The rains had stopped in the morning and by high noon, the sun's rays could already be seen in shafts through the trees. Faye chewed on her lip as she watched some of the children play on the dirt road. They were covered in mud as they ran to and fro tackling one another without a care in the world. She could remember a time when she only cared about getting high grades and doing well in her extra-curricular activities. It never really occurred to her that an adult's life was more complicated until she grew up herself.

One more day of sun and she would be getting back home. That meant back to the real world where she would catch up on the business scene and see how she could fit her plans to the way the world went. So she was on paid leave, but that didn't mean she can't plan to take her company in a new direction. It was definitely a much better option than thinking about Nathan bloody Prescott.

He had been nothing but trouble no matter what he was up to. His mere presence was trouble. She was sure she would have never gotten into the situation she was in if it weren't for him. Not that she accepted the mystical beliefs of the islanders as truth, but for every strange thing that happened, she couldn't help but think that the world did somehow conspire to cage her with him in some exotic locality. It sounded romantic, and there would probably others who would find it romantic, but it was her and Nathan! Factoring them into the equation made the romantic setting into one of torture.

And Faye's greatest concern was his sudden switches in personality.

One moment, he was the childish prick she had known, the next, he was this silent evasive enigma who wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole. And his most recent development? He was actually trying to act every bit the gentleman that he wasn't. It would have been a relief for most people, but this was Nathan and he was being a gentleman to her! She could only imagine that all this was going to lead up to a grand revenge for the times she slapped him.

The children splashed into a puddle near her and sent muddied water all over her legs. It effectively snapped her out of her thoughts and she eyed the children who looked at her apologetically. They nudged at each other sheepishly and Faye understood that they wanted to apologize, but there was a language barrier between them. She resorted to smile at them and ruffled their heads, to which the children smiled back and continued their play.

Without the children to distract her, her mind wandered off into nothing. In recent times, she felt her brain just shut down. Every time she thought of work she felt so tired. It wasn't like her at all, but it was what her brain was doing. She forced herself to think, but there was really nothing to think about. Everything around her didn't require strategies and maneuvering. It was all so...simple.

And she actually liked it.

Not that she would tell anyone that she was getting cozy to the idea of living this way.

She suddenly found herself staring at a handkerchief before her. She didn't have to look up to figure out to whom it belonged to. There were only two people in the entire village who had such a thing with them, and this one had fair skin. She chose to ignore him.

"Faye, if you're not going to wipe yourself, I will," Nathan said light-heartedly.

She hesitated for a while, but chose to ignore his threat. She knew it was impossible for him to go away if she ignored him. It had never worked before, but at least she didn't have to waste her energy on him. She chose to look away from him and look at the men who were preparing their nets.

It became impossible to ignore him when she felt his handkerchief on her leg. In truth, she did not expect him to do it. He had never carried out his threats immediately.

She looked at him as he worked. The way he looked down as his worked intrigued her. He had never done that before. Often he would look straight at her with a sneer or a smirk, his eyes challenging her to strike back. But this time...

A chill went throughout her body. The tips of her fingers tingled and her heart was pulled down to her stomach beating erratically. Her cheeks flared with heat and her breathing became deep as his handkerchief slid along her lower leg.

It took a while to uncoil her throat and when she did, she croaked, "What are you doing?"

Nathan looked up at her, taking his hand from her leg to rest on his knee. He smiled up at her. "I did tell you, didn't I?" When Faye only returned him a blank look, he laughed in understanding. "No. No. This isn't revenge. Well," he brushed his nose with his knuckle, "-not yet anyway."

"So, why are you being nice?"

"Can't I be?"

Before Faye could answer, Chinook came running towards them. She could only be thankful that she didn't have to answer him. If only because she couldn't think of an answer.

"Faye, Nathan, Chief and his wife want to see you in their home. I take you," Chinook said.

Faye took it as a chance to get out of the awkward situation she was in and stood up. "Coming."

Behind her, she heard Nathan sigh. "Alright."

She didn't look back, following Chinook to the chief's simple hut. The last time she was there, she was a charged woman formulating many plans she would be implementing the moment she stepped out of the village. Now, as she stepped in, she realized how much of her had changed. There were no plans in her head and the drive to push herself beyond her limits were gone. The village had changed her, but she knew it wouldn't be permanent. It was just the environment. The moment she stepped onto modern soil, her drive would be back.

At least she hoped it would be.

"Welcome back," Chinook translated as the chief spoke. "You have been through many things and the spirits see a change in you."

At the corner of her eye, Faye could see Nathan's face tighten, trying to keep a straight face. He still thought the concept of spirits a funny one.

"This is why the rains stopped," Chinook continued without giving away whether he noticed Nathan's subtle reaction. "Tomorrow, we will hold a feast for your success. After that, I will take you to the town."

The old woman spoke and he translated again. "She says her only wish is that you will listen to your heart. It is very hungry of what it needs most."

"I know," Nathan suddenly replied. "But it's never easy catching an eel, is it?"

He laughed and translated it to the chief and his wife who laughed as well. Faye gave Nathan a quizzical look and he returned her a knowing smile.

"What's that about?" Faye asked.

"I'll tell you someday," Nathan answered.

"Someday? Why not now?" she hissed. "Am I the only one who's left out of the loop here?"

"It is best," Chinook answered for Nathan, "-if you find out on your own."

Nathan snorted. "She's the slowest, smart person I know. Who knows if she'll ever figure it out for herself."

He chuckled and translated the conversation sending the elders to chuckle along with him.

Faye cursed under her breath. Whatever it was they were talking about, they weren't letting her in on it. It could only be one of Nathan's revenge strategies if that were the case. She decided she wouldn't let it get to her.

The chief's wife approached her and gave her a bracelet. She spoke in her native tongue and went back to her place beside her husband.

"It is a charm that will make you see things you do not see," Chinook explained. "Wear it and the spirits will reveal your heart to you."

Faye shrugged and wore it. "I'm not so sure about the spirits, but this is a pretty souvenir. Thank you."

"Damn, I hope that charm works," Nathan said under his breath.

"What did you say?" she turned to him sharply.

"Nothing." He smiled at her.

"I heard what you said."

"Then why do you ask?"

"You really think I'm stupid, huh?"

"No. Just slow."

"Slow?"

"More than twenty years behind."

She threw him another quizzical look and again, he only responded with a knowing smile. Whatever it was, everyone but she knew about it. It was frustrating, but it wasn't like she could pry it out of them. At least not now. If there were any booze on the morrow's festivities, then she could probably force it out of Nathan. But of course, she had to be subtle about it.

Really subtle.

Hello guys! Sorry for updating after ages. I have been very busy lately with my entrances. But do tell me how was the chapter. I would love to hear from you all. It gives me a lot of motivation to hear that that you are liking this book. It means a lot to me.

God bless you all and don't forget to vote for this chapter if you liked it. <3