Chapter 69 - Men or Women?

Caroline went to the cabinet beside the pool and saw five swimming attire in different colors and designs. They were all one-piece swimsuit, demure on the front but got a s.e.xy back, a smile curled up on her lips.

She had chosen the black swimsuit with a white stripe that looks almost like a very short dress on the front but at the back, it was tied with strings exposing half the skin on her back. She went inside the bathroom and change into the swimsuit.

When she exited the bathroom, Mike was already frolicking on the pool wearing black swimming trunks. She knows he had a sculpted body, but now that he was n.a.k.e.d, his muscled abs are noticeable. He had a chiseled body, awesome! Her eyes didn't linger too long on his physical attributes.

Mike saw Caroline when she steps into the pool. She looks so elegant and s.e.xy in her swimsuit. He stops swimming when she went closer to his location.

"The water is cool and the view is amazing!" Caroline smiled and ignored him, looking at the city skyline, instead. She won't swim vigorously today because she was afraid of suffering another severe cramp on the legs again.

Mike was a bit disappointed, damn, she was not even ogling at his abs! He works hard in the gym to achieve a nearly perfect physique so that women will find him attractive. But Caroline is not impressed!

Anyways, he will just enjoy her company than sulk like a high schoolboy.

Caroline faced the glass wall admiring the dazzling bright lights that spread wide as far as her eyes can see. "Simply beautiful and breathtaking!" she murmured under her breath, eyes sparkling in awe.

"You are much more beautiful than the view, sweetie," he whispered near her ears.

Caroline giggled, amused. "You're such a sweet talker! A flatterer!"

A moment later.

Mike's face got serious. "Let's talk about you and me," he said trying to initiate a serious conversation with her.

"Okay," Caroline looked at him. "What do you do for a living?"

"I have small businesses, throughout the country. I partnered with people who are talented and business savvy minded entrepreneurs who are lacking funds to start a business but got brilliant ideas on their heads. I am their investors, co-owner...sort of...like that. Last month I went to Mindanao and toured some of their beaches there. There are still lands and beaches there that can be bought cheap and develop them into a resort or a Hotel," Mike shared.

"Really?" Caroline got interested all of a sudden.

"Yes. I specifically eyed a 10 hectare land near this amazing beach that is only offered at 10 million. Very cheap isn't it? With the five hectare land alone you can erect a beach resort complete with amenities. Then the rest of the land, you can save it for future use, resell it, or you can make a theme park out of it or have it rented by others so that it will earn profits while you are still not using it," Mike elaborated further.

"Sounds a nice idea!" Caroline was thinking of a good business to invest in. She plans to own a parcel of land someday to add to her property portfolio. "If I partner with you, what the set up will be? I want to buy another land, to add to my property collection and run my own business someday," she said.

Mike knows about the ten million cash that Caroline received as a form of compensation for the horror she undergoes in the hands of the late Joseph. He knows about the car and the house and lot as well. Caroline has practically nothing before she meets Joseph. It's a kind of cruel and sad way to be blessed with money. But it's understandable because usually poor people don't have the ways and means to earn big money unless they can be very lucky and achieved something huge in their life due to a stroke of luck.

As for him, he was naturally lucky to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth that is why he had not experienced any difficulty in his life. If he can use his money to dazzle Caroline he won't hesitate to do so. But he preferred that she will like him not for his money but for what he is as a person. Well, he's aware that good looks and wealth are a big magnet to women. Any man having these powerful attributes is irresistible to any woman.

So far, even if he had the looks and money, Caroline isn't showing him any signs of affection. Women would generally latch at him and will try their best to flirt on him to get his attention, but Caroline is different, so far the only thing he can obtain from her is her smile but she never touches him openly, never flirted on him. Either she was just playing hard to get or not interested at him at all, he finds her style challenging... the more he wanted to conquer her.

"Hey...penny for your thoughts...why...you suddenly turn quiet? What are you thinking?" Caroline surveyed his face.

Mike was jolted out from his reverie. "I'm thinking about us..." he answered fast.

"There was never us," she reminded him.

Mike ignored her cold acceptance of his feelings and instead proceeds to say a piece of his mind to her. "You only have to say...yes... and we will become officially a couple. Look...I like you, Caroline. Please give us a chance to be as one, let's create wonderful happy memories together," Mike pleaded in a heartfelt manner.

Caroline shook her head. "I dunno. I'm not ready yet to enter into a romantic relationship. Let's just stay friends for a while. Besides, you told me that I should take my time. We're enjoying each other's company, right? Let's keep it that way for the time being," she retorted.

Mike groaned in dismay. "Ah okay, let's do things slowly then," he conceded. "But I want to hug and cuddle with you!" he pouted like a child.

Caroline grinned while looking at him. "Hug yourself then!" she joked and broke into a burst of laughter.

Mike smirked, he walked closer to her, closing their distance, there was a dark glint flashing on his eyes.

"Hey, don't come closer!" Caroline warned him.

Still, Mike keeps advancing towards her.

Caroline quickly waded in the water out of his reach and then suddenly the severe crams on her legs returns, making her winced in pain, she reached for her legs where the pain was starting to weaken her body. "Ouch! So painful!" her pretty face contorted in pain.

"Car, what happened?" Mike asked worriedly. He was already on her side and pulled her out of the water into his arms. He carries her securely, getting out of the pool in a hurry heading towards the lounge chair. He carefully eased her into the chair and massage her legs gently.

There were tears on Caroline's eyes as Mike continues to massage her right leg.

A few minutes later, the pain finally subsided and vanished into thin air. Caroline was able to smile again in relief. "Thank you, Mike, for your help. You're an angel!" she said feeling grateful for his timely assistance.

"Glad to help you, my sweetie," Mike winked at her feeling like he was a knight in shining armor. He lowered himself into the vacant lounge chair beside her, luxuriating in her beautiful presence.

They were facing the starry night outside the building, blanketed in comfortable silence.

A few minutes later.

Caroline began talking. "What do you like the most, men or women? You are Bis.e.x.u.a.l, right?" she asked him point-blank.