Chapter 211 - The Islet Mystery 27

Shiela got lost in her thoughts while gazing into the vast stretch of the sea, thinking about all those things Andy had said. A sound of laughter made her turn around. To her amusement, Andy also glanced up and their eyes locked for a moment before both of them turned to where the laughter came. Partially hidden by a big tree, they both saw Ryan and Jullien coming in their direction. They seemed to be talking about something funny.

Shiela could never fathom the absurdity of the situation, seeing how they could laugh together as if nothing happened. A few hours ago, Ryan was fuming in his disgust over Jullien's outrageous seduction, and now, he seemed to be basking in his adoration for her. Wasn't she sleeping as Andy said a while ago? Probably, Ryan woke her up. How could he afford to leave her alone after all? The thought of this tormented her again.

"I may hate to admit it," Andy began stating his unsolicited opinion, "but they look so beautiful together. As if they are indeed born for each other."

Shiela bit her lower lip and wished that Andy would just shut up. She's never good at hiding her emotion, and his comment only added insult to her injury, a grain of salt to her bleeding wound.

"What do you think, Shie?"

Shiela didn't also want to admit it, but Andy was too heartless, not allowing her to keep her emotion to herself.

"I agree with what you say," she answered, "They are lovely."

Ryan laughed, but his eyes reflected a shadow of what he truly felt inside, and Shiela couldn't help herself from hurting for him again.

"Aren't you planning to do something?" Ryan asked after some moments of silence.

"Like what?"

"To fight for your love."

This time, it was Shiela's turn to laugh. Bitterness crept up inside her, and laughing was the safest way to hold back the tears she was trying to push inside.

"I have long accepted my fate, Andy. I am just indulging myself in this borrowed time."

Andy laughed harder, but Shiela saw those tears stinging in his eyes. She realized, Andy was hurting as much as she did. In this particular game in life, they both came out as losers.

"You both seem to be enjoying together," Jullien's sweet voice startled Shiela. She was too absorbed in her melancholy that she forgot about them.

She looked up and ran her eyes to both of them and then to Ryan. She then gave out a generous but hesitant smile to acknowledge their presence. Andy must have felt her rising discomfort beneath her fake smile because he laughed out loud, with no sparks of humor in his eyes at all. It served the purpose anyway, grabbing Ryan and Jullien's attention back to him. 

"I never thought Shiela to have lots of humor in her system," he lied, trying to sound as believable as he could. 

Shiela responded with a smile, almost tempted also to say," I never thought you are a good actor." Before she could speak out, Ryan moved to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You ready, guys?" Ryan asked, completely ignoring their topic.

"I think we are."

Ryan glanced up towards the shore, and Shiela followed his eyes. She then saw a small, white yacht coming in their direction. The vessel looked so beautiful as she wayed gracefully against the waves. The lovely sight brought a frown to Shiela's face, never expecting that they would go out in such a grand and luxurious island cruise.

"You don't like it?" Ryan's voice broke into her ears. He may have watched the change of her reaction.

"I am surprised. I thought we would go out on boats."

"Oh, you're underestimating the resources of the heir of MS Sciences," Andy butted in, and Shiela frowned at him.

"No, I'm underestimating the lethal effect of your tongue," she ranted, but Andy giggled in response. Sheila shook her head, how could she ever understand his weirdness.

______

Soon, all of them entered into the yacht, and gasps of admiration filled the atmosphere. Some corners showed the manufacturer's logo, and it read as "Rina DK Builders." Allie gasped in awe as soon as she saw it, and tears of joy filled her eyes.

"Ryan, you're so full of surprises! This yacht is my design," she exclaimed happily, running her eyes through all the corners of the craft.  Everyone shared her joy. They all roamed around and took in the elegance and the intricacy of this work of art.

"I do not expect that this would arrive earlier," Ryan laughed as well, Allie's happiness was too contagious.

"If you don't mind, may I have a moment with you and Adrian?"

"Of course," Allie answered, dragging Ajie in his arm as Ryan led the way towards a suite.

"I'm buying a fleet, and Hayri is taking care of it," Ryan began stating his intention as soon as he had the couple seated on a couch. "I'll have it cruising around the Arabian Gulf, somewhere my dad would never venture. Something happened in the past, and I can't tell you about it."

Ajie and Allie nodded, too surprised in this revelation. Although Hayri was still the one taking care of the company, he already transferred the ownership of Rina DK Builders to Allie's name. Hayri didn't want to occupy her with so much burden, now that a baby was on the way. It might stress her up, aside from the travels she had to take.

"Please register it under Shiela's name. Tell her about it when the right time comes," Ryan's expression started to change, and his voice began to crack. Allie and Ajie just stared at him, giving him their full attention.

"Allie, Adrian, we may not be able to talk again, so I want to discuss my plans with you right now if you don't mind."

Allie and Ajie nodded again. The atmosphere started to get heavy for Allie as she felt their agenda would be something delicate. Ryan seemed to hold too many mysteries beneath his cheerful and amicable facade.