Angela and Gael walked the long path back to the cafe, passing by all the shops that they checked out earlier. They walked side by side as they maneuvered their way through the crowded place.

As they reached the food stalls and bars, she stopped at a barbecue stall where she thought the food was delicious and decided to buy several skewers to take back to the hotel. Her order was made fresh, so they had to wait at the side until it was done.

It was hot and humid that Angela had to use one hand to shade and the other to fan her face. Gael shifted to her side where the sun was shining and blocked her from it. He was nearly six inches taller than her, so she comfortably took advantage of his shade.

"You thirsty?" he asked. She ran her tongue along her bottom lip that drew his attention. Then she nodded and answered, "Yeah, a little."

"Wait here."

He strolled towards the nearest vendor that sold water and bought two bottles. Watching him from afar, she got to see how he looked as he interacted with others. Gael didn't smile to anyone—even when he said 'thank you' to the vendor. And yet, the women around him seemed to be so enthralled by him. They ogled unabashedly, smiled, and twirled their hair with their fingers—as if that would make him notice them. 'I say you shave your brows, and probably then, he might glance at you—maybe even not.' She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

With two bottles of water in his hand, he walked back to where Angela was standing. As he made his way to her, he noticed some men standing not far from her, eyeing her from head to toe. The perverts lingered their stares at her legs, arms, and chest. His brows immediately knitted, and his jaw ticked. He didn't mind what she was wearing at all, but it's because of men like those bastards that made his blood boil.

"Hold these for me," he said as he handed her the bottles of water.

Gael took off his long-sleeved shirt, stepped in front of her, slid his arms around her, and tied the shirt around her waist, covering her legs from the back and the sides. Then, in a loud voice—enough for the perverts to hear and the others around them, he said, "Thirsty, Boys? You're not drinking this. I suggest you walk away while you can."

The people around them snapped their heads at the men who were eyeing Angela. Embarrassed, the perverts walked away.

Angela was surprised at what just happened. She didn't even realize that men were looking at her as she was too busy looking at Gael.

She shifted her weight and cleared her throat, hoping that her face didn't look so flushed after what he just did. "Thanks," she said as she handed him a bottle. He didn't say anything, but a corner of his mouth curved slightly upward when he glanced at her.

Gael was now wearing his inner shirt—a sleeveless tank top that showcased the muscles of his arms and the women who were ogling him earlier… Well, let's just say Angela had the urge to give him his shirt back so he can cover himself.

He received the food that she ordered and carried the bag in his left hand, then he took her hand with the other, "Let's go," he said.

His large hand was so warm that it traveled throughout her body; she thought she was feverish. And because she couldn't help herself, she squeezed just a little.

…

SDC Resort

The two arrived back at the resort and decided to stay at the beach where a large bonfire was prepared for the guests.

Gael and Angela chose to stay away from the crowd and sat on the sand next to each other as they faced the sea. The breeze was cool, and the sun was about to set soon, yet they were still asking each other 'this and that questions'.

Later, their questions started getting deeper, and they carefully treaded around their answers without the other knowing that they were sort of holding back a little. But they kept going…

"What's something that overwhelms you?" she asked. She didn't really think much about this question, but she remembered reading it in a book somewhere, and she wondered what his answer would be.

For a minute, he was quiet. Angela could hear the soft waves of the water hitting the shore and the crackling of the large bonfire while canceling the noise of the crowd several meters away. Then he answered, "My family."

She waited, wondering if he would elaborate his response, but he was just staring at nothing in particular. "Hmmm… You mentioned your family is in the petroleum industry? Do you have plans on running the family business?"

Slightly lowering his head, Gael's expression was unreadable. "At first, I didn't want to… And then it seemed as if I had no choice... Now, I'm not sure."

"It must be tough on you…" She took a deep breath. "I remember back then when my brother Oliver wasn't this responsible. I mean, he always had my back, but he never showed interest in the company, so my father was always hard on him. Then, a few years ago... I don't know what happened to him but he suddenly changed. Families really are overwhelming..."

'You have no idea,' he thought.

Turning his head towards her, he watched as she stared at the bonfire to her right. Then he asked, "What does your future look like?"

"This feels like a job interview." She chuckled. "You know… I want to stay in a gated white house outside the city—somewhere far enough from annoying neighbors where I can just be at peace with myself while I write all my books."

"And… you're still single by then?" He cocked a brow.

Angela turned towards him and met his eyes; she got lost staring at them. She could feel his gaze penetrating deep into her soul—it was riveting. "Who knows… Maybe… Maybe not… Only time will tell…" she responded almost absent-mindedly.

Their stares drifted lower and settled on each other's lips. And as if they were in a trance, they inched closer just as the sun was setting.