Remember to vote and comment.

's POV

This can't be happening!

I look at Joe in disbelief. His eyes flash with an emotion I can't quite decipher. But it disappears just as soon as it showed up.

"Erica?" He breaths as he loosens his hand from around my neck. His eyes bore into mine, almost like he's searching for something.

"You know her?" The girl asks, stepping beside Joe. Her eyes begin sizing me up immediately. Her hands go to wrap around his arm in a possessive way.

Joe seems to break out of his trance as he clears his throat and passes a hand through his hair.

"Uh...yeah! This is Erica. A family friend. Erica, meet Denise. My, uh, fiancé." He looks everywhere but me.

Holy shit!

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. Holy shit! He has a fiancé. I shift my gaze from him and to the blonde who smirks at me. I can already feel her dislike for me.

She steps forward and offers a hand to me. Everything in me doesn't want me to make any contact but then, I don't want to come by as rude. So I take her hand.

"Nice meeting you, Erica," she says.

"Same." I plaster on a fake smile.

She retracts her hand as she rests her head on his shoulder. A primal instinct in me wants to jump and rip her head off his shoulder.

Almost as if to seal the deal, she raises her left hand and rests it on his chest, showcasing her shining ten-carat diamond engagement ring. I feel like I could die right now.

I thinks it's in my best interest to leave this room. Better yet, this house. I came here on a purpose but it's going to be hard to keep a level head. That much I can tell.

"I actually thought there was a break in. I'll just go and return this," I motion to the net on the floor.

I pick it up and sneak a glance at Joe, who's still avoiding my gaze. I offer a smile to Denise and head back down to the pool.

This is crazy! No, actually, this is insane!

I almost wish I didn't come out here. Now I have to live with Joe and his Barbie doll in this house. I wonder how long they'll stay.

I sneak my way up and into my room, locking my self in. I tread to the bed and fall down onto it face first. Everything comes rushing into my head, seeking my attention all at once.

He moved on!

Joe found someone he wants to spend his life with and actually proposed to her. I can't help the sting in my throat.

Truthfully speaking, I always wished he'd wait for me. I don't really know what the hell I was thinking. A part deep inside me, has always loved Joe.

I know it's really stupid considering the way he left. Plus, the eight years we've been apart. But I just can't help it.

Yes, I've had boyfriends time to time. But I've never really loved any of them. I think it's safe to say he ruined all other guys for me.

Now he's getting married God knows when.

I feel wetness cover my cheek. I let myself cry until darkness envelopes me, taking me to a place where I can have Joe all to myself without pretty blonde supermodels interfering.

I wake up to a rumbling stomach. I really don't want to go back down there. But I can't stay hungry either.

I look out my window and notice the darkness outside. What time is it?

I look for my phone from among the covers, only to find it on the floor.

Oh thank goodness the screen didn't break.

I check to find its eight pm, and over five missed calls from Moana. My anger surfaces when I remember she didn't tell me about Joe's engagement.

Without thinking, I dial her number and place the phone on my ear. She picks on the third ring.

"Hey Rica, where have you been?"

"Don't hey Rica me!" I snap.

"Oh oh. What's up?"

"Oh nothing. Except that I found out Joe's engaged and you didn't find it relevant to tell me! Plus, he and his Barbie are here in the same house with me!"

"I'm sorry, Erica. I didn't want to hurt your feelings when you were already going through a lot. And besides, I didn't know they were coming there."

"When was the engagement?"

"A week ago."

A week ago. Around the time my father died and found out my boyfriend was a cheating bastard.

She was only looking out for me. My anger slowly dissipates. I let out a huge breath.

"I'm sorry, Mo. I just...God, I just can't take it," my throat constricts, making it a little hard to breathe. "I mean, I've loved your brother all this time, only to find out he's moved on and is getting married to some Barbie." The tears begin.

"I understand how you feel. Should I come pick you up from there?"

"No, no no. I'll stay. I'm not a coward to run like that." My stomach growls again, reminding me I hadn't eaten. "I'll talk to you later. Gotta eat."

"Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Yeah, Mo. Get back to your events planning. Goodnight."

She replies and I hung up. I make my way to the bathroom to wash my face. I glimpse at my swollen red rimmed eyes in the mirror and curse. How will I hide that I've been crying?

I walk out and near the door so I could go to the kitchen. I stop with my hand on the knob as I hear footsteps passing by and the door to Joe's room opens and closes.

I'll be safe to skip to the kitchen and grab a few snacks and make it back up.

I pick a packet of potato chips and a soda. This most definitely isn't healthy.

I make it back up just Joe's door opens. I immediately dash into my room and close the door. I heave a sigh of relief.

I pull out my laptop and answer a few emails and settle for a Netflix movie.

Midway through the movie, I hear heavy breaths in the hallway and Joe's door opens soon after and closes with a bang.

I already know what's happening next door but I can't help breaking my own heart as I listen in on whatever is happening. Stupid, right?

Moans and groans of pleasure carry into my ears and I start crying. This is unbearable.

My appetite immediately vanishes and I don't feel like watching the movie anymore. I need air. The oxygen content in this room is so low.

I rush out of the room and walk to the beach in the dark. Sitting in the sun, I look out at the ocean. My stupid mind can't stop replaying what happened earlier.

I'm startled by footsteps behind me and I almost wish it's Joe. But looking back, I find a handsome blonde guy approaching me. I frantically wipe away the tears as he nears.

"What's a beautiful woman like you doing out here in the dark and all alone?" He asks in a glorious southern accent.

"I just needed fresh air, is all." I wish he could just leave alone.

Instead, he takes a seat beside me. I look up to find his emerald green eyes staring at me, almost studying me.

"You look troubled. Name's Kyle King."

I'm so not ready for this. "What do you want, Kyle?" I bluntly ask.

"To be friends and help you forget whatever it is that's bothering you."

I study him for a while. "You sure you don't want to take advantage of me?"

He chuckles. "Wouldn't think of that. And besides, you're not my type."

My mouth hangs open. "Excuse me?"

Even a stranger doesn't want anything to do with me. Sucks to be me.

"Don't get me wrong. You are beautiful and all. Trust me, if I had an interest in women, I would most definitely want you."

Oh!

"Oh..." I can't stop the blush that creeps up my cheek when I realise what he means.

"So, what's up?" He asks.

I smirk. "The sky is up!"

We both burst out laughing and I must say, it feels good. He has this positive aura that lets you feel at peace and comfortable around him. Too bad he bats for the other team.

"I've just been through a rough week." My voice turns serious.

"Wanna talk about it?"

I contemplate how much I should tell him. He is a stranger. So I settle for the basics and leave out Joe.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. And that idiot needs a stick stuck up in his ass."

"Yeah, well, I'm here on holiday."

"You live up in that mansion?" He motions to the Frost mansion.

I nod. I begin feeling a little drowsy.

"I think I need to rest. I'll see you around." I say as I stand, dusting off the sand from my pants.

"Are you kidding? I have to walk you to the door. Wouldn't risk anything happening to you."

"Such a gentleman," I tease.

"Trust me, I'm no gentleman."

We walk in comfortable silence until we reach the small path that takes me back to the pools.

"I think I'll be safe here on. Thanks for the company."

"Welcome. Now walk on. I'll stand here until I know you're really safe."

I smile at him as I turn to walk away. God, why do the good ones not have to be straight. I'm sure the woman who would have him would be the luckiest.

I reach the staircase that leads up to the entrance hall and look back. Kyle's still standing there. He gives me a smile and I wave to him before I begin the ascent.

I lay in my bed, thinking back to my time at the beach. Who thought I would go from crying to laughing in a space of time less than twenty minutes? I didn't.

It's a good thing the intimacy noises from next door stopped before I came back.

I let sleep take me peacefully, drowning out my troubled day. Let's see what the future will bring.

••••••••••