Chapter 200 - The Islet Mystery 16

"Adrian," Ryan's voice startled Ajie as he focused on maneuvering the boat back to the island. He turned to them with a raised brow before he broke into a wide smile. Ajie perhaps noticed Ryan's desperate look.

"How do you manage a woman's stubbornness?" he said, turning his to look at her then back at Ajie. "Has Allie been a headache?"

Ajie laughed, but Allie shrank in shame. She felt her blood rising to her ears, and she thought it was burning.

"You wouldn't be able to imagine it. Until today, I still can't believe I have her by my side. I still see her leaving me on my occasional nightmares and damn it. It scares me to death."

Shiela was sure Ryan wore an amused expression as perhaps, he could relate. When Ryan did not say a word, Ajie continued, "However, it was all my fault. That thing you called the inability to handle a woman's stubbornness almost made me lose her forever. If ever it happened, I would never be able to forgive myself."

Suddenly, Shiela did not know whether Ajie was speaking to Ryan, or he was indirectly aiming his words at her. If she wouldn't be able to overcome her fear, she would be losing Ryan forever.

"Your world is different from mine, Adrian. You're free as an eagle while I am a desperate, caged animal," she jerked at her seat when she realized she was speaking out her mind. Adrian may not have aimed his statement at her.

Ryan gave her a long stare, and Shiela could feel it. Probably, it had something to do with what she had just said. 

"Communication is important. I'm encouraging you both to talk about your matters sincerely without bringing up a fight."

So, it meant Adrian had a hint of their relationship, she thought. And who would not suspect? Ryan was hugging her like she was some prized possession he had recovered from the depths.

"Tell me more about it, Adrian. I'm new to this. I have never run after a woman, and I have never been disturbed and scared like this before."

Shiela froze at what she heard. Ryan seemed a hundred percent sincere and she got overwhelmed. She closed her eyes, and she swore she did not realize that she was pushing his arms further towards herself.

"Shie?" she heard Ajie calling out to her, and her eyes flew wide.

"Yes."

"Ryan here truly loves you."

"He has Jullien."

"I was also engaged to Jane."

"What?" her eyes flew wider, and she swore it looked like a lamp in the air.

"I was bound to marry her if it were not for mom to break the shocking news that she is my sister."

"Gosh!" was all she could mutter.

"I was bound to marry her, but my heart belongs to my wife. I know Ryan would also find a solution to your case." 

Her heart wanted to believe him, but she knew she shouldn't fall into the delusion while it's still early. She understood that Ryan's case was not as easy as his.

Ryan no longer said a word even after Ajie pulled over the shore. He just kept on hugging her but his mind was something else. She knew that Ajie had touched something that hit him hard.

Ryan stood up and jumped into the water. Then he turned back to pick her up in his arms. A loud gasp escaped her mouth as she looked up, realizing that everyone except Jullien was waiting for them at the shore.

She got so ashamed to think that she made herself a star of the night once again. How she suddenly wished that Ryan did not find her and allowed her instead to grope her way back to the house alone later.

Jane, Cherry, Allie, and even Mrs. Lopez rushed out to hug her once Ryan put her down in front of them. Their sincere act of thoughtfulness so touched her that she almost forget the soreness of her lower extremities. Her tears began dripping silently again as she thanked them all.

Mr. Lopez and Mr. Dioko approached and hugged her as well, and there was pity in their eyes. She could not help but cry at the realization that she was blessed with people like them. She only had her aunt and her father as her family, but having them now was an added priceless treasure.

"What happened, Shie?" Allie's voice broke out her emotional grip, and she looked at her with a smile.

Ryan must have felt she was falling that he stepped closer and pulled her to his side that she was already leaning at him for support. 

"I'm sorry I was tempted to float down in Chara to clear out my mind," she started to narrate, but as she looked up and stole a glance at Ryan, she met his eyes burning at her in anger. Disregarding him, she continued, "But perhaps due to my exhaustion, I fell asleep. I woke up later when the waves tossed me."

She smiled, and they gasped out in both fear and relief as they all imagined her fighting for her life in that raging sea. Ryan's grip against her tightened, and she knew he was angry.

"My gosh, Shiela. You scared us all!" Cherry exclaimed, her knees still shivering in fear.

"I wonder how did you find it out?" she asked, but instead of getting an answer, Ryan ranted at her.

"Your jealousy makes you stupid! I called you up to spare you from getting more hurt, but you made a silly move instead, and think that those waves can better sympathize with you."

Shiela froze as she realized he was listening to all her wailing, and she burrowed her face at his chest. She couldn't imagine why Ryan spoke so openly in front of them. And though she could hear the loud thumping of his heartbeats because of his fury, he was rubbing her back gently, instead. 

Mr. Dioko slowly approached her, and he reached out for her hand and held it tenderly that she almost cried again.

"Dear, whatever is it that troubles you, whatever is it that holds you back, speak it out. If you can't do it with Ryan, you may talk to us. We are here as your family."