25 Nervousness

July 10, 20xx

Adriatic Sea

The man entered and she asked the first question that popped out her mind "I thought we are joining your family in a cruise?"

"No, they will be troublesome." he replied as he sat on the bed lazily, propping his arms behind to support hislean body.

"Okay, That is better." she sighed in relief. She was antsy with the idea of mingling his family for 8 days.

The nervousness in her intensified when she read about his family on the internet. He belongs to an aristocratic family in China. His grandfather is the current Chairman for Li Group and his father Li Hong seats as the President.Aside from being in the business industry for a long time, the Li Family has long been partaking in politics since 17th century.

There's that growing uneasiness in her. With a family of long tradition like his, careful selection of his wife is essential.Most probably coming from the same status as him.

Probably, she can passed passed the qualifications required to become his wife.

She's practically orphan. She's even ill.

What if they will be like Madam Bai?

Just a mere recollection of her words makes her knees weaken.

'What should I do?' she asked.

So, everything seemed to diminish when his statement was heard.

Hearing her sigh of relief, he wondered what it was for.But didn't ask further.

He sized her up before complaining."Why are you covering to much?"

Although the thin shawl on top of her sleeveless long dress hardly conceals her nice figure, he wondered why wore too much when you it's best to go sunbathing now. At the same time, a sly smile appeared while he opened the wardrobe.

A few steps away from her, he displayed two piece racy bikini.

Her eyes blinked withan are-you-serious-question. She likes to dress up but not with this.The halter top has small triangle that will barely cover the chest and the pair was the same.

"Wife, wear this. They look better on you." his eyes glinted.

Her brows drew together and her mouth opened to speak but stopped when--

He lifted the top.

"On the second thought, I think these are too small"he teased.

Her nostrils flared and warned "Don't sleep in the bedroom tonight."

The teasing expression disappeared.

*************************************************

July 11, 20xx

Kotor, Montenegro

The mid-afternoon sun was scorching hot, sending prickly sensation on the skin. Hiding under the shaded part of the yacht, she was lazily flipping through the book on her hand to pass the time. At a distant there were sounds of splashing waves, roaring motorboats and people shouting.

In another 15 minutes, the yacht will be anchoring on the seemingly crowded dock in Kotor.

By ferry, it only takes 4 to 6 hours to travel from Split to this port in Montenegro. Kotor is a coastal town on Montenegro. It is circled by a bay which is a part of Adriatic Sea.

But since, they were at a snail's pace, it took them a day to reach this place after making a stop in another seaside town in Croatia.

Yesterday passed without much events.

Gu Yao Ting was not in sight when she came out to the deck.

Yan Shi read the book under the shade and had fallen asleeponly waking up after there was a feeling of someone's eyes on her. The man was on the opposite sun lounger, hands propped on the side and was watching her. Her instant reaction was to pull the shawl to cover her front.

Then at night, the three of them had dinner prepared by Li Jie and had an enjoyable chat at the lower deck over tea and wine.

But,she left the two to talk as soon as she noticed the actor dropping signals of wanting to talk to Li Jie alone.

*****************

Yan Shi fixed her gaze on the reflection in front of her.A woman clad in white A-line dress withprints of twigs, leaves and small flowers stared back at her. The small prints of twigs and leaves in black appeared to be dancing alive with red flowers in the mix.She let her brownish tresses down after giving it wavy curls at the tip and applied minimal make up to hide the dark circles under her eyes. This party made her toss and turn on the bed all night. She seemed to fall into slumber when his figure appeared later and occupied the sofa bed in the bedroom.

Feeling satisfied with the result, the one corner of her mouth curved up but it became wider upon the figure of a man struggling with his black tie appeared in the reflection.

Shaking her head, she stood in front of him. Her tall frame tiptoed and automatically the man gripped her waist to support her. That sent electrical waves seeping into her pores.

'Stop it Yan Shi. You're just being horny.' she castigated herself.

It's annoying how her hormones are going overdrive with his touch.

A pleased smile came out of her lips after seeing the perfect knot she gave him, smoothing his shirt on the process.

Li Jie noticed her bending down to wear her heels, he grabbed them and knelt. His hand careful held the ankle and let the strappy sandals slip on before hooking the straps.

Her questioning eyes met his smiling one immediately as he handed her a worn dark blue velvet case.

Without answering, he showed her what's inside. A red diamond necklace in the shape of a teardrop surrounded with tiny clear ones was nestled on the box.It was sparkling and beautiful.

He picked it up, went behind herand clasped it.

"This is my grandmother's which she inherited from her great-grandmother. On my 25th birthday, she gave it to me for my future-wife to wear."he murmured to her ears while they stood together, facing the antique full-length body mirror. Each hand was placed on her shoulders.

The sensation of something getting stuck in her throat made her unable to say anything as soon as the words were heard.

To her, it translates as this pendant has been passed down from generations making it more valuable more than anything else. It's an heirloom.Her Italian blood makes her understand the importance of tradition.

"I can't take this." she murmured seconds later. She's sure of her feelings but until everything is certain, she can't accept it.

"Wear it. It goes with your dress." he prodded. He knew it would be difficult to convince her.Sometimes he wished, he can open her brain and see what's in her head.

Since yesterday, he noticed her, stealing furtive glances on him when he's not looking or sometimes avoids his eye contact as though she was shy making him think she likes him. But most of the time, this was overpowered with the thought of her refuting whatever he says.

Yesterday, she practically teamed up with his friend to argue with him about various topics they discussed in the evening.

Sighing, he added "Your neck is bare. "

In the end, Yan Shi accepted with the idea of returning it after the party.

In fact, the pendant really complimented her dress and it emphasized her swan-like neck.

Whirling around, she gave him a peck on his lips after murmuring "Thank you."

The man beamed and hugged her.

*****************

In the well-lit garden on one part of the Mediterranean villa, soft music was being played by a group of musicians on the makeshift platform.

From her vantage point, she saw eight circular tables skirted with teal and white satin-like table cloth.Each table has a floral arrangement in a vase on the middle, a mix of amaryllis, peonies, dusty miller greens and astilbe which were emitting the flowery scent blending with the summer sea breeze.

On the other side, the wide expanse of sea became a background for the rectangular pool.

Calm and serene.

'It's beautiful.'she thought.

The slight tremble coming from her made him touch her cold hands while other was placed on her back as he whispered "Don't be nervous."

The gnawing worry inside her slightly eased.

'Just imagine that you are in the operation room and this people are your patients.' she reminded herself.

Breathing exercise followed and she was finally calm.

Putting onher megawatt smile and stepped forward.

"Let's go."

The man mirrored her action and walked with her.

While walking to the direction of his grandparents, a sudden shriek filled the night.