Andrei's POV
"Alex, tell me, which shirt is better of the two," I asked Alex.
It was Sunday, I had asked Cherry to come with me to the beach and she agreed.
"Drei, are you still going to keep me in the dark? Tell me about her," Alex said when she sat on my bed.
"Which her?" I asked pretentiously.
"The woman behind your sudden happiness. See Andrei, if you don't tell me then I'ld tell mum about it and I wouldn't give you any clothing advice," she threatened.
I had to tell her this time, I really needed her help for clothing, I needed to look dashing for Cherry and trust me, I had no clue about fashion.
I Only knew how to wear suits, after all, I have never been in a situation where I really wanted to impress a woman, I had never been in a serious relationship and the few I had, the woman were the ones running after me.
"Okay... Her name is Cherry and...," I was saying but then she gave a silly expression.
"Hmm... So this Cherry, I wonder how she won your heart like this," she teased.
"Alex, just tell me which shirt is better and stop your interrogation, don't be like this. Tell me what type of clothes do girls find attractive?" I asked her.
"Andrei, did you forget I'm just seventeen? Why ask me this type of question?" She protested.
I looked at her, she was trying to play smart. Alex was the queen of relationship tips.
"What if I say I'ld grant you a wish if you tell me," I asked.
"A wish? I'm in... My wish is to work in global tech," she said.
"You want to work in global tech?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, you know I just completed highschool and it would take a few months before going overseas for college. So... I was thinking of working there, you know... I want to know more about the business. I promise I'ld be good, I'ld not cause trouble at the office," she said with a pout.
"Please...," She added.
"Okay, fine, you can come with me to the office but you have to help me with Cherry," I told her.
* * * * * *
I knocked expectantly at Cherry's door. I had brought Steve along to make her feel more comfortable, I wanted her to feel at ease.
She opened the door and I saw a smiling Cherry, It was the first time I had seen her smile so brightly. She was dressed in a long gown and a hat suitable for the beach.
"Please, come in," she ushered.
"Cherry, this is Steve, my best friend," I introduced Steve when we were in.
"Nice meeting you, Steve," she answered.
"Steve would be going with us,"
I told her and I could see her expression change, she frowned a bit.
"O... okay," she finally said.
"Can I come along too? I heard Daisy said, she had been inside since.
"Of course," Steve was the one to answer.
"I'm Steve, Andrei's best friend and you are?" Steve said and it shocked me. I found myself looking at the flirting Steve.
"Daisy, Cherry's sister," Daisy replied.
"So it's finally even, two girls and two boys," Cherry said jokingly.
"Shall we?" I asked and we were off to the beach.
The ride to the beach was fun. Steve and Daisy chatted all the way and all Cherry and I could do was listen.
Cherry's POV
I have never been to the beach. I know it was surprising, but it was true. I never had time for fun growing up.
And when Andrei asked me out to the beach, I was elated and agreed. I thought it would just be two of us but then, he brought his best friend and then, even Daisy wanted to come.
Well, it was okay, after all, the more the merrier. And it was also good for Daisy to have fun, it would help her with her rehabilitation.
We finally got to the beach, Daisy and Steve decided to go horse riding, leaving just Andrei and me.
I didn't want to ride a horse, no, I didn't know how to ride a horse.
I stared at the dashing Andrei by my side, with his botton-up short sleeve, he looked superb. I walked towards the blue sea and I loved the feel of the water on my legs.
"I have never been here," I told Andrei who was standing behind me.
"I'm surprised to hear you say that, I have been here countless times," he replied.
"Well, thank goodness I'm here, at least this is a minus to the things I want to do," I said.
"And what are the things you want to do?"
"Getting on a plane, going to an amusement park, going boat riding, riding a horse and picnicking," I said.
He let out a chuckle before replying,
"Don't worry, I promise you will do those things. it's a promise," he said.
We sat on the cool sand and he asked me a question.
"Would you mind telling me how you ended up this way, I mean strong, tough and you know... Why you seriously want to be independent, why you were cold towards me?
I know you told me your mum and dad divorced early but I think there are other things you really should explain,"
"My mum was once a rich and happy woman until she met my dad. Mum loved dad so much that she gave everything for him. She betrayed her family for him and got disowned.
Dad fooled her and stole her family's wealth. Then after taking everything from her, he tormented her physically and emotionally, then left her for another woman. She had cancer few months later and because she had a broken spirit, she didn't make it. Mum was a weakling, she let dad use her and he ended up breaking her.
Also the torture Daisy and I received from both my dad and uncles during those times, added to the hatred I had for male figures. I got my panic disorder during that period because I got too tensed and till date, I still struggle with panic attacks, all thanks to them.
As for why I ended up choosing to be independent, it was because during that time of mum's sickness, Dad didn't show up and we became broke. So, I had to go begging those few months. I got several humiliations, I saw the word from another perspective, it was cruel to me. No one to help us, I faced rejections and that's why, it was the first thing I promised mum on her dying bed. I promised never to beg again, I promised to be independent and I promised never to make the same mistake she made," I said and couldn't help but cry.
"Someone close to me faced the same situation your mother faced, betrayal. But she didn't let it affect her, she moved on bravely and I know you have too," Andrei said calmly, I could feel the concern he had for me.
"It's okay now, I'm better now. I met Amanda, my best friend after mum passed away and she became my greatest strength. I also met nice people like Miss Rosie, mam Nancy, Everly and then I met you," I told him.
"And I know the future would even be better," I added.
"I promise I'ld never betray you again, I'ld not do anything that would make you cry in the future," he said.
"Promise me you'd not do anything without telling me ever again, anything that has to do with me... like paying my debts, giving me employment and...," I was saying but then he cut in.
"I'm sorry... please don't be mad. I'm sorry for doing those things, I just wanted to make up for what I have done," he pleaded.
"So you thought I wouldn't find out? Daisy told me," I Informed him.
"I'm sorry cherry, it's just I really wanted to help and I knew how stubborn you were. I knew you would never agree," he said.
"I'm not mad at you. Thank you for helping me and I promise I'll pay you back, I'll pay back the debts you settled for me and the twenty million," I told him, then he held my hands and that gesture got butterflies into my belly.
"Since you're not mad at me anymore, then can you come back to global tech, not as an intern but as a as a staff. Join my team as a marketer, Cherry please come back to global tech. It will be a favour for me and also you want to pay your debts, right? It will be easier for you then. Please come back to go back to global tech," he persuaded.
I removed my hand from his and walked away from him towards the sea.
"Cherry, you said it yourself that we are friends now, so can't you do me a favour?" he stood behind me and said.
"Andrei, I know we are friends but I really don't have to come to global tech."
"Please, I know you'd do great at global tech because I believe in you, please... He persuaded more. I couldn't help but say yes.
I really wanted to work at global tech and as a marketer but I didn't want to go back because I'ld be indebted to Andrei then. But since it really meant a lot to him, I had to agree.
"Fine, I'ld return to global tech, just give me time to prepare my resignation letter from my current company as well as an application letter for global tech," I told him.
"You don't have to worry about those thing,s I will send your resignation letter myself, just come to global tech tomorrow,* he said.
I didn't like the idea but considering how much he pleaded, I had to agree and it would also be favorable for me.
"I'ld be expecting you at global tech tomorrow," he said.
"You have to promise you would not spy on me at work, you'd not install a camera on my desk like before," I warned. "It's a promise," he said with a charming smile.
"Let's join the rest," he told me.
We joined Daisy and Steve and Andrei taught how to ride a horse. My first horse riding experience was perfect.
I couldn't get rid of the weird but calming feeling I had when Andrei was around me throughout our stay there.
After that we had lunch and went boat riding.