Chapter 30 William's Unexpected Request for a Relationship

Elena Garcia's POV:

Albert was super competitive. The second he hit the water, he moved like a fish.

Watching his speed and form, I had to admit, the guy could swim.

He reached the buoy in no time and then zipped back to shore.

When they got back, William looked pretty bummed, but he still managed to say, "Congrats," to Albert.

Albert took the win with a grin.

I bit my lip and shot a glare at Marco.

Honestly, I didn't care who taught me to swim. My goal wasn't really about swimming anyway.

"Not impressed with my swimming yet, sis?" Albert clutched his chest, pretending to be all hurt.

This drama king glanced between Marco and me.

"You're good enough, Albert," I said, then turned to William. Gathering my courage, I asked, "Maybe after I learn to swim, you could teach me to surf?"

After that weird competition, my invite to surf seemed less random, like a way to make William feel better about losing.

William nodded.

Albert butted in, "Elena, did I mention I'm also great at surfing?"

Now I was glaring at both Marco and Albert.

Our swimming lesson kicked off quickly.

On the private beach, Albert started by showing Marco and me how to hold our breath and float.

Albert wasn't much of a teacher. After a quick rundown, he got distracted by the pretty girls he'd invited.

After joining in for a bit, he ditched us for the girls, just like he said he would.

I was left to practice on my own.

Marco was about six feet away, but I ignored him.

I was sure he'd ruined my chance to hang out with William.

Marco was a quick learner. He picked up the techniques fast.

I noticed that once he got the hang of holding his breath, he started copying Albert's strokes and got pretty good at it.

Meanwhile, I was still struggling to relax.

To float, you had to relax and fill your chest with air, or you'd sink from the tension.

Just then, Marco came over. "Are you mad?"

"No, Mr. Bianchi," I said, trying to stay calm. "If you've already learned to swim, you can go hang out with the girls Albert invited. They seem eager to talk to you."

"Why don't you want to talk to me?"

"I don't; it's just your imagination."

As I spoke, I lost my sense of direction while floating. Before I knew it, I bumped into Marco.

I tried to adjust, but ended up swallowing a mouthful of seawater.

Marco wrapped an arm around my waist, helping me stand up.

"Thanks," I said, a bit startled.

Marco reassured me, "It's okay, don't worry. With me here, I won't let you drown."

His words were kinda sweet, if it weren't for the fact that we were both beginners at this.

This unexpected incident interrupted my annoyance with Marco. For now, he saved me, and I couldn't keep being cold towards him.

"Actually, I wanted William to teach me to swim today because I have feelings for him," I decided to be honest.

No matter what Marco's intentions were in disrupting my time with William, I figured I should tell him to avoid similar situations in the future.

He asked, "Are you accusing me of interfering with you two?"

"If that's what you think, then yeah, a little."

I thought Marco would be upset. He never showed much emotion, but after hearing my words, he might think I was bossing him around.

Gangsters hated it when people commented on their behavior, finding it annoying.

So I was a bit anxious and even prepared a defense speech in my mind to calm Marco down if he got angry.

But Marco didn't get angry at all. He just seemed a bit sad.

He moved closer to me.

The close distance made me feel uneasy, so I put my hand between us, which ended up resting right on his chest.

His chest was firm yet soft, making my heartbeat quicken.

He asked, "Why do you like William? Just because he saved you?"

This question sobered me up, forcing me to confront the need for a response.

I had to admit, Marco's question had always made me think.

Was the fact that William saved me at the party the reason I developed feelings for him?

Yes.

But I thought that was just gratitude.

I considered myself a rational girl, so if someone told me my feelings for William were mostly because he saved me, I wouldn't want to admit it.

I thought William helping me was just a small trigger.

What would happen after the trigger was lit was unknown, unpredictable.

And it was only after spending enough time with William that I developed feelings similar to love for him.

"No, it's because of other things." I looked directly into Marco's eyes and gave him the answer.

Marco said, "People may fall in love with someone because of certain things or words, but that might just be a momentary feeling."

"I think I can tell the difference, Mr. Bianchi."

After getting the answer, Marco took two steps back. "But what if he deceives you?"

"What?"

I looked at Marco in confusion, but he lost interest in continuing the conversation and walked out of the water onto the sand.

Despite his handsome face, frozen in a mask of coldness and severity, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was sad.

After Marco left, I was puzzled for a while.

William soon appeared at the edge of the beach, seemingly looking for something but finding nothing.

"William." I swam to the shore and walked onto the sand, calling his name.

He turned his head and saw me.

The moment he saw me, he quickly walked to my side.

As soon as a smile appeared on my face, he almost impatiently grabbed my hand.

William lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it, then asked, "Elena, tell me, do you have feelings for me?

I know you denied it before, but I think that wasn't your true answer.

I want to know your answer, Elena."

Not far away, Sofia, who had just run over, widened her eyes in surprise, looking a bit at a loss.

Under Sofia's gaze, William asked the question that made me blush. "Would you be my girlfriend?"