EPISODE TWENTY EIGHT
I quickly shove myself into the car as he drop the bag at the driver’s seat.
“Can you please take it easy with the driving? You’ve been paying too much of fines.”I complained. Even though, the main reasons why I’m complaining is because I’m scared.
“I will try.”He sigh and ignite the car back into life.
Since we are very close to our destination, Stefano open the safe in between us and bring out two phones.
He operated on them at once as he drive through the quiet street.
Soon, we got to the Camping site which is literally a beach.
The girls were in their bikini already, Marcos is setting the fire with Stefano’s Mom.
Luca was busy with his laptop.
Stefano parked beside Luca’s car and turned off the engine.”Thanks for the ride.”I bow slightly to him.
He didn’t say anything but watch me leave.
I bring down my bag and the shopping nylon down the car.
Stefano didn’t step out of the car until I got to where his mom was.
They already set up the camp which is quite large enough to contain everyone.
The beach is so beautiful and quiet. The water flows calmly under the soft sunlight.
Megan was busy taking pictures with her sister until she set her eyes on me.
“Look who’s here.”She chuckled while walking up to me.
“Hi.”
Megan played with my long hair until Labrinth started taking pictures of me.
“Don’t…”Megan tickled me, making me burst into laughter.
My hair flew at my face beautifully while she took pictures of me.
“If I have your body, No one is getting away from me.”Amanda compliments as she stares at me, smiling.
“Thank you.”I blush while tying my hair.
“Princess.”Luca called with a cheeky smile on his face. He stretch his hand to me warmly
I joined my hands with his and sat beside him peeping at the laptop at intervals.
I couldn’t understand anything he was doing.
“Do you want to learn this?”He asked me to push the laptop. I chuckle nervously.”How do I learn it? Is this what you do?”I ask curiously but he only snicker.
“I do this to take my time away. This is not enough for my livelihood.”He huff shutting it down.
“What’s that for?”
“Forex and crypto.”He answered simply.
Luca brought out a cigarette and lighter. He was about to light it when Stefano’s Mom gave him a hard smack from behind.
“No smoking!”She warns, hitting the stick on his head.
“Old Woman.”He hissed in pain.
“You should have told me calmly.”He huff rubbed the part painfully as if he was about to cry.
I had to hold my laughter.”I warned you last year.”
“That’s last year.”He said empathetically.
“Is Amanda yet to read the rules for everyone?”She asked loudly.
Amanda nods her head apologetically.
The sun was already setting, Stefano wasn’t joining the fun, He sat under a large three far away from us doing nothing.
I wonder if he’s fine.
“That’s how he is on the first day. He only gets to loosen up once Amanda is out of it. She seems to be doing well this year, I don’t know what is wrong with him”
“Amanda? Is there something going on?”
“The family was never a happy one.”He said in a finalized tone. I decided not to push it further.
Stefano joined us almost immediately, He was staring at me all along.
I wonder what’s wrong with my dress. Even though it’s revealing, there’s nothing he hasn’t seen.
The ladies stopped their fun to make dinner together.
We are having steak with some alcohol and Perilla leaves with it.
We all gathered around the large grill. I get to sit closely beside Stefano who was staring at the grill blankly.
Marcos brings out the large meat and tuna out of the container.
He used the knife to cut a large size of the meat and tuna in a container while we watched the grill getting hot.
Amanda was already impatient at this moment, She was waiting for the meat including everyone.
Marcos was in charge of frying the meat while Stefano handled the tuna.
It looks yummy already. This is my first time having such an expensive meal.
After they were done frying the first round, Stefano handled the cutting. He cut them so perfectly like a pro.
“Wow. Stefano keeps getting better in this.”Megan gasps, clamping her hands together.
“He uses a knife on a daily basis.”Amanda scoffs, eyeing him.
I didn’t have any idea what they were talking about until Stefano glared at her.
“Oh. She’s not aware.”She mumbled under her breath, staring at me keenly.
Okay, what?
A call came in on her phone. She picked it up but the reception was very bad.”Why’s the service so bad?”She huff angrily dropped her phone beside her.
“Can you please lend me your phone? Hazel.”She asked, turning to me as others weren’t with their phones.
I pressed my lips together embarrassed. They were already looking at me.”Hazel?”She repeats in a low tone.
“I don’t have a phone.”I mumble, shaking my head.
“What? Who doesn’t use a phone now?”She scoffed, not believing me.
“It got faulty. I don’t use it anymore.”I confess.
She didn’t push it further, Stefano wasn’t reacting to this.
“How come she didn’t have a phone? Dude?”Luca asked, referring to Stefano.
He drops the scissors on the grill and turns to him.
“I wasn’t aware of that. She never asked.”He said in a harsh tone.
Stefano finished cutting them into moderate pieces.
Marcos dropped the perilla leaves on the cutting board, Stefano started rolling it smartly. He used the chopsticks to take the first one he rolled and pushed it to me.
“Ahhh…”He demonstrates, urging me to open my mouth.
I blush and open it wide for him to feed me.
“I got the first bite last year.”Megan huffed dramatically as she watched me chew on it.
“Thank you.”I mumble touching his jean shorts. He nods and continues with them.
We all ate in rounds. While they took alcohol, I drank one of the juices I bought.
Marcos ate in large quantities followed by Megan.
I was able to eat the few Stefano fed me, I got filled up in no time.
I continued sipping on my juice and watched them catching fun.
Stefano was already loosening up around them, He smiled genuinely at intervals only when Amanda cracked a joke.
His eyes glowed beautifully as the fire burned slowly.
He’s so attractive.
After they are done eating the last piece, Marcos put away the fire while Stefano’s Mom went to sleep.
They all left gradually to grab some sleep until I’m alone with Stefano.
He is sipping the alcohol from the fancy can at intervals without talking to me.
I glanced at him clumsily and he caught me staring each time.
“Has it always been your wish to get married at a young age?”He suddenly asked, staring at the calm water in front of us.
We were sitting side to side, close to the ocean.
“No.”
“Why did you get married then? You were studying a good course. Good enough to make your life better.”He questions, His tone was low but demanding.
I tighten my hand around the juice bottle nervously.
“My brother. My father developed a special liking for him ever since he was born. He eats with him, They play together during the few times my Dad spent with us. My Mom liked seeing him happy even if it’s at my own expense. I felt like I’m adopted at a point.”I chuckle sadly taking a sip from the bottle.
Stefano tuck his hair to the back of his ears revealing his crazy side profile.
“And when Dad left years ago, I had to be the one to make up for his absence. Mom never cared about us. She just wants me to work harder so I can take care of my brother. Even if it’s using my body to bring us food on the table. It got tiring at one point. I finally got to know where Dad was after years. I made that crazy offer so I can make Josh happy again.”
“Don’t you feel like you made me inconvenient because of your own desires?”He asked, turning to me abruptly.
I pressed my lips together as he stared at me keenly.
“Stefano, I…”
“It’s just a question, Hazel.”
“I had to do something.”
“Do you hate me for taking your father away from you?”He asked, diverting the topic.
“No. I know you didn’t do that to him. You cared so much about your family and you can’t bear seeing another getting separated.”
He chuckled and whispered some words under his breath.
“I live for them, Hazel.”He confessed truthfully.
“It’s a good thing.”I laugh softly, pushing my hair to the back.
I saw the lively part of Stefano today. He laughed and ate with his family.
He did everything in high spirit. He was in a good mood today. Something I never experienced with him.
It hurts so bad that I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He gets angry around me, I make him curse, yell, and shout because of my clumsiness.
“You asked me some time ago if I’m happy in the marriage.”I say, turning to him.
He nodded without sparing me a glance.
“I saw the better part of you today, Stefano. You were so happy around your family and friends. It makes me happy too.”I started in a solemn tone.
He turned to me in confusion, not knowing where I’m driving.
“The few months I spent with you was the happiest moment of my life. Waking up everyday knowing that I have a husband I can cook for and he eats with delight. I got pampered when I was having my menses too.”I laugh softly, cleaning the tears rolling down my cheeks.
Stefano gaze at me softly trying to fathom the reasons for me saying this.
“I felt I could continue doing this until the night we had sex. I got you angry for being untouched. You called me names out of anger. I felt at that moment that life would have been a lot better for you if I didn’t push you to sign the marriage contract.”
“Hazel, What are….”
“I’m so sorry for letting you hurt me. I thought you needed me that moment to relieve your sexual urge. You don’t have to blame yourself for doing such things to my body. I’m really fine.”
“I..”
“That being said, If you haven’t discarded the divorce papers you gave me last time, I will like to sign it once we get back home. I will really leave. I promise. You won’t see me again anymore. I’m sorry for the unbearable months I spent with you, I was too selfish. This should be the end of us.”