Chapter 218 - The Islet Mystery 34

Shiela returned to the bed and tried to shut up her mind for a moment. She must have a clear mind later to plan things out. After a while, the side of the bed dipped, and she knew that Ryan was back. He was silent for a long while, his fingers brushing her hair.

"Don't you want to see them off?" Ryan finally broke his silence as he lifted up her chin.

"Who?" she asked, her voice let out a sleepy tone.

"Richard and his team."

Shiela sat up abruptly and scrambled to her feet, throwing the bed cover off. Ryan held her hand as her feet searched for the pair of slippers on the floor.

"Your phone. You might want to take pictures with them, "Ryan reminded her, and she was moved. It was so thoughtful of him. Too bad that she couldn't bask on this thoughtfulness forever. Soon, Jullien would claim her rights to his full attention as his wife, and the thought made her heart sink.

"It's cold. I think you should wear socks." Ryan went over to a drawer without waiting for her to make a move, and to her surprise, pulled out a pair of socks. The more she felt moved. Ryan took care of her needs, even with small a matter such as socks.

Before he opened the door as they were about to go out, Ryan pulled Shiela closer to himself and hugged her tight without saying a word. She also hugged him back and leaned her head on his chest until Ryan held her at arms length and bent down his head for a kiss.

"Go out first," Ryan said after a while, and she nodded.

It was not too difficult for her to understand what Ryan was trying to avoid. Even if Jullien did not love him, she wouldn't be happy to think that her coming husband was also in love with someone else. Her coming over here was for a fair deal that both of them must learn to accept their fate. They were forced and destined to be for each other, so they might as well resign to that fact to accept each other and put anyone out of their ways.

"Shie, we're going now. It's getting late," Richard said as he came forward to meet her. Shiela looked around, and there was the whole family, saying goodbye to everyone.

While everyone's attention was on seeing Andrew's group off, Shiela pulled Richard to a corner.

"Chard, please take me with you. I can't stand the pain anymore. I need to be away from Jullien." Shiela's drawn-out expression, which reflected her inward pain, as well as the gloom beneath her pleading eyes, made Richard give away.

"I'll find some ways. I will divert Ryan's attention, and once you'll find the chance, sneak into the boat," Richard said as his eyes roamed around, making it sure that no one was listening.

Shiela nodded and left Richard right away to avoid suspicion. She glanced at Allie, who was so caught up in a conversation with Joanna. To her relief, Allie glanced up and their eyes locked for a moment. Either Shiela's expression was too transparent, or that Allie was just too brilliant to be able to read one's inner thoughts easily, Allie excused herself from Joanna and walked towards her.

"Shie, is there something bothering you?" Allie asked; the warm smile she wore affirmed Shiela's decision that she was right after all in deciding to give her some essential tips. Shiela pulled Allie into a corner where they could watch the view outside.

"Lyz, I'm sorry I have decided to go ahead. I think I do not have to explain it all."

Allie smiled and stared softly at Shiela, her expression telling Shiela that she understood. "Ryan loves you, Shie. You just have to trust him."

"I know, but I don't belong to his world," Shiela replied with glistening eyes, filled with unshed tears.

"What is your plan?" 

Shiela did not reply, but she smiled and looked into her eyes and held her gaze for a while. Then she turned her heads toward the sea outside, urging Allie to look over.

"Lyz, do you see that distinct marks on the sea?"

Allie squinted and felt confused for a while. She looked towards the sea then back to Shiela. She was still confused.

"During the daytime, you will see the distinctive marks on the sea. It looks like a map spreading out in a lighter shade of green. During the nighttime, like tonight, the seafloor beneath it glitters into a kaleidoscope of red, blue, and silver hues."

"What's in it?" Allie asked, her eyes narrowed on Shiela.

"That's your place of refuge. Those are the Chara channels. You won't sink. The weeds underneath, especially the flowers, heal whatever illness you may have."

Allie remained staring at her, and because she did not say a word, Shiela continued. "Lyz, I trust you. This information could be my death."

"Dear," Ajie's voice jolted them, and they both turned towards him.

"The group is already inside the boat. Joanna asks if you could come over for a while. She has something to give to you, I think."

"Sure, I'll come down."

The three went out of the yacht and went over to the rows of the boat that will take all of them to the island they were staying. Not far away from there, there was a developed island that had different resorts and hotels for commercial tours and adventures.

"Allie, Ajie, hop in," Joanna hollered excitedly, making Ajie and Allie climb into the boat in haste.

"Look over there! Do you see the colorful glow in the sea bed?" Joanna stretched out her arm and pointed out those areas, which made Allie recall what Shiela had just told her. The pleasant, blazing blend of colors underneath the sea attracted her and Ajie that the boatman paddled out farther into the areas which glowed brighter.

Shiela stood at the side, watching them while her eyes were on Richard, waiting for the chance to get her in. Soon, she heard footsteps, and even without turning to look who was that, Shiela knew it was him.

"Sir, I wonder if you have kept some medicine for stomach pain," the drummer approached Ryan out of the blue, as soon as he stopped by Shiela's side. He crouched and pushed his upper abdomen with his hand, his entire face creasing due to pain. Ryan furrowed his brows and turned right away towards the yacht.

"I'll get it. Wait for me," Ryan hollered over his shoulder, and the drummer answered him with a groan.

As soon as Ryan disappeared, Shiela finally got the chance. She hopped into the boat, and the boatman paddled away in a hidden corner before its engine roared to life.