Chapter 3: Sunset at Dock

I pursed my lips and took a step back to Larica’s shipyard just a few meters away from the private dock. Lyndon was just following behind and I had no plans to talk to him. I was thankful that he was silent even though it was awkward.

When the wind blew, I hugged myself. The coolness of the breeze at dusk is not for nothing, but he placed a warm jacket around my shoulder and my teeth stopped chattering instantly. I simply turned to the side and saw the side view of his face.

The sun was setting in the west and the soft rays touched the tip of his nose. From the angle I could see, it was as if the dim rays of the sun painted Lyndon’s face, tracing his side profile which made him look ethereal.

I looked away and sighed. He has the looks but the attitude… err nevermind.

A few minutes later, I took a step into the shipyard. Here is the place where ships used for sailing are repaired.

It was one of Larica Shipment’s properties and it is not far from the shipping port where the center of business is. I didn’t pay attention to the looks of some of Papa’s employees who kept on pulling something while looking in my direction from time to time. They knew me because I always walk past the area whenever I go to the dock, and it was their first time seeing me with a man. Tch. Good thing that they kept their mouths shut or else…

I was surprised when Lyndon suddenly bid goodbye to buy something in Emal which is nearby. He said he was going to buy me new clothes. I raised my brow at him. “What are you up to?” I asked but he didn’t answer me and immediately turned his back on me. I just looked at his back going away with a frown.

It was surprising he took initiative. Our first meeting was not that pleasant so why would he do that?

Bah. If he wants to buy, then buy. Why am I thinking about the motive of that man when there are clothes in Papa’s office? I shrugged my shoulders. It’s up to him.

I hurried to Papa’s office and found him busy reading contracts. Fortunately, my clothes have dried a little earlier so the sea water is no longer dripping on the floor. Papa turned to me and raised his eyebrows. “You dived? The water at the pier is unhealthy,” he said.

My lips twitched and I laughed wryly. “No, Pa. I just fell.”

“Take a shower first and change. You probably have clothes on the other side,” he said and turned to the papers again.

I folded my arms. “Pa, do you know Engineer Lyndon? He was waiting here earlier but I didn’t send him out because he told me he’s your business partner.”

He paused for a moment before reaching for a personalized pen and signing the contract. “Mmm. Where is he now?”

“Buy clothes at Emal.”

“Why buy more? You have a lot of clothes next room.”

I snorted. I knew that he knew why Lyndon would buy clothes.

“You gave him money?” he added.

I shook my head. “He doesn’t need it. He has a lot.”

Papa closed the open folder and sighed. “Change your clothes now. It’s late and you might get sick.”

“But Pa, who is Engineer Lyndon?”

‘And why is that one so nosy? I was even suspected of being involved in the massacre there in Boljoon,’ I said in my mind but I didn’t ask Papa and he might get suspicious.

“Rishell. I’m busy right now. Get dressed,” Papa said and reached for the second folder. I glanced at the mountain of contracts on his desk and sighed.

Papa plans to grow the business so he is in contact with many of his acquaintances in the corporate world. I once heard that he wants to export goods to other countries. As of the moment, the business is still at the local level so he is taking steps to raise Larica Shipment to the national level and compete with the big corporations in the capital.

I shrugged and nodded before walking out of his office. There was a door on the side of his office and I opened it before stepping inside. I first saw the big Vine poster I had pasted to the wall last year.

Levi had a big smile as he looked at Nicole who was facing the camera. Even in the poster, he’s still in a side view, and what’s more painful is that he’s only looking at Nicole. My lips pursed into a line. It’s okay. I had an encounter with Levi earlier.

I took a deep breath and opened the cabinet but I couldn’t find any nice clothes. And since someone showed up to buy, I thought I’d just wait for that one. Maybe the clothes he bought are better than the ones hanging inside the cabinet.

I walked to the balcony. Papa’s office is on the second floor and the building is close to the fish market, so I can see the Pasil Fish Market from here. The market is illuminated by large outdoor lights. I hugged myself when the wind blew. My eyes squinted. Where is that man?

Just as I thought of him, someone suddenly knocked on the door. I thought it was Lyndon so I quickly opened the door to get the clothes he had bought, but Papa’s face appeared before me. “Your mom called. She’s sending you home. Why can’t she contact your number?”

I blinked. Oh “My phone fell into the sea, Pa. It was at the bottom so I didn’t go down. It’s already dark.”

“Buy a new one tomorrow and don’t bathe there at the pier. There is clean water in Badian, visit that place if you want.”

I smiled at Papa. “I guess…”

He nodded seeing me shrug before returning to his office. I closed the door again. I was about to step back to the balcony when someone knocked again. I blew out the air and opened the door to the man I had been waiting for. “Why only now —-”

I stopped talking when I noticed something on his polo shirt. There is a big red stain there. I frowned. “What happened?” I asked and winced. I smelled something fishy when the wind blew in my direction. I stepped closer, knelt in front of him, and leaned my face closer to the stain on his shirt. “Fish blood?”

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?” I looked up at him.

His expression was dark as he looked down at me. That’s when I realized my position so I quickly stood up. But suddenly I lost my balance and almost fell. He quickly held my shoulder and helped me steady on my feet.

My cheeks suddenly became hot. I closed my eyes and looked away. “T-Thank you!” I said then reached a hand for the bag he was carrying.

I turned around and quickly closed the door. I leaned against the door for a few minutes and calmed my fast heartbeat. I didn’t know why, but his eyes told me that he knew my secrets and it was driving me insane. I let out a breath and walked to the bathroom.

Minutes passed but he was still staring at me. I didn’t have a choice but to smile at him and accept his unfathomable gaze, even though I’m trying hard not to make my smile falter.

“Mr. Davies, this is Rishell Joy Larica, my daughter. I know that you’ve seen her earlier. Rishell, this is Mr. Davies, one of the outstanding bachelors in the province and the head engineer of project renovation and expansion of Larica building.”

I looked at Dad. “Ah, renovation. Of course,” I vaguely said. That’s why there’s heavy equipment staying around not far away. He has the plan to renovate the building, and I guess it’s a good decision since the building is a bit crowded, especially since there are now people with thick faces hanging around the place.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Lyndon said and extended his palm to shake my hand.

I smirked and grasped firmly his palm. I squeezed his hand hard so that he would know that I’m itching to punch his smug smile. “Likewise. I hope you’ll live up to your reputation, Engineer,” I emphasized with a smile on my lips.

But I just didn’t expect him to reciprocate my gesture with a slight squeeze. I was stunned. I saw how the smile on his lips widened when he noticed that I was affected by that squeeze. I cursed in my mind.

I quickly withdrew my hand and turned my gaze to Papa. “I’m going home, Pa. I have an exam tomorrow.”

“Are you going to take the bus?” he asked.

I nodded. “The trip is only four hours.”

He thought for a moment. “It’s not good to take the bus. It’s too late.” Papa looked down at his wristwatch. “Just wait for Gerard. He will deliver you.”

“I can manage,” I said, but Papa was stubborn and wouldn’t let me take the bus. I just took a deep breath. “Alright,” I said casually to Papa and shrugged. “I’ll just stay at the dock,” I said then stood up.

Lyndon suddenly spoke. “Be careful not to fall,” he warned.

My face crumpled and I sneered. “Thanks for your concern but it’s not needed.”

The night was deep as I left the office and went to the dock area of pier one. The full moon was fixed in the sky and because it was close to the sea, I could see the crystalline reflection of the moon’s rays in the sea.

Because it was private property, there were only employees staying around the area. I silently walked to the dock even though the road was dark because the distance between the light poles was large. Fortunately, I had memorized the way and Pier’s beacon was also alive, occasionally lighting up the path I was treading on.

While I was enjoying the beautiful view on the dock, someone spoke behind me. “Miss, the sea water is cold at night. It’s nice to take a bath. Why don’t you jump in and swim for a while?”

I back straightened up. Swimming in the sea at this time? Maybe he wants me to drown and die?

Frowning, I turned around hoping that the person who spoke was joking but I was stunned when I didn’t see anyone.