002

~REGINA~

Remy looked stunned upon seeing me, probably because he wasn't expecting me to come. I felt my eyes sting with tears as he wrapped his hands around Valentina's waist. She was oblivious to the turmoil mirrored in my face that I didn't even bother to hide as her head rested on his chest.

"Darl, meet my coursemate, Regina, and her roommate Karina."

The surprise look on his face disappeared and was replaced with a forced smile. Of course, he knew us. He needed no introduction, and while I was expecting him to at least admit that, he extended his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Regina." I stared down at his hands for a few seconds before I sidestepped him and headed inside, tears filling my eyes. The hotel staff followed me immediately and so did Karina. 

Immediately we got to Karina's room, I slumped into her bed and let out a loud cry. 

Karina was by my side again, her hands crossed around my shoulders and bringing me closer to her.

"Let it out," she said softly, rubbing my back softly.

Tears flowed in torrents from my eyes, drenching Karina's expensive sundress, but she didn't mind.

"I can't believe he really broke up with me." I croaked, my hold on Karina's thighs tightening. 

"I know he did. But you didn't want to listen to me."

"Bitch!" I spat out, recalling the way Valentina's hands were all over him. I felt bile rise in the pit of my stomach, my mouth as bitter as ever. I regretted coming here.

"Can we get a pretend boyfriend now?" I heard Karina's voice ring in my ears. I was already here. There was no going back and I knew that if I wanted to get over Remy, I had to start now.

"Yes."

             ~~~~~~~~~~~

After venting in the arms of Karina, I decided to head down to my room which was two rooms away from hers. I decided to let her pack since her boyfriend would be here anytime soon. 

I carried my pitiful self to the room to unpack and have a change of clothes. I didn't waste time in the room alone because I didn't want to wallow. 

Immediately after I had a quick shower, I dressed up in a sundress Karina got for me. With my puffy eyes and face devoid of makeup, I left the room, straight to Karina's room.

Three knocks and the door wasn't yet opened. My brows furrowed. Was Karina still in the bathroom?

I knocked again and soon I started hearing footsteps, followed by the flinging open of the door and a giggling Karina sticking out her head out. 

I gave her a sideway glance, noting the glint dancing in her eyes. It was only her boyfriend Clinton that was capable of making her giggle like that.

"Clinton's here." She said tilting her head pleadingly. That was my cue to look for a way to keep my mind busy.

I forced a smile and nodded. "Alright. I will be in my room." 

She planted a quick kiss on my cheek before closing the door.

That was how I found myself by the beach, enjoying the gentle breeze and wishing that it could mend my broken heart. There was no way I was going back to that room.

I spread out my arms, my eyes snapping close as I imagined myself inside a still water. I would have gone for a quick dip into the beach waters but I wasn't with my swimming outfit. 

I settled for basking in the natural scent of the waters and the gentle breeze that wafted around me, bringing a wave of calmness through me.

"It's going to be okay, Gina," I murmured. A tear slipped and I didn't bother wiping them. I suddenly felt refreshed. 

That was before I heard a loud shout that snapped me out of my calmness. My eyes fluttered open. I caught sight of two hands in the air. Someone was drowning.

Without thinking, I made it straight to the beach, and when I got there, I didn't hesitate to jump into the pool, not taking into consideration that I wasn't in the right outfit. 

I had managed to pull the young boy out of the deep side of the water, but I couldn't swim out because of my sandals. The realization of how stupid I was dawned on me. I jumped into the pool with my high-heeled sandals. I kept sinking to the bottom of the water, no matter how hard I tried to propel myself up.

 I was getting weaker, and that was when I decided to stop fighting. After all, nothing made sense in my life anymore. But before I sank to the hollow part, a strong hand pulled me up and dragged the young boy and me out of the pool.

I hadn't passed out yet, but I had drunk a lot of water that made me dizzy, and my eyes fluttered shut, and I slipped out of consciousness.

           ~~~~~~~~~~~

Coughing out a large amount of water, my eyes opened weakly, staring at the most gorgeous face I had ever seen. It wasn't clear at first. But the fog in my ears soon cleared and my lips fell inches apart. 

I was trying to catch my breath, and at the same time, that breath was being taken away by this muscular and gorgeous-looking guy who knelt in front of me, peering into my face with worry and concern. 

He had the most gorgeous oval-shaped face I had ever seen. His enchanting green eyes and long eyelids were what stood out for me, followed by his yummy red lips beneath a gorgeous-looking nose that wasn't overly pointed.

"Thank goodness you are awake. You almost gave me a scare." His deep voice was another breathtaking factor about him.

I didn't know I was gawking until his brows arched and I let out a nervous cough. 

My body shivered, but I didn't know if it was from almost sinking in the chilly water or from his gaze and grasp on my nape and at the back of my knees.

"We should get you to your room. You are a guest here, right?" As soon as he said that, I recoiled from his hold, shaking my head.

His brows furrowed. "Not getting to your room or not being a guest?" He asked lightly, a side smile tugging at the corner of his lips. My heart fluttered.

"It seems you haven't quite recovered from the shock of almost drowning." He was staring at me with so much fondness that it made me forget I was the one he was talking to. Gosh! Those green eyes.

"I'm going to take you to my room then." That was when my mind recollected there he was referring to me. My brows furrowed as I considered following this man to his room and getting to mine. But frankly, I didn't want to stop staring at those green eyes, not now, not ever. 

Great Gina! I just got my heart broken and I was already thinking about another man's eyes. 

"Are you a mute?" His deep voice dragged me out of my thoughts and when the realization of his words dawned on me. I shook my head vigorously.

"Words, beautiful," He softly commanded.

Of course, handsome. "No." I half-whispered. 

His side smile broadened to a grin and I felt my heart swelling out of its hold. Before I could register his next action, he pulled me out of the sand and into his arms and sprang to his feet like I weighed nothing. How the hell?

My heart thudded loudly against my chest as our gaze met. I had to leave my lips apart because I was literally panting.

"Let's get you to a warm place then." He whispered in a breathy voice that zapped out the rest of the breath stashed away in my lungs.