Chapter 15 - Jenna
While Feliks drove, I played music over the Bluetooth earbuds connected to my phone. While I listened to the music playing in my ear, I sang quietly and scrolled through my phone.
I soon noticed a message from an unknown number pop up. I turned to Feliks, who was oblivious to what I was doing. He was concentrating on the road as he drove.
I didn’t pay too much attention, turned back to my phone, and opened the message—only to realize it was my crazy ex.
He congratulated me on my wedding with a sarcastic laughing emoji and told me he wanted to talk to me about some things. He talked about how he wanted to see me and talk things out with me.
I scoffed. It was apparent that he still had feelings for me and wasn’t congratulating me; in fact, my ex was salty. It was written all over his text, and I could read my ex like a cookbook.
I tapped on the message and threw it into my archive. I wasn’t about to respond, even if I knew how.
I sighed deeply, dropped my phone into my lap, and leaned back. I’d blocked his previous number, but he was desperate and had texted me with a new number.
I felt nothing for him now. Every atom of feeling I’d had for him died the very moment I caught him cheating on me. He was a dog!
I noticed that the car was no longer moving.
“Get lost, you fool!” I heard Feliks curse.
I had been so carried away that I didn’t even notice when Feliks suddenly stopped and began to argue with another driver. After he was done with the drama, he put the car in gear and continued to drive.
When we finally got to the beach, I exited the car. The area was breathtaking.
The serene and picturesque private beach stretched before me, a haven of tranquility. Soft, powdery white sand lay beneath our feet, a gentle ocean breeze rustled my hair, and the warm sun shone down on my skin. Crystal-clear turquoise waters lapped gently at the shore, inviting me to indulge in a refreshing swim or simply bask in the peace of the moment.
To my side was Feliks, a knowing smile on his face as he took in my awestruck expression. He’d also just alighted from the car.
I searched the place with my eyes and could not see anyone else there. I smiled inwardly, knowing he brought me here on purpose because he was jealous. I rolled my eyes and scoffed, but I couldn’t stay annoyed for long.
My eyes were wide with wonder, my mind racing with the endless possibilities of this tropical paradise. I could almost taste the sweetness of the salty air, and my thoughts were filled with visions of lounging in the beachside cabana, sipping exotic cocktails, and indulging in decadent seaside spa treatments.
The sound of seagulls split the air, their gentle cries punctuating the soothing melody of the waves. The atmosphere was one of relaxed luxuries, a sense of seclusion and exclusivity that made me feel like I’d stumbled upon a hidden treasure. My gaze wandered to a sleek, modern beachside villa in the distance, its smooth lines and expansive windows seeming to whisper promises of unparalleled comfort and indulgence.
As I stood there, the warm sand shifting beneath my feet, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d entered a tropical dream world where every desire was within reach.
While Feliks walked toward a chair, I decided to play with the sand. I was exasperated and excited at the same time.
Feliks lay on a lounger and rested against it as he stared at the sky. He had sunglasses on, but I could see him watching me. He smiled as he watched me roam the beach, taking pictures with my phone.
I got close to the water and placed my feet in it as I sat on the sand. I took pictures of my feet in the water. The smile on my face wouldn’t leave. It depicted genuine happiness.
After playing in the water for a while, I removed my cover-up. I glanced back at Feliks, who quickly sat up on the bench. I grinned, knowing that I was turning him on. I wanted to tease him.
I intentionally bent over, pushing my butt backward knowingly. I played with the water, using my hands to push them backward to create small waves. I soon stood up and walked back to Feliks. I picked up the small bag on the ground beside his lounger.
I searched for the sunscreen in the bag and pulled it out. I slathered it on my skin and handed it over to Feliks to help cover my back.
“Please, help me?”
He took the lotion from me and helped me apply it on my back. I realized I hadn’t spoken to Feliks since we left the hotel.
“Let me get you,” I told him after he was done helping me, and I helped him apply the sunscreen on his body.
After applying the sunscreen, I returned to the water and sat on the sand near the shoreline. I watched as the water flowed back and forth, and for some reason, it made me smile helplessly.
I’d never felt so free.
The weather soon shifted. Clouds were everywhere, and the sunlight dimmed. I bent my legs and wrapped my hands around my knees while I rested my jaw against my knee.
The sun went behind a cloud, and the wind picked up, too. I found myself shivering.
My teeth began to fight against each other as the cold touched my bones. I shut my eyes and opened them again.
I noticed someone’s shadow by the side. It was huge until it came closer. Who else would be behind me if not Feliks? I didn’t bother to turn around.
I soon felt something over my body and lifted my head to look at him. He’d covered me with his jacket. I hadn’t seen him with it earlier, so I guessed he’d put it in the car.
But then, how did he know I’d get cold?
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He nodded and smiled. “Here.” He handed me a sandwich.
My eyes widened, but I quickly took the sandwich from him before I began to think. My cheeks flushed red, and I found myself smiling again.
Feliks cared about me enough to get me something to eat and even loaned me his jacket.
Feliks sat beside me, and I smiled at him and whispered, “Thank you,” again.
I hadn’t even noticed him leave, and here he was with something edible. We sat there quietly while I enjoyed the breeze.
I was beginning to warm up. All thanks to the jacket that Feliks provided for me. He didn’t cover himself, and I wondered if he wasn’t chilly.
“Don’t you feel cold?” I asked him.
“Do you want me to wear the jacket instead?” he asked without looking at me.
“Oh.”
I decided to shut up and enjoy my sandwich. After I finished, I stood up. I was tired of sitting there like a lost sheep.
“Do you want to take a walk with me?”
I was beginning to feel more comfortable around him. He wasn’t that bad after all. He stared up at me, and I smiled at him with a pleading pout.
He didn’t say anything. He just stood up to his feet and began to walk with me.
“Let’s take a stroll into the jungle,” I suggested.
I’d been admiring the jungle surrounding the secluded beach, and I thought it was time to explore it since I was done exploring the beach.
“You want to take a stroll into the jungle?” Feliks scoffed. “Please tell me something a princess would really enjoy.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Don’t you see how soft you are?” he asked me. “You would get scared by wild animals and cling to me.”
I rolled my eyes. I knew Feliks was only teasing me, trying to scare me and make me change my mind, but I wouldn’t fall for it.
“That would never happen.”
“If you insist, then,” Feliks said, shrugging.
He led me back to the car and opened the trunk. I saw a small box there, and Feliks pulled it out. He opened it to reveal a change of clothes and more suitable shoes.
I smiled. No wonder he had a jacket!
I wondered how many times he’d been here. He’d come so prepared; it was amazing.
He handed me a pair of boots, and I quickly put them on. We both donned pants before we began to stroll into the trees.
We entered the jungle, with Feliks holding my hand. Our fingers were locked together, and I could not help but steal glances at him. I intentionally stayed behind to admire how handsome he was from behind. His profile was so striking.
“How often do you come here?” I asked Feliks.
“I’m not sure,” he replied.
I’m not sure. That wasn’t an answer to my question, but I was ready to let it go.
“Let’s go this way,” I said to Feliks, pointing toward the right, and he led the way.
We kept walking until it began to get dark. I was the first person to stop and sigh deeply. “If we go further, you’ll have to carry me back to the car,” I teased Feliks.
He nudged my shoulders, then reached toward me, attempting to pick me up to carry me, but I dodged him, laughing.
We turned around to go home but soon realized the trail we were walking didn’t want to end.
“We took too many right turns,” I murmured. “How come we’re just walking straight and expecting this to lead us back to the beach?”
Feliks stopped abruptly and nodded. “Do you think we should head this way?” he asked, pointing.
I shook my head. I wasn’t sure. “You were the one suggesting route when we were coming...”
Feliks let out a frustrated sigh. “I know, but I don’t remember them anymore.”
I stared up at him. “I don’t remember either.”
My heart sank into my stomach. Feliks told me not to worry and pulled out his phone to call someone. There was a little frown on his face that he tried to hide. I didn’t try to hide the fact that I was scared. I hoped that Tom would be able to find us first—before the wild animals Feliks had mentioned.
“Don’t panic. I’ll call Tom.” I watched as his expression went sour. “No signal.” He held his phone aloft, frowning.
“Shit!” I cursed.
We were stuck.