+++++
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A repetitive beeping sound comes from my computer, as revives from sleep mode and opens up Skype.
'Incoming call from: Parents'
Clicking the accept button, a few seconds later, Mum and Dad pop up on the screen, masking their sadness with a smile. As they greet me, a little ruckus heard in the background.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, concerned, dropping my clothes that I was packing to go to the screen, giving them my full attention.
"It's been a little rough, but we're working through it. Have you finished packing for Paris?" Mum asks sweetly, playing if nothing is wrong. I knew there was something odd, but I couldn't quite tell.
"Yeah, I'm nearly done. I'm leaving home soon so-"
"We won't take too much of your time. We just called to check if everything is okay and to say that we may delay our flight back because-"
"Why? Is Aunt Shelby okay?" I jump, worried now.
"Her condition has gotten worse over the past few days so we're just going to stay behind and take care of her before we leave. Don't worry, we'll be back before graduation."
I swear they weren't telling me something. I could tell they were hiding something, but what was it?
"We just wanted to keep you in the loop. Don't worry, everything is being taken care of, just have a safe trip," Mum says with a smile, "Be happy."
Happy. Did I even remember how to be truly happy? It had been so long.
"I will," I say, smiling back. After saying my goodbyes to my parents, I zipped my suitcase, all packed and ready to go. I lug it downstairs where Ryder was waiting with his suitcase, looking as if he was texting someone.
He wore black jeans, paired with a plain navy blue casual shirt, whereas I wore red jeans matched with a plain white top and a grey cardigan.
He didn't even notice my presence till he heard me place down my bag next to his, standing now directly in front of him as he lifts his gaze to meet mine.
"The cab is waiting outside. You ready?" he asks, slipping his phone into his back pocket.
"Yeah," I say with a smile. Greeting Linda, I walk over to where she stood as she cupped my face with her soft hands, making me smile a little wider.
"Take care of her Ryder," she says, pulling me into a hug, before whispering something softly into my ear, "Be safe."
"I will," I say, reassuring her that I'll be okay.
Jayden and Ryder had placed our bags into the cab, setting us for the journey ahead.
"Let's go."
+++++
The plane ride to Paris wasn't too bad. Since Paris was roughly only a few hours away, Ryder and I decided to watch a few movies, chat a little then play some games.
Before we knew it, we were in Paris, France.
Time flew by without me noticing.
"Take us to Le Burgundy Paris, s'il vous plait," Ryder says in a French accent, impressing me.
"Since when did you learn how to speak French?" I ask Ryder as I buckle myself to the seat. Rolling down the window, I feel the heat pass off, onto my vulnerable, slightly open body.
"During those two years of travel, I picked up a few phrases," he simply states, not really implying much detail.
The drive was only twenty minutes from the airport, leading us into the heart of town.
"Here we are, Le Burgundy Paris. Ninety Euros please," the driver asks with a thick French accent.
"Merci," I say before leaving the cab with my suitcase and a few other bags.
We then dragged our suitcases to the grand lobby which looked far more like an entrance to a fancy restaurant than a hotel.
"Welcome sir, madam, how may I help?" a middle aged women warmly greets, a great-big smile plastered into her face.
"Booking under the name Ryder Stone and Ember Wilson."
"One moment please," she says as she searches for the names on the database, "Welcome. Here are your room keys, we hope you will have an enjoyable stay with us."
Issuing us two room keys, she then hands us the suite keys and signals for a bellhop to assist us with the baggage. Slipping the card into my back pocket, I thank her before turning to see something unexpected.
I turned around to see one of the most good looking guy's I have ever laid eyes on. He looked a year or two older, with pure grass green eyes, chocolate brown, brunette hair and a breath taking smile with a dimple on his right cheek.
I swear I looked foolish as I kept my eyes on him the entire time, a goofy smile appearing onto my face. I felt warm inside when he gave me a smile, making me grin wider than ever. His defined muscles flexed as he lifted our suitcases on to the trolley.
"Follow me," he says with his breath taking accent, making my heart melt. I took a glance at his name tag that read 'Travis'.
"Stop drooling, you're out of his league," I felt Ryder whisper into my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist and lead me to the elevator.
Was he jealous?
"But I could bake a cake on him, he's that hot," I lovingly say as the words slip out of my mouth, letting my eyes scan the rest of his body.
"Whatever," he mutters before unwrapping his arm, lagging behind a little.
What happened? I didn't say anything wrong, I mean, it's not like we were dating so why was Ryder jealous of Travis?
The doors of the elevator close shut as the dreamy boy stands closer to me as I could smell his enchanting deodorant, he then decides to introduce himself.
"My name is Travis, if you need anything, just call," he finishes with a charming smile, I felt my heart melt once more as his eyes shone with a joy.
This was going to be fun, especially if he's around.
Something about him was familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Pushing the doubt behind, the elevator doors open, and we exit.
Leading the way to our room, our hands touch momentarily when Travis takes the room card out of my hands to unlock the door.
He gestured for us to go in first, the he followed, bring in the trolley in front of him. I helped unload our bags on the stand, feeling tingles shoot up my body every time our hands touched.
"Thank you," I say with a smile as Travis leaves the room with his trolley, "Bye."
Letting out a happy sigh, I close the door and head back to the balcony where Ryder was waiting, watching my every movement. Walking closer towards him, I sense a mood change as he waits for me to get close enough.
"I booked a room with only one bed," he says, a smirk playing on his lips, "Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, I'll sleep on the couch while you take the bed," I laugh with a hint the sarcasm in my voice, hoping it will lighten up the tension.
A moment of silence passed, nothing but awkward silence.
"What do you want to do now?" he asked, giving me some relief.
"Let's go swimming?" I suggest, but he decided to retort a snarky comeback, thinking he was the man of victory. Very funny.
"If you want to see me shirtless so bad, all you have do is just ask," he smirked, teasing me by unbuttoning his shirt- all the way done. I couldn't help but lower my eyes down to see a perfectly toned and defined pack of abs.
"Done staring?"
"I can easily top that," I say, setting the challenge.
"Show, don't tell," he grinned, pulling me towards him, "Unless you want me to do the honors."
I felt his arm around my waist once again, him playing with the end of my shirt.
In your dreams, mate.
Pulling away from his playful grip, I turn heel and go back into the room, finding my suitcase and taking out my bikini with short bottoms and a low cut top. It was my turn to play, hopefully getting one step further to success.
If he thinks he has a body, wait until he sees mine.
Taking this as my opportunity to weaken him, I knew I could easily win this bet within a few more days. Just a little patience, and he won't see it coming.
"If he wants teasing revealing, I'll give him that," I whisper to myself, a smirk appearing on my lips.
Heading to the bathroom to do a quick change, I return a few minutes later with only a bikini on, along with a towel hung on my shoulder.
"Done staring?" I smirked, claiming victory as I slide on the floral playsuit with the low v-cut front.
"I was- I wasn't staring," he croaked, only for me to crack up laughing.
"Let's go," I say recovering from my small fits of laughter.
That was so worth it.
I walk out the door, with the room key in my back pocket, only to stop outside, leaning on the railings and waiting for Ryder to follow behind. It was a few minutes before he came, as I assumed he changed his bottoms.
Moments later, Ryder comes out the door with nothing but his swim trunks on and a towel over his shoulder. We walked in silence to the elevator, waiting for the doors to open.
"Remember, no bringing any random girl into our room," I say firmly, pressing the 'Level 1' button where the pool and spa was located.
"Remember, no bringing any random guy into our room," he mimics me, as the elevator door opened up, letting us walk towards the pool.
Ignoring his lame comeback, my eyes search for Travis's presence. I wonder where he went? After scanning my surroundings, I turn back to Ryder to see him with a couple of clingy girls stuck to both sides of him and in front of him.
Well that didn't take long.
I thought we made a pact? We wouldn't play each other like that? Yeah, maybe I may have admired Travis a little too much, but I wasn't intentionally flirting with him. My hands were definitely not all over him, so why would Ryder do this?
Forget it Em, it's not worth it right now.
I roll my eyes, walking to a free beach chair, take of my shorts and top, placing my towel and clothing items onto the chair, I then go around to where the stairs are for the pool. I slowly lower myself into the water, and start swimming freely.
I felt myself relax as the cool water consumes me, relaxing my mind and letting be think clearly.
+++++
A giggle in the distance caught my attention, ruining my peace when I come to know there was a girl pinned up against a wall by none other than Ryder.
Feeling disgusted, I place all my weight onto my two arms and heave myself out of the pool. Walking towards where I placed my gear, I notice a familiar face smiling back at me.
Travis.
He looked different; he wasn't wearing his uniform, instead, he wore a pair of peach shorts and a multi coloured beach shirt.
He looked very attractive. I felt myself being a magnet and him being a fridge, helplessly attracting me to him.
Drying myself, before wrapping my towel around my waist and laying down onto the beach chair, relaxing myself once again.
"Hey," I warmly greet, acknowledging his presence.
"Hey, Ember, right?" he greets with a smile, flashing his perfect teeth that melts my heart yet again. How cliche was I being around an extremely attractive guy?
What struck me the most was how he didn't have a French accent, no where close. I guess he must have migrated here or something.
"Yeah, it's Ember," I confirm, as he orders us drinks.
"That's a pretty name, Ember. So, where's your boyfriend?"
The waiter comes back with two icy lemonades, thanking them both, I take one and extinguish the heat by one sip.
"He's not my boyfriend," I flatly say, pointing to Ryder's whereabouts with that girl.
"Then looks like you're available to have dinner tonight with me?"
Oh my god.
Did he just ask me out on a date? Someone hold the phone while I go scream like a teenage girl at a concert.
"Like a date?" I hint, secretly hoping it would be a yes.
I don't know how or why, but I felt a strange connection between Travis and I but it feels more than nice- it feels amazing.
But Ryder was the reason I was holding back.
But why?
It's clearly obvious he wants to break my heart, I mean, if he really liked me, I doubt even think about kissing another girl.
"Ember Wilson, will you do me the honor and accompany me tonight for dinner as a date?" Travis sophisticatedly said, making me laugh a little.
"I would love to."
+++++
We talked for a while, finding some common ground, then we went for a dip in the cool pool. It was great that we connected so quickly, having so much to talk about took time right out of our hands.
"So, how long have you been staying here?" I asked Travis as we swim to the corner of the pool where no one was, giving us some privacy.
It was getting dark, meaning most people decided to call it a day and head back to their rooms, leaving this place practically vacant for us to swim to our desire.
"I'm just filling in for a friend, going to leave in about a week, back to New York," he says, and I nod understandingly, "How long are you staying?"
"A week maybe? Not quite sure," I honestly say, not knowing what else to reply with.
A moment passed by, without anyone speaking before he decides to break the moment of silence.
"Let's play a game," he suggests, making me quirk an eyebrow, "Just answer random questions otherwise you have to do a dare?"
"You go first," I say, agreeing to play.
"How many boyfriends have you had?"
"Really?" I ask, a little annoyed but masked it with a faint laugh, "One."
"You know, I can change that if your willing."
Smooth.
His comment made the blood rush to my cheek twice as fast, making me blushing insanely red.
"Embarrassing story?" I asked, waiting for a reply.
"I was at the airport duty free once, and then my brother wanted to get some glasses, even though he didn't need it. So I thought he was looking and the glasses, and I walk up to this random dude instead and start giving him a lecture on how he doesn't need glasses- man, it was awkward and embarrassing," he laughed, making me laugh twice as hard.
"Good job."
"Your turn missy," he points out, giving me a different look, "Do you want to kiss me?"
He moved closer, making me feel somewhat comfortable and safe? He kept his eyes locked with mine, placing his hand on my lower back and pushing me slightly forward, towards him.
I had no idea how to reply, just felt myself stuck in the moment. Obviously I did want to, but part of me felt like I would be betraying Ryder.
What should I do?
"Do you?"
He leaned forward, closing the gap between our bodies, making me now certain of what I wanted. I felt everything go away, all my worries and stresses.
My lips touched his, ever so lightly but closed all the gaps remaining. My eyes closed as I let my lust for Travis take control.
Wrapping my legs around his lower waist, and my hands cupping his face, our breaths mingled as one, as we stay in this moment together, enjoying every part, but the moment died when someone else's voice was heard.
A voice filled with hurt.
"Ember?"
+++++
Ryder's POV
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Ember kissing Travis.
I felt my heart destroy into a million pieces. Those should be my lips pressed up against Ember's, not his.
"Ember?"
With the sound of my voice, their kiss broke apart almost instantly as Ember turned towards me and that stupid Travis looked at me with a massive grin.
What was so great about this guy anyway?
He's a bloody idiot! How can Ember not see it?
"Ember, let's go," I demand, extending my arm, offering to help her out.
"You can't tell her what to do," Travis retorts, defending Ember.
I saw her gaze met his, but not mine, not even once. Why was she acting like this? Did I do something-
"She's not a toy, definitely not like the one you were toying with just a few minutes ago," Travis remarks, hitting me right in the gut with his words.
How could I be so foolish? What was wrong with me? How could I make such a huge mistake?
Everything came as a blur as I realised how bipolar my attitude has been over these past few days. Thanks to that stupid game and everyone involved, I felt myself shutting Ember out. I needed to take of some tension, and that chick was more than willing to help.
"Sorry Em, I've got to go now. We might have to reschedule our date" Travis says, lifting himself up from the pool, but before he did, he wrapped his arms around her, "I'll see you around."
"Okay," was the first word I've heard from her since I came here. Her voice and attitude towards him was different, more happier than when she's with me.
I wanted her to be happy, but Travis had bad vibes. He wasn't right for her, and I vowed to myself that I would protect Ember, so no way was I going to let her end up with the wrong guy, even if it wasn't me.
Just as he left, I take a seat next to the pool, where Ember was floating, now ready to face me.
"I'm sorry-"
"Why?" she asked, I could identify the hurt laced, yet hidden in her eyes and tone of voice.
"I made a mistake, and I'm sorry it hurt you-"
"Nothing hurt me," she says in a normal tone, now pretending like she was okay when I knew she wasn't, "I'm fine."
She hoisted herself up, from the pool, the water dripping of her beautiful body. It took so much power for me not to just hold her in my arms right now. I got up, resisting the temptation.
She tried to walk past me, but I stopped her, not letting her move a single inch further.
"Then why the hell are you kissing a jerk like him?"
"He's not a jerk," she defends, "He's not a player either."
Ouch.
That hurt, a little at least.
"You think I'm a player?"
"Well what else should I call you? One moment you have me in your trance, then the next, you have another girl wrapped around your finger," she argues, and I see her point.
God, why do I have to make these kinds of mistakes over and over again?
"Em, you know-"
"I'm sorry but I need some time, to clear my head and gather my thoughts," she states, leaving me in dumbfounded.
"I need a break from us."
+++++
Author's Note ~
Hey guys, quick reminder that I'm getting a good progress on my editing! I'm so happy that we're close to 15K, so soon I can post the first ever look for the sequel!
I decided to keep this note short because I wanted to start editing chapter 12 as soon as possible, so...
Until then ~