Chapter 55 Campfire Surprise
\[Lilia\]
The tip of my tongue is itching to ask Aya about who it is that caught her heart, but if I do so, she still won't tell me, and all this excitement would be lost.
We have already changed into our swimsuits, and two bodyguards have come with us. The coast is just a walking distance, and the Caretaker directed us to the area of the beach where there was less of a current so that we could enjoy a swim there.
Aya's mood had improved as soon as the cerulean blue sea came into our sight and the sound of crashing waves reached our hearing.
I immediately kicked off my flip-flops and let my toes wiggle into the fine white sand, inhaling deeply as I allowed the crisp breeze to fill my lungs. My hair vigorously whipped at my head, and the cardigan robe I wore ruffled with the wind.
“This is so relaxing,” I say, releasing a deep breath and turning my attention to Aya, which was also doing the same thing as I did, but she had her eyes closed.
“Absolutely,” she sighs, peeling her gaze at me, and a smile stretches on her face. “Want to race?”
That was a relief, though. I thought I had ruined her mood.
I gave her a cheeky smile and nodded.
“You bet.”
After saying so, I did not wait for her response before I started running. I pulled off my cardigan and threw it away carelessly, without caring where it ended up.
As soon as my feet contact the water, I let out a shrill cry of excitement. Immediately after that, Aya collides with the waves right next to me, and we both burst out laughing while we splash into each other.
Our guards stoically stood on the dry sand, keeping a great distance where they couldn't get wet. However, we didn't pay attention to them and indulged ourselves in the sea. Swimming and enjoying. Aya is a fantastic swimmer, whereas I can barely call myself a competent paddler. It's not like it makes any difference anyway. We are not here to compete with one another but rather to have fun. We were having such a good time soaking up the sun and being in the moment that we nearly forgot that the sun was gradually lowering itself below the horizon.
Aya and I were talking about the most random things while we lay on the sand. We also had our sunglasses on, which by the way, she stowed in her shoulder bag. Just as I said, this girl knows exactly what we will need on any occasion.
We suddenly fell into silence, looking at the sun starting to paint orange and red hues in the sky. Its reflection casting sparkles on the surface of the water.
“Do you think Master Kael is okay with this? Us hitting the beach without asking him first?” Aya suddenly asked, breaking the silence around us.
I turn to look at her, pushing down my sunglasses to the bridge of my nose, and address her baseless worries.
“Aya, he already said he'd give you a day off. It wouldn't hurt his ass with this little escapade to the beach,” I say to her, reaching my hand to her. “In fact, nothing is going on that he didn't know about. What do you think these men were here for? While we were having a blast. Don't you think they haven't told Kael yet?”
Aya seemed to have thought about it for a moment, and then she only bobs her head up and down before she lies back. The comfortable stillness engulfs us one more, and only the squawks of seagulls can be heard around us.
We were entrapped by its tranquility when it was suddenly intercepted as someone’s presence loomed over us, and overlooking the steps ascending in our direction.
“Seems like you, ladies, are enjoying. Would you mind us joining you?” Kael's voice broke the silence, and I felt Aya had gone rigid like a block of solid iron.
While I remain composed, confident that we didn't do anything wrong. That unless his temperament changes and he gets furious without any reason.
“Why are you here?” I mused without moving an inch from the spot I lay. I felt his heavy stare gazing at the length of my body and even thought of hearing him growl, taking a gander with my swimsuit.
“Let me remind you, kukla. This is my place,” he replied, appearing to my view as he halted in his steps right above my head.
I looked at him for a short period, contemplating if he were indeed not mad, but all I could see on his face was a neutral expression, depicting neither he was glad or not.
Well, that could not be a good sign, can it?
“We're going back to the villa,” I sighed, not wanting to drag this conversation any longer, and to alleviate Aya’s tensions, I pushed myself up and was about to get on my feet when Kael stretched his hand to stop me.
“Don’t bother, and I already have someone bring us the things we needed for a campfire,” he stated, squatting down and touching my face, brushing off the sand that had clung to my cheek.
“We are having a campfire?” I quizzically stare at him, my brows pinching down in wonderment if he were telling the truth.
“Yes, kukla,” yet Kael confirmed it with a nod.
Though he seemed serious, I couldn't help but look at him with skepticism.
“Don’t you have any businesses to deal with?”
Val wasn’t here, but I am sure that they left the villa together this morning when we arrived here in Italy.
“No, we are done for today.” He said, responding to my inquiry. I leaned backward and sat on the heels of my feet, brushing the sand off my thighs and elbow as I shifted my attention to the woman who looked like she was frozen to death.
“Aya?” I called her name softly, and she turned on me.
“I don't see anything wrong with Master Kael’s plan, so why not?” She said, taking off her shades and fixing her gaze on me, conveying to me a silent message to just get on with Kael’s decision.
Now there are two of them ganging up on me.
Not having more of a choice, just like I always do, I eventually conceded.
“Okay,” I sighed and stood up and took off, running back to the waters.