Thirsty Soul (English Version/ Completed) 18+

Chapter 3 - Sincerity

Paulite laid on the surfing board and floated for a while. 

I loosened the tie of my skirt, revealing my black boyleg. After folding the skirt I put it on the side and picked up the surfing board.

“The sunshine is perfect for your body, Jess. Look at me.”

I looked Mia over my shoulder. Aside from assisting me, Mia was an expert in photography too. I controlled myself to laugh at her position. She planked on the sand not minding the sand on her arms and feet.

I go near her to see the photo.

The sun-kissed my skin. “I like that.” I turned around, pulled the surfing board on the shore. I saw Paulite lazily sat on his surfing board. Now he seemed excited about something.

I hope he won’t disturb me.

From Paulite, my attention went on the far waves. Most of them were high and long. I threw the board on the water, pushed it further until the water reached my knee. I laid on it and puddled away from the shore. I gasped when I felt the current of the water from my arms, it made me gaze where could be the pattern of the waves.

Unsatisfied at my speed, I held the board and swam at the bottom. The cold water chilled down my spine. I really love the beach. Way back on our province in Cebu, I used to swim on the beachfront that was twenty meters away from our mansion. I could only do that when my family was outside. If they were at home, I don’t have a choice but to stay in my room and read a lot of books or watch the update of my favorite international models.

I dive up when I’m nearly losing the air. Water drifted on my face, I was inhaling and exhaling while looking around. I wiped my face using my hands to see clearer the incoming medium waves.

That can be used. I laid on my surfing board and paddled to meet the opposite current. When I got the right speed, I pushed up and prepared myself for it. By just the exact time, after getting the proper balance I stood up and goes with the flow of the wave. My body tense for the first time, I lost my balance and fell on the water.

Nevertheless, a contentment smile plastered on my lips and dive up.

I saw Paulite on the shore. He stood there, arms on his waist. Perfect to be called as a lifeguard. I ignored him and try again. I successfully glide on the two consecutive waves, on my third try I failed.

I paddled far from my first try. I wanted to try my new trick, but I need the huge waves. I know I won’t find the big one if it was near the shore. I looked behind, the people got small from my sight. That’s fine, I can take care of myself.

My muscle numbed from the nonstop paddling until I saw my target. I’ve waited for more seconds until I felt the huge wave coming through. I paddled for my speed and balance myself on top of the surfing board, and for a fleeting moment, a satisfactory smile drew on my face when I did my new tricks. I was steady and excited. I looked around to share my bliss experience but no one was there.

I lost control and balance. The waves ate me.

The cold water reflected my icy heart. I forgot that ever since I was alone. Every time I looked back, no one was there. No one care about me. It was dark and empty. Just like my soul that had been freezing cold for how many years. While growing up I got used to that. Walking alone in a very tight path where no one can walk with me. I was just by myself.

I slowly closed my eyes. Take no notice of my aching heart to produce by my loneliness. Until I felt something warm on my chest. In an instant, the wind suddenly filled my lungs. I am wide awake. I saw him, but the angry version staring down on me.

“What are you doing? Are you going to kill yourself?” Paulite spatted.

Water dripped from his disheveled hair down to his thick curled brow, perfect sculptured nose, and thin lips. His eyes were very expressive— angry and worried.

Am I seeing this all correctly or I’m just imagining him? Am I dead already?

“Jessica? Do you hear me?” he growled. His eyes were unsteady while busy on examing my face. He panicked.

“I’m sorry. I just rest.”

“Rest? At the bottom of the ocean? Really, J?”

I hardly swallowed the vile on my throat. Why was he yelling at my face?

Panicked registered on my system when he threw his attention on the leash from my foot. He didn’t ask my permission, he initiated to remove it. He left me to get my skirt on the side and then he goes back to me. He extended his hand for me to get up.

I am still afraid of him that I didn’t complain when he covered my body using my skirt and pulled inside the hotel.

“My room number is five, Lite,” I mumbled when he pressed seven.

His face was full of annoyance when he glanced my way. Then he noticed his hold on my arms, it made him snapped back and release my arms from his hold. “What did you say?”

“My room number is five.”

“No, the last one.”

My eyes blinked several times, the sudden change of emotion from his eyes made me uneasy. They were soulful and gentle now. As if I am the most interesting thing in the world that matters with him. “Lite?”

He glared at me for a couple of seconds. An utter silence stretched between us until the elevator alarmed us that we reach the seventh floor. I wanted to press the number five but he stopped me from doing that and chased my hands to pull going out the elevator, into his unit.

I shouldn’t let him do this to me, but I was very curious about him. In just one night he fell in love with me? How come? But his feelings and effort declared an outstanding sincerity. I cannot deny the seeds of interest growing inside me.

Who were you, Paulite Cristobal?

His movements were quick that he already had a white towel and rolled it all over my body.

“Remove your soaking swimsuit,” he said. More likely a boss giving an order to his secretary. He turned around and left me to proceed in the bathroom.

My eyes landed on the carpet that was marked by water. I can actually turn around and leave, the door was just behind me but I couldn’t move even an inch. As if this was my room and he was the intruder.

“You’re not going to remove your bikini?” He stood in front of me. His body was only covered by a white towel, eyes were accusing me of being slow and lazy. “I’ve seen that already, why are you so shy?” His innocent eyes drifted on my numb legs. Then his brow curled up. “Or maybe you want me to undress you?”

I fought back the intensity in his eyes as I reached for the zipper on my back.

Stripping is really an easy job for me. Don’t dare me, Paulite.

The sound of the zipper intensified the air between us. And when I reached the end and felt the swimsuit loosened from my shoulder, I tugged the shoulder fabric letting the swimsuit fell on the floor, showing to him my body. His eyes feasted on every inch of my naked frame. Then seconds later he swallowed hard and looked away. “I prepared your warm water. W-wait me here.” He left me and proceeded on the other door.

Did he just stammer?

I smiled victoriously, picked up my wet clothes, and headed to the shower room. I stayed on his tab for a bit, trying to imagine his epic reaction a while ago. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Dare me not, Lite.”

When I got satisfied I took a quick shower using his essentials. I don’t have a choice. I will never call him just for this mere reason. He might think I was just using this alibi for him to see me naked again. “Blah. Blah.”

I used the towel to dry my hair, going out of the bathroom. My feet pinned on the floor upon the sight of the dress on the bed and that white lingerie. I really appreciate this all, but honestly, where did he get the idea of picking this crotchless design?

Those thin lines are most likely my brain, very difficult. How would I wear that?

I was scratching the cheek of my butt, trying to reach the unfixed garter of the freaking lace when I got out of the bedroom. I saw him in the living room busy on his laptop and phone. He glanced my way, that was the time I pretended I am fine.  

Wearing lingerie was never been tough for me, but this one made me exhausted for about fifteen minutes. It ate my plan of putting something on my face, now I look deathly pale face.

“You are ready?”

You can say that. “Yeah!”

As he stood up he eyed me from head to toe. A ghost of smile hid on his serious face as he walked pass through me. “Do you eat seafood?”

This man really knows how to capture my heart. Did he make a comprehensive research about my favorite and dislike? I had the urge to not move my head but I give away as I charmingly nodded. “Squid is my favorite,” I said, more likely suggesting.

On our way, I got entertained by his sense of humor. From seafood, I told him some of the details of my life unconsciously. My interest in surfing, how do I learned it and who taught me. Most of my successful tricks and how’s everything about it.

“Aside from surfing, I knew how to skate whether on the land or ice rink. Believe it or not, I got wounds on my knees but through technology, the scars are not visible.” I grimaced my lips, rested my elbow on the table, and stared on his alluring eyes.

Oh my God!

His full attention made me disturbed. Did he listen very carefully to all my stories? Was my story that interesting for him?  

“You are so cool. You like extreme adventure?”

I exhaled away my agitation. “Uh-huh! The best extreme I’ve done was during the storm. Imagine, to finally execute my tricks I need the wild and huge waves.” I chuckled as I recalled how mom nagged at me that time after my death-defying stunt.

“You really did pull it? That’s crazy!”

“I did. It’s a success though.” As a reward, my sister burnt my surfing board and my mother banded me on the beach for almost two years. Hmm… pretty amazing.

“I wish I could see that. But I don’t like the idea of a storm. How about scuba diving?”

“Not yet.”

“We will do it.”

“Ha? I don’t… think I have… time—” The sight of the delectable squid made my world stop. The food was served on our table. While filling those to our stomach, our topic went through.

“Let me handle that part.”

I was holding that promise until I joined Mia to attend some important announcement and knew about my tomorrow shoot. Paulite was with Oswold, he introduced him to me a while ago. They were cool friends, he reminded me of my beautiful girlfriends: Lawrence and Jyra.

We were allowed to check the venue. I took that opportunity to leisure inside. I saw Suzanne there followed by her minions.

“She’s from Swizz, right? I heard she joined the music video last year. And now the top from the Swizz Lingerie Line,” the Super curly-haired said.

“Hitting two birds in one stone,” Suzanne mumbled. Her eyes rolled.

“I think she’s wearing the latest release of Versace.”

I think standing there with the same air with them was not a good idea. I brought myself out of there. As I go on the left corner, I saw Paulite had a deep talked with Oswold. The Paulite's attention found me he left his pal. Oswold waved his hands when our eyes met. I gave him a polite smile but immediately looked away. Resting at the bed was the best option right now.

“Are you done?” Paulite appeared on my side.

I hugged myself before I whipped a glance at him. “Yeah.”

“How ‘bout tomorrow? What time are guys going to start?”

“It’s a sunrise shoot. I think I’ll wake up by four.”

He silently walked side by side with me, do a subtle nod, and then we were both lost for words. From the side of my eyes, I could see his side view. I pouted. How this man could be looked so sexy and darkly handsome even under the moonlight?

As we entered the lobby, rode on the elevator, we were silent. I pressed the number of my room’s floor and waited for his turn, but he didn’t move an inch. The elevator’s door cracked open, I moved out and partially astonished when he followed. He walked me to the door of my unit.

When we reached the foot of my door, I got off track. Should I invite him in? Talk to him here outside? Nah! Not a good idea. I stopped breathing when our eyes met. 

“Thanks,” I breathe.

He nodded. “Good night, J.”

I motioned to him my door and left him there quickly. The door almost broke when I closed it. I leaned on it and filled my lungs with air. I wasn’t satisfied, I fanned my face using my hands. What was the problem with the weather? I felt hot all of a sudden.

I ended up doing my basic ritual, I laid on the tab to freshen my body and brain. On my bed, I tried my best to get engage with i********:. But Paulite’s sharp gaze kept on showing to any pictures I browse. What was the matter with me?

Before I was struggling with how I would use the days without Lawrence and Jyra, now I am having a hard time on this new entity in my life.

I tried to sleep. My head was occupied of something, it made me awake earlier than my alarm clock. I run a massage on my temple, stayed on the bed for more minutes before I decided to take a brisk shower. I wore my accessible tube dress and I’m ready. I languidly strode on my small space to reach the doorknob and twisted it open.

“Jesus!” My heart dropped on the floor at the sight of the cockcrow, Paulite Cristobal. His hair was in a messed, both eyes were closed. His black sleeveless undershirt was quite disheveled showing his n****e. I bit my lower lip to control myself from smiling.

“Good morning,” he greeted, trying real hard to open his eyes. Then he scratched his nape.

He looked unsatisfied with rough s*x last night. I wanted to say that but his smile made me shook my head. “What are you doing here? You’re so early.” I passed by him.

“I want to watch you, though.”

I went inside the elevator, he followed me. His movements were so heavy and lazy. He initiated pressing the ground floor button. His eyes looked something from my behind. The door opened. I walked out, letting him check my butt for a morning unsatisfied appetite.

Mia crossed my sight. She saw me too. 

“Good morning, Jess, uh!” Mia found something interesting on my back. I whipped a glanced over my shoulder and saw how Paulite reversed the bull cap on his head and walked lazily. He opened his mouth— impressively wide while stretching both arms in the opposite. His shirt moved up and I saw those hard and, wait… what was that? A tattoo on the left side of his lower abdomen?

“What’s the first theme again?” I said to avoid being caught by him.

“Oh— yeah! Let’s go, Jess.” Mia tangled her hands on my arms. We walked together. I don’t bother myself to check if Paulite was behind us. I have to focus on the photo shoot.

There was loud music played on the model’s bench. It somewhat awakened my nerve. By another ten minutes, everyone was gathered, ready, and dressed up. I was freaking nervous because it was an open beach and anyone can see us.

I wore a two-piece black bikini, just like the rest with different styles. Almost all the foreigner models did their shoot on the old boat. Some of them were really good that I felt intimidated. And now Suzanne graces the sand. Among the rest, she was the one who only did that. It was very unique and beautiful. I tense, thinking what am I supposed to do?

The same thing with her minions. They had a unique idea and the outcome came amazing.

“Darling, it is your turn,” the Project Manager called my attention.

The cold breeze of the morning was practically freezing my body. I removed my sky blue bandana and went to where he motioned me to stay. The sun was slowly rising. All the staff tried to check for another location and Mia’s suggestion was the coolest one. I lie down on the shallow water. My back straightened the moment the cold water kissed it.

“Are you, okay?” the Cameraman asked.

“I am fine.”

“Give me your most daring position, Jessica,” he requested. He showed me some sexy poses.

I nodded and faced down, embracing the incoming water on my body. I literally got cold and as much as I wanted to freak out, I kept my cool steady and pose more.

“More Jessica. More!” 

I reclined my elbow at the top of my head, leaning against the sand. My back arched as my free hand caressed my lower abdomen. Above me was the variety of orange, blue, or purple sky. So mesmerizing and breathtaking. My hair was dripping wet, I steady on my position as I threw my melting toe glare on the Cameraman.

“Can you sit up straight, Jessica?”

“Sure.” I did as he asked while lips are parted.

The Cameraman wiped his forehead. “Wow! You are incredible. That's a wrap.”

The Dresser gave me a blanket. I was freezing cold the moment I rose up from the water. Two of them worked together in drying me.

“Just doing my job, Sir.”

“Drop that Sir, Jessica. Call me, Neil. Neilburg Foxman.” The man extended his hand towards me and I merrily accepted it.

Mia came into the picture to give me clean clothes. “You don’t fail to amaze us, Jessica. The atmosphere was cold but you actually made it hot.” She looked behind before she leaned a little closer to me and whispered, “You see those foreigners. You made them stood up and watched you until you finished.”

“Really? But I think they are better than me.”

“I don't think so. You are the best. Get up! Let’s dry your hair. The next photoshoot is around one in the afternoon. You still have time to get a nap.” She motioned me the way, but the Project Coordinator called her.

Mia gave me an apologetic expression before she left. Most of the models approached and congratulated me, except with Suzanne’s group. A few more talked with the ladies then I excused myself. I headed through the exit corner, stroking my tummy as my stomach grumbled begging for food.

“Are you done?” Paulite popped out on the side.

“Yeah.” I’m thirsty. Where was the damn store here?

“Have more schedule for today?”

Before I could reach the cement road, I stopped and pointed the mineral on his hands. “Aren’t you going to give that to me?”

“It’s mine, but you can have it.”

I took it on his hand. Twisted the sealed and dunked on my mouth.

“If you are going to rest. Used my place instead, I had a bigger jacuzzi for your comfort.”

I intentionally slammed the bottle of the water on his chest. “You are concern about my health. Are you a Doctor?”

He tried to avoid it but I was way quick. His shoulder shook for a laugh as he leaned forward, closing our distance before he said, “No. But I am willing to be your doctor… and boyfriend, J.”