Waves Of Love(GL)

Chapter 12

                              "An Angel"

Two days have passed since that day. Zyleith has been ignoring her; even when their eyes meet, she immediately looks away. Zyleith has become even grumpier and more unapproachable, which saddens Akari because she thought they were already close.

It's almost twelve o'clock in the afternoon when Zyleith hurries downstairs to meet her filmmaker friend. She finds him surrounded by a few assistants, busy hauling equipment and film materials.

"Let me help," she offers as soon as she reaches the landing, just as he pauses from lifting his stuff.

"Thanks, but you don't have to-I'm such a gentleman that I can handle these heavy things," he jokes. She chuckles.

"Is that so? Alright, how about food? What do you guys want to eat?" she asks, gesturing to a staff member, who promptly approaches them.

"Is that for free?" he asks, which makes her laugh.

"Right, don't worry about the food," she replies. Then, with a smile, she adds, "While you're staying here, you don't have to pay for the food-it's on the house."

"Really? Thank you, my dear friend!" he exclaims excitedly.

"Don't mention it. Here's the menu," she says as the staff hands him one.

"Just order anything you and your crew want, and if you need anything else, just let the staff know," she adds, making him grin from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Solenn. You never change-that's why I like you so much," he says, as she scratches her nape.

"And you're still as flattering and corny as ever, Richard," she teases, prompting him to laugh.

"Am I? Pfft! As if you've never been flattered even once," he retorts with a smirk.

"Jeez, tone down the rizz, Richard-gross," she replies in disbelief as he feigns hurt.

"You're still so mean! No wonder you haven't had a boyfriend yet," he teases further.

"I don't need one, having one would just give me a headache," she declares confidently, and Richard bursts into laughter.

"What's so funny? And haven't you chosen yet?" she asks in disbelief.

"Whatever. Just take your time. I'll go do something upstairs for a moment," she adds blandly.

"Aren't you going to eat with me?" he asks eagerly.

"I'm not hungry. Let's talk about the film later, your people need some rest first," she says firmly.

"Is that so? Alright, thank you again, Solenn," he replies with a bright smile as she nods and heads upstairs.

Meanwhile, Akari can't stand the hot weather any longer, so she decides to go for a swim. While paddling in the water, three little girls approach her.

"Sister, you're so pretty!" one little girl exclaims admiringly, making Akari's heart flutter.

"Are you a foreigner, Big Sis?" asks another, clutching a ball.

"Can we play catch with you, Sister Pretty?" the smallest asks.

"You kiddos are adorable. Just call me Sis Megumi or Onee-san, which means older sister," Akari says with a giggle, earning awed smiles from the girls.

"I am Japanese, and yes, we can play!" she adds excitedly.

"Yeheyy~!" The three joyful girls jump with excitement.

Akari is happily playing with the kids, unaware that onlookers are admiring her-not only is she beautiful, but she clearly has a soft spot for children.

"Wait a minute, kids-aren't you tired yet?" Akari asks after a while, catching her breath.

"Kinda tired. Shall we play again after a little rest, Big Sis?" one of them says softly.

"Yeah, let's rest for a moment and have a snack. Is that okay?" she suggests, and the girls cheerfully agree.

"Alright! Then let's have some ice cream," she declares as their hands shoot up in excitement.

Meanwhile, four men are chatting and laughing over their lunch.

"Your friend's resort is really nice, Chad," one remarks amusedly.

"Just like the owner though she looks grumpy and scary. I wonder how you two became friends, haha," another jokes.

"I've thought the same-they really are opposites," a third adds as they all laugh.

"Guys, stop talking about Solenn like that. She's the way she is-grumpy, maybe, but kind and my friend. You monkeys!" Richard snaps irritably.

"Pardon us. How about we talk about the beautiful woman here instead?" one suggests, pointing at a woman standing outside.

"Which one?" another asks, glancing around quickly.

"That woman in front of the ice cream stall? Wow, you're right, dude-freaking gorgeous," another exclaims in admiration.

"Look at you three monkeys, so eager when it comes to a woman," Richard says in disbelief while continuing to mind his food.

"Dude, who wouldn't like such a beautiful woman? Just look at her," says the guy who can't take his eyes off her.

"Right! Look, Chad, she's really beautiful, though," he adds with a giggle.

"Not interested, I'm not like you guys," Richard says blandly, busy eating.

"She's with the three little girls. Could she be their mother?" he mumbles curiously.

"That can't be, she look too young to be their mother, you dumbass," another retorts as they continue to stare.

"What are you arguing about? You guys are so-" Richard starts, irritated, but then stops when he sees the woman leaving the ice cream stall with the kids.

"Loud... what did I just see? An angel?" he utters, as if not quite in his right mind.

The three men exchange glances and then burst into laughter.

"What did you just say? You're not interested? Then what's with you now?" one teases while barely holding back his laughter.

"What's so funny? You monkeys are so loud! Haven't you finished eating yet? I'm done and I have to go to my room," Richard says, annoyed and trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Hey, wait! We're just teasing you, Chady. Hahaha," one calls as Richard hurries off.

The three remain at the table, chatting and making fun of him.