The boys return just then, and we began.
While we were taking a brief break, I looked back towards the house to find Vanessa out playing catch with Beanie. He was growing so well these past few weeks, and she’s become more attached to Vanessa than she was to me, his actual owner.
I was smiling until Sebastian walked into the picture. He said something that made her laugh hard. Beanie was barking and running around her leg as he waited for her to throw the ball again.
The perfection of the picture they made was enough to dampen my mood significantly.
“They made such a cute couple.”
The voice from behind startled me, although I didn’t show it. It was Elaine, and her words only worsened my mood. Something I was sure she’d done intentionally.
I didn’t respond to that.
“Where are the others?” I asked her.
“Rick and Nina are probably out in some tree making out. I do not know where Jonah is. Although, now that I think of it, he’s probably out there jerking off to one of his many thirst traps.”
I laughed a little at her words because that was just what Jonah could do. He had some weird obsession with getting girls to send him thirst traps. His phone was riddled with pictures and videos from different girls; it would be disappointing if we didn’t know who our friend was. He never used it against them, and he forced no one to do what they didn’t want to do.
“You know, that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile in a long time,” Elaine said, and I turned to her. Her face was sincere, and she looked like Elaine, who had always been my friend and not the one who had been plotting for me to ask for her hand since we became full adults.
“I’m okay, Elaine. I wasn’t for a while, but I am now. And I’m glad you guys came.” I said to her.
She smiled at me widely. I’m glad we came too. I would go crazy if I had to stay here alone for so long, with no one but the help from the company.
I ignored her insensitive comments and only smiled. She had been raised with privilege. We all had been. It was the only way she knew how to talk.
“Let’s go back to find the others,” I said to her; and when I glanced back at Vanessa, they are both gone.
Chapter 14
Vanessa
SeeingChristianandElainetogether disturbed me more than I cared to admit. All day, I’d thought about our kiss more than anything else, and I tried my best to avoid him as much as possible.
I’d felt guilty about getting out of helping Alba today by claiming I’d been having period cramps, but the truth was that I wanted to stay in my room to avoid running into my boss. I did not know what I would do when I was next alone with him. It was becoming clearer that I could no longer control my body’s reactions to him.
All he had to do was touch me or look at me with those soulful, deep blues of his, and I was ready to take my clothes off for him.
“You know, the boss’s friends are leaving tomorrow. Are you happy about the house going back to how it was before they arrived?” Sebastian’s voice startled me out of my thoughts, and I turned to him.
It was late evening already, and he was yet to leave. We’d spent the day together playing with Beanie, who was currently with his owner, and then he’d done some chores before we helped Alba with dinner.
I knew I was spending an awful lot of time with him, given that he’d admitted to the fact that he liked me. But there was no one else to spend time with, and I miss the day-to-day interaction with the outside world.
“I have to admit; I would miss the lively feeling of the house once they’re gone,” I replied Sebastian. But did not admit I would not miss having Elaine around, though. I had no right to be jealous, but I could not help it. Seeing them smiling at each other today, even from afar, had been too intimate, and it occurred to me she was more of his type.
She had the money and the pedigree, and she was gorgeous. I wondered why they were not together or if they’d ever dated at all.
“It is certainly entertaining for sure. You won’t believe whom I caught in the woods having sex.”
My breath seized at Sebastian’s words, and for a second, I thought he was about to say that he’d caught Christian and Elaine having sex in the woods.
“Rick and Nina.” Sebastian finally spits out.
My relief was palpable when he said their names, and Sebastian immediately noticed—giving me a surprised look.
“Are you okay? You look a little pale.”