[ending]
The refreshing air immediately made Giselle spread her arms. As wide as possible. and as deep as possible to fill her lungs with plenty of air supply. the sky was clear today but the wind was soothing. The shady trees that stand almost on the edge of the road, slightly hide the beauty that exists. the river flow is clear, not too fast, and the banks are not steep, making it a destination to relax Giselle’s choice.
“I feel like swimming.”
Andrew chuckled, his hands struggling to carry a few things so that they could enjoy the riverbank comfortably. But he didn’t want to make Giselle help him. “There’s a sign prohibiting indiscriminate swimming. You can see it at the end.”
Giselle turned her head to follow Andrew’s direction. There were also several other visitors who took comfortable spots for them to occupy. And none of them were swimming. Except for fishing, there was no prohibition on the notice board.
“The water is so clear.” Giselle adjusted her wide-brimmed hat. She still wore her sunglasses to block out the sun.
“This river has different depths and a strong current in the middle. That’s why visitors are prohibited from swimming. But camping, fishing, and boating activities are possible. But you have to register in advance if you want to go boating. There will be an accompanying team.”
Giselle frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Andrew put up a set of tents and boxes of food supplies. There was also a portable stove and fishing tackle. “Your safety is the most important thing I have to look after. Even though Justin isn’t here, I feel like his eyes are everywhere.”
Giselle laughed at that. “What do I need help with?”
“No need. You just sit down. I’ll set up the tent soon and we can grill fish. I’ve prepared a special for you.”
Giselle pouted again. “Why, anyway, can’t I help? Am I too stupid to do something like this?”
Andrew laughed as well. He wiped his sweat-flooded forehead. His eyes looked at Giselle with a smile that he didn’t want to get rid of yet. “I want you to enjoy today, Nami. Your photo shoot tomorrow is going to be a long day, right?”
A sizable tent had been erected beside the car as part of a sturdy buffer, just in case something got out of hand. But judging by the weather, there was no way it was going to rain. The sky was clear and cloudy, the sun was shining brightly, and according to today’s weather forecast, it wasn’t going to rain. But Andrew still prepared the tent for Giselle’s comfort later.
Giselle shrugged. In the end, she let Andrew do everything himself. Except when the stove was set up and ready to process the ingredients. Only then did Andrew make some concessions and the first dish Giselle made was a drink. A cup of coffee and a cold chocolate to accompany this beautiful afternoon.
“Ah… the atmosphere is really exciting.” Giselle took a sip from her glass of iced chocolate. “And this chocolate you brought me is really good. No less than the ones I usually drink.”
Andrew chuckled. “It’s good that you like it.” He smelled the aroma of the coffee Giselle had made. “It seems like this coffee has a pretty good flavor.”
Giselle spluttered. “Are you insulting or praising? The coffee I just brewed is only ready-to-brew instant coffee. Your words sound annoying.”
Andrew laughed with excitement. “I brought my fishing gear. Who knows, we might be lucky enough to get a shark here.”
Giselle’s eyeballs widened in disbelief. “You’re… serious?”
Again, Giselle’s words were met with laughter and this time, Andrew’s laughter made Giselle wince. “I almost took your words seriously.”
“Even if there were, it wouldn’t be a river like this. The river is much bigger and more dangerous. The mouth of that river is obviously a vast ocean.”
“Never mind, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
Andrew shook his head in wonder. But before long, the fishing gear was set up on the riverbank. Giselle was no longer wearing footwear. Occasionally her feet splashed on the riverbank. The slightly cool water temperature made Giselle excited.
“If Harvey, Sula, and Ruby knew about this place, I think they would love it.” Giselle continued playing in the water, not really caring that some of her pants were wet.
“Who are Sula and Ruby?” asked Andrew with a curious look. if Harvey’s name had come out of Giselle’s mouth, it wouldn’t be unusual. but Sula and Ruby?
“You don’t know them?” asked Giselle in astonishment. “You said you follow me on social media. But you don’t know these two?”
Innocently, Andrew shook his head. “The focus of my eyes is only you. I don’t want to pay attention to anyone else.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Giselle spluttered. “They’re just like me. Justin’s mainstay at SEO. You must know the last event SEO held?”
“Ah… just a glimpse, and I didn’t know they were familiar with you.”
Giselle’s mouth was drawn wide. Her eyes closed as she looked up slightly, feeling the bright sunlight with a soothing breeze. It caressed a part of her face, slightly ruffling her flowing hair. She had taken off her glasses, although she was a little afraid in case someone knew her identity, but… don’t celebrities also have personal rights?
After all, Justin won’t stay silent if someone makes use of his private photos.
“I can say that the three of them are my best friends.”
“I’m glad you have people who love you like best friends. I’m sure too, they must be fun to be around?”
Giselle laughed. “That’s the way it is. I’ll introduce them when the time is right. They all have opposite schedules to mine. We only get to be together once in a while and usually, we get through it without wanting any outside interference.”
“For example?” Andrew checked his fishing rod. Observing the current, the river was calm but there was a vortex in the center. A sign that this river is quite dangerous to enjoy unless a professional swimmer also has a specific purpose. Observing the river ecosystem for example. “I don’t think we’ll get any fish today.” He sat down next to Giselle. I was very grateful to be able to see Giselle’s face in real life again.
His hand reflexively stretched out to tidy up Giselle’s messy hair.
“Why is that?” asked Giselle as she opened her eyes. Slightly surprised by what Andrew had done, it left the man speechless. It was as if he was waiting for Giselle’s response to whether his actions would be rejected or left alone.
Just like when Andrew unceremoniously hugged Giselle, even though it ended up being a bit awkward but Giselle couldn’t resist. Even today, where the tip of Andrew’s hand slightly touched the side of her face. A gentle and loving caress, which Giselle was ultimately unable to resist. Letting Andrew tuck a strand of her hair in her ear.
“Do you want grilled fish?”
“Not really,” Giselle grinned nervously. “Didn’t we bring some groceries?”
“You’re right.” Andrew smiled slightly. “You’re hungry, right? Shall we eat now? Grill meat won’t be good if you delay eating it.”
Giselle imitated Andrew’s steps as he moved a little further away. Closer to their food supply box, complete with cutlery and some cold drinks. The instant mashed potato that was also bought on the way to this place, was used as an alternative carbohydrate for them to consume. Complementing the marinated meat slices.
“Um… the scent is appetizing.” Giselle was excited. Unexpectedly, despite its simplicity, what Andrew did today made Giselle happy. Very happy in fact. She had never visited such a pleasant and beautiful place before.
“Eat a lot, Nami. I see you’re a little thin?”
“It should be for you. Don’t you see yourself, Mr. Stalker?”
Andrew laughed excitedly. “I haven’t heard you call me that in a long time.” He placed a cooked piece of meat in Giselle’s bowl. Making the girl smile happily and devour it slowly. It was a little hot but it made Giselle laugh.
At least, even though tomorrow Andrew would have to face his superiors who would surely ask a lot of questions about this impromptu leave, it was worth it. Giselle’s smile, the joy that Giselle displayed on her face, also had a lot to say to the girl he found increasingly unattainable.
But so be it. For today, Andrew wanted to be near her. To feel her presence tangibly.
“I’m full!” screeched Giselle with a slightly flushed look. “You finish it. There’s plenty left.”
“but this is too much.” Andrew stared at the still-cooking meat with a look of disbelief. “You have to help finish it.”
“But my stomach can’t take it anymore, Andrew.”
“Slowly we finish it.”
And a lot of exciting conversations happened between them until…
“Oh my!”
The rain was coming down so hard, forcing them to go inside the tent and speed up the meal. Because of the hurry, there were some parts of the equipment that were still outside. Andrew had to go back and forth to get them.
“You’ll get sick, Andrew. Let it go.”
Andrew smiled slightly. “A little more to go. Can you get me a towel from the car? It’s in my bag.”
The rain was getting heavier. What had been sunny was covered in dark clouds and thunderous lightning.
“We’re stuck,” Giselle said quietly.
“Once the rain stops, we’ll head home. I’m worried that the river will suddenly rise and leave us completely trapped.”
“Don’t scare me, Andrew!”