REGINA

"I'm sorry, Regina, but I can't do this anymore. You have to find another person to go with for the Yuletide Getaway at Manhattan Island."

That was how a relationship of three years ended, two days ago. In the cafe where I worked. Over a mug of freaking coffee! And of all seasons, Christmas! With no solid explanation.

The season I had been looking forward to since I finished my last paper a few months ago. It was supposed to be a moment of total freedom and happiness being that I was officially a graduate and finally quitting the cafe tender job(which saw me through my college degree)

My roommate, Karina, and I planned our official graduation party to take place on Christmas day, and we also decided to fulfill our Christmas wish list by buying a ticket for a cruise tour and getaway in Manhattan Island. Remy was even the one who suggested it. Now, he was bailing out on me.

I still couldn't get over the thought of him ditching me just like that without any valid reason. I couldn't remember denying him anything and I didn't pester him about money despite his father owning chains of business. Hell, I even paid for the ticket with my salary. It was partly the reason I didn't quit immediately after I graduated— I was gathering the money.

Maybe this was all a prank. I thought. My heart was still aching from two nights of crying.

Maybe he wanted to know if I would still come to the cruise vacation, and then we would organize a surprise party for me, right?

"Earth to Gina!" Shuddering, my head whipped sharply to stare at Rina who was sitting beside me and wearing a quizzical expression. I decided to go through with the getaway in high hopes that this was all a prank.

Throughout the drive to Manhattan Island, I had been zoning out at intervals, feeling like a sore loser but still hanging onto the glimmer of hope that this might be a Christmas prank.

She gasped. "You are still crying?"

Slowly, my hands found my face, sensing the lines of tears that cascaded down my face. My heart constricted against my chest. I have been doing a lot of these lately.

Karina pulled me close and wrapped her hands around my chest. "Stop crying over that asshole, babe." I didn't resist her embrace. I needed it.

I wish it was that simple.

"Don't tell me you are still nursing the thought of that asshole ever coming back to you?"

Karina huffed when I didn't counter what she said.

"I have told you to forget that bastard that had the heart to break up with you a few days to Christmas day." Her soft hands found my back, rubbing my hands soothingly.

"The sooner you let me get a pretend boyfriend for you for this getaway the better for you, Gina."

"I don't want a pretend boyfriend." I sulked. "I want Remy." My left forefinger and thumb held tightly on my right thumb as though it would slip away and scurry off. I usually did that when I was frustrated and needed to vent.

Karina held me like that till we got to the resort. Reluctantly, I got down with her, taking my suitcase that had already been brought down by the driver.

She held my hand as we walked through the gigantic gate that was manned by a few security personnel.

From one glance, I could see the beauty of the resort and its gigantic structure, but I was far too distorted to play the admiral guest now.

When we got to the reception, we presented our tickets to the receptionist, who called staff to take us to the vacation house, which, from the look of things, was separate from the hotel itself.

"Welcome to Manhattan Island!" The reception said with a smile that was fully returned by Karina. I can only manage a faint smile.

"What time do you think my boyfriend—" I started as we trudged behind the staff heading towards the summer house, but Karina's hard gaze whipped my mouth back into shape.

"I mean, what time do you think Remy will get here?" I half-whispered dejectedly. I knew she would be angry at the question, but I couldn't help it.

"That's none of your business. And I doubt if he will even be here."

I shook my head. I refused to believe that. Remy wouldn't throw away three years of our lives together. "This may be a prank, you know," I muttered to Karina who humphed with an indifferent shrug.

"Or it could be really goodbye for the both of you." I winced at her words, causing her to stare at me. "The earlier you accept my solution for a pretend boyfriend. The better for us. I won't be by your side throughout this trip you know. My boyfriend will soon get here. Let me make the call."

I shook my head at her silent plea as we rounded the sidewalk heading straight to the vacation house that was now in sight.

"Let's wait a little."

She humphed again but decided to let me be. We were almost at the grand entrance of the vacation house when a female figure stalked out, giggling like a child, almost bumping into me.

"Oops," was all she could say, causing my head to whip up to meet the clumsy fellow, but my lips fell inches apart on beholding her face.

"Valentina?" Even Karina is stunned to meet her, here of all places.

She faked a gasp. "Hey, Gina!"

Valentina was one of my coursemates at Manhattan College. The typical cream of crops that thought the world began and ended with them. We never got along. I kept wondering how she managed to know my name because I was not among the popular and the wealthy.

"I didn't know you come to this kind of place." She let out a soft laugh and I felt the irresistible urge to gag.

Her gaze flicked to Karina, and her smile broadened. "Oh. I forgot you are friends with Karina."

Karina was one of the rich girls in Manhattan College, but you will only know from her branded outfits and accessories. She wasn't a flaunter like Valentina.

I glanced at Karina and she was already throwing her a murderous glare. But Valentina went on, unruffled by our glares.

"Anyway, I came with my boyfriend—" Karina and I exchanged glances. Valentina was notoriously known for her inability to settle with one guy because of her beauty and her father's wealth. Going around Manhattan with every wealthy guy that came her way. Why settle now?

"You know, I would have gone to Florida as you guys know. But my boyfriend insisted we come here." Karina and I exchanged an eye roll. My gaze flicked to the staff, and he was standing and waiting patiently with our suitcases.

I needed to get as far away from Valentina as possible. Her gloating was the last thing I needed right now. Not when my heart had just been wrecked to pieces.

Sighing, I took a step and so did Karina.

The gigantic door of the grand entrance opened. "Oh, there he is."

Glancing up with a look of disinterest, my eyes bulged out of their sockets, my jaw falling several inches apart.

'Remy!'

~REGINA~

Remy looked stunned upon seeing me, probably because he wasn't expecting me to come. I felt my eyes sting with tears as he wrapped his hands around Valentina's waist. She was oblivious to the turmoil mirrored in my face that I didn't even bother to hide as her head rested on his chest.

"Darl, meet my coursemate, Regina, and her roommate Karina."

The surprise look on his face disappeared and was replaced with a forced smile. Of course, he knew us. He needed no introduction, and while I was expecting him to at least admit that, he extended his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Regina." I stared down at his hands for a few seconds before I sidestepped him and headed inside, tears filling my eyes. The hotel staff followed me immediately and so did Karina.

Immediately we got to Karina's room, I slumped into her bed and let out a loud cry.

Karina was by my side again, her hands crossed around my shoulders and bringing me closer to her.

"Let it out," she said softly, rubbing my back softly.

Tears flowed in torrents from my eyes, drenching Karina's expensive sundress, but she didn't mind.

"I can't believe he really broke up with me." I croaked, my hold on Karina's thighs tightening.

"I know he did. But you didn't want to listen to me."

"Bitch!" I spat out, recalling the way Valentina's hands were all over him. I felt bile rise in the pit of my stomach, my mouth as bitter as ever. I regretted coming here.

"Can we get a pretend boyfriend now?" I heard Karina's voice ring in my ears. I was already here. There was no going back and I knew that if I wanted to get over Remy, I had to start now.

"Yes."

~~~~~~~~~~~

After venting in the arms of Karina, I decided to head down to my room which was two rooms away from hers. I decided to let her pack since her boyfriend would be here anytime soon.

I carried my pitiful self to the room to unpack and have a change of clothes. I didn't waste time in the room alone because I didn't want to wallow.

Immediately after I had a quick shower, I dressed up in a sundress Karina got for me. With my puffy eyes and face devoid of makeup, I left the room, straight to Karina's room.

Three knocks and the door wasn't yet opened. My brows furrowed. Was Karina still in the bathroom?

I knocked again and soon I started hearing footsteps, followed by the flinging open of the door and a giggling Karina sticking out her head out.

I gave her a sideway glance, noting the glint dancing in her eyes. It was only her boyfriend Clinton that was capable of making her giggle like that.

"Clinton's here." She said tilting her head pleadingly. That was my cue to look for a way to keep my mind busy.

I forced a smile and nodded. "Alright. I will be in my room."

She planted a quick kiss on my cheek before closing the door.

That was how I found myself by the beach, enjoying the gentle breeze and wishing that it could mend my broken heart. There was no way I was going back to that room.

I spread out my arms, my eyes snapping close as I imagined myself inside a still water. I would have gone for a quick dip into the beach waters but I wasn't with my swimming outfit.

I settled for basking in the natural scent of the waters and the gentle breeze that wafted around me, bringing a wave of calmness through me.

"It's going to be okay, Gina," I murmured. A tear slipped and I didn't bother wiping them. I suddenly felt refreshed.

That was before I heard a loud shout that snapped me out of my calmness. My eyes fluttered open. I caught sight of two hands in the air. Someone was drowning.

Without thinking, I made it straight to the beach, and when I got there, I didn't hesitate to jump into the pool, not taking into consideration that I wasn't in the right outfit.

I had managed to pull the young boy out of the deep side of the water, but I couldn't swim out because of my sandals. The realization of how stupid I was dawned on me. I jumped into the pool with my high-heeled sandals. I kept sinking to the bottom of the water, no matter how hard I tried to propel myself up.

I was getting weaker, and that was when I decided to stop fighting. After all, nothing made sense in my life anymore. But before I sank to the hollow part, a strong hand pulled me up and dragged the young boy and me out of the pool.

I hadn't passed out yet, but I had drunk a lot of water that made me dizzy, and my eyes fluttered shut, and I slipped out of consciousness.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Coughing out a large amount of water, my eyes opened weakly, staring at the most gorgeous face I had ever seen. It wasn't clear at first. But the fog in my ears soon cleared and my lips fell inches apart.

I was trying to catch my breath, and at the same time, that breath was being taken away by this muscular and gorgeous-looking guy who knelt in front of me, peering into my face with worry and concern.

He had the most gorgeous oval-shaped face I had ever seen. His enchanting green eyes and long eyelids were what stood out for me, followed by his yummy red lips beneath a gorgeous-looking nose that wasn't overly pointed.

"Thank goodness you are awake. You almost gave me a scare." His deep voice was another breathtaking factor about him.

I didn't know I was gawking until his brows arched and I let out a nervous cough.

My body shivered, but I didn't know if it was from almost sinking in the chilly water or from his gaze and grasp on my nape and at the back of my knees.

"We should get you to your room. You are a guest here, right?" As soon as he said that, I recoiled from his hold, shaking my head.

His brows furrowed. "Not getting to your room or not being a guest?" He asked lightly, a side smile tugging at the corner of his lips. My heart fluttered.

"It seems you haven't quite recovered from the shock of almost drowning." He was staring at me with so much fondness that it made me forget I was the one he was talking to. Gosh! Those green eyes.

"I'm going to take you to my room then." That was when my mind recollected there he was referring to me. My brows furrowed as I considered following this man to his room and getting to mine. But frankly, I didn't want to stop staring at those green eyes, not now, not ever.

Great Gina! I just got my heart broken and I was already thinking about another man's eyes.

"Are you a mute?" His deep voice dragged me out of my thoughts and when the realization of his words dawned on me. I shook my head vigorously.

"Words, beautiful," He softly commanded.

Of course, handsome. "No." I half-whispered.

His side smile broadened to a grin and I felt my heart swelling out of its hold. Before I could register his next action, he pulled me out of the sand and into his arms and sprang to his feet like I weighed nothing. How the hell?

My heart thudded loudly against my chest as our gaze met. I had to leave my lips apart because I was literally panting.

"Let's get you to a warm place then." He whispered in a breathy voice that zapped out the rest of the breath stashed away in my lungs.

~KRISTEN~

"A break from the business meetings and getting to know your fianceé." Those were the exact words that landed me at the Manhattan resort for Yuletide Gateway.

Billie, my fiancee by business arrangements, suggested this resort because of the awesome events it held in store for couples this Christmas.

My Dad was pushing for us to work out because our marriage meant an alliance with one of the most powerful conglomerates in Manhattan— Sternberg Conglomerates, owned by Billie's mum, and that technically made her the heiress.

It would be a huge boost to our company's clientele.

Our engagement was finalized last month and while Billie seemed to be on the highs for me, I felt nothing for her. This vacation was an avenue for me to give myself a trial if I could fall for her. I made that clear to my Dad.

I arrived at the Island solo because Billie had an impromptu business meeting in Istanbul and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. I decided to go and at least spend some time alone— away from my Billie, from my parents and only sister— not that she was a pain in the ass though.

But I needed some time alone.

Barely a few hours later, I got to the resort in my power bike that I parked in the resort's parking area; I stripped and decided to go for a swim.

The weather was chilly, I knew. But I couldn't help the urge to dip myself in the beach for a few minutes. I was clad in shorts and a loose shirt.

As I walked down the path that led to the beach, my eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the couples basking in the Yuletide weather.

I let out a small smile. The chemistry between each of them could be felt from a mile away, but I couldn't say the same for me and Ingrid. She was clearly into me, but I wasn't. At least, not yet. I hoped this holiday would solve that.

Halfway to the beach, I snapped out of my thoughts and I noticed two hands sticking out of the pool. Just then, a lady jumped into the pool, probably to save the person drowning.

"How can she swim with heels and a dress?" I quizzed as I sprinted down to the pool.

I jumped onto the beach immediately when I saw that the young boy that was drowning before had reappeared from the hollow part of the beach, but the young lady hadn't.

I swam faster than I ever did in a while and soon I caught a glimpse of her heading right to the bottom. I spiraled down immediately, catching her just in time and dragging her to the surface and the shore, alongside the young boy. A relative of the boy arrived, taking him from me with thanks and smiles.

I looked down at the unconscious young lady who was floating and carried her in my arms before stepping out of the beach.

I walked a few paces away from the beach before I knelt down and gently dropped her to the ground. Thank God she was still breathing.

Leaning in, I breathed into her lips before I started pressing her chest repeatedly. It didn't take long for her to come to. She coughed out water, her eyes opening and staring directly into mine.

I exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness you are awake. You almost gave me a scare." I muttered, but for some reason, I couldn't stop staring into her eyes. They were icy blue, but had a little glisten around the irises.

I had never seen any icy blue eyes that were that gorgeous. The outline of her face was round and the features were stunning. That wasn't your regular kind of face.

Icy blue eyes, thick eyebrows, and long lashes— just like mine, a very pointed nose that was sitting over the most sumptuous rosebud lips I had ever seen. And her curly red hair was as natural as they come.

In one word, she was... I mentally shook my head.

'Concentrate, Kris'

I snapped out of my thoughts to see her staring pointedly at me. I felt something stir within me, and I knew right then that I had to cut that incessant stare.

I didn't know how to convey it with words so I arched my brows, prompting another cough from her. I felt her body shiver against my hold on her nape and the back of her legs.

Great! I was so fixated on her face not to remember that she needed a warm place right about now.

"We should get you to your room. You are a guest here, right?" I had barely gotten the words out of my mouth when she recoiled away from my body, shaking her head.

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Not getting to your room or not being a guest?" I could help giving way to the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. She was just too gorgeous and damn natural.

"It seems you haven't quite recovered from the shock of almost drowning." I continued, noticing that stare again. She was staring at me as though she could see me. I didn't want to read further meaning to what I wasn't sure of. Not this point when I wasn't open to attractions and chemistries.

"I'm going to take you to my room then." I studied the expression on her face, the furrowed brows, as though she was considering what I said. I was also surprised at myself for suggesting that.

Then it occurred to me that I hadn't heard her talk since I brought her out of the water.

"Are you a mute?" Her gaze snapped sharply to me, and she shook her head vigorously.

"Words, beautiful," I commanded softly.

"No." She half-whispered. Whoa! Finally.

My smile broadened to a grin as I pulled her into my arms and sprang to my feet.

'Wow, so light.'

I looked down at her, ignoring the way my length twitched at the contact of our bodies.

"Let's get you to a warm place then." I smiled down at her, noting the way her lips fell inches apart as she continued staring at me. It was now dawning on me that her gaze had never left mine since I rescued her from the beach.

I could say the same for myself, but the fact that I was already engaged kept drawing me back from basking in her gorgeous gaze much longer.

But as I headed towards the room with her in my arms, plus my suddenly heated body, I knew that it was just a matter of time before I would forgo that I was ever engaged.

I got to my room and held her With one arm, while I used the other to fish out my key card amid the way her gaze was boring into me. The door beeped before I pushed it open, adjusting her in my arms, and headed towards the bed.

But as soon as I dropped her on the comforter, the lower part of our bodies subtly clashed, drawing a gasp from our lips.