Chapter 212 - The Islet Mystery 28

The closed-door meeting lasted long, and Shiela started to wonder what went on. How she wished she could be a part of his plans, of his life, but sadly, she could not. Ryan did not even include her in whatever topic he was discussing with Allie and Ajie. The more it showed he didn't want her to be a part of his world. After this short vacation, they would be back to their previous status as mere business acquaintances.

"Shie," Jane's voice interrupted her sad thoughts as she gazed far into the smokey shade of the looming island the vessel was closing into. She stayed on the deck since the craft glided its way into the vast outstretch of the sea. She turned over her shoulder and find Cherry as well, bringing with her a set of binoculars and a camera.

"This place is heavenly!" she exclaimed cheerfully as she fitted her eyes into the binoculars and looked around. Her vision caught the leaping fishes, and she squealed in happiness. Jane joined in, and soon, they were giggling in excitement, making Shiela wish she could do the same. Her troubled mind wouldn't allow her.

"Ladies, are you enjoying?" Ryan suddenly spoke from behind them, and Shiela's heart almost jumped in excitement. She hated this stupid feeling; this would only lead to her doom.

However, her heart sank as she turned and saw Jullien beside him. His hand was on her waist and damned it; she looked too seductive in her floral shorts over her backless one-piece suit. Ryan did not even care to remove his hand even if he knew she's looking at them. To avoid further embarrassment, she picked up her camera and pretended to take photos of those spectacular views. However, her mind was not with what she was doing. She wondered where Andy was at this moment. How could he allowed these two to break their hearts? She felt she was already getting crazy in trying to understand all of them. In a moment, he was too sweet, but in the next, he was flirting with Jullien.

"Baby, do it this way."

Shiela's heart almost burst out of its rib cage with that endearment. How could he afford to say sweet things at her while seconds ago, he was intimate with Jullien? Not only that, Jullien was there, watching them.

"Excuse me for a while. I feel nauseous." Shiela suddenly regretted her excuse, and it appeared she was only seeking attention. Just as she expected, Ryan frowned and held her arm as he stared at her.

"I'll take you somewhere you can rest," Ryan offered, his eyes started to dim in worry.

"It's the rocking of the vessel and, perhaps, my worsening astigmatism. Not a big deal."

Shiela sauntered off the deck, leaving Ryan gazing back at her in a puzzled look, holding her camera. Then she realized her emotion showed, and to conceal it again; she looked back at Ryan over her shoulder.

"Can you please take pictures for me? I'll be right back."

Ryan stared at her for a moment before he replied. "Sure."

Roaming around the corners of the yacht, Shiela finally found Andy, sitting alone on a chaise lounge. He seemed to be in deep thoughts since he did not notice her presence. She wanted to scold him for being so lenient in his hold to Jullien, lessening his remaining time with him

"Andy," she called out his name softly. Andy got startled and sprang to his feet, but in the next moment, he was already grinning.

"You miss me too soon," Andy teased, but seeing her displeased reaction, he laughed.

"I'm only kidding. By the way, what brought you here?" 

"Just want to ask why are you here alone while your ex-girlfriend and your best friend are roaming around like doves?"

Andy shrugged off and replied lazily. "It's part of the show. Their parents have dark eyes monitoring them."

Shiela stood gazing at the very same place she came and stopped, gaping at what he said. All the while, she was hurting in seeing them together, only to be told she was just deceived by what she saw. However, whether it was a display or not, the fact that their marriage was coming soon, was not going to change. Ryan himself told every one of them about the impossibilities.

"Are you consumed now with your jealousy?" Ryan teased, laughing.

"And you're not?" 

"Never. Just shattered."

Shiela laughed over his craziness in handling this matter. How could this man grin despite a shattered heart? It was such a pity that Jullien's family did not see him as he was or even appreciated his worth. Loyalty is something money cannot buy. 

Lost in her thoughts again, she lay on the chaise lounge next to Ryan and closed her eyes. The swaying of the craft and the cool breeze dragged her to sleep, only to be awakened later by a touch on her thigh. Startled, her eyes flew wide and saw Ryan hovering over her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry. I fell asleep."

Ryan offered her his hand, and Shiela held on to it. Before she could dangle her legs out, Jullien came over, panting. They both looked up, and Andy sprang up to her feet. Jullien's legs were already shaking, and sweat poured out from her temples.

"Andy, I need coffee."

Andy moved his eyes sideways and stole a look at Shiela, shifting his gaze afterward between Ryan and Jullien. "Sure, I'll make one for you."

"No! You're getting worse. I'll have your psychiatrist fly over her to help you. What is bothering you this time?" Ryan heaved out a deep sigh before throwing out a frustrated look.

"Mom and dad called me up," Jullien said, her expression seemed like she was about to drop a bomb. She then turned to Andy and said, "Andy, please, I need it now."

"Then what?" Ryan ignored her request to Andy.

"They said they are moving the date of our wedding into this month's end," Jullien replied, her eyes started to get red, as well as her face.

"Worry about it later on. You must address this addiction first," Ryan's angered tone made Andy disappear before them like a flash of lightning.

"You don't understand me at all," Jullien's voice already cracked, and her lips twisted into a smirk.

"You're killing yourself already!"

Jullien wasn't able to hold it back anymore. Her tears started to well down from her eyes. "Sooner or later, I would still die."

"Yes, you will if you won't do something about this foolishness."

Jullien did not say anything for a moment as she broke into a sob. Gathering her strength back after some moments, she continued, "The thought of losing Andy is killing me. Ryan, you don't know how much I love him."

Ryan and Shiela stared at her in disbelief. Both of them held the assumption that she only wanted Andy for her sexual needs. Yet, the one who got surprised the most, sent the cup of coffee shattering down at their feet.