Hey people, here's the new chapter. BTW thank you mozzi-girl! Also there's definitely going to be more MALTARA in the next one, in the meantime let's meet David...

Mal's POV

I climb the stairs holding a big, brown, paper bag full of Chinese food, plates, eating utensils, and napkins. On the other hand I hold a cardboard cup holder with three cokes, one for Natara, one for Neha, and one for me. When I get to the top of the stairs I stack the cup holder on top of the bag and try to balance it all in one hand while I ring the doorbell with my other. To my relief the door opens in a matter of seconds. I was expecting to see Natara, or her sister, or her mom, or at least a woman… but instead a 'man' answers the door.

The man is short and looks younger than me, more or less. His teeth are very white and stand out due to his tanned skin. His unusual face has no mark or scars whatsoever, almost as if he's wearing makeup? Even his beard is perfectly trimmed. He also wears khaki slacks and an expensive looking blue polo, both which are extremely tight on him, revealing his muscles. And… [are those moccasins?]

David: Why hello there!

Mal: Hey… I'm Natara's partner…

David: Oh, I know who you are. But you don't know who I am heh. I'm David, Mrs. Mansigh's personal assistant and right hand. Glad to meet you detective, please come in.

I hesitantly make my way in, and out of the corner of my eye I catch David doing what appears to be a slight bow. [This guy's seriously wacko…]

David: Oops! I almost forgot sir, please let me help you with that.

Mal: Uh, don't worry I'll handle it, thanks.

David: Of course.

Another awkward moment passes. This time David cocks his head to the side and looks in my direction like he's 'scanning' me. Almost as if he's not even there, his mind is definitely some place else.

Mal: *Ahem* could you tell me where Natara is?

David: Who-what? Oh I uh… yes! She's at the beach with Neha. They told me they wanted to eat there and have a uh… picnic. So I took the liberty to find you a bathing suit in case you wanted to join them.

Mal: Um, sure thank you.

David: Right this way please.

I follow David to the nearest bathroom and out of nowhere he picks up a piece of clothing. It's a pair of swimming shorts. I place the food on the coffee table and take the shorts from him. Before I enter the bathroom I give him a small nod and he returns it with the weirdest smile EVER. I, being the 'polite person that I am' try to fake a pleased look, but unfortunately for him the corners of my mouth are just unable to move. I've never been more creeped out in my life. Not knowing what to do of the situation I rush into the bathroom and start undressing. I take my shirt off, then my shoes and socks, and finally my pants. The only thing I notice about the shorts before I start putting them on is that they're black. They felt a little small at first but eventually with much difficulty I made them fit. It wasn't until I was finally done tying the laces at the waist that I noticed the horror of it.

(Awww man… are you kidding me! I look ridiculous!)

I look in the mirror glued behind the door. The 'shorts' are so tight that they end 3 inches above my knee. I can barely move in them. All my 'curves' are completely visible, the back, the sides, the front… They look more like boxers rather than swimming shorts. I can't believe I let that little creep get me to wear his shorts!

(Screw this. I am going to KILL him!)

David: Detective is everything alright? Do I need to remind you that the girls are waiting for you?

(Grrr, that little weirdo is right.)

Without standing to look at myself in the mirror one more second I swing the door open. Regretting everything from the moment I took those stupid pants. [*Sigh* the things I do for…] Again my thoughts are interrupted by 'David' staring at me intensely while his smile grows bigger by the minute, even his eyebrows appear to go up and up and…

Mal: Ahem.

David: Oh, finally! If I may say sir, those pants seem to fit you perfectly. He he I'm such a great assistant.

Mal: You… Excuse me.

I shake my head trying to remove the horrible images or rather events that took place and rapidly grab the food, making my way to what I think is the backyard. I really have no idea were I'm going but my first priority is to get away from the creep before I loose all of my will power and insult him; which I really don't want to do because Natara wouldn't be too happy. As I open the door my eyes blink consecutively. I can't believe what I'm seeing.

In the middle of the backyard two pools are connected by a wooden bridge with lilies decorating the railing. On the far side of the bigger pool, which is about ten feet deep, a Jacuzzi is sitting on top of black rocks creating a waterfall that cascades into the pool. The bubbles and steam of the hot tub cloud the place giving it a jungle vibe. Way to the opposite side there's the smaller, shallow pool which holds many lounging chairs to relax while in the water. Then, in the corner a tiki bar stands with beautiful, exotic decorations. Next to it there's a resting area with an enormous plasma TV and comfortable, fluffy looking chairs. It's like paradise.

The beautiful place made me loose myself for like 5 minutes. I forgot everything, even what happened with David. It felt so relaxing, like a hotel… no, even better. I scanned the place again completely stunned by the beauty. Slowly remembering what I was doing I walked to the end to what looked like a gate. Still not being able to take my off of the setting. When I got to the gate I pushed it open as my bare feet met the hot sand. It's been a while since I went to the beach and seeing the perfect blue ocean put a huge smile on my face; a smile which only got bigger when I looked to my left and saw Natara laughing with Neha. I started jogging towards them, partly because the sand was really hot and the other part because I was excited to see Natara. She looked gorgeous with her one piece yellow bathing suit. As I got closer her perfectly tan skin seemed to glow and her breath taking smile shined.

Natara: Mal…what are you wearing?

Mal: Well why don't you go ask your buddy David.

Natara: Who is David?

Neha: Hahaha!

Mal: He's your mom's assistant. You didn't know that? He gave them to me said 'he took the liberty, so I could join you.'

As I said this I sat down on one of the beach towels next to Natara and she gave me a puzzled look but a small smile was forming on the corner of her lips. On the other hand Neha only seemed to laugh harder when I used the sarcasm.

Neha: Mal… haha… you do know he's gay…right?

At this point Natara bursts out laughing joining her sister.

Neha: I bet he was checking you out ha!

Natara: Haha, have you seen those shorts? Who wouldn't?

Mal: See that's really not that funny cuz I actually think he was… It all makes so much sense now… Urgh, why…

I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Never in my life has something like this happened to me.

Neha: Don't worry Mal at least he's cute hehe. But you know now that I think about it, all gay guys are cute haha.

Mal: Well any who… who wants lunch?

Neha: I do!

Natara: About time! I almost starved thanks to you.

Mal: It's only fair, you know. Thanks to you I had to wear these shorts.

I catch Natara smile at my comment while I'm opening the bag. I distribute the food and we all start eating happily; enjoying the sun, the fresh air, and mostly the water before us looking calm and refreshing. After a few minutes Neha breaks the silence.

Neha: Now that we're done… It's picture time!

Before we can protest Neha takes out her camera, puts her arm around us and snaps a picture or two. Then she stands up and walks over to the front of us. She cocks her head trying to find the right angle to take a picture of Natara and me…together?

Neha: You guys need to get closer.

In an awkward motion I scoot closer to Natara. [No biggie, it's just Nat]. I'm just about to put my arm around her bare back when my hand starts shaking a little and I wonder whether Natara would be comfortable or not if I did this. Thankfully an idea popped into my head. Just as Neha was about to take the picture I got closer than I intended, I rested my weight on my right hand, and with a huge grin on my face I used my left hand to make 'bunny ears' at the top of Natara's head.

Click!

Neha snaps the picture and looks down on her camera to see it; she laughs and brings it over for us to see.

Natara: Mal!

Neha: I'm going to go post these on facebook now. Catch me if you can!

Natara nudges me in the arm and I shrug with a smirk on my face. She changes from her sitting position to lying on her stomach; meanwhile I stand up and walk over to the shore.

Natara: Where are you going?

Mal: Where does it look like I'm going? I'm going in the water.

Natara: Mal you just ate. You have to wait at least an hour to go in the water. You could get hurt.

Mal: What? You don't really believe in that stuff, do you? Besides, I'm Mal Fallon, I have an iron stomach and hardcore abs. *Wink*

Natara: Whatever you say Malachi. I'll be here to tell you I told you so.

Mal: Hmm let's see who ends up laughing last.

Natara's POV

Mal's amused tone leaves me confused and just as I'm about to ask him 'what do you mean?' he leaves running. I shake my head disapprovingly and go back to my relaxing nap. (Men…) The sounds of the waves crashing lull me to sleep. The breeze on my face feels nice and it blows away all of my problems. I've never felt so relaxed since my vacation with Neha to Mexico. Time seems to become a blur and my mind drifts off into a peaceful quiet place…

Later…

I feel the faint voice of someone calling me from somewhere in the back of my head. Is it a dream? I first thought. It starts off diminutive like the cry of an infant then it grows louder and louder… and it turns into a panicked cry for help. I try to fight it; the beginning of that typical nightmare. I shake my head and the unconsciousness is the only thing that appears to fade away. I come back to my senses and just lay there relieved that I got away from it; but not a moment to soon I hear the dreadful scream again… I shoot open my eyes, my heart racing as my surroundings sink in. In realization I finally look up towards the beach. The only thing I see is the water splashing and a pair of arms raised fighting hard to stay above water; their Mal's…

Mal: Nat! Glgg Nat…

Natara: Mal!