Chereads / A second chance at vengeance / Chapter 12 - chapter 11

Chapter 12 - chapter 11

Crystal-clear turquoise waters stretched as far as the eye could see, shimmering under the bright sun. Overwater bungalows, each perched elegantly on stilts, dotted the landscape, their thatched roofs blending seamlessly with the tropical paradise. Vibrant flowers lined the pathways, their colors popping against the serene blues and greens of the ocean and palm trees swayed gently in the breeze.

"I've only seen places like this in movies," Yuna thought to herself, her lips parting in awe. She couldn't stop herself from spinning slowly, trying to take it all in.

"So, like... each bungalow is for one person?" she asked, her voice tinged with childlike wonder as she pointed toward the rows of charming houses perched above the water. "And the houses are... literally on water?"

Heeseung, standing a few paces behind her, had been silently observing her reaction. Her wide eyes sparkled with curiosity, and the way she moved, almost skipping as she explored, made her look so innocent and unguarded. He couldn't help but smile, though he quickly masked it when he realized he'd been staring.

Clearing his throat to regain his composure, he said, "It's not just for one person. Couples stay in these bungalows. And yes, they're on the water. It's what Bora Bora is famous for."

Yuna, oblivious to his lingering gaze, clapped her hands together in delight. "This is insane! It's like a dream," she said, her tone hushed as if speaking too loudly might shatter the illusion.

Before Heeseung could respond, a man dressed in crisp white resort attire approached them with a polite smile. He held a clipboard in one hand and gestured toward one of the bungalows.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Jeong," the man said warmly. "Your private villa is ready. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your accommodations."

"Here comes the guy to show us our place," Heeseung said casually, though a small, satisfied grin tugged at his lips as he watched Yuna's excitement.

She glanced back at him, her face still glowing with enthusiasm. "Wait, we get one of those all to ourselves?"

"Yep," Heeseung replied with a smirk. "Let's go."

As they followed the resort staff along the wooden boardwalks, Yuna couldn't resist peeking into the open villas they passed, each one looking more luxurious than the last. Her mind swirled with thoughts of what their place might look like. "I hope it has one of those glass floors where you can see the fish swimming underneath," she murmured to herself, earning another chuckle from Heeseung, who had clearly overheard.

When they finally arrived at their bungalow, Yuna's jaw dropped. The villa was nothing short of perfection, with an expansive deck that featured a private infinity pool overlooking the ocean, lounge chairs, and even a hammock strung between two posts. Inside, the decor was modern yet warm, with natural wood accents, soft linens, and large windows that showcased panoramic views of the water.

Yuna turned to Heeseung, her face lit up with joy. "This... this is unbelievable."

Heeseung gave her a small smile, his gaze soft. "Glad you like it," he said simply, though inside, he felt a swell of satisfaction. Seeing her happy, even just for a moment, was worth it.

"IT HAS A POOL! Oh my GOOOOOOD!" Yuna's voice rang out, a mix of astonishment and delight, as she darted out onto the spacious deck. Her bare feet barely made a sound on the polished wood as she came to a halt, her hands flying to her mouth in awe. She blinked several times, almost as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The infinity pool stretched before her, its crystal-clear water sparkling under the radiant sunlight. The edge of the pool seemed to melt into the horizon, seamlessly blending with the vast turquoise ocean beyond. The scene looked like something out of a glossy travel magazine, almost too perfect to be real.

She took a hesitant step closer, leaning slightly over the pool's edge to gaze at her reflection, her eyes wide with wonder. The gentle ripple of the water distorted her face, making her giggle softly. "This… this is insane," she murmured, mostly to herself, as she looked around. "Am I in a dream? No way this is real."

Turning back to Heeseung, who had just stepped onto the deck, she threw her arms wide open. "Do you see this?!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. "This is insane! This is like… something you only see in movies. No, scratch that—this is better than any movie I've ever seen!"

Heeseung chuckled, leaning casually against the doorway, watching her with an amused smile. "Glad you like it," he said, his tone light and teasing. "I wasn't sure if it would be up to your standards."

"Standards?" Yuna repeated, spinning around to face him with mock indignation. "Are you kidding me? This isn't just up to my standards—it's completely blown them out of the water! Literally!" She turned back to the pool, clasping her hands together as she took another moment to soak in the view.

But then, her face fell slightly, and she let out a dramatic sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Only one problem," she said, her voice laced with faux melancholy.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Problem? What could possibly be wrong?"

"I don't know how to swim," Yuna admitted, turning to him with a sheepish smile. She dropped onto one of the sun loungers with a defeated huff, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. "What's the point of having this amazing pool if I can't even enjoy it properly? Tragic, isn't it?"

Heeseung's lips twitched as he tried to hold back a laugh. "I mean, you don't have to swim to enjoy it," he said, sitting on the edge of the lounge chair next to her. "You could just dip your feet in, relax, and soak up the view."

"But it's not the same," Yuna insisted, pouting slightly as she crossed her arms. "I wanted to do all those cool things you see in Instagram posts—you know, floating on one of those fancy pool inflatables, sipping a drink, looking effortlessly fabulous…" Her voice trailed off as she gestured dramatically toward the pool, her expression the picture of woe.

"And," she added with another exaggerated sigh, "I don't even have a bikini. Awful!" She threw her hands in the air for emphasis, her pout deepening.

Heeseung couldn't help but laugh this time, shaking his head. "You're really going through it, huh?" he teased, leaning back on his hands as he studied her.

Yuna nodded solemnly, as if her plight was the most tragic thing in the world. "I am," she said, her tone grave. "Here I am, in paradise, with my very own infinity pool, and no way to properly enjoy it. I deserve a medal for surviving this kind of heartbreak."

"Alright, drama queen," Heeseung said, rolling his eyes playfully. "How about we fix this?"

She perked up instantly, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Fix it? How?"

"I'll have the concierge bring a selection of swimsuits for you to choose from," he said simply, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. "Bikinis, one-pieces, whatever you want. Problem solved."

Yuna blinked at him, her mouth falling open slightly. "Wait… you'd really do that?"

"Of course," Heeseung replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "Can't have you pouting through the entire honeymoon, can I?"

A smile slowly spread across her face, lighting up her features. "Wow," she said, placing a hand over her heart. "Who knew you could be so thoughtful?"

Heeseung smirked. "I aim to please."

Yuna laughed, the sound light and genuine, as she stood up and made her way back to the pool's edge. Tentatively, she dipped a toe into the water, letting out a small gasp. "It's perfect," she declared, turning back to him with an excited grin. "I might just spend the whole day out here."

"Good," Heeseung said, standing up and dusting off his hands. "That's exactly what you should do. Relax, enjoy yourself, and leave the rest to me."

As Yuna sat on the edge of the pool, swishing her feet through the cool, inviting water, she glanced back at Heeseung, who was already making his way back into the villa. A soft smile played on her lips as she thought, Maybe this honeymoon won't be so bad after all.

After some minutes, while Yuna was busily flipping through a glossy magazine, a soft knock at the door announced the arrival of the much-anticipated bikini. She barely had time to react before Heeseung strolled into the room, casually holding a sleek black bag.

"Looks like your bikini's here," Heeseung said, his voice light and teasing as he handed it to her.

Yuna's face lit up with excitement as she jumped up and took the bag, thanking both the deliveryman and Heeseung in a flurry of gratitude. She then darted toward the bedroom to change, clutching the bag tightly against her chest.

Heeseung chuckled under his breath as he watched her disappear, shaking his head in amusement. "So much energy," he murmured, picking up the phone to order snacks and some light food. "She's like a little ball of chaos... adorable chaos."

Several minutes passed, and Heeseung busied himself setting up a small spread on the deck for them to enjoy. When he heard the faint creak of the bedroom door opening behind him, he turned casually—only to have every coherent thought in his mind come to a screeching halt.

Yuna stepped out, her movements hesitant, one arm crossing over her stomach as if to shield herself. "I... I don't feel..." she began, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.