Chapter 4 Dangerous Waters
1550 Words
The moment Jared’s eyes met hers—
Gena forgot how to breathe.
The restaurant lights blurred around her.
He stood beside the sleek black car, one hand inside his pocket, dark eyes fixed entirely on her.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
Just… watching.
Beside him, the actress clung possessively to his arm.
And somehow—
That irritated Gena more than it should.
“Gena?”
Ronnie’s voice snapped her back.
She quickly looked away.
“I—I suddenly feel tired.”
Cherry narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“You were perfectly fine two seconds ago.”
“I think I need rest.”
Ronnie immediately stood.
“Let me drive you back.”
“No!” The word escaped too quickly.
All three stared at her.
Gena forced an awkward smile.
“I mean… no need. We already have service.”
Ronnie studied her carefully.
“You look pale.”
“I’m fine.”
Outside—
Jared still hadn’t moved.
The actress whispered something to him, but he barely reacted.
His gaze remained locked on the restaurant.
On her.
And Gena hated how that stare made her nervous.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said hurriedly.
Ronnie looked reluctant.
“At least allow me to walk you to your car.”
Before she could refuse—
Cherry answered.
“Of course.”
Traitor.
The four of them walked toward the parking area.
Every step felt heavier.
Closer.
And then—
Fate finally cornered her.
Ronnie smiled warmly.
“I enjoyed tonight.”
“So did we,” Cherry replied.
But Gena barely heard anything.
Because Jared and the actress were now only several feet away.
Too close.
Much too close.
Ronnie suddenly lifted a hand.
“Jared!”
Gena’s blood ran cold.
No.
The man approaching them looked annoyingly relaxed.
“Ronnie.”
The two men shook hands like old friends.
Panic climbed up Gena’s spine.
They knew each other.
Of course they did.
What a cruelly small world.
Ronnie grinned.
“You disappeared abroad and suddenly show up here.”
“Business.”
Then—
Jared’s gaze shifted.
Directly to Gena.
No greeting.
No smile.
Only that unreadable stare.
The actress beside him immediately stiffened.
Her sharp eyes swept over Gena from head to toe.
And visibly darkened.
For one long second—
No one spoke.
Then Jared’s voice came.
Low.
Smooth.
Dangerously calm.
“We’ve met before.”
The words struck Gena like lightning.
Cherry looked between them.
“You know each other?”
Gena quickly lowered her eyes.
“No.”
Jared’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Interesting.
The actress spoke sweetly.
“Jared, aren’t we leaving?”
His eyes remained on Gena.
“Eventually.”
Something dangerous flickered beneath his calm expression.
And suddenly—
Gena could no longer stand there.
“I should go,” she said softly.
Ronnie looked disappointed.
“Already?”
“I’m tired.”
Before anyone could stop her, she entered the car.
Cherry quickly said goodbye for both of them and followed.
As the car pulled away—
Gena dared one final glance.
Jared remained standing exactly where she left him.
Watching.
Always watching.
And for reasons she refused to understand—
Her pulse wouldn’t calm.
Back at the hotel, sleep refused to come.
Cherry sat cross-legged on her bed, eating chips.
“You’re suspicious.”
Gena looked up from her suitcase.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because you act guilty whenever handsome men appear.”
“I do not.”
“You practically ran away tonight.”
“I was tired.”
Cherry smirked.
“And that hot stranger outside?”
Gena’s hands paused.
“What about him?”
Cherry grinned.
“The tall one with murderously handsome eyes.”
Gena pretended indifference.
“He was with someone.”
“Ouch.” Cherry tossed a chip into her mouth. “Judgmental.”
“He stared too much.”
“That usually happens when men see your face.”
Gena rolled her eyes.
But inwardly—
She remembered those eyes.
Dark.
Intense.
And unsettling.
Cherry suddenly gasped.
“Oh my God.”
“What?”
“You’re not secretly attracted to him, are you?”
Gena nearly threw a pillow.
“Sleep.”
Cherry laughed.
But later—
After the lights were off—
Gena stared at the ceiling.
And wondered why Jared’s gaze kept lingering in her mind.
The following morning—
Gena decided she needed distraction.
And nothing distracted her better than the ocean.
She changed into a two-piece ivory bikini and tied a loose white cover-up around her waist.
For a moment, she hesitated before the mirror.
Too revealing?
Too careless?
Then she laughed softly.
Why was she even thinking about it?
Cherry was still working on reports.
“I’ll follow later!” she called.
Gena headed toward the quieter side of the beach.
The morning sun kissed the water gently.
Waves rolled lazily across white sand.
Peaceful.
Finally.
She removed her sandals and walked into the sea.
Cool water embraced her skin.
And slowly—
Her tension melted away.
She swam farther.
Floating.
Breathing.
For once, she forgot everything.
Until—
A strange feeling crept over her.
Being watched.
Her smile faded.
She turned.
And her heart stumbled.
Under the shade of a nearby tree—
Jared sat watching her.
Alone.
The world seemed to pause.
He wore dark swimming shorts and an unbuttoned white shirt.
His sleeves rolled carelessly.
His expression unreadable.
And his eyes—
Those infuriating eyes—
Were entirely on her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
What was he doing here?
How long had he been watching?
Panic surged.
She immediately swam farther away.
Don’t look back.
Don’t—
But she did.
And regretted it.
Because another woman had appeared.
The actress.
She sat beside Jared and wrapped herself around his arm.
Gena frowned.
Typical.
Then—
The woman kissed him.
A sharp sting pierced unexpectedly through Gena’s chest.
Disgust.
That must be disgust.
Nothing else.
She looked away immediately.
Shameless.
Without another glance, she hurried out of the water and grabbed her towel.
By the time she reached the hotel—
Her mood had darkened.
Cherry looked up from her laptop.
“That fast?”
“I got bored.”
Cherry stared.
“You look offended by the ocean.”
“Impossible.”
“Did Poseidon reject you?”
Gena laughed despite herself.
“You watch too much television.”
Cherry stretched.
“Good. Because tonight we’re hunting.”
“Hunting?”
“Men.”
Gena groaned.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I’m retiring.”
“You’re twenty-six.”
“Still retiring.”
Cherry grinned wickedly.
“You need fun.”
What Gena needed—
Was distance from one infuriating man.
But she said nothing.
Maybe tonight would distract her.
Maybe.
The restobar glowed beneath dim lights and live music.
Gena chose a simple black dress.
Elegant.
Dangerously flattering.
Cherry looked scandalized.
“You’re trying to kill people.”
“I’m trying to survive your social agenda.”
They settled into a quiet corner.
And slowly—
Gena relaxed.
Music.
Drinks.
Laughter.
Then Cherry leaned closer.
“Twelve o’clock.”
Gena followed her gaze.
A handsome stranger sat nearby.
And yes—
He was staring.
Cherry smirked.
“Target acquired.”
“Cherry.”
“What?”
“I’m not interested.”
“Then smile for charity.”
Against her better judgment—
Gena smiled politely.
The man immediately stood and approached.
Cherry nearly looked proud.
“May I sit?” he asked.
“Depends,” Cherry said. “Are you qualified?”
He laughed.
“I’m Edwin.”
“Cherry.”
He turned toward Gena.
“And you are?”
Cherry interrupted.
“Trade secret.”
Gena laughed softly.
The conversation flowed easily.
For two hours they talked, joked, and drank tequila.
And gradually—
The alcohol warmed her nerves.
“I’ll use the restroom,” Gena said.
She moved through the crowded bar.
The music pulsed loudly.
And then—
A strong hand suddenly wrapped around her waist.
Her breath caught.
Before she could react—
She was pulled backward.
Into a hard chest.
The scent hit her first.
Masculine.
Familiar.
Then—
Lips crashed against hers.
Hot.
Demanding.
Possessive.
Shock exploded inside her.
For one frozen second—
Her mind went blank.
Then anger erupted.
Gena shoved him violently.
Her palm struck hard across his face.
The slap echoed.
The man barely moved.
And when she looked up—
Her blood ran cold.
Jared.
His dark eyes burned.
Not with embarrassment.
But fury.
And something far more dangerous.
Gena staggered back.
“How dare you!”
The crowd blurred around them.
Jared touched his cheek slowly.
His gaze never left hers.
“You smiled at him.”
She stared.
“What?”
“You let him entertain you.”
Her heartbeat thundered.
The audacity.
The arrogance.
And suddenly—
Fear mixed with anger.
Because the man before her no longer looked calm.
He looked possessive.
Dangerously possessive.
“You’re insane.”
Without waiting—
She ran.
Straight toward the restroom.
Her hands shook violently as she locked herself inside.
Then she called the only person she trusted.
“Cherry.”
“What happened?”
“Rescue me.”
Cherry instantly sobered.
“I’m coming.”
- Writer
