I slightly lean forward resting my hand on the table, focusing on the ball I am trying to pot. I shoot and miss. He sighs and moves behind me. Before I knew it he leans me forward his body pressed against my back. I inhale softly allowing him to put his hand on mine to guide me. We shoot and the ball rolls and drops in a pocket.

"Yes! I done it" I squeal, he backs up. I turn around and look at him "Well we done it" he smiles at me gently

"Keep practicing" he says before putting his pool cue to the side. "Guys dinner is ready" Charlotte says poking her head in. "I'll go get Jason" As I approach the bedroom I can hear voices. I push the door and Jason is on FaceTime with someone.

"Hey dinner is ready" I tell him slightly frowning because he hung up as soon as he saw me. His expression worried

"Who is that?" I ask

"A friend"

"A female friend?"

"Why does it matter if it is? It's just a friend. Are you accusing me of something?"

"I don't know Jason you tell me, why you are piping up and hanging up as soon as I walk in?" I hiss at him

"I have nothing to hide, I was just talking to a friend"

"What friend? is it someone I know?" He stays silent for a couple of seconds before replying

"No, just a friend from work" I stare at him

"If it's just a friend why did you hang up" he gets off the bed and walks to me

"Li I promise it's nothing, she's just a friend that's all. Don't make it into something it's not " he kisses my forehead

"Let's go eat" he grabs my hand pulling me away out of the room. Wait what? I hated how he just dismissed me all the time. I didn't have a chance to talk or say what I think or feel it was always brushed away. I felt this large knot in my stomach I knew there was more to it but I didn't bother asking more question or protesting. I knew our relationship was over anyway, I have already detached myself from him so if he is cheating so be it but I still felt betrayed. Sometimes I even questioned if I ever even loved him, I cared about him and had feelings for him but was it love? His ways made me very sad and upset because I knew he just didn't treat me right or cared about me like that.

As we walk in the dining room everyone's attention turns to us. Charlotte is staring at me probably because I looked upset. I took a seat and Jason sat next to me. I pretend as if nothing is bothering and reach out for the chicken, as I lift my head up my eyes meet Simon's who's sitting across me. He glances at me then at Jason, his lips pressing into a line and clenching his jaw.

"How was your tour Simon,? Is it like what we see in movies?" Christian says

"Of course it's not like movies silly " Charlotte snickers

"Yeah not like movies. Long days, long nights, long missions" Simon replies

"What's your rank?" Jason asks

"I'm an LT"

"Lieutenant Matthews" his dad says "We couldn't be prouder!"

"Have you seen any kills or have you made any?"Jason carries on. Simon's eyes turn cold looking at me then at the rest of the table.

"I don't like talking about being a stone cold killer, it's not something you speak about freely" he says his voice low and rough.

"Hmm but I bet you've seen some gruesome stuff right?" I look at Jason, glaring at him

"Not something I want to talk about at the dinner table" Simon says bluntly the table instantly felt silent

"This chicken is amazing Eva" I say changing the subject

"Thank you! I have been making it for years."

"Yes she's improved, she never cooked before Simon came into our lives" they all laugh

After dinner we all helped with clearing up. The men went back to the play room, while me and Charlotte relaxed by the pool having cocktails. I felt so uncomfortable throughout dinner, Jason wouldn't stop with the intrusive questions he had for Simon. I was so embarrassed.

"You okay hun? you're very quiet" Charlotte says softly

"Yeah just reliving the awkward dinner we just had in my head" I say

"Yeah, what's up with Jason lately and why did you look upset when you came down?" she turns to me

"I walked in on him on FaceTime with some chick, he wouldn't tell me who just that it was a work friend"

"You think he is cheating? say the word and I'll ask him to leave" she says pissed

"I don't know for sure but I don't care. This relationship is over anyway. I've decided to break things off sometime this week. I Just need to wait for the right moment" I sigh

"I support you Li, you deserve so much more" she rubs my arm. I put my glass on the table and stand up

"I'm a bit tired I'm gonna go lay down"

"Okay babe" I make my way to my room. I don't even want to stay in here with Jason. I turn on the the bedside Lamp the dim light painting the room a dark shade of yellow. I open the balcony door and walk out leaning against the glass rail watching the sunset. I exhale loudly letting my head hang. Thoughts rushing through my head. I'm on vacation I'm suppose to be happy not upset.

"Everything okay?"

"Shit!" I gasps "Sorry you scared me, Sorry I didn't know you were here. I'll go"

"No stay, it's a big balcony" Simon is sitting back on a chair, his legs stretch out and open. He looks carefree and comfortable.

"I'm sorry about Jason by the way, the questions he was asking, he can be insensitive sometimes"

"Hmmm yeah. That's fine, not your fault" he says leaning forward on the chair

"Fuck" he grunts

"You okay?" I ask

"Just got a cut on my hand, won't heal properly" he says

"Can I take a look?"