“There. Happy now?”
He took a glance to make sure I was covered now and finally calmed himself. “That’s better. Let’s go. They’re waiting for us.”
He then held my hand as we headed to where the boat was waiting. I glanced at Phoenix’s figure, trying not to gawk.
He was wearing black shorts only and shirtless … My eyes trailed to his lean body. He wasn’t that bulky, and at the same time, wasn’t also that thin. Just perfect.
“What are you looking at?” He asked, raising his eyebrows at me suspiciously.
“It’s not fair for me to cover up when you’re here tempting me too,” I mumbled but he somehow heard it and asked again.
“What?” He looked at me. I quickly shook my head, realizing the words I uttered.
Damn Sereia, you’re digging yourself to your own grave. It’s best if you keep your mouth shut before you say some more words that you’ll regret later.
Since it was only me and Phoenix that the boat was waiting for as the squad was already here, the boat instantly started to rev its engine the moment we stepped on it.
“Buckle your seatbelts, ladies, and gentleman!” Yelled Dax in excitement and we erupted in laughter.
We were able to visit only three islands because the sun was going down and it would be difficult to get back to the island. We only did some snorkeling and a bit of scuba diving.
It’s a pity that we are not complete as Hannah and Leroy didn’t come with us but I guess it’s for the best now. They have to take care of their unborn child.
By the time we returned to the resthouse, we were about to have dinner and I had come up with a plan.
I want to amaze them with my cooking skills.
“I’m gonna cook our dinner,” I informed Phoenix and he cocked his head to the side and asked.
“Why?”
“Because of this lunch, we ate at the restaurant. And just to be different, shouldn’t we try some of my cooking skills?”
“I’ll help you.” He offered but I shook my head, “No, I’m fine on my own Phoenix.”
He pressed his lips together and his eyes crinkled. “Sereia princess. I know I brought you here but you don’t have to do everything and force yourself into things. Let things be.” He advised, now lowering his head. “It’s enough that you’re here with me. And if you need me, don’t hesitate to ask me…”
I scowled at him, but sighed, listening to what he’s saying. “Okay, then could you help me prepare our dinner?”
His eyes sparkled at that and he nodded vigorously. Since the houses in Eion’s villa had their own kitchen, it was easy to cook our dinner and I asked Phoenix to get some ingredients from the staff.
Of course, they would abide by our requests since we are special guests of the owner. Dax came to check on us.
“We’re going to cook dinner,” I informed him and his eyes lit up in interest.
“Really? That’s great. I’ll go tell the others and see if we can help with other things.” He said excitedly, now hurrying to leave.
When Phoenix disappeared to do what I asked him, he instantly returned with the ingredients I mentioned and we started to cook now.
We decided to cook my specialty, chicken curry. I also cooked some beef Menudo and some marinated chicken, and vegetable salad.
“Do they eat vegetables?” I asked Phoenix and he nodded.
“Yes, I mean even if they don’t, then they only have two choices tonight. Either they will eat the food that you passionately cooked or get hungry for the rest of the night.”
I can’t help but laugh at his comment and went to the sink to wash my hands when he called out my name, “Sereia?”
Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, I turned to him, “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t miss the small genuine smile on his face as he said those words to me. And I can’t help but offer him my own genuine smile.
“No problem, babe.”
He was shocked to hear that, “What did you just say?”
“Babe,” I stated.
It’s almost like he couldn’t believe it and he asked me to repeat again, “Can you repeat it again?”
“Babe.”
“Gosh… It’s music to my ears.” He said as he recorded my voice with his phone. I shook my head at him, really, he’s always carefree.
When we finished, they set up the table outside as we decided to eat our dinner by the seashore. My cousin Eion asked his employees to set up some lights to create a romantic vibe.
Dax and the others were busy as they grabbed some firewood and made a bonfire on the side. At this point, I saw Hannah and Leroy finally joining us as Hannah was now feeling better.
“So, shall we eat our dinner now?” Asked Emma excitedly, looking at the food as she licked her lips and drooled.
“Wow, that looks yummy.” Snow commented, smiling at me. “Thank you for cooking all of this, Sereia.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it suits your taste.” I replied.
“Of course it would. You cooked it for all of us.” Replied Ember, which is Luke’s girlfriend. I feel my heartwarming from their messages.
Dax looked around and grinned at the sight. He smiled at me, giving me a thumbs up. “Looks like we’re having a feast tonight.” He commented, winking at me, and turned to his girlfriend. “Learn from her babe.”
At that, the smile on Emma’s face dropped and she bit her lip, looking at me with something in her eyes.
I blinked. Uhm…what is happening?
Dax patted my back, “I’m going to get some drinks.” He said and went out to go to the staff.
“I didn’t know you knew how to cook, cuz. It’s like yesterday when you fed me some worms when we were still children.” My cousin Eion commented, teasing me.
“Awe, you miss that time? Don’t worry, I put worms on your plate.” I said, not backing down. I feigned a serious look and horror-struck on his face.
“I know you’re just joking but why do I feel like you’re serious, cuz.”
I just shrugged at him, “See for yourself.”
When Dax returned to the table, we all settled ourselves and found our spot. All of them sat beside their loved ones and of course, I sat beside Phoenix.
Dinner by the seashore is amazing. We just chill and talk with each other. Luke decided to bring his ukelele as he started to string some chords and we jam to the music.
Leroy burped as he was finished eating. “Thanks for the delicious dinner. And because of that, we’ll cook the barbeque.” He announced, pulling Dax to the barbeque stand. .
As the two disappeared out of sight, Emma continued to tell more of their stories as we sat on the beanbags prepared for us by the staff.
“Remember that time when we went to Baguio? We rode horses and went on adventures. I can’t forget that time when Leroy even fell off the horse and bathed in the mud, the look on his face was priceless” Emma said as we erupted in laughter.
It was like Leroy almost sensed that we were talking about him so he gave us a dirty look. “Stop backstabbing me, Emma! I know you’re telling this to them again.” He yelled and faced his wife, “Babe, avenge me!”
Hannah nodded and it was her turn to tell us something.
“Oh, there’s more. That time when we went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter back in Tokyo? Dax got sick and even slapped the driver on the rides because he was scared. He was desperate to go home.” Hannah added and Dax glared at Hannah.
Leroy grinned at that, forming his hand heart shapes, and sent kisses to his wife.
Snow sighed, glancing at his fiancee, Eion who was hugging her from behind. “Well, we’ve been through a lot, haven’t we? And I hope we’ll have more adventures now that you come to us, Sereia.” She sent me a small smile, and I smiled back.
That was sweet and heartwarming, that feeling of belonging to something and welcomed. At this time, Dax and Leroy finally finished grilling the barbeques so they returned and handed the food to us one by one.
“I’m really happy that I chased Emma that day,” Dax confessed. “Despite her saying no several times, I still persisted.”
Snow scoffed at that, “More like bugged her that she finally was tired to deal with you.”
Emma gave a high five to Snow and they both giggled.
“Here we go again. Brace yourself, Sereia.” Ember warned me, chuckling
Dax scowled at Snow. “Oh c’mon. I got her purely by my charms. Right babe?”
Emma just shrugged and Dax pouted at her.
All this while, I glanced at Phoenix who was all silent beside me. I cleared my throat, “How about you, Luke? When are you going to marry Ember?” I asked.
My cousin Eion stiffened at that, and Snow cleared her throat.
I looked at the sudden change in the mood. Did I ask the wrong question?
Dax came over to whisper something in me. “Just a warning, Something happened between your cousin Eion, Snow, and Luke. It’s best if you don’t ask them about it.” He warned and I nodded.
“Got it.”
Emma looked at me and his boyfriend Dax and huffed.
She looked a bit annoyed at me and stood up. It’s like the mood changed.
All of us looked at her and back at Dax beside me. Everyone sighed as they mumbled “here we go again” It’s like they were used to it.
Dax sighed and walked after his girlfriend.
Snow came over, noticing my confused expression. “Does it always happen?” I asked her.
“Yeah… that’s how they really are. First, they’ll fight deadly the next day as if nothing happened.” She answered and I stayed silent.
I looked at the sand on the ground, biting on my lips nervously. Gosh, I think I just started something. It’s my fault, right? I glanced at Phoenix, looking for answers but he stayed silent. Not able to stay seated anymore, I stood up and went after the fighting couple.
“Where are you going?” Asked Phoenix, noticing me.
“I’m going after them,” I responded to him before walking away.
I saw the couple just outside the resthouse and I sneaked behind them, careful not to be noticed.
“Why are we even fighting about something so small like this? I thought we had already cleared it.” I heard Dax asking calmly, and Emma released a frustrated laugh.