Beginning

Kourtney's POV

 I'm so nervous that I feel like my heart is going to come out of my rib cage, while it's beating so damn fast. 

 "Why are they taking so long ?!" Irritated, I asked one of my guards.

 "They are on their way back here, Miss." He answered me without any emotion visible in his voice.

 "Are you sure ?! Because it feels like they're on their way here, since forever!" Due to great frustration, I couldn't stop myself from drinking another shot of whiskey, this time I didn't bother to transfer the alcohol to my glass. I drank it straight from the bottle.  

I immediately felt the heat of the whiskey in my throat as well as the bitter taste but I was very nervous that my plan would fail, I immediately forgot the unpleasant taste of this damn whiskey.

 Until I heard someone talking from one of the walky talkys of my guards, someone informed him that they had just arrived with Travis.

 My eyes widened and the more I felt nervous, my body started shaking as well.

 I can’t believe we succeeded in my plan.

 Oh my God! Is this for real ?! Because if it's a dream I don't want to wake up anymore! 

I really can't believe that they easily captured Travis Forger! If only I wouldn't look like a weirdo, I wanted to hug them one by one. These guards I hired to kidnap Travis are so damn great!

I can't believe they didn't have any difficulty kidnapping him. Now, I feel a little guilty that I was rude to them earlier and I judged them on their fighting skills.

 Just a few moments later, the door of our hideout opened and six men in black suits and ties entered and of course with Travis Forger! 

 My forehead frowned for a moment and I couldn't help but ask myself because there seemed to be something wrong. Are they really the guards I hired earlier?

 But that doubt in my mind disappeared right away when Travis suddenly knelt in front of me. His eyes are blindfolded, his two hands are tied behind his back.

However, he got no cover in his mouth. That means he can speak freely. Well, that's okay I want to hear his voice to make sure he's Travis!

 "OMG!" I can’t believe they successfully kidnapped Travis.

According to my research, since he comes from a rich family, based on my research he studied self-defence and he is good at all types of combat. So my plan to kidnap him seems next to impossible and now I almost wanted to cry because my plan is fucking successful!

 I approached him, squatted in front of him and then touched his left cheek.

He immediately moved his face to avoid my touch. Which I understand. If I was in his situation, I would also have the same reaction.

 "You're here.." I said in my hoarse voice. 

 "What the hell is happening here? Where the fuck am I ?!" His rude voice made me confirm that he was Travis Forger. 

I smiled sweetly while feeling so happy and then turned to the guards I had hired.

 "Don't worry, once he agrees to my proposal and I get the money I should inherit, I will pay for your service immediately." I happily announced but then they all looked like they don't give a fuck about the payment I am talking about. These guys are bunches of weirdos, well anyway it doesn't matter because they did a great job today! 

And for me to talk to Travis properly, I moved a little closer to remove the blindfold from his eyes. He blinked one after another until I think his vision cleared. 

Our eyes met immediately, here is the weird reaction of my heart again. It's beating so damn fast inside my rib cage! And this only happens whenever Travis is near me or I have some interaction with him.  

"What the fuck do you think you're doing Kourtney Mary Saavedra?!" He asked me angrily. I immediately felt annoyed. 

 "Urgh! You know how much I hate it when you call me Mary!" I frowned and rolled my eyes as I told him. We've been together since my diaper days! He's aware of the things I like and don't like!  

After all these years, you still think like a kid. I hope you are aware that when I take this seriously, I can file a case against you and you will be imprisoned for what you are doing right now." He said in a threatening voice. Huh! Did he think he could scare me?! I am desperate now but in the back of my mind, to be honest, I am feeling scared. Who in their right mind will not be afraid to be imprisoned?

 I avoided looking at his eyes so that he wouldn't notice the fear in my eyes and then I changed the subject we are talking about.

 "We won't be here for long, I'll release you as soon as possible. I promise. I just want to talk to you seriously and you agree to my proposal."

 "So you're really this desperate huh, to get what you want? To the point you hired them to kidnap me?! What the hell Kourtney?!" 

 "I have no other choice. I tried to speak with you nicely, multiple times! I even lost count of how many times I did it, but you're very good at playing this hide and seek game! And I have no time for that! I visit your company's front desk, every day but they want me to set up an appointment just to talk to you! With your schedule so busy, when will you give me a chance to talk to you? When I already lost everything my parents worked so hard to establish ?! That's not fair!" 

In the extreme frustration, I am feeling right now, I can feel on the edge of my eyes my tears are going to fall at any moment by now. A little more drama I'm sure I'll cry in front of him but no, I can't! I can't show him any weakness, I'm going to lose if I cry in front of him! And he'll consider this thing I am doing right now as part of my childish act! So, before that happened, I got up from squatting in front of him and went near my working table and...

"Now you have time to listen to my proposal," I told him seriously. And then I took the paper I put on the working table a while ago.

 I raised it in front of him and even though he was right, kidnapping him is a very desperate move. I got a more desperate proposal for him in the line.

 "You just have to sign this marriage contract so we can be married. Then I can get my inheritance and my problem will be sold, then we'll release you."

 "What's in it for me? I can't get anything in return so why should I allow what you want to happen?" He teasingly told me. Urgh! He's getting on my nerves! Damn you Travis Forger!

"You are my hostage! Your freedom depends on me and you have no choice but to consent to what I want!" I said in my most demanding tone. However, I immediately regretted being demanding, I acted again like a kid throwing my tantrums at him and when I looked at him again, I saw in his eyes how he was disappointed in my actions.  

"I already have a Fiance, Kourtney and we're getting married. I can't marry you." He told me emphatically. I'm aware of that! I am updated on everything he does! But the reason why I am updated is that I need him!

I  swallowed hard, even though I did not eat anything.  I feel weak in what I am doing right now but as I said before, I had no choice!

"I love her and if I ever get married, it's the woman I love and it's Kim." I bit my lower lip.

What the hell is going on? I mean, it's been a few minutes since I drank whiskey. The bitter taste of the alcohol was long gone earlier, so now I don't understand why it seems to suddenly return to my throat. What's up with me?

Until I gasped for breath, I was running out of words to say to him.

"All you have to do is sign here so we can be married, I won't take you away from your girlfriend! If you want we can do some arrangements for this contract wedding like I'll pay for our annulment. I'll take all the responsibilities in case Kim will find out about this fake wedding. I'll do all the talk."

"It's still a no," Travis said without any emotion. To be honest I am running out of hope.

"You are ruthless! Why don't you even give it some consideration? For at least, the time we were together..." I almost begged him.

"As you said earlier, I also don't have a whole day for this nonsense Kourtney."

"Then why don't you just agree to my proposal? I promise it's only us who will know about this marriage -" Before I could continue I was about to say I was shocked when he suddenly got up from his knees and...

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him, nervously. Then I looked at my guards.

"Hey, stop him!" I yell to the guards I hired but to my surprise, none of them moved even an inch!

"Hey! What the hell ?!" I shouted at them again. However, they act like they don't know me like they can't hear me or maybe see me!

They all remained standing behind Travis. Then I was shocked when one of them approached Travis and then he used the key to removed Travis' handcuffs.

"What the heck are you doing ?! Stop that!" I am packing as saying my orders to my guards, but he didn't seem to hear anything. Until Travis' handcuffs finally get loose on his hands and it falls at his feet.

"Do you think it's going to be this easy? I am good with hand to hand combat and the skills you thought these guards have is not enough to defeat me, Kourtney. 

I thought at first when I found out that you were planning to kidnap me, they were all joking but when you pushed through with it, I got no choice but made you believe  you succeed." And then he smirked.

He didn't do or say anything but two of the guards I hired, suddenly approached me and they held both my hands. I tried to fight but they were too strong for me the next thing I knew my hands are tied with the handcuffs they used to capture Travis.

"Hey what the hell ?! I am the Boss here!" I reminded them.

"The truth is, they are my bodyguards." My eyes widened at what Travis said. Can't believe it. I shake my head twice and said -

"You're lying!" But then he smirked. My eyes almost came out of my eye socket in shock.

Since I'm already having mixed feelings, in the end, no matter how hard I try not to break down, I couldn't stop myself and ended up crying. Everything is messed up. I fucked up big time. So, what now? Does this mean I'm going to end this day touching the cold steel bars of the prison?

How did this all happen? How did he find out about my plan? Fuck!  And he really is that smart, huh?! He was able to make a backup plan right as soon as possible? Impressing! 

What else can I expect? Anyway, he is Travis fucking Forger, nothing is impossible for him, if he wants it, by hook or by crook he'll have it! Everyone is following his fucking orders and won't care if someone gets hurt, physically or emotionally! Damn!  Damn you Travis Forger! 

"Aren't you even surprised that they came to you on their own to apply as your bodyguard? You're still that gullible Kourt..." He sarcastically told me. I glared at him thou glaring at him got no effect at all. So, my effort is basically wasted. In the end, what I can only do is sigh.

"What if I put a blindfold on your eyes too?" The shape of my lips became a thin line from what he said and was afraid of what might happen next.

"Do what you want to do! I don't care anymore!" I told him as I look directly into his eyes, I had enough so  I am giving up. If I can't get him by hook or by crook then fine! I give up! My ultimate plan is to kidnap him and make him sign the marriage contract but I didn't expect him to know my plan as soon as possible and make a backup plan against me.

Then Travis suddenly holds my jaw forcibly so I got no choice but to look at him in his face again.

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"It's none of your fucking business!" And then I struggled to get out of his grasp. Good thing, he is not holding my jaw that tightly. 

"And you're swearing now too." He said in a disappointed voice and then he shakes his head one after another.

I frowned at his comment and said,

"I'm not the Kourtney you met ten years ago! The Kourtney in front of you now is no longer the twelve-year-old Kourtney who has nothing else to do but follow you back then!" He just raised an eyebrow at me but I got no answer from him.

He also got up from squatting in front of me but I suddenly thought about what he will do to me now.

"What are you up to with me now? You caught me, I have nothing against you and your award-winning bodyguards. In short, I am useless now."

However, I didn’t get a sensible answer from him. The next thing I heard from him is another order for his bodyguards.

"Take him to the master's bedroom so she can rest now. It's been a  long day."

He's right it's been a long day. My body itself feels tired and I can't think of anything else but to sleep. I wanted to sleep to forget all my problems. All the problems I have to face once I'm awake again. So, I didn't even fight back or struggle when one of them grabbed me on my arm to stand up and guide me out of the office.

"We'll just bring you food later, Miss Kourtney." One of the guards said as we start walking out of the office. I didn't answer but in the back of my mind, I don't care if they bring me food or not. I also don't feel like eating anyway. I failed in my mission to ask Travis for marriage so that I can save our company which is drowning in debt.

If only I had succeeded in the plan today, for sure I would have had an appetite to eat my dinner.

Chapter 1

I heard two consecutive knocks from outside my room then I heard one of our helpers say

"Miss Kourt, Madam wants you to her office now." Mom? I curiously asked myself. My forehead frowned and at the same time, I had an idea why. In the end, I just sighed and stood up in my seat.

"All right, tell her I'll be there in a few minutes..." 

  Before finally leaving my room, I looked at the full-size mirror to check what I look like in my new dress.  I immediately smiled when I saw my reflection. Perfect! I said happily to myself.

I am wearing a white backless dress with cherry blossoms print and was above the knee-high.

The truth is, I just bought this dress earlier from Dior with my friends. We were outside the Dior store when I immediately saw this dress worn by one of their mannequins that was displayed in the middle of the store, it was so beautiful and I couldn't take my eyes off the dress.

And my interest in the dress became even more intense when the clerk said that they only had one stock.

I couldn't think of anything else aside from this dress that would really look good on me and it is meant for me because of the idea there is only one stock left, even though I feel like the dress is overpriced for five hundred thousand pesos because of its very simple design. Okay, whatever! The only important thing is, this dress looks so good on me and my friends say the same thing that I looked like Barbie, so I took it.

However, it looks like my Mom didn't seem happy with what I did. Alright, I admit it, I overspent today, I spent almost three million pesos at the Dior store. My feelings got me again. I feel so happy with everyone complimenting me in the store earlier and as a thank you for all their compliments, I offer to pay for everything.

Eventually, I just sighed in the end and then hurried my way out of my room, I had already spent a few more minutes overthinking about what might happen with my conversation with Mom. Anyway, whatever she says is either me or she can't do anything. Three million is gone and we have a lot of money so that three million is nothing.

It's just that I can't help but think, why Mom is overreacting lately to my spending millions in a day, if you look at it, this is normal for us. It was like this then, so what’s up? Unless... okay stop! Before I could continue what, I was going to say to myself, I just shook my head, twice. I am overthinking again. Our company can't be bankrupt. It will never happen!

When I entered the library, I immediately saw Mommy standing on the glass wall and talking on the phone. I also immediately noticed that she keeps on walking backwards, from her left to her right. They also seem to be talking so seriously whoever is on the other line. She didn't even notice my arrival. So I went straight to the sofa and decided to just wait there and relax. And since I'm not a fan of  reading books, to keep myself entertained I fished my phone out of my cute dress pocket.

I logged in to messenger since that's what I mostly do on my Facebook account. I even frowned as my phone vibrated with the number of messages that entered my messenger. There are group chats and personal messages. I keep getting notifications because my name is on their chats.

What's up? I asked myself and was immediately confused as to what I would prioritize to read in the number of messages. Personal messages or group messages?

I even bit my lower lip when I noticed that even those guys that I am not close with got a personal message for me. I'm starting to get nervous, what the hell is happening? Suddenly I am feeling like I am lost.

When all I did was just go home and as if there was a sudden disease that was spread outside and I am the only one who is not informed. Not infected.

I took a deep breath and decided to check my friend's group chat, because that is also one of the group chats who got more notification than the rest. In the group chat are me, Addison and Penelope. The friends I am talking about earlier.

But before I clicked on our group chat, I read another notification that Addison and Penelope left in our group chat!

What the hell?! Why did they leave the group? So, it means, I am the only one left in chat?! Is this a prank? Because it's working and it's making me overthink and really not fun at all! What the fuck is happening? What's going on?!

And with my trembling fingers, I clicked on our group chat to read what the conversation was all about; however, before I could read what was going on, Mommy immediately caught my attention.

"Kourtney!" She shouted my full name. Okay, I'm pretty sure now that whatever's going on right now, it's really serious. She usually doesn't call me by my full name unless I have a serious violation.

“Mom –“ However before I could continue what I’m about to say she cut me off. She really looks mad, by the way.

With her red face and eyes, eyes that seemed to be about to cry any moment from now.

"What have you done?!" She asked me in her angry voice. I bit my lower lip.

"Three million pesos?!" Then her voice sounded exhausted, as she asked me about the digits I spent on shopping.

"Mom-" I wanted to ask her why she's making this a big deal, but she's not giving me a chance to speak. We are rich so I can't understand why she's like this right now. Daddy doesn't care and for sure he will tell me that as long as I'm happy, there's no problem.

She used her two hands to fish her hair in a very hard way, the reason why it ended in a messy arrangement. Mommy is the kind of person who often wants her hair to be neat and always look presentable.

So, this means she's too stressed out about me wasting money.

"You're grounded! You don't know how to listen to me! When to follow what I politely asked you! It was just a simple request but you -" And then she shook her head twice and continued what she was about to say.

"You're not going anywhere and I'll tell your Teachers to just send your module here at home. You also can't use your cellphone and laptop!" My eyes almost came out of my eye socket from what I heard.

"Are you serious Mommy?! It's boring here at home! And no cellphone and laptop? Are you joking with me?! Because it's not funny at all!" I answered her in a loud voice but she didn't seem to hear anything.

"How can I research my assignments and projects if I don't have gadgets?!"

"Do you see these books?!" Mommy pointed out almost all the shelves full of books, she was not even satisfied and because she was close to one of the shelves she took a few books out and then she threw them in front of me.

"This and this! Use them to research your assignments!" I was so upset with what Mommy wanted to happen so I ended up crying and then got up from my seat and said

"I'll tell everything you did to me to Daddy!" And then I hurried out of the library. It's annoying that I'm in such a hurry and I'm also annoyed with Mommy that I forgot my phone. Yeah, I left it at the centre table. 

And since I still have my laptop in my room. When I came out of the library, I noticed that there was a commotion down the stairs and I got curious so I looked at our helpers from up here. Our helpers were in the same spot and looked like gossiping about an interesting topic.

It's my first time seeing them like that. They are often busy with their work.

However, their voices are weak, I can't hear anything but wait...

Is that still my problem?! I just shook my head and decided to forget about them, then went straight to my room.

I speed up going inside my room, lock the door before Mommy gets in or ask one of our helpers to capture my laptop on her behalf. I have read what's going on with my messenger. 

I have a strong feeling that whatever is happening, it is connected to me.

Even though my hands and fingers are again trembling with nervousness. Damn! I really should have stopped having coffee, I easily panic and get nervous about things I am not sure of yet!

When I logged in to Facebook, I went straight to my messenger and my jaw almost dropped when I saw that in all the group chats I was a part of, I was removed, because there was a notification that said "You've been removed to the group" when I click on the group chat there are still those old chats so it's okay I can still back read, however, I can't reply to them.

As I checked their conversation, I was feeling the wetness of both sides of my eyes, I even swallowed one after another just to not choke. And then I started back reading.

"Her Dad is a scammer!"

"Oh my God! Maybe the money she used to pay for our Dior bags also came from a scam!"

"I don't want this bag anymore, I decided to send it back to Kourtney's house!" Those are the messages from Addison and Penelope in the group chat in our classroom.

"I'll order our driver to take it back to their house. I don't want this dirty bag in our place!"

"I no longer want to be associated with Kourt! I don't want to talk or be friends with her!" Then there are other side comments from my classmates, mostly from girls!

"I heard from my Mom that her Mom is a social climber, I am sure Kourt inherited her Mom's social-climbing attitude!"

"My Mom said, her Dad just met her Mom in some cheap nightclubs, so there's a chance that her Mom is a stripper!"

"And now tasted expensive things and a good life so she's trying hard to look rich and fit in the new lifestyle that her Dad offers!"

I was so upset with what I was reading from my friends and classmates. I am always nice to everyone, whether I know them or don't. I didn't understand anything about what was happening. I want to talk to Addison and Penelope so I can explain to them even though I have no idea what's going on.

However, when I look at their accounts the message option is graded out, okay it looks like they have blocked me. So, the last option is to speak with them via phone call but is it worth it? I don't think so if they have blocked me on Facebook, what more with my number, right?

Maybe it's okay that they removed me from the group chat because if they are my true friends, in the first place they won't give mean comments like that, they should have defended me first or waited to hear my side but they blocked me instead and judge me based on the situation I even have no idea.

Do they think of me as a friend or did they just use me to get free expensive things?! I am sure the second option is the best answer to my question!

Anyway, what do they have to do with Mom and Dad? If they are mad at me, it should only be me, they don't have to include Mom and Dad in the conversation. That's rude and I am not letting this go! I swear to God, tomorrow once we're back at school I will speak to all of them and let them explain their side! Even if they didn’t listen to my side, I would still give them a chance!

Hmm, Mom is mad about me spending a million within a few hours and my classmates talk shit about me and my family. I feel like there is a connection to Mommy overreacting to the money I spent and my classmates treating me this way. With so many questions in my mind, I feel like my head is going to explode. I cried earlier, now I have to deal with my classmates so in the end, I decided to go to bed and sleep and then just think about what happens when I wake up.

I woke up when I felt someone gently caress my face. I can feel the frown on my forehead, because I still want to sleep but whoever this a sshole caresses my cheek won't just stop!

So, I ended up slowly opening my eyes and the first person I saw was Travis. His blue eyes were looking at me tenderly while his hand was on my cheek. After all these years, my heart is still fragile when it comes to Travis.

I immediately felt annoyed by what was happening.  I hate this feeling!  I looked at him coldly and then I removed his fingers on my cheek and got up from bed.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked him using my rude voice.  

"I’m here to check on you. You haven't eaten dinner yet." Travis answered me in a faint voice. I became even more frustrated.

"It's none of your business!"

"You're still skinny, you should be eating a lot to gain more weight." He said softly to me. I swallowed one after another because there was a sudden flashback of memories in my mind.

He said the same words before, the only difference was that we were somewhere else then. In a romantic place... 

I closed my eyes tightly but it seemed like a wrong decision because I got more  flashbacked to my mind, how he held one of my hands that night, while we were at an exclusive restaurant that he purposely reserved just for our first date.

I remember how he looked at me  that night like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, the only woman his eyes can see. How he kissed my hand that he was holding. How his eyes gently look at mine.

How he asked me if I could be his girlfriend that night, before our date ended. How I gave him my first kiss and while thinking about the past I didn't notice I am already crying.

Chapter 2 – I Remember It All Too Well

Kourtney’s POV

I remember that day as if everything happened only yesterday, I was nine years old back then...

"Mommy, where are we going?" I asked Mom as I watched her in the mirror fixing my hair. She smiled at me before she answered me.

"Forger's mansion, Baby..." Mommy gave me a soft answer and then she finished fixing my hair.

I frowned at Mom's answer, trying to remember who the Forgers she was talking about.

Maybe Mom and Dad's new business partners. I said to myself.

"We're going on vacation there, I'm very sure you'll enjoy their place and also the mansion is close to the sea." My eyes widened at what she said feeling very excited. I don't know what's in the sea but I love it when we go to the beaches. It makes me so happy just by seeing the waves touch the sand. Wearing the sound of the waves.

It didn't take long and Mom and I left my room followed by our helpers who were carrying the luggage we were going to take for vacation.

We spent a day and a night on the trip to the Forgers mansion. From the highlands, where we live we will travel for a few hours until we reach the port and there we will board a ship with our car.

A few hours later after travelling on that big ship next, we will travel again through our car and then we would arrive at a private place where only one mansion stood.

A white mansion mostly made of glass is in front of us. The front is beautiful, there's a large garden on the left side while in the middle there is a spacious car park.

Before we finally got out of the car, Mommy reminded me first.

"Don't act like a brat Kourtney that's going to be embarrassing, especially to the Forgers!" I pouted at what Mommy said.

"Hon, it's okay... Kourtney is young, just let her do things what she usually does and I'm sure the Forgers will understand that." Daddy answered immediately, to Mommy trying to depend on my actions. 

Eventually, Mommy just sighed while Dad caressed the top of my head, so I smiled at Daddy because he is my protector.

We got out of the car and as soon as I set my feet on the floor, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the Forgers' mansion.

I also noticed the line of helpers at the entrance of the mansion as they waited for us. And there I noticed that the lives of the Forgers are very different compared to the life we ​​have.

Their lives are more luxurious than ours but I'm still comfortable with what we have so it's not a big deal.

"I'm glad you accepted our invitation, Franky!" The woman immediately said I think it was Mrs Forger. She looks a little older than Mommy though.

Dad nodded at what she had said, while Mommy also greeted the couple who were waiting for us with their helpers.

And then we walked to where they were standing. Mom kissed the cheek of Mrs Forger and shook hands with Mr Forger. While Daddy tapped Mr Forger's shoulder and a nod to Mrs Forger.

The couple asked how our trip was before their attention turned to me. My body was hidden behind Mom's leg while my hands were wrapped around her leg as well. And I just peeked in my head to see what was happening.

While we were travelling earlier, Mommy was talking about the Forgers and one of the things she said about the couple is that they have three sons but they didn't seem to be here in the mansion with them.

Maybe busy at work? I also remember Mommy saying that their youngest child was ten years older than me. Maybe he's eighteen or nineteen. Anyway,  it doesn't matter if the children of the Forger couple are there or not, they are older than me and for sure they are not interested in getting to know me very much.

"Your daughter is beautiful, Kris." Mrs Forger said happily. Both my cheeks get hot from what she said and I immediately hid my face behind Mom. Mom thanked Mrs Forger and modestly laughed.

"She's a shy girl," Mommy added.

"Kourtney, Baby... What are you going to say to Tita?" Mom asked me as she gently pulled me away from behind her so I could face the Forgers.

I was like a robot standing straight in front of the Forgers and Mom and Dad after what Mommy did.

"T-thank you!" I said while stuttering at the same time feeling embarrassed. I still feel the heat on my face now so I'm sure your whole face is red.

Mrs Forger moved close to where I was standing and then she looked at my face, and stared into my eyes.

That made me more nervous because the kind of look she was giving me was like she reads what's on my mind, she sees who I am in the future. The looks she's giving me is really strange until slowly there's a smile form in her lips and she said,

"You're very young, how I wish you're a little older than you are. I'd love to promise you to Travis." She said however I don't understand what she meant.

Me to be promised to Travis? I am still confused however what Mrs Forger said was immediately lost when Daddy laughed and then said that I am too young for such matters, which Mr Forger agreed with and then they invite us to go inside the mansion. Because the weather is hot as per Mrs Forger, but for me the breeze was just right, neither hot nor cold.

As we entered the mansion, I was busy looking at every corner we passed. We are just at the beginning but you will immediately notice how rich the Forgers are.

The things they have here in the mansion are way better than the things we have at home, while I'm busy looking at their things I can still hear them talked about the couple’s children.

It turns out that their children are all boys and Mom is wrong. The three sons are here however they are busy I guest doing adult things? I heard Mrs Forger say their children were on the beach with female friends having fun.

Now I started thinking how it feels like having siblings? Since I am an only child.

Until we got to the Patio, my parents and the Forger couple sat while I remained standing and looked around. Almost every part of the Forgers' mansion is beautiful.

Until two helpers approached us with snacks and while they were unloading our snack to our table she would like her sons to meet us. Mom said that it was okay to let Mrs Forger's son enjoy their time first in the sea.

Then one of their helpers excused herself and said that the young Forgers had returned with their friends and were just preparing for a while before they went here to the Patio.

"Emilia, can you please tell Rush to move fast? I don't like it when they make our VIP guests just to meet them." Mr Forger strictly said that caught my attention, not because the sound of his voice was scary but only now did I notice that even though he is old there is something in him that would make you look at him.

And then Mom answered Mr Forger that it was okay for us to wait since were staying here for a few days and that we are not in a rush to meet the boys. Which I agree. Well, I'm a few years younger than them so I'm sure they would just say hi and they'll go back to hanging out with their friends.

Anyway, about the snack they got for us, there's a strawberry shake prepared for me, anything with strawberries is perfect since it's my favorite. While the old one's have tea and coffee.

There are also cookies and cakes with two flavors that they bought, a chocolate and then vanilla. That's why I enjoyed our snack so much that I didn't notice that the ones we were waiting for had arrived. The Forgers brothers.

"Boys! It's good that you got here right on time, we just started our tea! You can join us! Do you want me to ask our helpers to get you guys something you prepare?" Mrs Forger said cheerfully and tenderly to her sons, so I looked at them. Three tall men came, but Dad and Mr Forger were even taller than them.

Even though they are wearing t-shirts, their fit bodies are still visible. I watched as they kissed Mrs Forger's cheek one by one as they nodded to Mr Forger.

And then they turned to look at us. Mrs Forger smiled at us and introduced the three of us to her sons.

The eldest is Rush. The second son was Noah, who both gave us a welcoming smile.

Rush looks like a mix of Mr and Mrs Forger while Noah is the male version of Mrs Forger. When they approached us, Rush even messed up my hair and asked how old I was while Noah said I am beautiful.

The first time I looked at the two of them, I immediately felt like they are the coolest older brothers in town that I am looking for.  That's why I gave them my sweetest smile. 

And then it was the third man's turn to be introduced by Mrs Forger.

"By the way, this is Travis, my youngest child." I plan to look at them both, I mean Mrs Forger and her son, however when I turned my gaze to them, Travis and I, eyes immediately met.

I don't understand why my young heart immediately beats so fast inside my rib cage that I feel like any time now it will come out of my chest! Is it possible for that to happen?

My mouth fell open, I was trying to say something but words wouldn't just come out of my mouth. 

Travis and I just stared at each other for a few minutes, he didn't say anything. He was just looking straight into my eyes. 

The way he looks at me, makes me feel intimidated. I also noticed that there is no trace of emotion on his face or eyes. I couldn't help but be confused and think at the same time what he thought of me. Or for sure he doesn't care too much about me since I am too young. 

And there before I could say hello, they went back to the business discussion they had earlier and this time, Noah and Rush are now included in the conversation. 

In the end, I was the first to let go of our eye to eye contact and then continued eating the cake. After a few minutes, I was distracted when I saw on the side of my eyes that someone was seated next to where I was sitting. When I looked to my side, I immediately saw who was sitting next to me.

'Travis.' I called him but just in my mind.  I don't have the courage to call him by his name right in front of him. And I don't understand why I can't do it! 

We stared at each other again and here is my heart again beating so damn fast inside my ribcage. If this keeps happening, I feel like my bones in my ribcage will break anytime soon and my heart will have the chance to run out inside my body. Now, I'm feeling scared and think that Travis is not good for me. 

Suddenly I became conscious of how I looked now.

I've been feeling hot since earlier and sweaty and the strawberry shake didn't help much with the heat I am feeling. I can also feel that I'm sweating on my forehead.

"Did you like the cake?" It's a random question and can be answered by a yes or no, however I am having a hard time answering him. I'm sure if I open my mouth to answer him no words would come out of my mouth, just like what happened earlier. I am again like a robot who just nodded in response to his question.

"You really liked it! Since you still have icing on the side of your lips." He said to me in a hoarse voice and before I could react, he approached me and I was statued in my seat.

When he raised one of his hands, he was already holding a handkerchief and the one he used to wipe the icing that he said was on the side of my mouth.

I can feel the rapid heating of my whole face and because  I got a white skin I'm sure it's obvious all over my face.

And of all the people who would see my red face, how lucky I am it's Travis! Just great!

Rush also greeted me good morning and then asked if I already had breakfast.

Suddenly I felt embarrassed, I didn't even greet them with good morning first. This is a red flag! They might take this against me and will use it as a reason why they won't take me to the beach in case they plan to go there. 

But I am sure they would! Where else will they use those towels hanging on their shoulders then? Now, I am feeling guilty as I answer their questions.

"I had milk earlier," I told them in a low voice. 

I'm so excited about going to the seashore that after taking a shower and changing my clothes, I went down to the kitchen hoping to catch up with Mom and Dad there but it looks like they were still asleep until now.

"Come on, let's eat together." Noah invited me.

"Uhhm, I'm not hungry yet ..." I said shyly but at the same time I was betrayed by the sound of my stomach. My eyes widened and then I looked at Rush and Noah back and forth, that's how I even caught Noah biting his lower lip, obviously holding back his laughter! What the hell?! 

Rush, on the other hand, didn't seem to be able to stand it anymore and laughed out loud.

I frowned, Noah and I held the top of my head and then said.

"Just go with us and have breakfast so you can eat and get to know our friends, who are with us." Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that part. It's not only me and my parents who's here. Their friends are still here as well. 

I nodded one after the other because other than that I was curious where Travis was.

Is he still asleep? Or already awake and with the friends Noah talks about?