Chapter 5

Jessica woke up with somebody poking her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes to be met by ocean blue ones.

"Wake up," The lad said and stood up from his seat. "Get your lazy ass up."

The brunette suddenly fixed herself and stood up as well.

"Uhm Philip, do you know how long I've been sleeping?" She asked while fiddling with her fingers.

"I don't know and I don't care. Do you think I'm an alarm clock to tell you?" He said in his usual boring face.

"I'm just asking," she mouthed but the lad seemed to have heard her since she saw him roll his eyes as he turned his back from her.

"Just hurry up." He said bluntly and walked off.

"Meanie," Jessica mouthed, this time making sure she’s not making any sound.

Jessica was the last to come down the plane and she was still so annoyed at her seatmate that she hadn't noticed the view around them. It was so beautiful. She only saw Hawaii in pictures, but to see it for real was beyond her imagination. She couldn't believe the fact that they're here and she’s hoping she can explore the rest of it further more later.

Well, that kind of depends on Philip.

-

Elijah

"At last, we're here." I stretched my back and arms as me and Colin went out the van. "Oh yeah, a lot of girls in their bikini’s, I'm so lucky. What do you think dude?" I wiggled my eyebrows at him and he just shook his head.

"Can you at least try and be a good boy for once? C'mon we just landed and all you can think about now were the ladies."

I walked towards him and patted his shoulder. "You know Cole, you're killing my vibe here. I mean c'mon, this is Hawaii. Some people even call this place, paradise. Don't expect me to react the way you and Phil do, coz I am different. You're both unbelievably alike." He scoffed in response but I just patted his cheek.

Colin, Philip and I have been best friends ever since we're preschoolers. In our little trio, they're closer with each other. Sometimes, I feel out of place whenever I'm with them. All they talk about was work and I'm kind of not into that because work bores me. Although I work for Philip, still, it’s boring. And besides, Colin was Philip's legal counsel. Their family lawyer, in other words. So that's that. But I'm not jealous of course, if that's what you're thinking.

"I ain't killing any vibes here, Eli. Because unlike you, I'm loyal." He proudly said and gave me a smack on the head.

"Ew bro. You're so cheesy that sometimes I think you're gay."

"Shut up Eli," He rolled his eyes at me. But I know it’s true. He once told me that he's into this guy he met in the coffee shop one day. He said that he's cute and that he'll make a move at him someday. I wonder when.

"Anyways, where are the others?" I changed our topic. Colin looked back, so I did the same and there we saw Philip poking Jessica's cheek. Until now, she's still asleep. How adorable. Jessica slowly opened her eyes and realized that she was no longer inside the plane. She hadn't realized what happened earlier.

"Phil, wake her up. The van's already there." I said and pointed at the parked van a few meters away from us. He was kind of surprised when I approached him since he was busy drooling over his wife. Couldn't blame him though, Jessica was goddamn beautiful.

"Hey guys, let's go." Colin told me and went inside the van along with Chloe and Mon. I was about to follow them but then I saw Philip stood up and blocked the way. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"Bring our things." He commanded. Was he serious? I was about to complain but he turned away and went back to his seat.

My confusion was somehow resolved when I saw Philip carry Jessica. He was carrying his wife, bridal style. I smirked. Ah, that's why.

I called for Colin to help me with the bags and told him what I just saw.

"What's got you all smirking like an idiot?" Colin asked. I didn't answer him, my eyes glued to the couple inside the van. "Never mind. I'll go ahead and catch up with Mon and Chloe. Just follow me 'kay?" I just nodded and he walked away.

'Meanie' That's what I read on Jessica's lips when Philip looked away. I couldn't believe him. How could he treat his wife like that? Well, I can't blame him. I'm not stupid enough to believe that both of them wanted to get married to each other in an instant.

I know the real reason about their marriage though. And I know that one of the reasons was because of the last will and testament of Philip's father. It was specifically stated there that he had to marry someone so that all the properties that belonged to his Father would be transferred under his name. However, I had no idea on why he picked Jessica, not a single clue. I mean, really? He’d chose to marry someone whom he doesn’t know, is not rich and not popular. I'm just kind of curious of his reason. Only he and Colin know all the details. And I don't want to ask them since I know what Philip might do to me if I even try to ask.

"Ouch..." Jessica muttered under her breath as she massaged her forehead. Well, I kind of blocked the way she was walking so her forehead met my chest. "Elijah!" She whined. I laughed at her while she pouted. She's cute.

"Aww babe, you're so cute." I pinched her cheek. I couldn't control myself.

"Aw aw aw." She complained. So cute.

"Let's get you inside." And we made our way inside the hotel.

-

JESSICA

"Yaaaaaay! You're finally here guys! I missed you all so much!" A girl squealed as we enter the hotel to check in. She ran towards us and enveloped each one of them in a hug.

"Can you please lower your voice, Mara?" Irritated, but Chloe hugged her back. Elijah and Mon covered their ears while Philip? No reaction at all. Well, what's new?

"Wow. No 'I miss you too', guys?" She pouted, crossing her arms. She must be Xiomara. One word to describe her? Beautiful. She's breathtaking even if she’s just wearing an oversized shirt and denim shorts. I bet if I wore something like that, I'll look uglier.

"Who do we have here with you Eli? Is she your new girlfriend? Have you changed? Are you into serious relationships now?" The Cuban girl bombarded him with questions.

"Yeah. She's my girlfriend. She's pretty, right?" He asked and Xiomara nodded. He even tangled our hands but immediately let go of it. "I'm kidding!"

He gave me a little space before he introduced me properly. "She's Philip's wife. Right, Philip?" He slowly asked and held both of my shoulders before placing me next to Philip. She just rolled her eyes at Eli’s antics.

"Oh my! So, you're the famous Jessica Hayes-Edwards. Nice to meet you." She made her way in front of me. "The name's Xiomara. She-oh-mar-uh, got it?" She said with a smile and handed her hand out. I gladly shook it.

"Uhm, Happy Birthday Xiomara." With tentative pronunciation, I said with a nervous smile. I hope I didn't sound horrible.

She beamed a smile at me before enveloping me in a hug. "Thanks." She said as she pulled away.

"Here are your keys," The receptionist from the desk told us and each one of them grabbed their keys. Except for me, since we’re ‘married’, Philip and I will be sharing a room.

"Let's go." Philip pulled me away from them and to the elevator. I have no other choice but to follow him.

-

"Wow." That's the only thing that came out of my mouth once we entered the room. It was huge! Looks expensive but it’s really great in here. The bed was a king size one, similar to Philip’s bed. I dive in, it was comfortable and bouncy.

I made my way to the huge glass window and saw the view from up here. You can see the clear blue sea and the volcanoes from here. It was so beautiful.

"Fix your things." I was surprised to hear his voice. He was right behind me now. I faced him. Good thing, I backed away before it’s too late but it was such a wrong move since I tripped a little and was about to fall down hard on the ground when he caught me and held me by my waist. My hands automatically held onto his neck.

I stared at his angelic face. And there goes his piercing stares. Before I could even melt like ice, I composed myself and stood straight.

"Ahh yeah I’ll- ....excuse me, I'll go fix my things now." I said and turned my back at him and grabbed my suitcase to unpack my clothes. I placed them inside the cabinet.

As I was busy doing my clothes, I heard footsteps coming to my direction. Or am I just hallucinating? I looked back only to see Philip coming my way. I saw him looking straight into my eyes. My eyes widened. What is he up to now? What is he doing? I turned back again when I saw him slowly removing his shirt. Is he insane? I felt him stop right behind me and pressed his body against mine. I felt my cheeks heat up. Why am I blushing anyway? He gave me something and my eyes widened.

"You kind of dropped this." He said in a husky voice. My eyes widened and I quickly took my piece of clothing from him. Why are you so embarrassing Jessica?! I thought he already had left after that since I didn't feel his body against mine anymore. But how I was wrong because he spoke up.

"Nice thong by the way." Then he smirked and walking out. Leaving me to blush and curse myself for being so reckless.

"Shit, shit, shit," I shouted. "How could you be so clumsy Jessica?" I said and smacked my head three times. I hate myself sometimes. That was so embarrassing.

-

"Shit, shit, shit," Philip heard his wife shouted. He shook his head at how clumsy and childish his wife is. He hates to admit it but he finds her cute whenever she blushed.

He couldn't understand why he felt comfortable around the brunette. And he felt possessive of her when she's talking and smiling to guys, especially to Elijah. He wanted to punch him straight in the face but he knows he couldn't because the lad was still his friend.

And earlier, he wanted to kiss her lips and feel how soft it really is but he composed and stopped himself. He respects Jessica.

Unconsciously, he smiled when he remembered Jessica's reaction whenever she'll go near her. And he wanted to be the one alone to give that kind of effect to her. He's selfish and he knows that. He doesn't want to share what's his. And Jessica is on top of that list.