I didn't anticipate Alex's visit, but he sent someone to bring me breakfast. When I arrived at the cabin, I felt like I'd just come home from a long day at work, still in my robe. I couldn't understand why I suddenly felt so vulnerable after last night's intimacy with Alex. I wasn't sure how to face him.

I don't know why I suddenly felt weak last night. It was my first time feeling that, and honestly, I just realized that I let my body be toyed with.

I slapped my cheek when I remembered it again. This is really the saying, "Regret comes too late." My mind kept protesting, but my body was doing something else. Can't they sync up sometimes? It's really difficult.

I remembered our closeness from last night, and it made me feel uneasy. Part of me wanted to escape and go back home, but I lacked the funds for that option. I had no choice but to wait for him. He mentioned that we wouldn't leave immediately after the wedding and wanted us to enjoy our time here.

In the afternoon, I reluctantly left the cabin because Alex had messaged me, instructing me to meet him at the beach and wear the swimsuit I had bought. Despite my reluctance to see him, I complied out of fear that he might leave me here.

I walked cautiously, scanning the beach to find Alex. Eventually, I spotted his back as he was conversing with a woman. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't help but scrutinize the woman, hoping she was just a friend. My heart twinged at what I observed, but I dismissed the notion of falling for him so quickly, considering we had just met.

No, it's not possible. I need to control my feelings. Just because we're doing something unconventional doesn't mean I should fall for him right away. I have to remind myself that I'll end up hurt in the end, and from now on, no matter how much time we spend together, I won't give in that easily.

I tapped my chest where my heart was located. "Don't fall just yet, you're not ready for that. Stay right there," I talked to myself. I let out a sigh before marching toward their direction.

Though I wanted to retreat to the cabin and sulk, I didn't want Alex to think I was avoiding him. With a sigh, I approached them. The woman noticed me first, but her reaction was minimal, whereas Alex turned to acknowledge my presence.

Alex offered a slight smile as I joined them. "Lavinia, this is Isabella... My friend," my heart sank upon hearing that word "friend." I couldn't muster a smile, so I stood there with my head slightly lowered.

Even though you change companions every day, Alex," the woman's voice resonated with anger and desperation. She seemed fixated on Alex as if I were invisible, ignoring my presence. "You'll still find your way back to me."

Alex's jaw tightened, and he responded sternly, "Don't try to provoke me, Lavinia. We've discussed this already. You're not the woman I desire."

Her fists clenched at her sides, and she moved closer, her voice quivering with repressed anger, "For now, Alex, but mark my words—you'll still long for me, even in the darkest hours of the night. You'll come back to me because no one else knows you the way I do."

They argued as if I weren't there, a silent observer of their exchange. Lavinia eventually departed, kissing Alex on the cheek and casting an angry look in my direction. I remained passive and watched her walk away.

"Let's go, Isabella," he said, taking my hand. I didn't respond and silently followed him to the beach.

It seems like Lavinia's words didn't affect him much. Last night, he was almost always in front of her, but now he's being cold again.

We reached the beach, and he quickly took off his shoes and upper garment. I couldn't help but swallow hard as I saw his well-defined six-pack abs.

"Enjoying the view?" he grinned and raised an eyebrow while looking at me. I averted my gaze to avoid him noticing my blushing and shy expression.

After a few seconds, he swiftly pulled me and lifted me, which took me by surprise. "What are you doing?" I gasped, but he just smiled and started walking into the water, while I held onto his neck tightly.

"I can walk, Alex," I replied firmly, but it seemed like he didn't hear me at all. When the water reached his chest, he gently lowered me into it, still holding onto my waist for support. Since I'm petite, the water only reached my neck, so I quickly clung to his neck again.

"Alex, it's too deep. Let's go to a shallower area," I expressed my concern, but he just chuckled, making me suspicious.

"What are you thinking? You seem so happy," I said sarcastically, to which he responded with a grin.

"Just hold on to me; I won't let you go," he assured me. I clung to his neck like a small lizard, not realizing how close our bodies and faces had become.

"You're even more beautiful when you're this near to me," he commented, and our eyes met, causing my heart to race. He was trying to flirt with me, probably thinking I had forgotten what he said earlier.

I raised an eyebrow. "I don't know why you're getting so corny, Alex. Are you just using me to make your ex-wife jealous?" I asked straightforwardly, and I saw a slight frown on his previously happy face.

"Ex-wife," he corrected me. "No, I don't have feelings for her. Why would I do that?"

I averted my gaze. "Okay," was my curt response.

"Wait, are you jealous?" he asked, leaving me surprised by his straightforward question, as if we had a relationship, which we didn't.

"That won't happen. Besides, we're just playing games," I said emotionlessly.

"Right, we are just playing games, and I can end it anytime," his gaze suddenly cold. I guess I should expect that it will only last until Hawaii.

I forced a faint smile and released my grip on his neck. "Yeah, and please tell me sooner if you're not into it anymore because I'll stop right away. I was just pressured at first," I swam a few meters away and didn't hear a response from him.

It's better this way because I know this feeling is only temporary. And when we stop after a week, I can breathe easy, knowing my heart won't fall for the wrong person again.

I looked in his direction and panicked when I realized he wasn't where he was earlier.

Where did that guy go? I didn't notice that he had swum back because I was swimming away myself.

I was startled when I saw a figure swimming towards me, causing me to panic and move away. Before I could react further, I felt something brush against my thigh, and I let out a loud scream.

"Hahaha," he laughed heartily at my epic reaction, which infuriated me. In my anger, I retaliated by throwing water at him. This guy was truly insane. We were just having a dramatic moment earlier, and now he pulled off a prank like this.

We engaged in a playful water fight, and I found myself laughing along with him. "Wait, Alex. Are you crazy? Put me down," I protested as he carried me. Did he think I was that light?

He finally set me down when we reached the shore. Just then, his ex-wife arrived, and our smiles quickly faded, especially since she was glaring at us with apparent anger, though she didn't say anything.

Alex pulled me along and walked past her without a word, leaving me with no choice but to follow. We reached his cabin, and I suddenly became nervous as memories of what we did together last night flooded my mind.

I quickly took my hand away from his, and he looked at me with surprise.

I avoided eye contact. "I'll change in the Cabin... That's where my things are, Alex."

Several seconds passed before he responded. "Okay, but stay there; I'll come to you. We'll have dinner together," I raised my gaze to Alex and gave him a slight smile.

"Okay," was my final reply before I walked the path back to the Cabin.

I changed into a simple knee-length dress and waited for Alex. However, three hours had passed, and there was no sign of him at my Cabin. I decided to head to his Cabin, thinking he might have fallen asleep.

As I walked toward his Cabin, I encountered someone I had met at the reception.

"Isabella! I thought you went back to your country. I waited for you last night," Chelsie said to me. She couldn't speak Tagalog, but she could understand it.

We had met at the reception when she accidentally bumped into me, and she had immediately apologized and invited me to join her and her friends that night. Unfortunately, I had completely forgotten about her invitation due to how tired I was.

"I'm sorry, Chelsie," I fibbed, offering her an apologetic smile. I genuinely had forgotten about Chelsie's invitation as I had fallen asleep quickly after the reception.

Chelsie responded with a warm smile, and it was clear she understood the situation. "Don't worry, Isabella. It's okay! Maybe you got tired after the reception." She gestured toward the lively wedding celebration we had attended the night before. "Do you want to come with me? I'll be heading to the diner to grab a bite with my friends."

I hesitated, torn between the desire to join Chelsie and the fear that Alex might be waiting for me. I also didn't want to eat if he hadn't had his dinner yet.

I scratched my neck nervously, still smiling at Chelsie. "I'm sorry, Chelsie, but I haven't checked with Alex yet."

Although Chelsie seemed clearly disappointed, she remained polite and her smile unchanged. "That can't be helped. He is your companion, after all. But I hope we can find some time to eat together before we part ways."

Feeling a sense of responsibility to make it up to Chelsie, I reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll ask Alex, and if you're not leaving tomorrow morning, we can have breakfast together or even go swimming."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she gave me a tight hug. "I can't wait for that! See you later, Isabella," she said as we reluctantly parted ways.

I continued walking with a smile on my face toward Alex's Cabin. However, I quickly hid when I noticed two people outside his Cabin's door. I peeked through to get a glimpse of them, but it was quite dark in the area where they were standing.

They were getting quite intimate, and when a faint beam of moonlight fell on them, I recognized the two figures with a start.

I quickly ducked behind a lush palm tree, my heart racing, and my mind filled with confusion and disappointment. The one person I had thought was different was entangled in this messy situation.

As I hid nervously, my thoughts whirled in a whirlwind of emotions. I wondered if his earlier warning had been motivated by jealousy or if there was some deeper truth to it. A sense of dread and helplessness washed over me.

"Isabella," I jumped when I heard Alex's voice behind me. I quickly approached him and pulled him away from the scene. "Why are you hiding? What's wrong?"

My heart raced even faster as I looked into his concerned eyes. I knew that he and his ex-wife were no longer together, but I didn't know how Alex would react, especially seeing them kissing in front of his Cabin.

I took a deep breath and changed the topic because I didn't want to discuss it, and I wanted to get Alex away from there. I was confused, but I didn't want them to have another argument.

"I-I came here because you didn't come to the Cabin," I said, changing the subject. "My friends dragged me to a bar, but I didn't stay long, and I messaged you earlier. When you didn't reply, I went to your Cabin, but you weren't there, so I thought you might be here."

I didn't say anything else and pulled him away from the spot. "I'm hungry; let's go," I convinced him, and he reluctantly followed me as we walked back.

"You are so quiet. Is there a problem?" he finally asked after we had distanced ourselves from the scene.

I didn't respond because I was still processing what I had seen. I couldn't believe it, and I felt like I had lost some trust in him because of it.

I shook my head and forced a smile. "I'm okay. I'm starting to feel a bit tired, maybe. Are you planning to go back to the club later?" I shifted the conversation.

"Yes, I have to. I'd like to take you with me, but you seem tired, and I don't want to introduce you to my friends either," he replied. My eyebrows shot up at his words, and my heart ached. Was he ashamed of me? Was it because I wasn't wealthy and couldn't socialize in their circles?

I smiled bitterly, remembering why I had distanced myself from Kalel in the past. He had also felt embarrassed when I was always with him. Same situation, different person.