"You're good at giving advice," Alissa suggested."If only you could marry him, what?"
Ashley giggled, got up, went to the dresser table, and occupied the chair in front of the mirror. She picked up an earring that glittered.
"You know my sisters; I didn't think he would choose me…." Angeline stopped and looked at them, so excited to hear what she was about to say. " I never did because two years ago, I proposed to him if he could be my lover—"
"What?" Alissa asked in disbelief.
"Really?" Ashley's reaction.
She shook her shoulder. "That's all I can tell you—"
"No, no… tell us the whole thing. What made you propose to him?"
"I was so hurt when I found out that Tristan knocked up his sister. Jacob and Michelle invited me to hang out with their friends in the beach resort. I was a bit drunk and proposed to him, and he turned me down right there. I was so embarrassed I left for New York when Odette Invited me…."
"Ah…" Alissa slowly said. "Yes, I remember now. He kept calling here to talk to you. So, he's the reason why you disappeared without telling us, except Granny."
She started laughing. "Well, I was so embarrassed by what I did then. I kept asking myself what made me do it. That's why I was so confident Jacob would take you, Alis, after we talked in the garden. I guess I got my pride back when I rejected him when he proposed. He must be thinking that I'd say yes. Not possible, though, especially since I'm pregnant."
"But you know, you need someone like him..."
"Perhaps, Alis. But I don't want to think about it right now. Maybe it would be better for us to go out while we can since you are returning to Spain."
"I'm cool with what you said, Angel. By the way, don't we have this pair of diamond earrings? Didn't Jacob's grandma give you this? "
"Yes. That's the one. And that's another problem for me because I lost one piece."
"Oh, my... "Ashley's hands went to her mouth. "How are you now going to explain that one is missing? "
"I don't know. Tell the truth."
"How did you lose it?"
"I only tried to wear it once when I joined that masquerade party in Spain. I already told you. "
"Then you are unlikely to get it back. That's why I feel nervous wearing the ring she gave me," Alissa said.
"We are the same, Alis. I never thought of wearing that necklace that Nana gave me. Maybe I'll wear it on your wedding day...."
The siblings' conversation was interrupted by a series of knocks on the door leaf.
"Maybe that's grandma?" Ashley said softly.
"It's up to you to open..."Alissa instructed her sister.
"For you, Angeline. It's Stefanie..."
The three exchanged glances.
"Tefie? My old best friend? " Angeline asked in disbelief.
Alissa and Angeline looked at each other.
"Yep!"
Angeline was stunned, but she was considering accepting that call.
"Go ahead," said Alissa. "After all, she will be your sister-in-law…."
"Alissa..." She glared at her eldest sister. "No. I'll call her back. Let's get ready for the beach, " she added, moving down from the bed. She glared at Ashley, trying to stifle her laughter before proceeding inside the bathroom. She even heard the loudest laugh of her two siblings.
ANGELINE quietly observed the kids and their giggles made her smile. Despite her unforeseen maternity calvary, she repelled negative thoughts whenever she traveled to the seaside. She felt satisfied when she walked barefoot on the wet sand. She sensed the ocean breeze on her face and smelled the sea's salt while the wind played with her long hair.
The beach always gives her the sensation of being relaxed and satisfied.
"Did you call your ex-best friend? "Ashley cracked at her long silence.
"No..." she answered lazily while her feet dug into the sand. "Maybe this week..." Her eyes followed her eldest sister walking to the seashore
"Hey, did you see that?" Ashley was stunned. "That man touched her butt. What an ass!"
"I saw that, "she said, her eyes narrowed in anger. "That man had no manners. He could have a sexual harassment charge for that. Let's go., and keep an eye on Alissa... "
She took off her oversized yellow t-shirt and walked in a simple black two-piece. She pushed her long hair to her back.
"Ready?" She spoke back with a mischievous smile on her lips. And she intended to be flaunting herself in a flirtatious manner for the harassing guy could see her.
"It's best to call the guard just in case we have an issue with that man."
"Are you planning something, Angel?" Ashley was nervous.
"Plan? Of course not, but there should be a guard in case he'll do it again," she explained.
But the moment Ashley disappeared, she felt someone touch her buttocks. She turned around, fuming with rage, and caught the same man annoyed Alissa passed her. Undoubtedly, she knew it was him.
"Hey, you... Come on; I like what you were doing. Give me some more…."
The man in his twenties stopped and looked back. She tried not to puke, but instead, she gave him a charming smile.
"Here. I let you kiss my chest, too. "
She pointed her finger at her chest. Oh, she hated that wide grin.
The young man walked towards her but stumbled right in front of her. His chin hit the ground first.
"Oh..." She uttered, but no emotion on her face. She slowly walked backward and turned away. She started walking to the water, but a hand squeezed her butt. She turned around to face the harasser.
He was about to grab her waist, but she managed to hold his hand and slowly twisted it while gazing at him, simultaneously yanking his leg with her right foot.
He landed on the ground. "You bitch!" He snarled at her angrily.