Chapter 199 - The Islet Mystery 15

The sea level started to get high by the time Shiela drifted off to sleep. During high tide, the rise of the water level would cover Chara's rim. On aerial view, the inequality of the water level around Chara and the surrounding body of water could not be identified, and it's elevated position, which looked like a basin on top of the shore, would not be evident.

While one's buoyancy would still retain on the area during high tide, the risk would pose during windy days, low-pressure weather and stormy hours due to big waves. The islet that Ryan owned was in the middle of the sea, and no swimmer was good enough once caught up in big waves due to gravitational pull.

Shiela would have been safe even if she slept. Yet, as the water level rose up, the wind got strong, sweeping the waves off to shore and washed Shiela away from Chara's rim. The gentle waves did not wake her up even as it swept her off slowly from the safe area. Yet, when the wind began to howl, and the waves started to roll mightily, it tossed her roughly away, and the choking sensation woke her up. She then realized what happened, and while she allowed the angry waves to wash her off, a scene from her dream flashed in her mind.

"Look for the map and follow its course," the old woman's voice seemed like an angel speaking to her mind. 

Battling against the waves and its power to sink her, she sharpened her mind and traced out the light green areas which outlined like maps on the vast space of the sea. The rush of adrenaline pushed her to fight, doubling her strength and turning her mind sharper. The light of the moon, which still illuminated the dark and lonely world around her, made her outlining easier. She pushed harder towards the safety line, even if the waves pushed her back many times. As the last will and courage her mind had pushed her to fight for her survival, she gave in her last ounce of strength. She pushed her two legs backward for her last kick and threw her body towards the nearest outline of the Chara channel. While panting for her breath, she moved her hands under the water and groped for the rope that secured the area.

The Yu family had guarded and outlined the Chara channels with a rope for an easier marker during the harvest. Aside from the rope, the buoyancy it naturally provided could make anyone safe as long as that person still had the strength to hold on against the mighty winds. 

Shiela closed her eyes as she relaxed while her hands held on to the rope. The night was getting deeper, and perhaps no one knew she sneaked out again. Probably, they were already looking for her around but who could ever tell that she was out in the sea, trying to drown herself again? The water on Chara channels may be warm, but the icy breeze could freeze her to death.

Her thoughts revisited Ryan. She could never forget how he held her hand to comfort Jullien. She could not forget how she leaned on his chest without any fear of being caught. She was free, and this world was an open and happy place for them to live together. And who was she? A poor woman who entangled herself in a forbidden love on borrowed moments. A woman who got no right to claim what she desired for herself and a woman who was a prisoner of her own heart.

Just then, a blinding light made her squint and closed her eyes tightly. A roaring sound of a boat's engine shattered her eardrums. Before she realized it as she could not open her eyes, a strong arm enclosed her, and he pushed her body upward. She then felt some hands, holding her underarm and pulled her into the boat. She slowly opened her eyes, and the moment she opened it, she met Ajie's smiling but worried eyes.

"Thanks, Adrian, how did you find it out?"

Before Ajie opened his mouth to answer, a heavy weight dropped on the boat, making it sway. She turned her head to see what it was, but she froze when she realized who he was.

"Do you really want to die?" he growled, his eyes seemed to pop out from its sockets because of anger.

His frightening voice startled her, and she felt she almost fell from her seat. She already started quivering, being lifted out from the lukewarm water. "What's good in living?"

"I don't know what to do with you anymore!" His voice was softer now, perhaps realizing that he scared her.

"Then don't... think... about it!" she murmured, even if her chin was already quivering due to the freezing sea breeze. Images of him and Jullien floated in her mind, and she got humiliated again.

She looked away and curled to warm herself, but Ryan scooped her up and placed her in his lap. He then wrapped her with his arms and glued his body towards her back, shielding her from the cold wind as her human blanket.

"Shall we go now?" Ajie's voice reminded them that they were not alone.

"Please," Ryan said, tightening his embrace around her.

"Baby, please..." Ryan then whispered into her ear as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. This humiliated her once more, and she squirmed to free herself from him. She knew very well that he was saying these same sweet nothings to her fiancee.

"Ryan, please let me go. I'll find a boat that will take me home tomorrow."

"Your home is where I am."

"I don't want to share what's mine with anyone," she answered, and her voice started to crack. She bit her lower lip to control her emotion before she went ahead," And I don't want to steal someone else's property."