Destiny

Inhibitions

When I took his hand, I knew that Matthew had broken all my inhibitions, and I realized that I might be starting to feel something for him, something very different from fear, and much stronger. As Matthew led me to his car, I thought about Ariana and everything she had told me about them. I had seen with my own eyes that they were normal people, and yet I was getting into his car, with my heart beating in a way that felt good. Maybe I was being deceived by him, maybe they lured us to their island with lies, but why did I have a feeling that Matthew wouldn't harm me?

Matthew started the drive back to the dock.

"Are you going to take me off your island?" I joked.

"We'll take a ride."

I had a bad feeling, so I had to ask.

"It doesn't involve getting on a boat, does it?"

He laughed again, a fresh and youthful laugh that left me amazed.

"It has everything to do with boats."

My stomach immediately churned.

"I think you should know something about me. I hate boats. I get really nauseous when I get on them."

"Well, today you'll get over that."

"I don't want to get over it; I want to avoid it, you know?"

Just then he changed direction, taking another route. We weren't heading back to the dock where his family's yacht was. I felt relieved.

"Where are we going?" I asked, looking curiously at the road Matthew was driving on.

He pulled out a pair of vintage-style sunglasses from the glove compartment and put them on. Could someone be even more attractive just by wearing sunglasses?

"Enjoy the moment, Bianca."

We entered a road surrounded by trees that curved inward to create a sort of roof over the road, like a tunnel. It was beautiful. The sunlight filtered through the twisted branches, creating a cozy effect. It was like being inside a fantasy world, a green universe. When we emerged from the trees, Matthew drove along a road flanked on the left by cliffs and on the right by the sea.

"This is... beautiful."

It was the first time I had seen something so beautiful since coming to Salem, since doing something different, since having fun.

"Do you drive around here often?" I asked.

"Almost every day. The island is ours, so I can drive without restrictions."

"Do you like to speed?"

Matthew turned his face towards me; I couldn't see his eyes, but that mischievous smile said it all. I saw the moment his foot moved to press the accelerator, and then it felt like we were flying. I immediately grabbed the handle above the window.

"Are you crazy?" I exclaimed, clearly worried about dying from the recklessness of a teenager whose presence still made me a bit dizzy.

"Two weeks ago, I thought I was."

He was so calm, as if he were completely sure that driving so fast, close to cliffs and the sea, wouldn't have consequences.

Before I had a chance to complain again about the speed, Matthew was already stopping. He crossed onto the beach and then, just a few meters away, there was another small, old dock with a boat. From its design, I could tell it was fast, luxurious, and, therefore, belonged to Matthew.

He parked the car and got out at the same time as I did.

"We're not getting on that," I said, eyeing the boat with disdain. Matthew smiled again and showed me the boat keys.