The Lifeguard

Chapter 1

"Welcome to Anderson Hotel!" greeted one of the employee named Olivia. Her blonde hair shone as the sun reflected on it. She stood in front of me with a huge smile on her face, while a man beside her started picking up my bags. "I'm Olivia, and I will be your personal assistant. How was your flight, Ma'am? It's very nice to finally have you here."

I currently arrived at my family's hotel in Miami, Florida. My family owns few hotels around the world. It's been a family business for decades. However, the Anderson here in Florida is the biggest and most known because it's beach front. All the other hotels are in the city. After the scandal I made at a business party, my father decided to send me here for the whole summer. He wants me to spend time away from my friends. He's expecting me to mature and focus on the business. He thinks my friends are bad influence but in reality, it's their fault why I am the way I am.

"My name is Zoe," I introduced myself.

"Let me show you to your room. This way." Olivia began walking and I followed her. "Mr. Anderson said you will be staying here the whole summer, isn't that right?"

"Yes," I fake smiled.

We got to my room, which is on the eighth level of the hotel. Olivia smiled, as she opened the door for me. It's huge. There's a small hallway before you get to the open area, where the living room is. On the right side are two doors. One is the master bedroom and the other one is the washroom. The left side of the living room is the kitchen and a small dining area. By the living room, theres a slide door to the balcony, where the view is mesmerizing. It was beautiful. The water is so clear and blue. It's very refreshing in the eyes.

Olivia allowed me to rest for a while before giving me a tour. She said in an hour she will be back to tour me around the hotel. Honestly, I do remember the last time I went here. I was little when I did. And it was the worst day of my life. Since then, I never came back. Mom and Dad usually travels to take care of the family business. While my sister and I stayed home. We grew up with our nanny because our parents were too busy with their work that they can't even take care of us.

A while after resting, I decided to go down and explore the environment. I wasn't that tired. As I was walking around the hotel, I saw a lot of happy faces. It seems pretty busy and people seems to be enjoying their stay. I never really understood the business and I honestly don't see myself taking over.

I headed to the pool area and saw how masive it was. There are three huge pools in total while many pool chairs surrounded them. There are also few sun shades shelter covered with white curtains around the area.

"Ms. Anderson!" I was walking by the pool when I heard Olivia's voice.

I turned around, and someone accidentally bumped on to me. I was about to fall in the pool, when the guy who I bumped into reached for my hand, saving me from falling. His hands were wrapped around me, while I had one of my hands around his neck and the other one holding his hand.

I took a deep breath. "Thanks."

I looked at him, observing him. He was wearing red shorts and has a whistle around his neck. His hair was brown with blonde highlights. I stared at him much longer. I could see his natural eye colour. They're hazel brown. Second after, he smirked.

"Ms. Anderson, are you okay?" asked Olivia, as she approached me. Olivia held my hand, pulling me gently.

I nodded and removed my hand from the guy. "I'm fine," I shrugged. Olivia and I started walking away from the guy, but as I step away from him, I couldn't keep my eyes off of him.

Olivia began talking while we were walking away from the scene. However, I wasn't clearly listening. All I heard was how she will be my personal helper, and she will assist me. She also mentioned something about an event, but I didn't quite catch what she was saying. Olivia led me to the restaurant. I took a seat at a table that is already prepared and set. She started talking about how the chefs are professional. She also mentioned that the ratings of their food is outstanding. She even told me there are two restaurants in the hotel. This one is more formal, and exclusive. It only offers fancy dinner. On the other hand, the other restaurant is less formal, and it is open the whole day. But both restaurants have the same qualities of food, and equal services. To be honest, I did not care about any of those. I have zero interest.

"Who was the guy earlier?" I asked, cutting her off.

"Which guy?" she asked.

"The guy from the pool."

"Oh. Dawson?"

"Dawson?"

"Yes," she nods. "Connor Dawson. He's a lifeguard," she explains.

I gave a nod back. "You know what? I think I'm good here. You can go. I'll call you when I need you," I said, dismissing her.

After I ate, I went back to my suite and changed to my swim wear before I headed back downstairs in the pool. When I got there, there were only few people in the pool. However, the open area near the pool was still open. In there, people were drinking in the bar, and others are sitting around the tables, chattering. But at the pool, the guy who I bumped into, and who pulled me from falling is sitting on a lifeguard chair. I shrugged, as I removed my robe. I tried so hard not to look at him, but as I remove my robe, I could see him on the side of my eye. He was watching me. As I get into the pool, the other people began leaving but the same guy is still sitting down on his chair, watching me. I ignored him, as I looked away.

Few minutes later, it was just the two of us. I sat down on the edge of the pool, across the stand he was sitting at. I took a glance at him and he looked at me at the same time.

I scoffed.

"What's funny?" he asked.

I didn't expect him to notice, but he did. "Nothing," I answered. But the truth is that I only laughed because we looked at each other at the same time.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Or are you making fun of me in your head?"

I chuckled. "No," I tell him.

"Good," he smirked. "I'm Connor."

"Zoe."