012

~REGINA~

Hours later, I sat with Karina in a booth across the beach, enjoying the view of the resort's guests, having a feel of the beach waters—not that I really was. I couldn't stop thinking about his gaze.

Brandon and I were talking about this short trip to his base till the first game was over and how relieved he was that the bitch took the initiative and backed out. 

But when I glanced around, the first thing my gaze captured was his masculine frame— hunky and inundating. I recalled shaking my head mentally and willing myself to focus on what Brandon was saying. But my gaze settled on something else— which was surprisingly disturbing.

He was holding Billie's hand over the mug as the both of them kept staring into each other's eyes. Gulping, I had taken my gaze off. Here I was thinking there was no emotional connection between those two. 

I had a fair idea of how marriage between the rich worked. It was usually a union based on alliances, mergers and acquisitions. But seeing this couple hitting things off with their eyes made a wave of disappointment wash through me.

Here I was, thinking that Kristen had an interest in me. I wasn't supposed to be thinking so, but I couldn't help it.

So, when my gaze strayed towards him— for the umpteenth time in a space of ten minutes— I also found his gaze straying and by luck it rested on me. 

I had willed myself not to look away and see whether he would. But he didn't. Rather, he blessed me with a pointed stare. I mean, he was full-on staring at me even when he was with his fianceé. I didn't know what to make of that. 

Or the tingling feelings that surfaced as his gaze raked my face. That was why I had to look away. And I was glad I did because the next minute my gaze spanned back in their direction and found his fianceé's gaze on me. I didn't spare her a second glance but tried to focus on what Brandon was saying instead. 

But damn! That was one hell of a stare.

"Earth to Gina!" A furious snap of fingers and Karina's very shrilly voice snapped me back to reality. I suppressed a flinch. I had no idea I had gone deep into my thoughts not to pay attention to my environment anymore.

"Yes!" I tried to sound chatty as though I hadn't been immersed in the thoughts of Kristen.

Karina snorted, throwing me a disbelieving look. "That doesn't deceive me one bit. What were you thinking about?" 

My mouth went dry. I had forgotten how Karina was always keen on whatever was going on with me. And she had become extra sensitive since the Remy thing. And seeing me zone out fully like that, there was no wiggling out of this one.

Speaking of Remy... As my gaze drifted from her to the beach—desperately in search of the reply to give her that didn't include her brother— I caught sight of him and Valentina padding the beachside and giggling like children. 

I resisted the urge to gag as a bitter feeling came upon me. It wasn't as a result of heartbreak. Surprisingly, I had gotten over the pangs that his breakup caused. All I could feel whenever I looked at him was anger— mostly at myself for allowing myself to get used.

I had always been a strong one since I lost my parents before college. So it was a wonder how I let him slip in and shatter the strong walls I had built around my heart. I thought it was worth it. Too bad it wasn't.

Another snap of fingers. That was when I realized my gaze was still fixed on them. I looked away immediately, grateful that they didn't catch me looking. Remy would quickly sum up the fact that I was still pining over him— because Valentina had no clue about our relationship and I doubt he would tell her.

Well... Looking away didn't mean I was free. Instead, I looked directly into Karina's probing gaze.

Compared to before, this one was more intense.

"Don't tell me you're thinking about that bastard?" She quizzed with a narrowed gaze, pointing her thumb backward to the direction Remy and Valentina had headed.

I shook my head vigorously, letting out a boring yawn. "Remy has no space in my thoughts right now."

Karina gave me an approving smile. "That's my girl." Then she tapped my hand enthusiastically. "What you should be thinking about is how to hit things off with my brother." 

"Huh!" My ears buzzed with a strange noise as I heard her say that. "Wh...what do you mean hit things off?" Was she by any chance suggesting we should have a thing even when it was all fake?

She nudged me playfully, giggling. "Look at your face. I didn't mean it the way you're thinking. I meant, getting to know him. He's actually fun to be with— a huge contrast to his dramatic fianceé. Don't let her fuss get to you."

It warmed my heart that Karina had my interest at heart and she wasn't siding with Billie, even though she was her sister-in-law. Too bad, I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I had already ascertained how fun her brother could be. That didn't matter.

"I will channel my thoughts in that direction," I replied with a warm smile.

"We still have tonight's event before the whole game kicks off." I was reminding myself more than I was telling her.

"Yeah." Karina nodded. "I'm lucky I am not paired with that psycho ex of yours. My partner is actually mature. But Clinton couldn't stop fussing over not being with me for a week." She continued with that signature glint that usually shone in her eyes at the mention of her boyfriend.

I smiled at the way my friend had gone all in for Clinton and hoped that he wouldn't turn out to be a douche like Remy.

My mind hadn't fully dropped that thought when Karina gave me a firm tap on my wrist, causing my gaze to snap up sharply to meet hers.

Her eyes were twinkling. Just like it always did when she had news she didn't think I had heard. 

"Shoot!" I prompted with a playful tilt of my head.

"Tonight's the mistletoe moment, yeah?" My brows furrowed. Didn't I already know that? But I nodded anyway, staring expectantly at her.

"Whatever you do, avoid the mistletoe. If you don't want to escalate things." She finished with a friendly wink that reinstated my furrowed brows. 

"What happens under the mistletoe?" I was as confused as they come, but the twinkling of Karina's eyes showed she wasn't ready to let me in on that information. At least, not yet.

"You'll find out tonight.” was her reply.