Chapter 16

“HAA!” Prudence slammed the hairbrush on the vanity table and watched herself in the mirror as her chest went up and down out of anger. “What? He wants me to be obedient. He wants to control me. That’s it!”
She removed the bun that she had worked hard on for minutes and removed her accessories as well. There was no way she would please Julian that day. Prudence would annoy the hell out of him instead. She was right about him. Julian was the opposite of Chase in many ways. How she wished he didn’t disappear. Being engaged with Chase was more tolerable than with Julian.
“But if I don’t do this, our plans might be ruined….” Prudence’s hands clenched hard.
Ah, she was torn.
“But I’m running out of patience….”
Julian was getting on her nerves. Why did it have to be that fast? They were together for only a couple of days, and they already had that conflict.
Perhaps they weren’t that compatible.
She left the vanity chair and left the bedroom to get her luggage. Prudence then changed into a more casual and comfortable set of clothes. She made up her mind. Julian would join his friend at lunch alone. She, on the other hand, would tour around the island.
*Just this once, Prudence… Just this once.*
She grabbed her phone from the corner table afterward and did some magic. It would be better to block Julian’s number so he wouldn’t reach her, which would mean peace for her.
Humming, she donned her brim hat and went out of the villa.
Prudence headed to the lounge area, where she found the beach resort’s assistance desk. She requested a boat tour around the island and put it on Julian’s tab. Perhaps Julian wouldn’t mind if she spent his money for her pleasure; she was his fiancée, after all.
She couldn’t help but laugh when an image of Julian’s frowning face crossed her mind. However, she immediately erased that image of him. Why did she have to think of him? Enough of thoughts about Julian. She must enjoy her trip.
“Miss Prudence,” said one of the staff who approached her.
“Yes, that’s me.” She adjusted her hat and put on her shades.
“The boat is ready, Miss.” The staff gestured at the door. “Let me escort you to your boat.”
“Sure,” she responded with a beam. “Ah, by the way, will you allow me to drive?”
“Pardon?” The staff gaped at her.
“Don’t worry. I have a boat driving license.”
“O-oh… I see. We shall let you drive if that’s what you want.”
“Great.” She grinned.
Prudence followed the staff to the dock. Soon, they reached the boat. And just when she was about to get on board, she saw familiar faces rushing toward her.
“I knew it was you, Prudence,” said Rhian upon reaching her.
Rhian, Mia, and Frida were her classmates back in college. They weren’t that close, but they shared a few good memories.
“Fancy meeting you here, girls.” She flashed a smile.
“Are you here for vacation?” Frida asked.
“Come on. Do you think she would come here for work?” Mia said, nudging Frida to the side.
Prudence laughed at that.
“Yeah… I’m here for vacation.”
“Alone?”
She turned her gaze on Rhian.
“Well…” She pressed her lips firmly. Should she tell them she was with someone? Ah, no… They would ask her to introduce them to Julian if she told them about him. “For now… Someone will join me soon.”
Their mouths formed an O.
“Is he a handsome lad?” Frida smiled maliciously.
She shook her head.
“Oh, come on, girls. Anyway, I’m going on a boat tour. Would you like to join?”
“Are you sure you’re taking us with you?” the three asked in unison.
“Hm. Why not? This boat is big, and it’s just me.”
The girls giggled.
“Let’s go?”
Prudence hopped into the boat first. And since she now had companions, it might help her forget about Julian, even just for a while.
“By the way, Prudence.”
She glanced at Rhian.
“Hmm?”
“There will be a beach party by the shore this evening. Why don’t you join us there?”
She leaned at the railings and gave it a thought.
“It’s not a bad idea. I’ll join you.”

THE sun was almost setting when they finished their boat trip. Prudence was starving, so she and the girls grabbed a meal at a beachside café near the dock. They spend a couple of hours at the café, enjoying their meal and gossiping. Yeah, girls’ thing. But she didn’t mind that and let herself kill time with that. At least she didn’t have to get bored and think about Julian.
“I guess we should head to the beach party after this,” Rhian suggested. “The night has fallen, anyway.”
Prudence turned her gaze outside.
“Yeah, right,” she said and sipped her iced tea. “Let this be my treat, girls.”
She left her seat and went to the counter to pay.
After that, they headed to the beach party as planned.
The party wasn’t even starting, yet the venue was already crowded with people. Frida left them after seeing an acquaintance from the crowd, and the same happened with the other two. But that was fine. Prudence was used to enjoying things alone, and besides, she knew they would be back once they got thirsty.
She headed to the bar and ordered a drink.
“One martini, please,” she told the bartender as she sat on the stool.
She propped a hand on her chin as she watched the bartender prepare her order. His moves were swift; it only took him seconds to serve her the martini.
Prudence shut her eyes upon taking the first sip. But she had to open her eyes immediately when she felt a tight grip on her arm.
“J-Julian…” She swallowed hard when she met his blazing gaze.
She didn’t know why but the way his jaw clenched made her feel weak.
“Where have you been, huh?” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ve been looking for you all day, and I couldn’t reach your phone. Did you block me?”
She slightly tilted her head upward.
“Yes. For my peace of mind.”
“What?” His eyes narrowed, and she felt his grip tighten. “Didn’t I tell you we’re going to have lunch with my friend? Did you even know what you put me through—”
“That’s your friend, anyway. Why do I have to be present when I—”
“You’re rebelling against me, don’t you?” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “I already told you, Prudence… you mustn’t push your luck.”
Julian let go of her arm, but it only weakened her knees. She didn’t know if she could manage to stand at that rate. Prudence could only watch him walk away.
“Who’s that?” Frida asked when she joined her at the bar.
“Just some psycho,” she said.