CHAPTER NINETEEN - jealousy, jealousy
Shane's PoV
Damn, I look hot. I posed in front of the mirror once more. I doubt Kieran wouldn't get turned on once he sees me wearing this.
Believe it or not, this is the most "unexposed" swimwear I have even though a quarter of my breasts are showing from the long v-line at the center. Maybe I should just borrow Kieran's shirt and wear a regular two-piece bikini underneath.
Nah, I'm pretty sure they'll judge either way so might as well wear whatever the fuck I want. Respectfully, of course.
I went outside to our room's balcony and watched the calm waves from the sea. It's been a while since I've been to the beach. The last time I went was when I was still young.
My final memory of my birth mother.
I don't remember her face anymore, but I do remember how soothing her voice sounded when she called my name.
"My dear Anastasia Shane..."
She would brush off the sand off my legs as she held me in her arms, and we watched the sunset together. That was all I could remember.
Sighing, I wonder what my life would be like right now if she was still alive. Would I have still turned out like this? Broken, untrusting, and hated by almost everyone?
Would I have still met Kieran?
I looked at the scar on my wrist from eight years ago when I've almost given up. Maybe, just maybe, I'd still be able to become who I am today. Just a bit unproblematic, I guess.
When I glanced down the shore, I saw two familiar figures standing over what seemed like a washed away sandcastle with all the scattered shells and a huge pile of wet sand. A smile formed on my red lips when I realized who they were.
Ten years ago, I lost the little family I've always wanted to have. Now I get to have them back in my life again. Except Dylan's no longer a sweet little three-year-old girl. She's now a thirteen-year-old movie star whose name is known everywhere.
Both of them looked up to where I stood, but Kieran was the only one happily waving at me. Dylan just stood there with a blank expression.
Does she even remember me? I don't think so.
I went downstairs in hopes to meet with them. This is the moment I've been waiting for since Kieran and I resumed our relationship. My reunion with the brat.
When I got outside, a man, who is weirdly enough similarly looking with Kieran, stopped walking when he saw me. He showed a cheeky smile before approaching, eyeing me from head to toe.
"Naliligaw ka ata, Miss. Private property ito." He said, not even resisting the urge to stare at my boobs while he's talking.
"Oh?" I crossed my arms across my chest to subtly cover them from this pervert's eyes. "Didn't think I'd get caught inviting myself here. Do you mind showing me the right direction then?"
"My pleasure. This way's the exit." The man replied with a wide seductive smile. "Unless gusto mong may access talaga e' 'di sumama ka na lang sa akin. May Christmas family reunion kami ngayon. You can be my plus one."
"No thanks." I quickly replied coldly.
"Harsh naman. Ikaw na nga trespasser e." He walked me outside but somehow made another turn which took us to directly to the other side of the beach. Sneaky bastard. "Oh, look oh. May court pala dito ng beach volleyball."
From what I heard, the only reason why men likes women joining their beach volleyball games is because a couple of other things aside from the ball are bouncing. This man grabbed the ball and proudly showed it to me.
"Nice," I sarcastically nodded. "Do you need a medal for that?"
"Harsh talaga nito. Gusto ko lang makipaglaro e'." The fucker bravely stepped forward. "What's your name?"
"Shane."
The man smirked, "Lovely name you got there. I'm RJ." He leaned closer to my ear, intentionally attempting to make contact with my skin with his face. I dodged it. "By the way, has anyone ever told you that you are the most beautiful woman on this planet?"
"Yes, but not like how you said it." Kieran calls me pretty without directly saying it. He makes me feel that way. "Is this how you flirt with women? Say the corniest shit you can think of and expect them to spread their legs open for you immediately?" I laughed.
RJ flushed red in embarrassment.
"Well, if words do not work for you then..." he placed a hand on top of my shoulder in which I glared at it. "We can—"
"Take your fucking hand off of my shoulder or I will rip your arm out myself and beat you to death with it." I said while staring directly at him, not batting an eye.
"Uh—umm..sorry." RJ removed his hand and scratched his ducked head instead. "Nakakatakot ka naman."
"Mas matakot ka kapag nalaman ng kamaganak mo yung binabalak mo sa akin." I smirked devilishly. "You're Kieran's cousin, right?"
His brows raised in surprise then pointed at me. "Ikaw yung Shane na tinutukoy ni insan?!"
Well, that's interesting.
"He's mentioned me before?" I asked, supressing a smile.
"Oo naman! Hay nako, kung nakita mo lang kung gaano siya kadurog noon—teka, hindi ba si Kieran 'yon? May kasama siyang babae oh." RJ said which made my ears shot up.
When I snapped my head towards the direction RJ's pointing at, there I saw my boyfriend with another woman. The nerve.
"Grabe. Ang tindi nga naman ni insan. Matinik talaga 'yan sa chics kahit noong highschool pa kami. Alam mo bang lapitin siya ng mga babae—"
"I recommend you stop talking now if you wish to keep all your teeth inside your mouth." I shut him up. "Do you know who the girl is?"
"Um, teka lang tignan ko–AY! Si Sheryl!" My curiosity peaked when it seems like RJ knows who this bitch is. "Tangina, ang tindi!"
"So you know her?"
"Oo naman, syempre. Kilala ko lahat ng babae niyan." RJ said as if he's a proud wingman for Kieran.
"Then I assume you know who I am?"
"Anastasia Shane, 'di ba?"
I smirked, "Exactly. And correction...ako lang babae niyan."
I marched my way down to where they were and seated myself on one of the benches. One of the resort staff walked by pushing a cart full of buko drinks. After quickly handing her a thousand pesos bill, I took a sip and watched Kieran's back shiver. I know for a fact that this fucker is scared for his own life especially when he saw me watching him.
How amusing it is to have a single person's existence make my blood boil so easily just by looking at her. Jealousy has never been my strongest suit. But right now, I feel threatened.
Why the fuck would I feel threatened, right? I am Anastasia Shane. The baddest bitch this beach could have. Why would I ever care if another woman attempts to steal my man? For all I know, she could die trying. I trust that Kieran wouldn't do or say anything stupid—
"Tara, Kieran. Kain tayo ng lunch. Gutom ka na ba?"
I watched how enamored she was looking at his pale face. My eyes narrowed at the sight of her head leaning against his arm. The same arm I use as my pillow at night. It irks me that another woman tainted that.
"M-maybe next time, Sheryl."
Bloody. Fucking. Hell.
"Oh? So there's a 'next time'?" I laughed. "Okay, doctor. I can totally see why you're eager to come to the beach."
Kieran wanted to say something. An apology perhaps. Or throwing this Sheryl woman under the bus by saying she didn't want to let go of his arm. But the bitch didn't even let him speak.
"Teka nga kanina ka pa sumasapaw ah. Sino ka?" And she really had the fucking audacity to ask that so rudely too.
I tipped my head sideways and looked at her from head to toe with an eyebrow raised. By the looks of her one-piece swimming attire and the red cross logo on her sleeve, she must be a lifeguard.
Unfortunately, it's her own life she needs to guard closely from now on. Act like a bitch to me, I will show you what that truly looks like.
I sighed out loud before approaching her with both my arms crossed. Then I smiled.
A small crowd started to gather around us. All of them bear the same facial as Kieran. They must be his family and they must be curious as to what's the commotion about.
Embarrassing Kieran in front of his blood relatives by making a bad first impression is the last thing I want to do right now.
I lend a hand to Sheryl, "My name is Anastasia Shane—Kieran's fiancée."
When the words escaped my lips, it felt natural. Like I've been dying to say those words out loud for a long time. I've never liked marriages, which is ironic since I was married for ten years.
But looking back at how genuinely happy I was with the life I created for myself ten years ago with Kieran and his daughter, I realized that I also have a dream.
I want to keep that feeling forever.
Maybe next time.
The way she smiled when he said that is annoying. Like hell she would actually have a chance of having lunch with my man.
To think he'd actually say that too? In fromt of me? Bloody fucking annoying.
The next thing I knew was that Kieran was dragging me away from the attention we were getting. I'm way past creating unnecessary attention since college. Whatever happened back there was a first for me. I've never been the jealous type but somehow I felt threatened that someone wanted to take my happiness from me.
Kieran brought me behind the hotel near the more condensed area of coconut trees and tried kissing me. I dodged his lips and removed my hand from his tight grasp.
He frowned, "You're mad."
"Why would I be mad? This is my calm face." I told him. He tried to reach for my hand but I put his hand down. "Don't fucking touch me."
"So you are mad."
"Kieran, I wouldn't let you drag me all the way here if I'm mad. I'm irritated, there's a difference—I told you not to touch me." I narrowed my eyes at Kieran, sending him a final warning with my glare.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. Nasabi ko lang 'yon kasi rinereto siya sa akin ni Tita Irene e' pinapanood niya kami—"
"Do you really think I give a fuck whether your tita is watching or not? You have a fucking girlfriend!" I couldn't help but raise my voice. It's not even painful. It really was just annoying. "Even if the whole world is watching, you shouldn't lead someone else on like that. Especially when you have me!"
"Okay, okay. Calm down, baby. I'm so sorry—" Kieran tried to hold my hand for the third time. I avoided his touch. "I know I fucked up."
"'Buti naman alam mo. Letting some random ass bimbo touch you? In front of me? She best better be thankful I didn't want to ruin my nails." I looked down at my new acrylics checking to see if it's chipped. Thankfully it's not. "It's not worth destroying these for her."
Kieran didn't realize I caught his tiny smile, stifling his laughter.
"Aww, selosa ka pala, baby." And he had the balls to tease me. "Bago 'yan ah?"
"Oh, shut up you. I'm still pissed." Namewang ako to show him the body he's risking if he keeps that up. "Let someone touch you like that again, I'll feel sorry for her." Imagine competing against me? It's already a tragedy just by thinking about it.
"Ikaw nga hinayaan mo lang hawakan ka ni Roland kanina." Kieran replied.
"Who the fuck is Roland?" My mouth opened in horror when this man pouted. The fuck? "Will you stop that? Bloody hell, Kieran! Your face is annoying!"
"Nakakatampo namang nagagalit ka sa akin pero ikaw rin naman kanina ganon din ginawa." Blood rushed up to my face when he crossed his arms. "Sa pinsan ko pa."
"What the fuck are you talking about—oh." Then I remembered RJ. "Weirdly enough, he introduced himself to me as RJ."
"Roland Josh Ramos. Palayaw niya lang 'yon."
"That's the ugliest name I've ever heard." I commented and laughed a little. Kieran Joshua is way better. "Your cousin's really interesting to talk to. He was really nice to me too."
Kieran rolled his eyes, "Was it really necessary to compliment him? Magtatampo talaga ako—"
"Subukan mo lang at ikaw rin susuyo sa sarili mo." I cut him off, which made him laugh.
"'Buti naman at naging mabait siya sa iyo. I was scared that he'd ask you to sleep with him." He laughed once more as he smoothly stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around me.
"But he did."
"That's a relief to hear—wait, what?" His smile faded into a grim expression. "He did?"
"Yup."
Kieran slowly fumed in anger, "Anong sinabi sa iyo? Anong sinabi mo? Tumanggi ka naman 'di ba? Anong sinabi niya nung tumanggi ka?"
"Why the fuck are you mad? It's not like I said yes to him." I answered sharply. "At least I didn't say 'maybe next time' to him like you did!" Naalala ko na naman. Tangina.
He sighed, bringing me closer for a tight hug. I felt him plant a kiss on my hair.
"You're right, I'm so sorry. I promise that won't ever happen again." Kieran tried to lift my chin up with his index finger but I sneered at him. "Come on, baby. Look at me."
"No."
"Baby, look at me so I can apologize some more." He begged before raising my chin to meet his gaze. With a smile, he leaned in for a kiss. Our lips moved slowly as he whispered another apology in between our breaths. "I love you. Only you, Anastasia Shane."
Would hearing that make my knees weak and melt on the floor? This bitch says fuck yeah.
Besides, I couldn't resist his touch anyway.
I could feel someone watching us from a distance. With one eye peeking over Kieran's shoulder, I saw Sheryl looking at us.
"Mm." I moaned in between the kisses which I know all too well turns Kieran on. With one arm hooked around his neck, I pulled him closer to my face to deepen our kiss.
Kieran groaned, both his hands gripped my hips tightly then closed the gap between our bodies by pulling me closer. My mouth opened to grant his tongue access and interweave with mine.
I shifted our position a bit so Sheryl could have the best view. I debated whether to fuck him for her to see just to remind her of her place, but decided against it. The sand looked uncomfortable to lie down own. I didn't want my newly bought swimsuit to get too sandy.
Sheryl shook her head at me. Ha!
I broke away from this kiss, still locking eyes with Sheryl, and exposed my neck for Kieran. He understood without even me uttering a single world. Lips left trails of wet kisses from my lips down to my neck until it reaches my collarbone. I grabbed on to his neck with one hand and the other reach behind his back to show Sheryl the middle finger.
She finally retreated back inside her shack. Aww, she's gonna miss the best part.
Kieran paused and let out a laugh, "umalis na siya 'no?" My eyes went wide.
"You knew she was watching the entire time?!" I asked appalled. "And you still went with it."
Kieran pinched my cheek and laughed heartily.
"Of course. I get to make out with you while you get your revenge. Win-win para sa akin 'yon." He smiled, planting another kiss on my hair. "Lugi ka nga lang. Mas nag-enjoy ako e'."
Just like that, my knees are weak again as my heart couldn't stop racing.
"We should probably head back and meet your family." I changed the subject while I hid my reddened face by looking away.
"Okay, baby." He laced our fingers together. "May continuation 'yon mamaya." Kieran winked.
Bloody hell. I wish we could just skip meeting his family and go straight to our room instead right this second.