Azalea's POV,
Sighing, I sat on the side of the bed, scrolling through my phone. I tried to chat Leonel and asked him how is he but he's not responding since then.
Suddenly, Rico's message pop up on my screen. "I'm already here at our meeting place, I'll be waiting for you." — Rico.
Mindlessly, I put my phone into my pocket, proceeding to the door. I glanced first at the bathroom door, hearing the splash of water inside. I'll just leave a message to Zack.
Plunging my hands inside my pocket, I grab my phone and texted him that I'll go outside to meet Rico. After that I put again my phone inside my pocket and went off. I wonder what Rico will tell me.
I went inside the elevator, tapping the first floor. Fortunately, no one is around me right now. Upon reaching the first floor, I hurriedly went outside and entered the beach part of the resort.
Plenty of people are still swimming in the beach even though it's already 6 in the evening.
I looked around to search where is the cottage 16 and I saw it near the coconut trees far from the other people. There, I saw Rico standing near the cottage. He's crossing his arms, eyeing straight at the sea in front. He look so serious, I wonder why.
"Hey!" I said, stealing his attention as I went beside him. There's no customer inside the cottage 16, so we're completely alone in this area right now.
"Hello Azalea, goodevening," he greeted as soon as he sees me.
"Goodevening too, what do you want to tell me?" I asked straightforwardly, standing at his right side, facing the sea.
"Before I answer that, what do you think about this place?" he asked casually, looking around the place.
"This place?" I glanced at him and he nods. "It's pretty and calming at the same time."
"Is it still calming for you despite the noises from the people around?" he asked, chuckling.
"Without them, this place is calming. That was what I'm trying to imply," I explained, curving a halfway smile.
"I see. I understand now," he said, spinning his heel to face me. I turn my head in the left side, eyeing straight at him. "Azalea I'm thankful to you. You're the reason why I changed. You made realized a lot of things."
Swallowing a lump, I spin my body to face him perfectly. His eyes is completely focused on mine. He's smiling genuinely. It makes me feel that something is off.
"I thought my life wouldn't change anymore but I was wrong. I'm now completely the Rico I used to when I was a child. It thanks to you Azalea." He snatched my left hand, caressing it softly.
"Rico I didn't do a thing, you were the one who changed yourself not me," I explained, curving a smile.
"But I'm still thankful." He took his deepest breath, closing his eyes and open it again. "You changed me Azalea not just my life but also my feelings."
And that's the time when my eyes widened in shocked and confused at the same time.
"At first I tried to ignore it 'cause I thought it was just nothing. However, as the time flies by, it became more and more deeper," he explained, caressing his chest using his right hand.
If I was right he is—no, it couldn't be! Rico shouldn't feel that feelings to me.
"Azalea, I like you. Not just for being friend but I like you romantically. So if you may allow me, I'll show you how genuine my feelings are. I promise I won't disappoint you," he revealed, squeezing my left hand.
"U-uh Rico." I remove my hand from his. I don't know why I'm feeling awkward right now. I didn't anticipate this. He shouldn't have felt that in the first place. "Perhaps you're just tired, come on let's go back to the hotel and res—"
"No, I'm not tired Azalea. I know you're feeling awkward, since I'm your friend but please don't run away from me," he pleaded, holding my left wrist. His eyes are begging for me.
"Rico I'm sorry but I don't deserve your feelings, and you know that I already have someone I love right?" I uttered, removing his hand from mine.
"I know but feelings can change right? Zack and you aren't still in a serious relationship, he's still courting you—"
"But I'm sure that I'll answer him right away, so please Rico stop that feeling immediately. I don't want you to get hurt because of me," I begged, clutching my clothes, lowering my head to face the sand beneath us.
"I don't care if I get hurt but please let me show my feelings, Azalea please let me court you," he begged. I lift my head up, seeing the tears building up in his eyes.
"But Rico if you did that you'll just let yourself suffer," I mumbled, swallowing a lump. I can't stand this anymore. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. I know he's feeling down right now and as his friend, I don't want that.
"Azalea please at least let me." He entwined his hands as his tears trickled down from his eye.
My tears are forming inside my eyes too. I averted my eyes off him to prevent it to fall.
"I'll think about it first," I muttered, glancing at him. "We should get back now and eat dinner. They'll probably waiting for us." I turn my back on him and started walking away. I wanted to look back to check him but I kept myself in control. If I do that, I would just help him to suffer even more.
I looked at my phone, seeing plenty of messages from Zack. He's looking for me now and he's very worried about me. Putting back my phone inside my pocket, I walked fastly to the hotel to meet him. I'll just relax with him and forget about what happened earlier.
Zackarius's POV,
"Wooh! That was refreshing." I opened the bathroom door, proceeding inside the room. I went to the table and checked my phone and there I noticed two messages from unknown number and from Azalea. Looking around the room, I noticed that Azalea isn't here.
"Where did she go? Don't tell me Rico already made his move? I should go." I was about to wear my t-shirt but my phone suddenly vibrated. I tap the messages from the unknown number and there, I saw their text messages.
"What do you want for your birthday?"
"Want me to visit you?" all of this messages are from that unknown person. Ignoring their messages, I put my shirt on, reading Azalea's message.
My eyes widened in shock upon reading what she said. She's with Rico right now. I knew it. Frantically, I proceed outside the room, still holding my phone. I thought Rico was just bluffing but it turns out not.
Flashback
"I've decided!" Rico uttered desperately, balling his fist.
Confusedly, I turn my head to face him. His head is lowered, facing the pool.
"I'll confess to Azalea, I'll tell her my feelings," he said desperately, lifting up his head to face me.
So this is his other motive that I've been feeling all along? He has romantic feeling towards Azalea.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, trying to sound calm, but honestly my anger are slowly building up in my head. I shouldn't be mad at him, knowing that I'm not yet Azalea's boyfriend.
"You're her suitor, so you must know this. Zack I'll court Azalea too. I'll show her my feelings and I won't lose to you!" he announced, pointing his index finger at me.
"Huh? So you're taking me as your rival? Rico let me tell you this, Azalea and I has the same feelings since we were young, therefore, there's no place for you to take her," I reminded, balling my fist under the pool.
"That's the purpose of courting right? You'll court her until she has the same feelings with you. And I'll do everything to make her mine. I'll protect her. I'll treat her as my queen," he explained, dropping his arm in the pool.
"It's your decision, I'm not in the position to stop you. However, I won't lose either. I'll do everything to make her mine. Just like what you said, I'll protect her, I'll treat her nicely and lastly I won't make her suffer in my care," I uttered with my full determination. There's no way I'll lose to this guy. I'll make sure that Azalea and I will end up to each other. I'll fight for her. I'll fight for our love.
"Let's see." He sighed. "Later at night, I'll confess my feelings to her. Stop her if you can but you can't stop me," he whispered right in my ear.
End of Flashback.
Gasping for air, I ran outside the hotel, proceeding to the entrance of the beach resort. However, I froze in my position, seeing Azalea, walking towards me. Her face is lowered, she's facing the ground blankly.
What happened? Why does she look so down? Does Rico succeed his plan?
Shaking my head, I ran towards her. She lift her head up as our eyes met. Her eyes are red, it seems like she was holding her tears. However, for what reason? Did she reject Rico?
"What happened? Are you okay?" I asked, holding her shoulders gently.
"I'm fine Zack, no need to worry," she answered, flashing a forcible smile. I know something isn't right based on her smile.
Gently, I pulled her for a hug, holding her head. "What happened?" I asked again. Although I have an idea now.
"Nothing special, just Rico and I had a casual conversation," she answered plainly, burying her face in my chest.
"What did you two talked about?" I asked nosily.
She didn't respond for a moment. She just wrapped her arms around my waist as I felt her heavy breathing on my chest.
"We just talked about his family....yes about his family," she replied.
Sighing, I rub her back. I don't want to ask anymore. Perhaps she doesn't want to talk about what happened. I'll respect her decision then.
"Are you hungry? Do you want to go back?" I questioned worriedly, pulling out from our hugs.
"Yes I'm hungry, let's go back," she agreed as she walked faster than me. She grab her phone from her pocket, typing something on it.
Wordlessly, I followed her. I wrapped my left arm around around her waist until we reach the hotel. Many people are looking at us. Some are even whispering to each other after looking. We just ignored it of course.
"Where did you come from? We were looking for you? And where's Rico too?" Maica questioned without pausing as we met them in front of the restaurant.
"We just hangout and about Rico I already texted him to come here," Azalea answered.
"Huh nevermind! Come here." Maica pulled Azalea from me. "I'll borrow our friend first." I just smiled at her and we went inside the restaurant.
I glanced at Anthony. He's looking straight at Krystal. I've been eyeing the two of them since we arrived here, and I noticed that this guy is constantly staring at Krystal and Rico at Azalea.
We took our seats and ordered our foods. Later on Rico already appeared and took his seat between Maica and Anthony. The table is round that's why we're all sitting next to each other.
"Do you want me to help?" I asked Azalea who's having a hard time to cut the steak.
"Oh sure." She smiled and let me handle her knife and fork.
Upon slicing the steak, I heard Anthony and Rico talking to each other. Even though I don't want to know what they're talking about, but still, I can hear them.
"Where the hell did you come?" Anthony asked Rico exasperatedly.
"I just roam around dude, why do you look so mad?" he asked, laughing.
"Where did you roam?" Anthony asked. That's the last words I heard from them, when Azalea spoke to me.
"That's enough Zack, you can eat now." She tapped my back softly, motioning me to eat.
"O-okay," I said, giving her the knife and fork. I continue eating my food. Maica and Krystal are talking to each other the same with Anthony and Rico.
Rico isn't talking a lot now, I'm sure he already did his business with Azalea. I glanced at her, she's avoiding Rico's gaze.
As I look at him again, our eyes met. It is full of rivalry and any other emotion. Rico was the one who broke our stare as he continues eating his meal.
"What's with this silence?" Maica asked unbelievably, looking at all of us. "And you, why are you so silent? Are sick fool?" she asked teasingly, curving a smirk.
"I'm not, perhaps you are." Rico laughed, making Maica to slap his right arm.
"Azalea I texted Leonel earlier," Krystal said to my Señorita. I just kept my silence and continue listening to them.
"Hmm then what did he says?" Azalea questioned, pouring juice into her glass.
"He said he's also in a vacation with his friends and I just told him to enjoy." Krystal shrugged.
"He better tell us what will happen to his vacation on Monday," Azalea uttered, making Krystal to nod.
"By the way guys, tomorrow we'll go to the beach. I already rented a cottage," Maica prompted.
"Wow that's nice!" Azalea nodded cheerfully.
Involuntarily, smile curved onto my lips. Finally, her mood already changed.
"What hour we will go there?" Krystal questioned, swallowing her food.
"11:00 am. Let's play volleyball too since there's a court there," she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"That will be fun," Azalea uttered, raising her thumb.
"Aza continue your food," I reminded nonchalantly, once I noticed that she's stopping.
"Fine." She pouted.
***