Chapter 37

"Where is this place?" After a two-hour drive, we finally stopped in front of a woody place. We both exited the car and I gave him a questioning look, but he just smiled and took my hand, leading me in. We walked through the woods for a few minutes before arriving at an opening.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, my mouth hanging as I stared at the breathtaking view in front of me - a natural waterfall. The waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff, flowing effortlessly.

"This is amazing!"

"You wanna swim?" He asked, but I shook my head. "I'll pass."

"I want to though." He said, and in the next minute, his shirt was off.

My eyes widened and I quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks but he chuckled, and I heard footsteps. When I returned my gaze back to him, he was already in the water. I watched as he dived in before bringing his head out after some minutes, and gawd! He looked really hot doing that. His jet black hair was now wet and the hair around his forehead plastered to his face, framing his face, and giving him a hot look.

"Take a picture, it will last longer." My eyes widened and I quickly looked away as my face became flushed in embarrassment. I heard him chuckle.

"You wanna come in. The water is really nice."

"No, thanks." I shook, slowly turning to him. His face was glowing with a broad smile as he urged me to get in the water, but I refused, cause I can't really swim. He still insisted that I come in, that he would guide me and I finally gave in.

I took slow steps towards the bank. I felt a coolness in my leg the moment I stepped into the water. It was nice, but it brought fear.

"I think I will pass." Speaking up, I tried to step back but I was held by James.

"What are you doing?" I laughed, staring at his arms around my leg, and he pouted. "Come in, okay. I will guide you."

"But – " I stopped when he reached out with his hand. Sighing, I took his hand, and he led me into the water. As we wade deeper into the water, his hands slowly wrapped around my waist as he guided me till the water was at our neck.

"How is it?" He asked, and I nodded, smiling slowly.

"I know you would love it." He said, trying to release me, but I held onto his shoulders tightly. He chuckled lightly.

"How did you find this place?" I asked as the cool water enveloped our body.

His brows hiked up slightly, as if he was trying to recall something. "I was 15 when I found this place. It's been my comfort spot since then."

He said, surprising me. When he was fourteen? That's a long time ago, but then, "What do you mean by comfort spot?"

"Well, when things get hard, coming to this place helps me relax and think." He explained.

I nodded, but felt a pang of jealousy. "Why did you bring me here then? Do you bring other girls here too?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant, even though for some reason, I disliked the thought that he brought others here too.

James smiled, and flicked my nose gently. "You are the only one I've brought here. Even my ex has never been here."

"Hmph! Like I will believe that" I huffed, looking away.

"It's the truth." He said, hugging me suddenly. My body stilled under the water when his lips touched my neck, his hot breath fanning my neck. I swallowed nothing as his lips slowly moved upwards to my ear lobe. I shivered at the gentle bite he gave it, my breath becoming heavy.

My hand moved to his chest and just when he tried doing it again, I pushed him away and he flashed me a surprised look.

"We shouldn't be doing this." I shook my head frantically and moved back.

"I – "

"Please," I cut him off, leaving the river.

James also came out, but I didn't spare him a glance. My eyes were fixed on my clothes which were now wet, and sticking to my body.

"Vana," James called, but I ignored him.

When I felt his hands on my shoulder, I flinched, moving away from him. For a moment, I saw a hurt flash in his eyes, but I ignored it.

"I'm sorry." He apologized and I sighed, facing him. "Can we just go home?"

"I was thinking of having lunch and our clothes are still wet."

I sighed and looked down at my clothes, then settled on a rock without a word. He also sat on a rock, but a few meters away from me.

We stayed that way in silence. I was not even aware of when I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the car with James beside me, his eyes on the road.

My gaze scanned the whole area and I realized that the car was not moving. We were still at the front of the waterfall area. I slowly sat up and James turned to me. "You are awake."

"Hmm."

Just then, my stomach growled loudly. I took my hands to my stomach, clasping my mouth shut as I and James exchanged glances. I expected some reaction, but he just looked away and started the car.

I wanted to ask him where we were headed, but I didn't and soon, he stopped in front of a restaurant. I took my gaze to my phone to check the time, but I gasped when I saw the time was. It was already 4pm. I couldn't believe I slept for so long, cause I remember leaving the house by 10am, so...

"Come out." I looked up to see James was already out of the car. I exited the car and we went into the restaurant. We had lunch for almost an hour before setting off on the road again, but the unexpected happened - the car broke down.