Chapter 191 - The Islet Mystery 7

When Shiela went down to join them, Jullien's beautiful body met her eyes. She lay down on her back and floated gracefully on the water. Her creamy, white skin glistened against the sun like an ivory. She's wearing black sunglasses, concealing half of her small, heart-shaped face, but it displayed her almost perfect body. Clad with a thong and a top that barely covered her boobs, she's practically nude in the eyes of everyone. And to think, she's resting her head over Ryan's chest. The sight really broke her heart, and she wanted to run away. She regretted the moment that she decided to go down and join them.   

She couldn't help from feeling jealous. It looked impossible that Ryan wouldn't feel a desire for her. Perhaps, he got used to her sophisticated ways, but still, that thought didn't stop her from getting insecure. Why do you feel this way, Shiela? She ground her teeth at the thought. Ryan did not even say his thoughts when she told him that she would not get in their way. 

"Shie, join us! It feels really nice here," Allie called out.

She looked up and saw Allie on a black tankini. Although the fabric covered her upper body, displaying only her legs, her great and beautiful shape still showed. She laughed at the thought. Allie, who won the heart of the builder and designer of the world's largest cruise ship, didn't show much, but Jullien, whose status might be at risk, displayed her almost everything. Perhaps, that's how insecure women act.

"Sure, I'll get down in a while," she replied, glad that Allie was on the other side of the pool.

As she turned her back on them and removed her swimwear cover-up, she heard Ryan's voice calling out to her. "Put something into your stomach, first. You might faint."

She lifted her face to look at him, and she noticed his hand on Jullien's thigh, taking away her appetite. How could he say he loved her when there was someone else under his roof? How could she be so stupid, believing in his lies?"

"Thank you. I'll go to the kitchen," she replied, quickly taking her eyes away from them.

"No need. The food is on the table." 

Shiela wanted to run away, but she could not when she heard footsteps coming towards her. He knew it was him. How she wish he stayed at her side and break her heart entirely rather than giving pieces of faint hopes.

"Sweetheart, what do you like?" Ryan said as he placed an arm on her shoulders.

Damn it, Neil! Don't ever call me that, she thought.

" I can help myself ," she replied , brushing slowly the tear that escaped her eyes .

"I just want to make sure that you eat," he said, picking up a set of plates and cutleries.

"Stop it, Neil. I can't afford to hurt her in broad daylight.'

"Giving you food won't hurt her."

Shiela couldn't take it anymore. She could no longer hold her urge to cry. She tried her best not to let her voice crack, and she excused herself to go to the bathroom. She sauntered, but the tears started to race down her face.

After making sure that no one followed her, she went to the other side of the house instead. The surrounding was too quiet that she could even hear her heartbeats. She looked around and saw a landscape with thick rows of flowers. She then dropped herself to the ground and cry.

'You're too stupid, Shiela, you're too stupid!" she scolded herself for allowing herself to give in to him when she realized she couldn't pretend to act unaffected in front of Jullien.

Suddenly, her eyes wandered to the shore, a few meters away from her. A man was rowing in his boat, and she felt this man was sent to end her miseries. She ran to the shore and waved her hand. The man saw her and stopped paddling.

"Sir, can you please come over?"

The man nodded and paddled towards her. She waded fast to meet the boatman, and he reached her before the water reached her neckline.

"Sir, are you a fisherman?" she asked, staring into his face. He was already old like his father, and perhaps, he wouldn't do her any harm.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Can I take a ride in your boat?"

"Where do you want to go, ma'am? To the next island?"

"Just take me anywhere I could find a ferry boat going to the main port."

"Don't you have any companion?"

"I have, but there's an emergency at home. I need to get away from here as soon as possible."

The man stared at her, and he looked hesitant. Shiela started to get afraid. She didn't want to miss the opportunity of saving herself from further pain. She would just call later and inform them that she went home ahead. Anyway, she had her phone with her. 

"I would just like to warn you, ma'am, that we might come across with big waves. This boat is too small, and you might be scared to death."

"It's alright, sir!" she answered. Staying here and getting hurt equated to death itself.

"Okay, ma'am. Please, hop in."

Shiela smiled: a sense of relief filled her, and it seemed that a massive load heaved out from her. The man held out a hand, and she accepted it, lifting her weight into the small boat. She looked around, and her heart waved goodbye to the man who gave her momentary happiness and fulfillment.

Just as they paddled away from the shore, Ryan's voice echoed in her ears. "Shiela!"

She pretended not to hear him. "Sir, do not listen to him. Give me another paddle. I'm going to help you."

"Are you sure? Do you know how?" the man cast her a look of disbelief.

"Yes, sir. Just please hurry up."

"It's on the floor. Fast!"

Shiela hurried to pull it out, and as soon as the piece of wood was in her hands, she positioned it on the other side and began paddling.

"Shiela, I'm warning you. Come back before you regret it."

"No," she shouted back. She paddled fast and instructed the man to paddle faster, and before Ryan called again, a loud and ringing explosion blasted into the air.

"Bang!"