His Island Girl

Chapter Three

The construction team planned to visit the construction site that weekend. All preparations were made before hand as all the team members worked hard to ensure that their mission is accomplished.

Just as he had expected, the dinner with his sister did not go well. Although he tried all his possible best to be calm and endure the insolent nature of his sister, she on the other hand was just too cheeky and it ended up in a deadlock.

Barry however didn't like the idea that Christen was included in the travel party of the team and he tried to dissuade Dave from taking that decision as they had lunch in the company's cafeteria.

"Why does she have to come with us dude?" Barry asked.

"She's my assistant and she goes wherever I go" Dave replied and took a sip of his orange juice.

"But not in this case. You can decide not to go with her"

"Why"

"I just don't know why I-"

"Dude calm down okay? If she's able to do her job so well for three years then I think she is loyal. I mean, I didn't choose her for myself remember? The company handed her to me because she's qualified and trusted to do the job well. Just know that I can't have anything to do with her except work".

"But I don't trust her... I mean there's something about her which always makes me think she's up to no good" he muttered silently and Dave chuckled.

He was amused by his friend and he couldn't help but wonder why him and his PA were like cat and rat. He trusted his friend's instincts and he only wished that Barry could man up a bit and at least pretend to be cool with Christen for once.

"We have always had each other's backs for a long time now and I'm not trying to counter your instincts my friend but just trust me bro, everything is under control" Dave assured his friend.

He left work after lunch that day just to hit the gym. It has been a little while since he worked out his muscles and for this reason he felt a little slacked. After spending hours at the gym, he went home straight to be with Charlotte. He has missed spending time with her as a result of his busy schedule lately. She is the only person that mattered to him the most and her happiness is his top priority. Apart from being a brother, he tries to fill in the gap which their father left in her tender heart since his death though he is at least ten years older than her.

Charlotte and their mother never got along so well because she is a free spirited child who wishes to explore what life has to offer. But their mother on the other hand was domineering and always controls or stop her from being who she wants to be. He and Charlotte take after their father and Samantha takes after their mother

Mom on the other hand wants all her kids to look classy and not to associate with anything that may bring them down to the low class level. She always tries to ban or stop Charlotte from doing the things that pleases her.

"Big bro, does mom really loves me at all" she popped out the question as they played cards.

"Of course sweetheart. Why do you think otherwise" though he was surprised at the sudden question, he never expected it from her, at least now now at this age.

"Because she always tries to stop me from doing the things that gives me joy. She said I'm not allowed to volunteer in the community service that will take place at school. She said I am not allowed to mix with the poor and-"

"Shh! Its okay sweety, don't mind mom. She's only being irrational.

You see, you are still young and she is trying to protect you. Believe me, when you are old enough, you will have the right to decide what you want for yourself and no one can stop you"

She smiled and it gladdened his heart. He wished there's a way that he can make her feel more happy. Just the thought of her falling into depression at an early age as a result of her dreams being hindered by their mother made him want to fight for her and also teach her how to fight for her happiness.

"Alright bro. For your sake, I'll do what she says"

"That's my girl. Now gimme that smile again" he tickled her and she bursted out laughing.

****

Early Saturday morning, the team set out for the trip. It was a bright and beautiful day that would bring about life changing events in some of them.

Dave was dressed in a grey polo and jeans with black sneakers and dark sunshades to compliment his looks. He exuded power and class with an aura of ebullience even though he hardly smiled. These only added to his charming physique as he looked incredibly hot and stunning under the hot sun and the ladies couldn't get their eyes off him.

They all drove in the company car after the Jenkins arrived. It was a long ride to the coastline and when they reached the seaboard, they boarded an already waiting boat to convey them to the other side of the sea.

Dave had ridden on all kinds of ships and boats before including cruise ships but this before but this particular ride came with a little anxiety which he tried to shove it behind his head. The impression was not expected at first but along the line, it became fun and adventuresome.

The other side of the sea was not as deserted as he had imagined it to be. Its bank was trooped with a number of people mostly fishermen, seamen and tourists who came to enjoy the serenity of the place.

The seashore was filled with people and activities just as in an urban beach. There were stalls of traders who traded items mostly fish and all kinds of seafood, barbecue and other assorted food and drinks.

He had never been to the place before all through the preparations for the upcoming project because he had been occupied with other aspects of the contract so for this reason, he didn't know that people frequented the place at all times. It was so busy with activities here and there.

"So people frequently come here?" he asked Greg the leader of the Jenkins team who was the assistant team leader.

"Oh sure and because its a weekend. It is always this busy during weekends that's why the place is booming with activities." He replied.

"So what will happen when work begins" he asked again. He suspected foul play from the Jenkins' side because he could not help but wonder why it was never brought to his attention that the said island was never abandoned or deserted at all as they had stated in the contract.

"Well they just have to stop coming here and we'll probably demolish th-"

"Demolish? But these are probably less privileged people who are trying to make ends meet especially the fishermen and traders-"

"Then we'll pay them all off-"

"No no. This wasn't part of the agreement" he said getting irritated and upset. His emotional sense was immediately activated as he gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. He was trying his best to keep calm.

One thing he hated was injustice and selfish attempts by the rich on the weak and less privileged and this is where all of this is heading to.

"But this is the best way to go about this if we want the project to be a success" Greg replied but Dave was having none of these.

"No. I see this as injustice because they were here even before we came. We can't just chase them away or demolish them"

"Mr Orman I hope you are not trying to mix business with sentiments and I also hope you are not trying to back out of the plan cos this will be a big disappointment to your company. All plans have been put to place to make this work a success" Greg stated.

There was a loud and deep clearing of voice.

"So guys why don't we take a look and begin the work we came here to do?" Barry interrupted, trying to stop further misunderstandings and possible arguments from arising. There was sudden silence followed sighs and murmurs coming from the team members.

After a moment of calm has been restored, they all strolled through the entire seashore, making surveys and taking measurements. Dave just followed behind and paid no attention to the work being done because he was already upset about the situation of things. Christen walked slowly and silently beside him trying to get his attention by pretending to calm him down but he was not listening to anything she said.

He kept thinking about the innocent people who will soon be deprived of their source of livelihoods all because of some business project that will only attract more money to the rich. Meanwhile, the poor provide more wealth to the rich and the rich's major problem is their wealth.

By late afternoon, they were already exhausted and so decided to take a break and cool off under a shade. They ordered drinks and barbecue and sat to enjoy the serenity of the island.

But then Dave decided to take a walk across the plains and feel the soothing sensation that the island provided. He strolled into the woods keeping tracks of his movements in order to easily find his way back.

The cool breeze emitted by the dancing trees, the chirping noise of the birds and the distant noise of the sea provided a sort of peacefulness that he didn't want to depart from.

But then, he heard a deep voice from far behind him saying "You better make sure I don't catch you next time". The voice probably belonged to an elderly man but then a soft giggle followed afterwards. It sounded young and girly. Then he heard fast footsteps behind him as if someone was running towards his direction.

He immediately turned around but before he could decipher who it was or what was going on, he came into forceful collision with someone and found himself falling hard to the ground on his back. A then there she was lying on top of him. It was a 'She' in a glorious form.

As soon as he realised the reality, the pain he was feeling from the fall immediately vanished.

Strange and mysterious, it was their first time seeing each other yet they stared into each others eyes for what seemed like a long period of time. He has never seen such beauty in his lifetime, such endowment.

Her beautifully carved eyebrows just above the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen leaded the way down to a straight and pointed nose and then lastly, his eyes landed on her stunningly thick and full lips.

He traced his eyes back up to her nose and then to her eyes. She was still on top of him and his heart stopped beating for a minute as they both explored each other with their eyes.

What he felt was so strange even to his own understanding. It was as if the earth stopped moving. Just two strangers in the woods staring into each other's eyes with hearts beating against each other's.

Her long midnight black hair fell to the side of her face and he instinctly raised his right hand to move the locks of hair half covering her face just to have a better look of her angelic face.

But it seemed his little act only stirred up something in her as well as he felt her breathing rate increased the moment his finger touched her skin and she closed her eyes. Her lips parted and her long lashes swept her cheeks and after some seconds, she opened her eyes wide and what he saw in them made his heart want to dance to her tune.

Even though it was an appropriate time to get up and apologize or do anything to get out of the situation, Dave didn't move and didn't have any intention of moving because he didn't want to ruin the moment. The mysterious beauty was still on top of him and didn't make any move of getting up either. If it was a dream, then he didn't want to wake up from that dream. The sensation was just too good to be true.

"Dave"

He heard his name being called from a distance. The voice sounded like Christen's and she seemed to be close by or heading to the same direction though she was not yet visible to him.

The girl immediately froze at the sound of the voice and got up to her feet. But it was already late as Christen was able to behold everything even from the distance she stood.

"What on earth is going on here? Dave? I'm asking-" a shocked Christen stopped halfway her speech as Dave stood up to his feet.

"I'm sorry" the girl interrupted immediately while bowing.

Her hair went together with her body movement. Falling and rising.

Dave was in a trance as all he could see or hear was this enchanting goddess that just captivated his body and soul. Her voice was just as angelic as her face. She stood there, in her sleeveless top with a veil wrapped to the side of her waist covering her straight legs, her long hair rested on her shoulders. Her head was bowed.

He could read the fear and anxiety written all over her before she ran off deeper into the woods.

"What on earth was that? What were you doing with that psychotic pauper? And she was even on top of you? Gosh!!" Christen inquired in a raised angry voice.

"Christen please. As you can see that was just an accident. We just bumped into each other and fell. That was all" He said and started walking away. He wondered why he was even explaining himself to her.

"By the way, why are you here all alone? You could get lost or eaten by a wild beast" he added while still walking with his back turned to her.

"Well, it is time to leave, we were all looking for you" she said and he could still hear anger in her voice but he didn't care at that moment.

They returned to the others and set out on their journey back home.