Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter[5]

CHAPTER 5

Noah Blanco.

I woke up, flinching and quickly hopping off the bed when I realized that Selena was not next to me. The soft sheets felt oddly cold without her warmth beside me. For a brief moment, I entertained the unsettling thought that I had simply been imagining her presence the entire time, as if I had never actually met that captivating girl before. But then, when I spotted her dress and bags tossed haphazardly on the floor, a wave of relief washed over me. After the passionate night I had just experienced with her, and considering how she had looked like an absolute goddess in the soft morning light, I had briefly worried that maybe I had been delusional, lost in a fantasy of my own making.

With a deep breath, I called out her name, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet room, but there was no answer. My heart began to race — which was strange, considering I had always thought of myself as somewhat heartless. “What if she left?!” I thought, scratching my forehead anxiously, my mind racing with worry. Just then, Selena emerged from the shower room, a slight smile playing on her lips, droplets of water glistening on her skin. "Good morning, Mr. Noah," she greeted, her voice bright and teasing, instantly dispelling my fears.

I raised my eyebrows, trying to calm myself down, as if I could never get enough of her gorgeous body. She was already wearing a casual pink dress that clung to her curves perfectly, accentuating her figure in a way that made my breath hitch. Even so, her smile was breathtaking and adorable — it had a profound effect on me, stirring something deep within that I had long kept buried.

“Oh, has the cat got your tongue?!” she teased, stepping closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I was left gaping at her, utterly speechless. I desperately wanted to pull her back onto the bed, to reclaim the intimacy we had shared just hours before, but the cynical voice inside me whispered, “Noah, don’t show her how much you like her. Keep your distance.”

I frowned and tried to hide my real emotions behind a mask of indifference. “Just checking why I asked you to be in a relationship with me! You look normal!” I said with a sardonic smirk, hoping to play it cool. Okay, I lied — she looked absolutely adorable, even with that already arrogant demeanor that somehow only made her more endearing.

She was wearing her high heels as she replied, “Normal?! Huh?! Don’t touch me again! Bye for now.” With a playful wink and a wave, she shut the door of the suite behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts, confusion swirling in my mind like the morning fog outside.

I stood up, rubbing my forehead in frustration. “What? Where’s she going now?” I wondered aloud, perplexed by her sudden departure. I felt a strange mix of disappointment and curiosity as I pondered her words, trying to decipher the enigma that was Selena.

After a quick shower, I changed my clothes, opting for a crisp white shirt and fitted jeans that made me feel a little more put together. I instructed one of the guards to keep a close eye on her and stick to her like a shadow, unable to shake the feeling that I needed to protect her. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt an inexplicable need to appear more handsome, though I wasn't entirely sure why. But deep down, I knew I desired it; perhaps it was for her.

I strode out of the suite with purpose, calling the guard. "Where is she?"

“Sir, she’s by the pool, and she’s drinking,” the guard informed me. I hung up and made my way down to the pool area, my heart racing with a mix of concern and curiosity.

'Drinking so early?! She’s so weird!' I thought to myself as I hurried to the pool bar and pulled up a chair next to her. The sun was shining brightly, glinting off the water, and I could see her silhouette lounging comfortably, seemingly unbothered by the world around her.

“You are drinking this early?” I raised an eyebrow at her, but before she could answer, the bartender poured one of my special cocktails for me, the vibrant colors swirling in the glass, catching the light like a rainbow.

She dropped her jaw, then laughed hysterically. “What?! I thought you said ‘early,’ and now you’re drinking early just like me?” she said in disbelief, her laughter infectious. I couldn't help but chuckle along, feeling the tension from earlier dissipate.

I nodded, a smirk forming on my lips. “Yes, I do drink most of the time! What are you drinking, Selena?”

She blurted out, “A mix of tequila and triple sec!” Without hesitation, she gulped shot after shot, seemingly ignoring me. I was in awe, watching her drink like a seasoned pro — I had never met a girl like her before! She could probably outdrink me without breaking a sweat, and I found myself both impressed and slightly intimidated.

Suddenly, she turned her head to glare at me. “Why are you looking at me this way?!”

I narrowed my eyes, feeling a mix of irritation and intrigue. “Who the hell are you, for God’s sake?! Why did you come into my life?!” My voice was louder than I intended, drawing the attention of a few nearby patrons.

She swung her head dramatically and pouted her lips, her expression a mix of mischief and mockery. “I am your worst nightmare,” she chuckled lightly, the playful glint in her eyes making it hard to take her seriously. Just then, we heard a child’s scream from the pool. My heart dropped as I realized he was drowning, and everyone around seemed frozen, merely standing there and watching in shock.

I stood up, yelling, “Where are the swimmers?! Where are the lifeguards?! Why is this kid swimming in the deep end?!” Panic surged through me as I scanned the area for help, my instincts kicking in.

In a flash, I heard a splash. To my astonishment, Selena made a professional jump into the pool. My breath caught in my throat as I watched her glide through the water with a grace that was both beautiful and terrifying. In mere seconds, she had dragged the child out and was administering aid. I was speechless, captivated by her unique and efficient technique. She didn’t rely on the usual movie-style methods — she was truly a pro.

“Give me a towel now! Move your butt!” she hollered, commanding me sternly with an authoritative tone that left no room for argument.

I gestured to my guards and the waitstaff to provide her with a towel, my mind racing with the implications of what had just happened. Of course, everyone involved would be fired after this incident; if Selena hadn’t been there, the child would have drowned, and it would have severely hurt my business and reputation.

The child, who looked to be around eight years old, was revived and coughing up water. His parents rushed over to hug and thank Selena, their gratitude palpable as they clung to their son. She then offered to provide the kid with swimming lessons, which he eagerly accepted, his face lighting up with excitement.

Selena stood up and tossed me a disgusted look, her expression shifting from relief to annoyance in an instant. “I want to talk to you in private now!” she demanded, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

I followed her, unsure of where she was leading me. She stopped in an empty area near the kitchen, her brows raised in frustration. “Not everything is about money! You should take care of people’s lives!” she scolded, her passion evident in every word.

“Why are you giving me those disgusting looks?! I’m not the lifeguard!” I asked her, genuinely curious about her sudden intensity. I could feel my defenses rising, the instinct to push back bubbling to the surface.

“I’m not!” she shot back, her eyes narrowing, as if she wanted to tell me she knew exactly who I was and what I stood for. “You need to understand that you have a responsibility, Noah. You can’t just sit back and let things happen. People’s lives are at stake.”

I took a step back, trying to process her words. “I’m not a superhero, Selena. I run a business. I can’t be everywhere at once,” I replied, my voice tinged with frustration.

“Then what are you doing here?” she asked, her tone softening slightly. “If you don’t care about the people who come to your establishment, what’s the point? You might as well close up shop and walk away.”

Her words struck a chord within me, igniting a fire I hadn’t realized was smoldering. “You don’t understand the pressure I’m under,” I said, my voice low but steady. “Every decision I make affects hundreds of lives, not just the ones who swim in my pools. I have to think about the big picture.”

Selena crossed her arms, her expression shifting from anger to concern. “And what about the individuals? What about the child who nearly drowned? What if it had been someone else? You can’t just brush off the personal for the professional.”

Her words hung in the air, and I could feel something shifting inside me. I had always been focused on the bottom line, the numbers, the success of my business. But in that moment, I began to see the faces behind those numbers — the families who relied on my establishment for leisure and joy.

“I never meant to put anyone in danger,” I admitted, my voice softer now. “I just… I get so caught up in everything. It’s easy to forget that there are real people involved.”

Selena’s expression softened further, and for a brief moment, we stood there, two souls connected by a shared understanding of the weight of responsibility. “You need to find a balance,” she said gently. “You can be successful and still care about people. It’s not an either-or situation.”

I nodded slowly, the realization settling in. “I’ll try. I promise.”

“Good,” she replied, a small smile creeping onto her lips. “And maybe you can start by being more present. You don’t have to be perfect, but you can at least show you care.”

“Deal,” I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “Now, how about we grab a drink and celebrate the fact that we saved a kid’s life today?”

Selena laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Only if you promise to drink responsibly.”

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter