AN: Much appreciation all the reviewers, new followers and new favorites! Welcome! And enjoy!
CHAPTER FOUR
NEXT DAY
Bella frowned when she saw three ladies in string bikinis flirting with Edward as she walked down the pier towards the yacht. The 3 ladies obviously were flirting, having their fake boobs hanging from in their string bikinis and high heels. Edward didn't even seemed bothered by their overly touching and smiling, as he helped those ladies around the boat giving them a short tour. Bella dressed simply in a red and white striped long sleeve crop sweater, blue denim shorts over her black bikini, and white canvas sneakers. She regripped her black clutch purse.
"Good morning Bella, welcome aboard," Jasper said with a smile, as Bella stopped before the small ladder of the yacht. Today, Bella was heading out for her first boat tour of the island.
"Good morning Jasper." Edward welcomed more ladies before showed them where to sit before the boat takes off. He looked back and was happy to see Bella arriving. He wished he was the first one to welcome her aboard his ship. But Edward was still happy Bella came today for the boat tour. She didn't seem happy last night and he wanted to find out what happened. He went to confront Tanya about it, but Tanya was smart enough to lie of course. She claimed maybe the fish bowl was too much for Bella. She mentioned many times how Americans say the liquor found in Chile, much like the wine was stronger here than any drink they have ever had. Tanya lied to Edward telling him that Bella mentioned a small headache.
"Let me give you hand," Jasper said. Bella nodded. As their hands contacted, Bella sighed. No spark. No electric touch when their hands connected. Jasper helped Bella up the small ladder onto the yacht
Edward brought out his microphone as the yacht started up to take off. Edward introduced himself and Jasper, as well as their other 3 member crew on the boat. Edward took pride when he was able to buy his yacht. He calls it "Dawn". And she was amazing. Dawn is only 24 meters, and was primarily used for the resort. He brought Dawn from The Netherlands, a company called Freedomship. A yacht is any moderately large vessel used for pleasure, not for commercial purposes. Some exceptions are that some yachts are chartered with professional crew to paying passengers, who then primarily use the yacht for pleasure.
Edward knew owning a yacht may not always be the best financial investment, but it can be an investment in his mental and physical well-being. There are few things more relaxing than enjoying the stress free times out on the open waters. It was just after 10 am. He explained the 8-hour boat tour around the island that included snorkeling, and cliff diving stops with a buffet style meal service. Bella was surprised to see Tanya on the boat tour. It turns out it was her day off and Tanya decided she wanted a trip on the yacht so when guests ask about it, she can have more knowledge. Edward rolled his eyes about that. Tanya has done a boat tour many times before, she knows everything, could probably do it, now suddenly she decides to go out this week.
Edward and Jasper talk about Robinson Crusoe Island as the yacht slowly moves around the island. Bella shyly removed her cropped sweater and shorts, as the rest of the ladies and men on the boat, freely strip down to their swimwear and enjoy the ride. Bella sits on a towel, as shot glasses and small glasses of wine were handed out around noon. A few of the ladies, including Tanya grabbing all the wine. Edward notices Bella look through the cooler for something but come out empty handed. While Jasper is talking, Edward goes below deck. He comes out with a fresh case of sodas and more wine from the cooler. Bella grabs one cold wine cup and gives Edward a smile and small thanks. He nods and goes back to stand next to Jasper to talk about the island. .
"Ok, we have reached a nice part, where we're going to do a little snorkeling next before lunch, so everyone get their gear ready. We have several masks and fins if you don't have your own, cleaned and sanitized for your safety." Edward went over to Bella as she didn't move from her seat on the ground while many others got up.
"You're not snorkeling?"
"I don't like really being underwater."
"You swim though?"
"Oh yes, I love swimming! But I don't like to go under for a long time."
"Oh. That's fine. You can watch everyone or just swim around the boat. Jasper loves to snorkeling, I like more scuba diving."
"Why?" Bella asked.
"You can go deeper into the water and see more wildlife." Bella nodded. Edward handed Bella a bottle of water once he realized she finished her wine.
While people were snorkeling, Edward allowed the rest to swim around the boat. Bella used the diving board on the yacht to jump into the cool water while holding her nose. Edward watched Bella from the boat, as he mingled about the boat while Jasper was snorkeling with a small group. Bella swam around with a few people, just enjoying the water. After swimming a while, Bella climbs up the ladder. Edward holds his hands out for her. Bella smiles as the spark between them was back even though she wasn't sure if she could trust him or his womanizing behavior.
"How was the water?" Edward asked.
"Amazing!"
"Good, let me hose you off."
"Ok." Edward takes a hose to rinse her off. Bella shivers as Edward runs the water over the top of her head.
"Sorry, it's a bit cold."
"No, it feels great," Bella said, wiping her face down after pushing her hair back. Edward handed her a few towels.
Edward handed Bella another wine cup after her swim. Buffet lunch was ready to serve after snorkeling, as the boat continued around the other half of the island.
"So, you like her," Jasper whispered to Edward during a tiny break of island information to allow the guests to take pictures.
"Who?"
"Don't try to hide it. You like Bella, and what a long brown haired beauty. You want her so bad man."
"No, I don't."
"Dude, you have been sporting serious wood since she stepped into our resort." Edward immediately looked down. He could see he was not hard beneath his blue swim trunks.
"I have not!" Jasper chuckled.
"No, but I made you look which means you didn't even know."
"Shut up!" Edward pushed Jasper away, as he went back to the island tour. Jasper just chuckled.
Jasper stopped the boat as they pulled up to the cliff jumping part of the island. For people feeling more adventurous, as a guide Jasper welcomes 3 areas to jump from. 7ft, 25ft, and 33ft. Many people followed Jasper to get off the boat and swim to the cliffs to climb and jump off. There are also areas to explore and take pictures from the cliffs as well. Edward tried to convince Bella to join the group wanting to jump off the cliff, but she was too scared. Tanya smiled when Bella chickened out. Tanya jumped proudly from the top cliff, at 33ft first. Bella watched Edward help Tanya back onto the boat. She pretended to trip into his arms. Edward helped straighten her up.
"Oh, so sorry Eddie."
"Maybe a bottle of water Tanya."
"Oh Eddie…I am fine!" Edward went to help another person climb up the ladder before getting the hose. Tanya stood next to Bella, towel drying herself after a rinse off. "Oh, that felt good to be back in his arms again." Bella rolled her eyes. A ship passing by the yacht was filled with fisherman that was hooting at the ladies. Tanya and another woman, pretended to flash them, shaking their boobs. Bella threw up her middle finger when one guy yelled at her. Edward smiled. He loved her spunky attitude.
NEXT DAY
Tyler walked Bella over to the horse stables as the small group of 8 arrived for their horseback riding tour the following morning. Bella has been on the island a week now. And she is loving Robinson Crusoe Island and everything it offers. Bella still hasn't picked up a pen or opened a word document. But she felt her mind and soul refreshing every morning she woke up and a book idea would be soon coming. Bella found out Tyler Crowley's father was black from America, while his mother was born and raised on Robinson Crusoe Island with her 5 other brothers and sister. Tyler's mother spoke mostly Spanish, and some broken English. Tyler's Dad ran the horse farm, while Tyler's mother ran the dinner historic fire dance with most of Tyler's family from aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sister.
"I'm so happy you are joining us this morning." Bella smiled.
"I love horses. Back in Texas, my mother loved to take me to ranches. She dated a guy who ran his own horse farm." Bella was dressed in a short sleeve blue t-shirt, black stretch pants and blue hiking sandals. She packed her blue backpack for the horseback tour. Bella had on her diamond stud earrings and silver watch.
"Did you know the first people to hop into the saddle around 3500 BCE, and horses and humans have been inseparable partners in crime."
"No, I did not know that."
"Yeah, horses go back 50 millions ago, in North America from fossils. Back then horses were herbivores about the size of medium dogs. I know all the great horse facts. We are going to have fun today."
"I'm sure we will," Bella said.
After a brief lesson about horses and riding, the group got to groom their chosen horse to create a nice bond. Bella got to met her horse for the day. His name was Mel. Bella loved Mel. He was gentle horse, a beautiful champagne breed with brown hair. Bella took many pictures of Mel, her horse and around the ranch for Angela. Tyler's only stern warning at the start of the horseback riding hike.
"Sit up tall, with shoulders squared, heels down in the stirrups, and eyes focused ahead between the horse's ears. Now let's roll out!" Bella and Mel worked together since Bella was gentle on the reins. Mel even got into a nice trot with Bella.
3 hours later, Bella was the last one off the horse. Just like with any exercise, it's important to cool down after a horseback riding session. Tyler asked everyone to walk the horse for 10-15 minutes, or until its neck is room temperature while brushing . Mel ate up the apples Bella fed him during their trek. Tyler smiled as Bella helped lead the final horses into the stable and said goodbye to Mel.
"How was it?"
"Amazing Tyler, the ride and the views were really amazing. You're a great teacher and amazing tour guide."
"Well thank you Bella." Tyler and Bella smiled at each other. "Do you have any plans for tonight?" Tyler asked. Bella remembered right then that after the boat tour yesterday, Edward asked Bella out the next night. It didn't sound serious. He wanted to meet before dinner for a drink.
"Oh uh, actually I do. Edward asked to get a drink before dinner." After the boat ride yesterday, Edward did stop Bella and ask her out just for drinks. Bella agreed since he had practically ignored Tanya and the flirting ladies all day while on the boat, though they tried hard for his attention.
"Oh you and Edward…"
"It's just a drink. If you want to come..."
"No, no, no…" Tyler said. He knew Edward enough to know if Edward asked Bella out, he liked her and you don't want to get in the way of his Boss liking a woman. "It's fine. Another time. Well have fun with Edward. You're welcome to come back anytime, I do different tours every week. I'm sure Mel would love it." Bela nodded. "And if the thing with you and Edward doesn't work out, you have my number."
"I do Tyler. Thanks." Bella got into the cab to head back to the resort.
Bella was about to meet Edward to head for late afternoon drink before dinner. She went back to the hut to shower after spending the all of morning and part of the afternoon horseback riding at Tyler's family horse farm and ranch. She changed and dressed in a musty yellow summer dress with allover brown polka dots, ruffled shoulder straps and bottom hem, and brown leather toe sandals. Since Bella was a bit early, she decided to meet Edward at his office instead of heading to wait at Wreck Bar. She took off her black circle shades and adjusted her circle purse at her hip. Bella found the concierge desk empty. That was odd since there should always been someone manning the front office. But there was no one around.
"Hello? Edward?" Bella walked down the hall towards Edward's office to see if he was ready for that drink when she hears sex noises from Edward's office. Bella got closer and the sex moans and groans were apparent and loud. Bella looked through the crack, and saw a couple going at it. Having hard, fast, chaotic sex on the desk.
"Oh Edward," Tanya moans. Bella gasped, covering her mouth as she stepped back. Frustrating tears filled her eyes, as Tanya moaned again. Bella stumbled back and rushes away from the door back down the hall. Bella bumps into Jasper on the way out of the building. Jasper caught her before she could fall down the few steps.
"Hey Bella." She had tears in her eyes. "Hey, are you ok?"
"I'm fine!" Bella stormed away. She leaves so utterly disgusted. Jasper watched Bella racing away from the building.
"Ok." Jasper's phone goes off as he walked into the main office building.
Edward waited around Wreck Bar for Bella who was late, when Jasper found him standing alone.
"Hey dude."
"Hey man," Edward said.
"You look worried."
"Yeah, I was supposed to meet Bella here for drinks."
"Oh?" Jasper told Edward he found Bella running from the main building crying about 40 minutes ago.
"Crying? Did she say why?" Edward asked.
"No. But she was really upset."
"I wonder what happened."
"You asked Bella out?" Jasper asked.
"It was just for a drink."
"Oh really! I knew you liked her!"
"Stop that," Edward said.
"I can't believe you asked her out!"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because you are so not that guy," Jasper said.
"What does that mean?"
"Look, don't act like you don't see or feel all those women throwing themselves at you. It's just in all my years of knowing you, you have never acted on it. Every lady pursues you, ask you out and you just do it. I thought you were gay the first time I met you, man."
"What?!"
"Plus, you haven't had a true girlfriend in years!"
"I have to!"
"When?" Jasper asked.
"There was Carol, Jen, and Stacy was a few months ago!"
"More like 6 months ago, buddy. Even with Carol and Jen, sure you guys hung out, but it wasn't serious. You weren't desperate for their attention like you are with this Bella woman."
"Shut up!" Edward said. "And don't act like you are a ladies man."
"I have Maria."
"Oh right, Maria, who was with Mark, Cody, Vincent, and who else last month?"
"We love each other, but she's just not the marrying girl."
"Or one man type."
"We have fun when I need it."
"And she has more than you."
"Shut up! You should call Bella."
"Right. I should call her. I hope everything is ok." Edward pulled out his phone.
"And just so you know, I'm pretty sure I saw Tanya and Demetri leaving your office not 30 minutes ago."
"Fucking pigs! I swear if they were having sex in my office this time like they used the coffee room last month. I'm going to fire them both."
"I would love to see that."
NEXT DAY
Bella was back in the main office the next morning. It was Tuesday, June 9th. Tomorrow, would mark 1 weeks on Robinson Island Crusoe. Bella adjusted the knot of her purple tie-dyed tank top over her blue denim jeans. She slipped her foot back into her brown 2-strap sandals while waiting on Jessica to set up another spa appointment this week.
"Hey Bella, good morning, I missed our drink date yesterday," Edward said, smiling at her as Bella was looking at some other hiking tours. Edward's call and text messages went unanswered last night. "Hey…" Edward touched her arm. Bella ignored him though despite her anger, she felt the spark from his touch. "Hey, did you hear me?"
"What? Oh, yeah, drink date, sorry, I missed it, something came up."
"Yeah, Jasper said he saw yesterday, you seemed upset. I guess that's why you didn't show-up. If you want, we can try again tonight maybe a drink and dinner?" Bella glared at Edward.
"Are you kidding me?"
"What would I kid with you?"
"Why would you ask me for drinks, when you clearly had plenty of fun planned already yesterday?"
"What?" Edward asked.
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!"
"I don't Bella!"
"Fine! Play dumb all you want. But leave me alone! I won't be anyone's sloppy seconds."
"Sloppy seconds? What are you…? Bella...Bella wait.."
"Don't!" Edward stopped at Bella's glare. "Why don't you go after some other desperate woman to have a drink with or perhaps just call Tanya again. Jessica, I will call the office for the spa appointment." Jessica continued typing away at her computer.
"Of course Bella. I can call your lodge when I find a day." Bella walked out.
"What the fuck did I do? And what was the shit about calling Tanya? Why would she think that?"
"I don't know Boss."
Bella slammed the hut door, tears in her eyes. Bella hated herself for crying over a guy. She figured having her period maid her a bit emotional these day, but crying over a guy she barely knew. It made her feel weak and stupid. She didn't even cry this hard when Wes Stone and herself broke up or when she found out he was dating someone else less than a month from their break-up. Wes and Bella had been together 4 years, everything was great, until Wes asked Bella to marry him, 3 years in, and she said yes, though she didn't want to. After an 8-month engagement and no date for a wedding in sight, Wes realized Bella wasn't ready for both held up for as long as popular, until Wes confronted Bella. They talked it out and realized it was best to break up. Nearly a year later, Wes moved on, having waited long enough. He married a girl from their circle of friends. Not a great friend, but good enough friend to know not to marry a friend's ex less than a year later. Wes and his wife, Ellie, still worked in the same publishing company as Bella. Wes was more in charge of marketing with Ellie.
Bella was crying back in her hut when Angela called. Angela was in Paris with Alice. Alice was planning for her big fall collection show to reveal the new fall line. Angela flew early to Paris to help set up the stage and take pictures for her show in a few weeks. Angela could tell Bella was upset and immediately FaceTime her.
"Bella dear, what's wrong?" Angela asked once she got Bella's face onscreen.
"I am such a fool," Bella cried. She went about explaining what happened with Edward and what she saw and heard in his office.
"Man, what a dog! I can't believe he asked you out and right before he was fucking some other girl! Of course he wanted to take you out for drinks! He probably hoped to get you drunk so you would be open to having sex too," Angela said.
"I know totally disgusting."
"I'm sorry girl. I guess you can't be that hot without some issues."
"I just can't believe I almost fell for it," Bella said opening a bottle of wine, after wiping away some tears. She poured herself a nice large glass of wine.
"Well, from what you told me, he's very charming and handsome, so of course he's a man slut, which is disgusting.
"Yeah, totally a turn off now. How's Alice?" Bella asked taking a sip.
"Driving me up the wall and I only arrived today! It's so late here and she still has the place going like a fucking madwoman. Her studio here in Paris a disaster zone! Disaster zone, Bella! I don't know where or how she organizes anything good enough for a show for next week."
"You say that every year she ask you to help and photograph. And every year, she pulls it together and puts on an amazing show." Angela showed Bella pictures of Alice's office floor filled with dresses and outfits for her show.
"I know. She's like a freaking cat with a million lives. Oh, look at her signature dress. It's navy blue and beautiful. She calls it her Bella. I think she made it just for you." Bella smiled when Angela showed off the stunning navy blue lace and tulle gown. Bella opened her dinner togo dinner.
"That is a lovely dress, I wish I could pull off something that fancy."
"I know, and look at her studio, so many empty sewing machines because everyone is setting up the staging right now."
"That arena looks amazing," Bella said as she sipped on her soup after drinking half her glass of wine. She got porotos granados. It is a traditional summer dish, a soup made with the ingredients that are fresh and in season. The main ingredients are beans, mashed corn, onions, pumpkin, garlic, tomatoes, and basil. It is a difficult to find and time consuming Chilean food to make as the beans need to be soaked overnight, but Edward loves the dish and since they had the opportunity to make it this week, he requested it.
Bella loved the stew. It is thick and delicious. But everything Bella has eaten from this island was fresh and bursting with flavors. Angela showed Bella the stage pictures, where Alice rented out an old basketball arena for her fashion show.
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"I don't know," Bella said, taking another sip of her soup.
"Well, I don't want you hiding in your hut for the rest of this trip. Go and enjoy yourself tomorrow."
"I just don't want to run into Edward or that smug face Tanya."
"Tanya actually sounds like a bitch to me. How do you know she wasn't lying?"
"Because I haven't met another Edward in this resort. And why would she call out another man's name if she wasn't having sex with Edward?"
"True, true. So, have you written anything?"
"No, sorry."
"Do not apologize Bella. It is fine. It's only been like a week. I didn't expect anything so soon. Now take your time, enjoy the island, forget about hot Edward. His lost. You are a beautiful, smart woman. You don't need a man to make you happy. Look I gotta go, Princess Alice is calling."
"Oh yes, call her Princess Alice, she loves that."
"I know that's why I do it. Do you need me to tell you how beautiful and smart you are some more?"
"No!" Bella chuckled. "Thanks though."
"Love ya! Bye!"
"Love ya too. Bye!" Bella finished her wine and soup. She threw the empty container into trash and grabbed the bottle of wine. Bella went down to the beach, though it was night. Bella drank straight from the bottle while she was relaxing on a blanket when she felt someone watch her. Bella looked around, but saw no one. Bella got up and quickly went back to her hut for bed.
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