Unfaithful: Web Of Betrayal

“Looks like someone’s gonna miss the boat,” he said as he sat on the sunbed beside her.

“And I won’t be alone,” she raised her glass at him before she sipped the special drink.

He shrugged, “Well … I’m supposed to stay on the island for two nights as part of my job.” He smiled; his clear blue eyes were looking straight into hers.

“Hmm … What a nice coincidence.”

“I hope they know you won’t be going back to the ship, you might want to tell someone about it, or they’ll call the police.”

She almost choked on her drink, “You’re kidding, right? They would do that?”

He raised his brows and nodded, “Technically, they’re responsible for your well-being as their passenger.”

She grimaced and leaned back on the sunbed, “That’s ridiculous. I don’t have to do that.”

Roman laughed lightly, “You really don’t abide by rules, do you? Let me make it easier for you …” he reached into his pocket and got his phone. “I’ll call them for you.”

She wanted to stop him from doing it, but he was too fast.

“It’s not safe to be on a strange island by yourself; you have to notify someone and keep them updated on your whereabouts,” he told her while waiting for the line to connect.

“But … you know where I am.”

He smiled, “Thanks for the trust, but I thought you were avoiding me.”

“I wasn’t avoiding you,” she quickly replied. Somehow it made her feel bad to hear that coming from him.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

She wasn’t sure what she was doing exactly. A part of her wanted to steer clear from her charming pursuer, but he seemed to always appear at the right time. And then he did something that surprised her; he held her hand.

He did it so casually while talking to someone at the other end that he wasn’t even looking at her.

“Hi, it’s me … I want to make a report. A passenger here decided to stay on the island for the night … Adele Leighton … she’s with me right now.”

She wasn’t listening to him; her mind was frantically trying to figure out why he was holding her hand and why she wasn’t pulling it back. Then he turned to look at her.

“Do you know where you’ll be staying tonight?”

She pulled her hand, “Uhm … no …”

He turned away again, “She hasn’t decided, but I’ll tell her to make a report as soon as she knows … okay … thanks … bye.”

He raised his shoulders and threw his hands in the air, “Done … you’re free to roam the island for the night.”

“Thanks,” she was still not over the fact he had held her hand for no reason.

“You know what?” Roman took the glass off her hand, “We should enjoy the full island experience somewhere less …” he looked around their surroundings. “Pretentious.”

She burst out laughing; although she enjoyed the beach club and all its glory, it wasn’t exactly the place that defined the true meaning of an island experience.

“I know a place where you can really let loose anything holding you back … just let go, it’s not far, and the party will not start until 9 … you’ll love it.”

‘Let loose.’ Did she seem uptight to him? Why did he keep saying those words to her? ‘Let go of what’s holding you back.’ Holding her back from what?

He retook her hand, this time to help her up. She had no choice now, but she didn’t mind it either.

“Sure, seafood dinner?”

“The whole lot … seafood dinner by the beach, a seaside bar, island music, drunk strangers … and you.”

His dimple carved on his cheek, his eyes sharply looking at her.

“Sounds like a plan. Let me call my driver.”

He pulled her close and shook his head, “Ditch the car … I rented a motorbike, full island experience, remember?”

She laughed, she never rode on a motorbike before, but she always wanted to try. For a moment, she decided to do something she hadn’t done in a long time. It felt like she was going on an adventure; she was excited. “Okay.”

They left the club as the day was turning dark. She put on a helmet, and for the first time, she rode on the back of a motorbike. She hid a smile, amused by the whole experience. She looped her arms around his waist, his scent was getting familiar, and the feel of his body against hers didn’t feel awkward anymore.

They arrived at their destination in just 15 minutes. Roman was right, even from the entrance of The Beer Garden, the place radiates a more laid-back atmosphere. They could hear the music playing from the inside. Everyone was drinking beer and eating seafood by the beach, and those who wanted to start the night early gathered around the bar and the stage where the house band was playing.

When Roman went to order some drinks, she sat alone at one of the tables at the beach. Her phone beeped.

Declan: Hey sweetie … just got an email from the bank … you’ve been having a good time?

Her heart pounded faster.

Olivia: Hi … yes, I made quite some purchases today for the guest room, and I want to redecorate your study a little.

Declan: Of course, you know what’s best, make sure the delivery is not until after you get home.

Olivia: Don’t worry, I’ve put the date for next week’s departure; I still have some things I want to buy tomorrow (tongue-out emoji).

Declan: Wow, are you sure we have enough space for another container load at the house? (laughing emoji)

Olivia: We can donate the old stuff; I can rearrange the storage and move some furniture to my store; I need them.

Declan: Of course, honey, I was just kidding … So what are you up to tonight?

That question stopped her for a moment.

Olivia: Nothing … I’m pretty tired from all the shopping. What are you doing tonight?

Declan: You’re not out drinking? I’m still in the office; I’ll be working late tonight.

She stared at the screen of her phone; something inside her sunk. Working late at the office could only mean one thing. She bit her lower lip.

Olivia: Cool … I’ll check in with you later.

Declan: Oh, you don’t have to. Just rest. You have a whole shopping spree to do tomorrow, right? (Smiling emoji)

Her intuition was correct. Declan didn’t want to be bothered, and he let her spend as much as she wanted. He was with another woman.

Olivia: Okay … have a good night then, my phone will be off.

Declan: Sure, call me in the morning. Good night.

She turned off her phone and snuck it into her purse. The texts had left mixed feelings inside her. Declan was a good husband, there was no doubt in her mind that he loved her, but Declan was not perfect. He had been unfaithful to her. They’d been together so long that she could sense his deceptions even before he tried to lie to her. Working late in the office was one of his old tricks. Especially when she’s away.

Roman returned with a big seafood platter and a waiter bringing the rest of their orders. She looked up to see his smiling face, eager to be in her presence. She hated that Declan thought he could lie to her like a child. As if she had never been suspicious of his late nights at the office when he was sleeping with his mistress.

“Let’s have a toast … for a night out in Bhorma … let’s make it a night to remember,” Roman lifts his glass toward her.

She put up her glass with a smile, “I’ll toast to that.”

Declan is not the only one who can lie about what he’s doing tonight.