Blind Case (Completed ✔️)

Chapter Fifty- six

After eating breakfast and getting tons of compliments from Ashton and nothing but a smile from Hayden, we sat outside by the pool area. I had put Orton in one of the floaters and watched the wind blow him around on the pool.

“I was able to find out where Jewel is at the moment,” Ashton said.

“Really? Where?” I asked.

“She's in Singapore,” He said.

“Singapore?” Hayden asked.

“Yes. She works at a beach there as one of the guides. We could go get her tomorrow. I'll book the tickets,” He said.

“That's good. We'll use her to get Ian to us. Then we'd finally arrest him and end his tyranny,” I said.

“Yes,” Hayden agreed.

My phone rang, so I excused myself and went to answer the call by the pool.

“Hey Xena,” I said through the phone.

“Babe!!! How are you?” She asked.

“I'm fine and you?”

“I'm fine too. We all are. What of Hayden?”

I looked back at them and saw he and Ashton kicking a ball to each other. Boys will always be boys. 

“He's fine,” I said and faced the pool again.

“You're with him right now?” I heard a hint of teasing in her voice.

“Yeah. And I must say, things are going really well between us.”

She laughed. “I expected that. Give me the gist.”

“Kissing, holding, staring and I think he gets jealous when he sees me talking to another guy.”

“Kissing? What does he taste like?”

“Xena!” I laughed.

“Oh come on! Just tell me.”

“I don't know. Mint, honey...” I laughed. “Why are we talking about this?”

“Okay then. I won't prob for now. But when you come for my wedding, you're dropping the entire news,” She said laughingly.

“Your wedding?”

“Yes. Dad finally agreed. And Ravi and I are getting married on the 31st,” She said.

“The 31st? What month and year?”

“Year?” She chuckled. “This year and this month,” She said.

I swallowed. “But 31st is only two days away,” I said.

“I know right. Ravi wanted it that fast so I got dad and mum to agree. Just come over as soon as you can,” She said.

“Okay,” I said and hung up even before she could say anything else.

In two days, Xena would be married to Ravi. How do I explain to her that he was a criminal?

Something hard and painful hit my back suddenly and I fell into the pool. I struggled not to drown.

“Shit! She can't swim!” Ashton shouted.

“Help! Help!” I screamed.

“What?!” Hayden pulled his hoodie over his head and dived into the pool. He swam to me and carried me in a bridal style in his arm. I rested my head on his hard, thumping chest. My hair plastered to my face and I was drenched.

He carried me to my room and Ashton followed us. He placed me on a red beanbag.

“You should change,” He said.

I nodded and hugged myself. He walked out of my room with Ashton and closed the door gently behind him. I got changed into a short gown and Hayden walked into the room as I was combing my hair.

“I should have knocked. I'm sorry,” He said before I even spoke so I kept shut. “Let me have the wet clothes,” He said.

I stood up and took the clothes from the bucket. When I turned around, I caught him staring at my legs. He'd done that before at our first hotel but that didn't send chills down my spine as it did now.

“Here,” I said, handing them over to him. He collected them and grabbed my wrist.

“Thanks for the food. It was delicious. I know I should have said something earlier but... I don't know,” His hands went to his hair like it always did when he was nervous. Was I making him nervous?

“Thanks,” I said with a smile.

“I'll go drop these in the washing machine,” He said and walked out of the room. I sat on my bed wondering how I would stop Xena's wedding early enough now that I had to go to Singapore.

As I thought of telling Hayden about it, he came back into my room.

“What's wrong? I asked wondering why he was here again even though I wanted to talk to him.

“Ashton took Orton for a walk. He said he was bored so I thought I should come see you,” He said and sat beside me. “Oh and sorry about the pool incident.”

“It's fine. Actually, it was Xena that called earlier,” I said.

“Oh? What did she say?” He asked.

“She's getting married to Ravi in two days,” I said.

“Two days? On the 31st? Isn't that too early?”

“It is but that isn't the case. The problem is, Ravi is a criminal. How will I stop the wedding in a short time?” I asked.

“Oh right! Here's what you should do. Go to India and Ashton and I would go to Singapore,” He said.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course! And when we're done, we'll get her to India.”

“Thanks,” I smiled and hugged him. He hugged me back, pressing me further into him. I took in his scent of nature and the beautiful flowery scent of his hair. How can you not fall for him?

Slowly, I withdrew from the hug, wanting to kiss him again. But I just wondered if all these kisses who lead to anything. A relationship? Marriage perhaps?

“Ashton won't be back until later in the evening. I'd go make you something,” He said, standing up.

“Hayden,” I called him back. “I need a favor,” I said.

“What's that?”

“If it isn't too much, I was just thinking if you could... You know...” I hesitated. He placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Go on.”

“Make me feel like a woman,” I said and his eyes widened. I think that came out wrong.

“You... Me... You want me to...” He stuttered looking at me with utmost shock.

“No. Not like that,” I said, trying so hard not to laugh at his expression. “It's been long since I went on a date. I think the last time was four years ago. I just wanted you to pretend to be my boyfriend for a while,” I explained.

He calmed down. “Okay. I can do that. Even though it's kinda strange you haven't gone on a date in years,” He said.

“Work has been keeping me away from having a social life.”

“I understand. I, myself, have never had a girlfriend,” He confessed.

Say what now?!