The Islandress

11: The Guess

At the moment, Theodore had no idea what he’s feeling. He’s confused beyond relief, but he could also feel a surge of excitement run through him, especially since this is the first time he’s experienced something like this. The adventurous side of him that was deeply buried when he started taking college seriously started to resurface, and he’s still contemplating whether that’s a good thing or not.

Green filled his eyes the farther they walked and he could feel his friends walking with caution with every step that they took. If the way they kept letting their gaze linger around them wasn’t a dead giveaway of such a thing, then the way they unconsciously inched closer towards him was definitely an obvious telltale.

Honestly speaking, he could understand why his usually brave friends are acting the way they are now—this is exactly the type of thing that both Colin and Evan dread to happen whenever they go to vacations like this one. It also doesn’t help that the situation they found themselves in is exactly like it was plucked out of a movie—well, almost; it was undeniably leading up to one of those clichés though. 

“Are we seriously just going to follow her?” Colin whispered beside him, inching just a little bit closer than before so his friend could hear his words clearly.

Theodore glanced at his friend briefly before returning his gaze on the back of their (suspicious) guide. “Do you have a better idea?” Theodore whispered back. “We don’t exactly know where we are nor do we know how to get around here, and it seems like she does.”

“I’m fully aware that this is a long shot,” Evan chorused on Theodore’s other side, his voice effectively gaining his friends’ attention. “But she’s kind of our only hope for now.”

At that, Colin and Theodore couldn’t help but share a look. A slow smirk appeared on Colin’s lips as he told his friend, “Wow, look at you being all reasonable.”

“Thank you for your wonderful praise.” Evan muttered sarcastically, ignoring how Colin’s smirk only seemed to grow at that. “I feel so honored to have been bestowed such kind words from a spectacular man as you.”

Despite the slight worry gnawing at his insides and the uncertainty of things still weighing on him like how a monkey would, he still wasn’t able to hold in the slight, but silent chuckle that escaped his lips when he heard the words that just came out of Evan’s mouth. Facing his friend with a grin, Thedore told him, “Man, you really take sarcasm to the next level. If only you were that coherent and smart-sounding when you talk to us normally, I wouldn’t mind if you talk my ear off.”

The scowl that marred Evan’s lips was quick to register on both Colin and Theodore. “What the f**k do you mean by that, Theo? And you better answer properly, or so help me I’ll make sure you’ll never see daylight again.”

It was really these kinds of threats that Theodore was used to hearing from his friend. Not to mention that he frequently (but not as frequently as Colin) gets those on a regular basis. And yet somehow, it only made it easier and easier to ignore those words since he knows that there’s no way Evan would even really put those words into action. 

Colin knows that too.

So when he merely ignored Evan’s obvious threat and faced Theodore with an impish glint in his eyes, he wasn’t that surprised. “Well, I would have minded still.” Colin replied, his smirk only growing when he saw the way his friend’s eyes danced with unsuppressed mirth. “Actually, no—now that I think about it, that wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.” 

“So basically, you’re both telling me that I’m not appealing when I’m acting like myself?” Evan queried, contempt clearly palpable in his words.

“Exactly.” Colin offered him a wink. “Glad we got that out of the way.”

Evan’s scowl deepened. “How was that considered being something that’s out of the way?”

Theodore gazed at his friend then, the amusement he felt earlier still not subsiding even a little. He couldn’t believe that they still have time to tease Evan like this even when they're headed to somewhere totally suspicious, but he didn’t really mind. If they were only going to end up like how those (weird and frightening) movies would, it would be better if they get to spend it like how they would like it to. It also makes Theodore feel a tid bit comforted by the fact that he’s not alone through this all.

“What do you want now, you ass?” Evan asked.

Theodore laughed. “Why is your contempt all directed at me now? Wasn’t that supposed to be for Colin?”

“Oi.” The said guy gave his friend a frown. “That contempt was meant for both of us.”

By now, the three friends were already so lost in their conversation that they weren’t even able to notice how the two people they came here with were already looking at them questioningly, mirth-filled smiles plastered on their lips as they continued to listen to the ongoing exchange that their three companions were having.

The woman that was leading them, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at the three men behind her, silently berating herself as to why she even chose to willingly let these unknown people into her home. While they did look totally lost and clueless, not to mention that they looked like they needed all the help they could get, she should have still been cautious enough.

Not like having that realization now would help her take back her words of offer earlier.

At that, Theodore finally took notice of their guide’s current actions. It did amuse him to find her so apprehensive and skeptical, however, since she was the one who offered them help in the first place—not that they would likely have rejected it if they were to do if all over again, because they just really, really, really wanted to have the rest they wanted to have.

As he kept his gaze on her, his attention now shifted to someone other than his friends, he was startled back to reality when he heard Colin say, “Looks like Theo finally found someone who he wants to look at willingly.”

“Oh dang, what a misfortune for Alison.” Evan added, the teasing lilt in his tone of voice too impossible to miss. “I wasn’t expecting you to be that kind of man, Theo.”

The guy in question released a sigh before promptly smacking his friends lightly on the head. It was an action that Theodore is pretty sure they already saw coming, but it still didn’t stop them from reacting so dramatically. With the way they bowed down so easily as they yelped in an obviously hoax cry of pain, Theodore couldn’t help but look at them with undeniable displeasure.

If there’s one thing that he really doesn’t want his friends doing, it’s making a dramatic reaction out of things (that aren’t even supposed to have that kind of reaction). They’ve been doing that for as long as he could remember, and it’s definitely getting less and less appealing each year. And by the way things are going, he doubts they would stop that any time soon.

“Honestly, you’re such a violent person.” Evan huffed as he put his hand behind his head so he could rub it gently. The way his face contorted in pain was quite palpable too—and Theodore would have believed that if he didn’t know any better.

Colin winced, mimicking his friends’ action. He gazed at Theodore with the same pain-filled face as the guy prior, but the suppressed mirth gleaming in his eyes told the former another story--a story that he knew all too well. “You could have just talked to us like how a normal person would.” 

“I don’t mean to break up your little love fest or something,” The unfamiliar voice that registered in their ears were more than enough to make them look at her with surprised eyes. “But are you three always this… energetic?”

At that, Natalie and Jake chuckled in their places as they replied in a simultaneous manner, “You’d be surprised.”

The three friends were quick to look at each other, each of them having the same train of thoughts. It’s not like they needed to voice out what it is anyway, when they already knew what they’re all thinking about. It’s honestly freaky how they became so connected like that over the years, but it’s so fascinating at the same time.

So when they finally settled their gazes back on their two grinning new friends, Colin replied, “Best to keep that a secret, yeah?”

“Well, it’s not like it’s something that could be hidden.” Jake replied, his voice still retaining that bout of amusement that he felt when he answered their guide’s query.

Evan shrugged before gazing at his friends. “At least she used the word energetic.” He told them. “It could have been worse.”

While it’s definitely something that they normally wouldn’t have minded and just let be, the experience and all the complicated feelings they’re experiencing right now have definitely clouded their better judgment--Theodore included (which under normal circumstances he would have been exempted from, but today’s just not a normal day). Not to mention that they were getting equally restless and bored, so they might as well have something they could do to pass time.

For Theodore, that would have been annoying Evan to hell and back. 

He’s pretty confident that Colin would have gone along with it as well, since it’s pretty much one of the numerous pastimes that they live for. It also helps matters that Evan doesn’t seem to particularly mind despite all the fights and all the objections he keeps sending their way.

But right now, this particular type of passing time doesn't seem so bad. After all, they could gather all the data they could about their lonely guide through this harmless, tricky little game they’ve concocted on the spot. Of course, Theodore wasn’t expecting much to be revealed, but he was slightly hopeful.

“Well, true.” Theodore replied before setting his gaze on their guide’s back. He’s well-aware of the fact that she couldn’t see him right now, but he knows that she could feel his stare burning through the back of her head. “Hey, what would you have used other than energetic?”

He waited for any sign of response from her, waiting and waiting, so he could put his plan to motion. He ignored the knowing looks that Colin and Evan are sending his way, as well as the fact that his two idiotic friends just motioned Natalie and Jake to move closer to them so they could tell them what he’s currently doing--which Theodore knows is something along the lines of, “Do you see that? That’s how Theo gazes at a woman he’s attracted to.”

After a while, she finally answered. “Rowdy, I guess.” She looked back at him, her eyes slightly growing with vague amusement before she added, “Or perhaps obstreperous would be a better choice?”

Smirking, Theodore replied, “Really now? Well my apologies for whatever inconvenience we’ve brought upon you.”

At that moment, the woman couldn’t help but blush slightly in her place as she quickly looked back to the front so Theodore couldn’t see her face. He doesn’t know what it is, but there’s just something in that particular action of hers that seemed kind of appealing to him--which is odd, because he’s not normally one who finds women attractive just from that; it’s like he was hit with a magic spell or something.

“It’s not really… an inconvenience per se.” She told him, but she said it almost quietly that Theodore barely heard it at all.

He chuckled. “So you don’t mind if we make any noise then?”

Colin and Evan shared a look, surprise and bewilderment flicking in their eyes as they tried to gauge the situation. They weren’t blind; they knew what was happening even if Theodore never told them--not like he had to since it is something that is totally unnecessary. The pair blinked their eyes a couple of times, their gazes going back and forth from their friend and to the woman they just met.

“Is Theo…” Colin started, still surprised about what he just witnessed.

“...flirting?” Evan finished, knowing full-well that the former is already feeling way too overwhelmed about the current situation that he would have just left it in his hands along the way--which is basically what’s happening right now.

It was Natalie and Jake’s turn to share a look before Natalie asked, “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily.” Colin responded before he let out a sigh. “You’ve seen how indifferent the guy is, right?” When the duo nodded their heads, he crossed his arms and added, “Well, that doubles when the person he’s talking to is a woman. Of course, he knows how to be polite and such, but he never flirts.”

“And we’ve told him a million times that he should!” Evan exclaimed. “I mean, it would work, wouldn’t it?” At that, Evan instantly zeroed on his gaze on Natalie, who seemed surprised by his sudden action. “Nat, you’re a woman, aren’t you? If Theo flirted with you, what would you do?”

Theodore couldn’t help but roll his eyes at his friends. Of course they would do something stupid like this. And why were they making such a big deal out of this whole thing anyway? It’s not really something that should be boasted and be brought to everyone’s attention.

So what if he’s flirting with somebody? He’s only doing this because there’s something that he wants anyway--something that he knows his friends would understand since they do that occasionally anyway.

Still, he’s pretty curious about what Natalie had to say, so he merely stayed quiet in his place and waited for her words.

Natalie glanced at the tall man before quickly looking away, the lightest shade of pink starting to color her cheeks. “Well… I wouldn’t… really say no…”

“See!” Colin suddenly exclaimed, not even giving Natalie the chance to finish her statement. As the woman jumped slightly in her place in surprise (their woman guide included), the guy in question merely ignored all that and continued, “The guy could get pretty much whoever he wants.”

“Not true.” Theodore replied coolly.

“Nah man.” Jake interjected. “At this point, I’m pretty convinced that their words are true.”

It was really at times like these that Theodore wants the attention away from him. While he doesn’t really mind being the center of attention, he absolutely minded when it comes to things like women and relationships. There’s just something about it that makes him feel awkward, especially since his friends continually compliment him about nearly everything (which he still appreciates despite all his awkwardness).

Theodore sighed. “Believe what you want then.”

“And I will because I know it’s true.” Jake gave him a grin. “You’re acting way too humble.”

“Right?” Colin laughed, before his face contorted in displeasure as he pushed a stray branch out of his face. If he hadn’t, it would have definitely left him more scarred than he already is. “Stupid branch.”

“Stop harassing the branch.” Came Evan’s instantaneous reply. “You’re the stupid one.”

Colin was quick to give his friend a glare. “How am I the stupid one in this situation?”

“You just are.” Evan replied, ignoring the way his friend’s glare hardened on him.

Theodore, on the other hand, decided to just let his friends be for a change. No matter what he does, they would still end up doing something stupid again anyway. Honestly, it’s all so clear to him now, that he can’t help but feel like he’s dealing with children rather than full-grown adults. He let out yet another sigh. “Looks like we’ll be stuck with that then.”

“Will they be doing that a lot?” Jake asked one-third of the trio, who wasn’t currently part of the brewing argument.

“Oh definitely.” Theodore didn’t even skip a beat--not when he knows just how much these sorts of things happen. “They’ve been doing that for as long as I could remember.”

The woman guiding them suddenly let out a chuckle as she looked back, her eyes instantly locking on Theo’s. With a small smirk plastered on her lips, she said, “See? Obstreperous.”

A chuckle of his own escaped his lips. “I suppose so. And again, I apologize for such a lousy display of character.”

The woman raised an eyebrow at that, the sudden light that came from in front of her illuminating her face more than it did the first time he saw her. Somehow, in that moment, she looked quite beautiful--and familiar.

A chuckle of his own escaped his lips. “I suppose so. And again, I apologize for such a lousy display of character.”

The woman raised an eyebrow at that, the sudden light that came from in front of her illuminating her face more than it did the first time he saw her. Somehow, in that moment, she looked quite beautiful--and familiar.

He knows that he has already said it before, but he’ll say it again: This woman is crazy familiar. He really feels like he’s seen her somewhere before, but he isn’t quite sure where. All he knows is that she really, really, really looks like someone he knows.

He squinted his eyes, partly due to the sunlight suddenly shining down on him, and partly because of the woman now standing somewhere farther away from them, waiting for all of them to get to the clearing.

“Are you sure we haven’t met somewhere?” Theodore asked again once he finally arrived at where the mysterious woman is, his mind now a jumble of thoughts as he tried to recall once more of a particular event or circumstance where he saw someone like her.

“No,” She replied, her eyes now glimmering with curiosity as she gazed back at him. “I’m really quite sure that we haven’t.”

“Are you seriously not done with that yet?” Colin asked as he shielded his eyes from the sun, Evan following closely behind him. “How could you have even seen her when you were there all the way back in New York, and she’s here?”

“Think about it, you moron.” Theodore replied. “She must have landed here somehow as well, right? There’s just no way someone could have possibly lived here all alone.”

“Really?” Evan let his eyes drag from his friend, all the way to something near them.

Theodore was quick to understand his actions and immediately followed his friend’s line of sight. And honestly speaking, he was not expecting what he saw at all.

There, standing a good few meters away from them, was a house that was big enough to house at least seven to eight people. He really couldn’t believe what his eyes are seeing right now. There’s just no way this could possibly be true.

“No way, huh?” Colin questioned, his eyes never straying away from the beautiful glass house in front of him.

A small chuckle escaped the woman’s lips. “Surprised?” She asked. “Judging by your expressions, I’m sure you are.”

“Of course we are.” Natalie replied, her voice sounding slightly distracted. “This is just… wow.”

“How could this be even here?” Jake looked at her, the curiosity in his eyes burning too brightly. “Isn’t this an inhabited island?”

At that moment, Theodore couldn’t help but notice how the woman looked absolutely sheepish. Honestly, the longer he looks at her, the more he’s convinced that he really has seen her somewhere. He might not know now, but he’s pretty sure that he will any time soon.

“Well, it was.” She replied, a small smile appearing on her lips, knowing full-well that her saying those words would leave somewhat of a clue for the group standing in front of her--if they’re observant enough to notice that, that is.

“It was?” Colin’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean it was?”

Evan rolled his eyes. “How stupid can you be? Of course she means that she’s here.”

The former shook his head, his eyes now focused on the slightly smirking woman in front of him. “I think she meant something else other than that.”

In that exact moment, Theoore felt like a lightbulb just lit up on top of his head as he finally got the answer he had been looking for. It seemed really creepy somehow, but there’s really no harm in pointing it out, right?

“I think I know where I met you now.” Theodore said, effectively gaining the attention of all of his companions.

The woman felt a small shudder run through her spine as she looked at the man looking at her with such intensity. She felt so bare in his eyes, feeling like he’s slowly making his way inside, slowly, but surely; unraveling her in a way that she didn’t know was possible.

“Where?” She finally replied.

“New York.” He responded as he moved a bit closer to her. “Actually, I feel like I see you everywhere. I know I may sound ridiculous, but I really think you look a whole lot like Arabella Ellis.”

Amusement shined in her eyes as she told him, “You mean that dead billionaire?”

“I know how this may sound, and I’m sorry once more for such an impudent comparison, but--”

Her chuckle cut him off, making him merely stare at her in open curiosity, his friends doing the same as well. “Would you believe me if I told you that I’m really the woman that you think I am?”

Theodore definitely like the world was playing tricks on him. “What?”

She grinned before she offered a hand, her expression now slightly shy as she said demurely, “Arabella Ellis. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”