Erica's POV

It's been a week since my father's burial. To say I'm fine would be the biggest lie of the century. I miss him terribly.

The will was read three days ago. The heir was Star's unborn child. Did I forget to mention that? Well, Star is five months pregnant and married to one Anthony Croswell. Got married a year ago and boy, are they in love. Never thought she would ever find the one.

I decided yesterday that I had to take a vacation. I need to get away from all this. But where will I go? I haven't decided yet.

I walk into the café that Moana and I usually go to. They have the best delicacies in town. I take a seat with the cappuccino I ordered in hand.

As I stare out the window, my mind wondering to the past, Moana comes in and settles in front of me. I don't notice her at first, but I turn my head in her direction when she clears her throat.

"Hey Erica," she greets.

"Oh, hey," I greet, a bit startled but quickly recovered.

"Are you alright? I know it's been a shitty week," she smiles slightly.

"Yeah. I guess I'll be alright. I just need to get away for a while." Then it hits me.

I could ask to go to the Frost summer house. No one's there this time of year. Well, it's the beginning of summer but I don't think her family is going there this time since they are busy. And I'll have all the quiet with the gentle breeze carrying my thoughts away. So yes! It's the perfect getaway destination.

"Uhm...Mo, do you think I could use your summer house for the summer?" I ask.

"I don't think dad will mind. Not that any of us is going to be there. Dad's busy with the company, mom with her fashion line and I have a lot of events to plan this season. And Joe...well I don't think he'll be there either. Could be in France this season. Last I heard."

I must admit, hearing Joe's name is always causes discomfort to me, considering how we separated eight years ago. Yeah! It's been eight years since he left. Since I last saw him. He comes back into town to visit his family every once in a while, but I never got to see him on any of those occasions. He always has an excuse to stay only a few hours and then he's gone. And he never informed when he would show up. So I couldn't keep track.

"Then in that case, I can use it to collect myself together."

"Of course! Come by the house for the key whenever you are ready."

"Tomorrow morning will be good."

She stares at me, lips slightly parted. "That soon?"

I chuckle, "yeah, Mo, that soon."

"Okay then. I'll be waiting for you."

****

The suitcase clicks shut when I apply my weight to it. The damn thing had refused to shut. There isn't much, only a few clothes to last me the summer, some swimsuits, the necessities, my gadgets, my files....okay maybe a lot for the medium-sized case.

My phone pings, alerting of a in coming message.

I chuckle and soon exit the apartment. I haul the case into the trunk of my Covet convertible and I'm soon on my way to Moana's house where she agreed to hand me the keys.

"Took you long enough!" She huffs as soon as I stand in front of her.

"You have no idea the amount of traffic in town." I reason.

She drops the winged golden key in my hand and rushes towards her car.

"I'm gonna be late!" She starts her engine, "TTYL" and she's gone. That girl.

I put the key in the glove compartment and ready myself for the long journey. It's at least eight hours journey by road, only five by water.

I pull up at a gas station halfway through the ride for gas. I also needed to use the bathroom and get something to it. In no more than fifteen minutes I'm back on the road with Moana's playlist playing on the stereo.

I roll my car into park in front of the mansion. Memories soon drift into my mind as I stare at the grandeur in front of me. I haven't been here in a while and now I somehow think maybe this was a bad idea. I can't believe I asked to be in this huge place alone! But no time to fret now. I didn't drive eight hours out here for nothing.

I enter the house with my case rolling behind me. I feel all way too familiar with everything here. This house holds memories I'll forever live with and cherish. My first time, my first kiss. All in this house.

I climb up the grand staircase and turn into the wing I shared with Joe. I stand close to my door but can't help to glance at Joe's door. I walk over to it, twisting the knob but it doesn't open. Figured. I guess I forgot it's locked and Joe's the only one with the key. I rest my fore head onto it, welcoming a few flashbacks.

I sigh and instead head into my room and fall into the bed that holds more sweet memories. A blush creeps up my cheek and I smile, falling asleep soon after.

****

I sit at the pier, dangling my legs over the edge and into the water. The small fish swim around my legs, giving me a great sensation.

"The pool not big enough for you?" I ask, causing his head to swivel in my direction.

He looks kinda surprised? "Didn't know you were the type to stalk."

"Oh, sweetie! Don't flatter yourself. I just happened to want to be here and oh well, so are you."

He swims over to the edge, bobbing up and down with the waves.

"So, why are you in here?" I gesture to the ocean.

"I just felt like enjoying deep waters. Big and wide, that is. With little fish swimming around me. You should join me."

In that much water? What's in there, jellyfishes? Probably. I most definitely don't fancy having stings right now.

"No, thanks."

He just stares at me and I find myself staring back. Jesus, his eyes are so capturing.

Before I know it, he grabs my hand and pulls me over. I hit the surface with a huge splash, barely capturing my breath. Water immediately flows into my ears and all I hear is his muffled laugh.

I kick my feet, pushing upwards until I surface. I inhale deeply and exhale, letting my breathing rate to return to normal. The jerk is still laughing.

"How could you do that to me?" I ask.

"Because you wouldn't join me willingly." He smirks.

"Oh, I'm gonna kill you!" I splash water at him, laughing at his shocked expression.

"You wanna play that game?" He splashes me back. And soon, we are splashing back and forth at each other.

I stop splashing, since get tired, while he, continues to splash me. I laugh and try to swim away. I look back to see him swimming after me.

He's fast. He soon grabs a hold of my waist, pushing me back into his chest. I kick, trying to free myself but to no avail.

I turn around in his arms, so I'm facing him, still laughing. I stop when I see him looking at me with such intensity. His blue eyes are a few shades darker, making them resemble the ocean behind him.

I soon get lost in his gaze. He reaches with his hand, pushing a wet lock of hair away from my face and tucks it behind my ear. My skin trembles under his touch, making me close my eyes.

When I open them again, I'm surprised by how close our faces are to each other. He's minty breath fanning my face. I see he's hesitating a little, so I do him the favor and close the gap between us.

I smile at the memory but soon my smile wipes off as I hear some noise in the house. I'm not expecting anyone, so this must be... A break in? Are you kidding me? I've only been here what, a week? Oh, sweet God!

I stand up and head into a room beside the big pool. I pick out a net with a long pole for a handle. Guess this will do.

I stealthily walk towards the voices. One's a man's and the other a woman's. They are in the kitchen. Of course they want to empty out my stock. Not on my watch suckers.

I enter the kitchen. The man's seated on the stool facing away from me and the woman's crouching down in the fridge.

"I'm gonna eat this apple. It looks so delicious," the blonde woman speaks in a slightly high pitched voice. She turns around and her eyes fall on me. "Ahh...behind you, behind you, behind you," she screams.

Everything happens so fast that one second I'm standing trying to block out the woman's scream and the next I'm pinned on the wall by very muscular arms around my neck. The net falls into the floor. It's a good thing the man doesn't hold me in a death grip.

Thank heavens I can breathe!

The all too familiar woodsy cologne hits my nose first. Please God, let me just be imagining things. I slowly open my eyes and look into the familiar blue eyes staring at me. Oh God! No! No no no no!

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