Island King: My Nine Foreign Brides

Chapter 2

The man swiftly stepped in front of Randy, pushing him back and blocking any advance. "I won't let you get within a step of Miss Price. You'd better get lost while you still can!"

Randy glared fiercely at the man, rage boiling over on his face, yet he maintained an unsettling calm deep down. He knew he could probably take on the man before him, but the crowd surrounding them was too large, and he had no backup. If a fight broke out, he would undoubtedly be the one to suffer.

Suppressing his anger, Randy coldly addressed the group. "You've all been fooled by her. She's not what you think. You'll regret this sooner or later!"

With that, he turned away, walking toward the beach behind him, his expression dark and brooding.

As he walked, his anger gradually subsided, replaced by a wave of fatigue.

Since having a proper meal on the boat the night before, he hadn't had a drop of water. Pressing his cracked lips together, he scanned the area until his gaze landed on a nearby coconut tree.

Determined, he approached the tree, struggling to climb it before finally managing to pick a few coconuts. Spotting a slightly sharp rock, he raised one coconut high and brought it crashing down. As the sweet coconut water flowed over his hands, he quickly tilted the cracked opening toward his mouth, sucking desperately. The refreshing liquid quenched his thirst, soothing his dry mouth and throat.

Once he finished the coconut water, Randy worked diligently to pry open the coconut and scoop out the flesh. Only after eating did he feel a slight improvement in his condition.

An adult needed about 2,500 calories a day, and these few coconuts were hardly sufficient. They could only sustain his energy levels for a short while.

Standing on the beach, Randy gazed out at the endless sea and spotted a rocky shore not far away. A surge of hope filled him. Rocky shores often held treasures left behind by the receding tide—small fish, shrimp, scallops, oysters, and more. He decided to try his luck there.

However, the further he walked, the more uneasy he felt. Even as he looked out at the rocky shore, he noticed something unsettling: there wasn't a single piece of human garbage in sight. Only his solitary footprints marred the pristine sand.

This meant that the island had never been touched by human civilization—not even a scrap of trash had washed ashore.

Though worried, Randy decided to push the thought aside. Filling his stomach was his priority.

When he reached the rocky shore, he bent down to inspect the area and was relieved to find several small fish and shrimp, the largest no bigger than his palm. He didn't mind at all and eagerly gathered them up.

After a while of gathering, Randy felt satisfied that he had enough for a hearty meal and decided to leave the rocky shore behind.

Reentering the edge of the woods, he gathered some dry twigs and set about building a campfire. Using a sharper stone, he skillfully gutted the fish. Once he had skewered them on a stick, he placed them over the flames to roast.

When the fish were finally cooked, Randy carefully peeled off the charred skin and began to eat. Although the flavor was minimal, the warmth of the food settled in his stomach, bringing him a sense of comfort.

"Could you please share some fish with me?" Suddenly, a voice broke through the quiet, causing Randy to snatch a nearby stone and rise to his feet, his gaze fixed on the approaching woman.

She was one of Isabella's group, who had helped Bonnie. Randy instinctively narrowed his eyes at her, his voice cold as he said, "Why should I? Just stay where you are."

The woman's demeanor shifted to panic, and she stammered in broken English, "I didn't mean to target you before. I'm all alone, and Isabella saved me. If I hadn't spoken up for her, I would have been kicked out too."

"I believe your fiancée betrayed you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so eager to harm her. I understand your feelings as a boyfriend. If she takes you to court, I can testify for you, but I'll need a bit of fish in return." Her tone was earnest, and her expression was filled with longing.

Randy hesitated, weighing her words, and gradually lowered his guard. He gestured for her to come closer and sit by the campfire, offering her half a piece of fish.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed, taking the fish and devouring it hungrily.

"What's your name? Where are you from, and what do you do?" Randy asked, noticing that she didn't look American and seizing the opportunity to learn more.

"My name is Adela Mitchell. I'm Serbian, and I don't have a fixed job. Why do you ask?" she replied, a hint of puzzlement in her voice.

"Just curious," he said, not elaborating further as he handed her two oysters, which she gratefully accepted.

Once they had both finished eating, Adela's expression shifted to one of concern. "Randy, there's something I don't know if I should tell you. We might not be able to go back..."

"What do you mean?" Randy's eyes widened at her words. He had contemplated this very issue on the beach, and now it was resurfacing. He wondered if Adela had new information.

Adela hesitated, avoiding his gaze as she murmured, "I haven't told anyone about this. I thought you were a good person and didn't want to keep it from you."

"Last night on the boat, I heard the crew getting anxious about the radar malfunctioning. Soon after, the boat hit a reef. It was dark, and we couldn't even see this island..."

Randy frowned at her revelation. "Are you saying that the place we're in now might not even exist?"

Adela quickly shook her head. "It was too dark; I couldn't see clearly. I only heard the crew mention strong magnetic interference affecting the radar."

"Alright, you've eaten enough. It's time to go back," Randy said casually.

"Go back? To them? No, no. I want to follow you. That black guy only listens to Isabella. I'm afraid I'll starve if I stay with them. Can I come with you? I promise I'll listen to you and won't betray you." Adela's resolve was clear. Finding a way to fill her stomach was her top priority.

"No, you didn't tell me the truth just now. I can manage just fine on my own. Having another person around will only increase my expenses, so I can't keep you," Randy replied, his tone firm and unyielding.

Hearing this, Adela slumped, her expression filled with pain. "I used to be an adventure enthusiast. I loved hiking and climbing, and I have some survival skills. Randy, if you let me stay, I think I can really help you on this island."

Randy's eyes brightened. He hadn't anticipated that Adela had such a background. However, the look on her face suggested it was a painful past she was reluctant to revisit. Sensing her hesitation, he chose not to press her for more details.

Still, having someone with survival skills was a significant advantage. If it had been someone without any knowledge, Randy wouldn't have considered keeping them around. His food supply was already a concern, and he couldn't afford to feed another mouth.

But Adela's abilities changed everything.

"Alright, welcome to the team. From now on, we're a group," Randy said, shaking her hand firmly. Just as he was about to step away to relieve himself, a series of strange, eerie sounds echoed from the woods, sending a chill down his spine on the darkening beach.

"What is that noise?" Adela asked, her voice tinged with concern as she moved closer to him.

Randy stood up, quickly finding a piece of wood. He wrapped it in resin, fashioning a makeshift torch. Turning to Adela, he said, "I plan to check out the woods. Do you want to come with me, or would you rather wait here?"

"I'll follow you; let's go see," Adela replied, rising to her feet and walking alongside Randy. She gestured toward the unfinished fish, shrimp, and scallops scattered on the ground. "Should we take these with us?"

Randy glanced around, shaking his head. "No need to take them. We're just going to scout the area and eliminate any potential dangers. We'll be back soon."