TO BE DETERMINED

Unfinished Businesses

Five

Vanessa's Point of View

The Maldives was a dream of sapphire waves and golden sand, a paradise filled in the scent of salt and tropical flowers.

Unfortunately,the beauty couldn't take away the uneasiness growing inside me.

Leonardo had been on his phone since we landed. His usual deep and smooth voice echoing in the room, speaking in a language, I once found in my Duolingo application.

What was it, Italy?

Yes, in the Italian language.

I should be in an overwater Villa with glass floors and a private pool, the ocean water stretching through the Balcony, enjoying the luxury.

Instead, I was at the deck my arms folded, with my eyes on the waves against the stilts down

My mind wandered away; only my body was present.

Leonardo's shadow fell over me, his straight and cold face hidden behind the dark sunglasses, His tailored shirt revealed his muscular build, his forearm, also he hasn't spoken to me, not a word since we moved in.

What was I expecting to hear though, maybe at least a ‘ How was the trip would be better.” I rolled my eyes while he kept his hands on my wrist, and was still talking on the phone.

My heart ached, I moved away from him, I felt I had made a mistake earlier and I don't want to act foolishly like I had too.

I knew what would suit me at the moment, at least some air, my space alone far away from the drama I started and chocolate to calm my nerves.

I grabbed my scandal, wearing them before going to inform him I was leaving.

“I’m going to get some chocolate,” I said over my shoulder.

Leonardo didn’t look up. He didn't pause his call or talk to me, he had his back on me.

I wondered why I informed him, I walked to the resort's main area, it wasn't far, just a few steps under the sun which kissed my skin, the scent of cocoa and sugar filled my nose, I moved into the boutique nestled between palm trees.

I pushed the door, the sweet aroma of melted chocolate, hitting stronger, my eyes went to the shelves lined with treats, the once I had seen in the magazine, they were called the artisanal treats, yes that was it.

I exhaled with a smile on my face, I reached for the bar of dark chocolate with sea salt toppings.

My hairs stood at the familiar scent of him, his presence creeping through the air.

My fingers curled around the chocolate, my skin burning, as I lifted my face to see him from the mirror.

“Jason?” My chest tightened while my heart jumped.

He stood near the entrance, dressed in a white shirt, sleeves rolled up, mirroring Leonardo in an odd way.

Wait he doesn't love dressing like that, why was he?! I let out a small laugh.

His eyes on me, his reflection slow and his eyes narrowed as he tugged his lips, raising his chin to a smirk.

What was that look? Was he drunk? I hate the drunk side of him.

I made to run , the chocolate landing on the floor with a soft thud.

No. No, no, no.

He isn't supposed to be here, what is he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be happy we broke up?

I closed the door I escaped from, my feet barely hitting the ground, as I swam through the crowds of lovey dovey couples.

The resort's pathways stretched, it was narrow and far, the ocean blue water blurred, I needed to go back to the Villa with Leonardo.

My breath felt rushed and my legs aching a little bit, when a strong hand grabbed my wrist.

I gasped, hitting his hands to let me go, but his fingers dug deep into my skin, his grip tighter I could feel my bones crush.

“Going somewhere, sweetheart?”

His voice was smooth laced with tiredness, but under his voice I felt danger that sent shivers through my veins.

I kept hitting his hands,“Let me go.”

He let out a low laugh, tilting his head.

“Is that any way to greet your fiancé?”

What does he mean fiancé? I felt my anger boil with me wanting to explode.

“You are not my fiancé.”

His hands went deeper into my skin, his smirk widening.

“Oh, but I was. And I don’t like unfinished business, somewhere in between the lines, it has to work.”

I kept hitting his hands, heart pounding, people didn't look our way, they didn't know what was happening between the both of us.

My breath came in short, sharp bursts. If I screamed, would they help? Or would Jason charm his way out of it like he always did?

“Let. Me. Go.” Then his fingers went away from my skin, the pain sharp but easing, then he let out a smile.

I felt a large shadow behind, huge , muscular just like Leonardo.

“Now that,” Leonardo’s voice cut through the thick air, “wasn’t a good idea.”

I let out a huge breath, my chest rose and fell immediately, I tilted my neck.

Leonardo stood there, his shoulders square and spine straight, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. His sunglasses covered his eyes, but the way his jaw tightened, you could see the jaw tick, it sent chills through my body.

Jason rubbed his hands on my wrist to send tickles but I felt irritated, he dropped my hands walking to Leonardo.

“Ah, the fiancé replacement.” Leonardo's lips curved into a sly smile, “ I would advise you to walk away.”

Jason bent his head, biting his lips then meeting his gaze with his hands in his pockets.

“Or what? You’ll make a phone call?”

Leonardo stretched his legs forward, towering over Jason..

Damn, I felt it was intimidating as I watched from behind.

Jason kept his head high, looking into his dark sun shades.

Where is Jason getting his audacity from?

I looked around, men in Black suits, their posture tall, their black sunshades covering their eyes, I walked to warn Leonardo because Jason seems to have hired them.

It was supposed to be a peaceful breakup, not something that will lead to a fight.

Leonardo’s fingers curled around my wrist, his grip firm massaging the wounds Jason left on my wrist.

“Let her get her ice cream.”

I barely had time to take in what was happening, before the crowd grew men in Black suits forming a circle around us.

I tickled Leonardo to warn him, they seemed armed, and Jason looked around with furrowed eyebrows.

Leonardo’s lips curved, his voice soft laced with danger “Run while you still can.”

Was he talking to me? Jason or the scary men on Black?