Beach Side Romance

Chapter 2: Sunset Parties

Olivia POV

I finally got out of the couch and dragged myself to get ready. I promised Lizzie I’ll be there before sunset, so half-past 4 was the goal to arrive. I took a longer shower than this morning and when I got out of the shower, I let my hair air dry and quickly changed into some comfy clothes so I could clean-up the house a little bit before finally dressing up and getting ready. I turned the sweeper on, and made my way to clean the kitchen. After that quick chore, I lit some scented candles around and got dressed. Taking out the dress from Pahuna, I actually got the chance to buy a white  ankle-length dress with ombre edges of teal. I paired it with some tan sandals, the new rattan bag and jewelry I bought earlier today.

Sitting in front of the vanity, I didn’t need much (or that’s what I felt like). I got a little blush on and bronzer, filled my brows and applied my mascara before curling my lashes. To finish off, I put my hair into a crown braid with loose hair strands here and there, the sun tan helped me get that beach girl look. Checking everything in my bag and doing last minute checks of the house, I locked the room, and the sliding door of the balcony. “Be there in 5.” I texted Lizzie before locking the front door and hopping into my car again.

The drive wasn’t long, and I actually could have walked to the resort through the shoreline but I wasn’t sure walking at the beach on my way back would be wise. I arrived and parked where Lizzie told me to and handed my keys to the bell service in case they needed to move my car. “Thank you, Miss. Have a great evening” the young man smiled as I walked away. I went up to the front desk to ask where Lizzie was, “oh she’s at the Al Fresco of Hale ‘Aina, Miss. May I know who’s looking for her so I can inform the restaurant to let her know?” She asked. I quickly told her who I was and she pointed me on where to go before smiling again and going back to her work.

I walked towards the brightly decorated Hale ‘Aina and quickly saw Lizzie doing some last touches with the staff she had waiting for her directive. “Hey Lizzie!” I greeted, walking towards her. “Hey! Oh wow, don’t you look mighty fine?” She gleaned when she finally turned around to look at me. One of the staff asked what I wanted to drink “Can I have a Moscow Mule please? Extra ginger.” He smiled and walked away to get my mix. “Soooo, what do you think?” Lizzie asked, pulling me around the whole Al Fresco. “It’s beautiful, Liz. Do you throw these parties often?” I asked. “No, not really, at most once a month? It gets tiresome to think of a theme and all. This one is a spur of the moment kind of thing. I actually thought of it the day I met you earlier this week, and when I told you we’ll have a party here I quickly got everyone to participate.” She shyly confirmed. We chatted more about the resort, when it started and who were usually running the shop. It turns out it was mostly her dad, during summer it was her, sometimes her brother but fairly recently he was too busy. She mentioned that ‘Aha Resort was a tribute to her mom being born and raised here, Sandy Point Beach, but she brushed it off quickly and told me she was graduating college soon. She will focus on the resort more than ever since she wanted to get a bit more load from her dad so he could enjoy lounging around. The area quickly filled with guests from the resort, dressed and all looked excited to have this little gathering. Everything was taken care of by the resort, from drinks, tapas and even some light snacks. For those who didn’t want to join the festive gathering, they set up regular dining inside the restaurant. 

I slipped out of Lizzie’s sight a while after saying hi to her dad, Jerome, and helping out a bit with the food. I was sitting by the beachside just sipping on what seemed to be my nth glass of Moscow Mule. Watching the waves flow forward and all, I couldn’t help but think what has happened over the past few weeks and it’s been exactly 2 months since I noticed things getting weirder with him and her, and I couldn’t help but think what I did to deserve this. I’ve always tried to do what he made me, change my clothes, cut my hair, wear more heels and stuff. When all my thoughts were a scrambling mess, I was starting to become one too.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Someone asked from behind. I turned around and saw a man holding out a handkerchief for me. “Thanks.” I said, taking the handkerchief from him to wipe away the tears I had. “Liz asked me to bring this over to you. Care for company?” he asked. I nodded, as he sat down beside me with a bottle of water to offer, and took a swig of his beer. “Sorry, you have me at my not so best. I’m Olivia, Olivia Jade Mason.” I said trying to open that bottle of water. He smiled, “here, let me” he offered and quickly opened the bottle of water. “I’m Julian, Julian Matthew Collins. Lizzie’s brother, I just arrived from the city a little while ago and Liz asked me to check on you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.” He said as he looked out towards the coast. “It’s okay, Lizzie did mention she had a brother earlier but I didn’t know you were arriving shortly. Please, no need to be sorry, and thanks for this.” I answered, raising my bottle before consuming half of it in one chug. There was some silence after that until he spoke again. “Quiet place, this beach, don’t you agree?” He asked. I smiled, “yeah, it helps me think. I’ve been here for over a week and everyday, the view still amazes me,” I answered, looking out to the horizon. “So what brings you here, Olivia? If you don’t mind me asking.” He asked looking at me. I looked at him, and took a good look for the first time. He was gorgeous, he looked a lot like Lizzie, with a darker shade of brown hair, but the same emerald eyes. He was wearing a faint smile, seeming to want to know why I was alone out on the beach when the party was all there. “Oh, do you mean why am I here, here (resort)? Or why am I here?” I asked, genuinely wanting what he meant. “Why are you here? Sitting on your own?” He clarified.

It took a while before I answered. Why would a stranger want to ask me such a question? Was I too easy to read? Should I feed his curiosity? I took a deep breath and started sharing basically how the past months were. He asked a bit more when I stopped to breathe and the sun was almost down and the stars were appearing. I walked him through catching my then boyfriend and my then best friend making out at a party I arrived late for, and later on being admitted to that they were doing this behind my back for a few months now sleeping together. Neither felt remorse, they weren’t ashamed, especially Eliza, my so-called best friend. 

“So yeah, over a week or two after that night, I drove here. Turns out they’ve been sleeping around with each other for quite a while. I was just too blind or maybe in denial. My mom’s boss owns a small house a few minutes away from here, and was kind enough to let me stay as long as I need to. She didn’t need it for the summer anyway. “How about you? Lizzie mentioned earlier you never go out here much?” I asked now deflecting the question to him. “Me? Oh.. uhm. Well, crazy ex girlfriend. No doubt she’ll soon figure out where I’ve gone to but, hopefully it’s later rather than sooner.” He stared at me for quite a bit, and continued “I broke-up with her because we wanted different things, and she said she won’t compromise you see. And I’m all for talking things through, making things work. I’ve never been one to be a d**k about stuff, excuse the language. But when I’ve heard her say that she’s putting her foot down, I realized that this was it. She wasn’t for me.” He finished. 

“Hey, you two! See you’ve finally met.” Lizzie shouted from the overlooking. We both turned around to see her with a guy. “That’s Luca, Lizzie’s boyfriend.” Julian introduced in a whisper. “Come up now you two, I want to play the music as we welcome the night!” She shouted and turned back pulling Luca along with him who was waving at us with a smile hinting a plea to just come back up already. Julian stood up and clapped his hands from the sand doing the same to his clothes. He offered a hand for me to stand up and I took it. When I was already standing upright, I quickly patted my dress and my hands and walked with him back to Hale ‘Aina. “Hey Son, how was the drive?” He was asked by his dad whom I briefly met the other day. “Not too bad dad, traffic wasn’t a pain, and I got here fairly early. Oh, this is Olivia” He answered, introducing me to his dad too. Jerome, his dad gave me a brilliant smile. “Yes we’ve met. How are you sunshine? I wasn’t able to ask you earlier when you arrived. You’re looking better and more vibrant compared to the first time we met.” He remarked. “I’m doing great, Jerome. Thank you - and yes, I think the beach and this fabulous resort is really doing me good.” I answered giving him a flush of red when I hugged him. He was like my dad, but not. “Well, I’ll leave you kids to it. Join us for dinner tonight will ‘ya, sunshine?” He invited me. I gave him a nod and that was what it took for him to walk away.

“Come on, Olivia. Just a few songs then we’ll meet with the old man for dinner” Lizzie pleaded. Julian excused himself a bit after his dad left to unload his things from the car. “I’m not really good at dancing, Liz. I swear.” I pleaded. Luca, who was standing beside Lizzie, was just staring at us while Lizzie was trying to convince me to dance. “Okay, Liz. Fine, but who will I dance with huh? And preferably someone who could actually help me dance whatever songs you want to play.” She looked around to find me a partner and I flashed Luca a look and mouthed “help me” but he shrugged his shoulders obviously not knowing what to do or how to help.

“I’ll dance with her.”