Agreement Behind Her Marriage

“I want these two autograph chairs in the pool area,” suggested Danica, pointing to an item on an iPad, which displayed an in-pool luxury lounger to Kael. They were shopping for appliances from a trusted supplier.

Kael turned his attention to the space around the pool before examining the chair Danica intended to place there.

“Hmmm… I’d like those as well, but is there enough space in the pool area? Since the poolside is narrow, what I had in mind was something simpler, yet still elegant, like cozy reclining chairs or pillows for visitors to unwind,” replied Kael.

“No! I want that in my pool! I’ll be the manager here one day, and that’s what I want!”

These are just a few of the work-related arguments that Kael and Danica have. Because Mr. Arvesso mostly agreed with the woman’s preferences, Kael often had to tolerate Danica’s temper tantrums. She’s disrupting his work, and he’s on the brink of losing it. He had the original plans and designs, but as Danica found something she liked that wasn’t necessary for him, they underwent significant changes.

Kael couldn’t contain his frustration. “You know what, Danica? How about you do whatever you want, and then I’ll go home! I need some space because I’m at my wit’s end!”

Danica yelled back at him, “I don’t care! That’s fine. It might be better if you go home, and then Lily and I will take care of everything. Perhaps you’ve forgotten that we are the designers on this project!”

Ouch! Kael wanted to strangle the petite woman but was well aware of how much of a control freak he was.

He wanted things to go according to his plans and desires. The entire resort, including the interior design, was his major project. He was supposed to be in charge of these two women, but whenever Danica made decisions or requested changes for the resort, he struggled to implement them. In the end, she was right – in a few months, she would be the boss here!

Danica and Lily were the designated designers, and they were competent for the job. However, due to his precision and obsession with details, Kael found himself compelled to step in and carefully review a few things.

When he hired Lily and the woman’s services, he had no idea that he would encounter this much trouble.

***

“Dan, I think you said too much to Kael,” Lily muttered.

Danica snorted. “I’m disgusted by his controlling nature. I want to confront him!” She gets frustrated whenever Kael takes charge of tasks that shouldn’t be his responsibility.

“Well…” Lily scratched her neck as her phone next to her beeped, indicating a new message.

“Augh! I’ll show him that the autograph chairs I want aren’t taking up too much space!” she murmured.

“I understand your frustration, Dan, but let’s discuss it without any confrontation. You can calmly explain your perspective to him.”

“When you recommended something, he approved, but the moment I suggested something, he immediately declined!”

Ever since she was cheated on by Brian, her ex-boyfriend, who is now involved in a gang rape case, she seems to have lost faith in men. She never thought that someone like Brian, who treated her like his most precious gem, would be involved in the murky world of rape cases. Brian made her feel like a princess and gave her the impression that he was an ideal guy-he never even touched her once.

Now, she no longer has confidence in any man except for her dad and brother.

Lily remarked, interrupting her thoughts. “Oh! I almost forgot that we have an on-site visit scheduled at Mrs. Joson’s apartment tomorrow. Are you able to travel back to the city to meet her? I’m so grateful she texted me!”

Since they arrived on the island last week, Lily has been dealing with personal concerns that also involve Brian. She had been in hiding here and didn’t intend to leave until they finished the project.

“No problem! I will arrange my things upstairs.”

“Thank you!”

Danica was returning to their lodgings when she noticed Kael standing close to the second-floor open balcony overlooking the beach. At that moment, as he gazed at the clear blue water, his eyes appeared filled with loneliness. Whether or not she wanted to admit it, his attractiveness seemed to stir her feelings.

Kael’s hair waved in the breeze, as did the hem of his flannel shirt, which he wore over his shirt, making him look like a man from a magazine cover.

No, Cupid! Don’t shoot me! Danica thought.

Danica was compelled to acknowledge Kael Escarrer’s attractiveness. He was intelligent, and despite his young age, he had already achieved so much. When Kael turned to face her, she swallowed hard.

Danica mumbled, “I’m sorry. I-I’m sorry for what I said earlier.”

Why am I apologizing again? Ah, yeah! Because Lily told me.

After being startled, Kael grinned. He narrowed the distance between them, startling her and causing her to take a small step back.

Wait, Dan! Why are you panicking?

“Why are you apologizing?” He lowered his face, so close that she swallowed hard as her cheeks began to flush. Her heart was still reeling from the beauty of his earlier image.

“F-for what I said! I made remarks I shouldn’t have made.”

“That’s fine! Maybe you got the wrong idea and thought I was returning to the city because of it. A client invited me to an event, which will allow you and Lily to work without me overseeing your job.”

With her cheeks turning crimson, Danica asked, “About that-can I come along? Lily and I have an appointment scheduled with one of our clients, but she isn’t quite ready to return.”

“No problem! I will take care of booking our plane tickets. You can treat me to a snack in return!” Kael gave her a wink before heading back to his quarters.

No, no, no! This is bad!

Danica’s heart was pounding as she hurried to her room. “No! No way! I don’t like that control freak!”

***

Kael offered Danica a free ride because Lauren was also at the airport for the Burnham Airlines inspection. With so many travelers, she accepted the offer, as she didn’t want to struggle to find a cab to take her home.

With her bubbly personality, Kael started to see her differently.

“Today being summer, there are many vacationers from different places. I’ll ask my sister to give you a ride home, so don’t worry!”

She looked up at him, and Danica reminded him of a lovely kitten, which made him grin foolishly.

“Kael!” As soon as he heard Lauren, the tension between them eased.

“Sister!”

Seeing Danica startled Lauren, who may have mistakenly assumed that the tiny woman was his girlfriend.

“Oh! She’s Danica, the daughter of my client, Mr. Arvesso. Is it okay if we give her a ride home?”

“Sure!” Lauren’s face brightened.

He then explained to Danica, “She’s also Lily’s friend, my sister, Lauren.”

Kael observed that his sister liked Danica so much that she invited the woman to their mother’s birthday celebration the following weekend. “Our mother’s birthday is on Saturday; please join us if you can!”

Danica looked at him as if seeking help.

“Sister, don’t scare her!” he said.

“What? I like Danica!”

Danica’s expression brightened. She was delighted by what she heard. “Really? Do you like me already? Oh, oh! I like Lily’s friends too!”

While listening to the two women’s chat, Kael shook his head. Even though the two women in the van seemed to be in their own world, he couldn’t help but grin.

Soon, their vehicle came to a stop outside of Danica’s apartment building.

He helped her with her luggage.

“I’ll consider whether I can make it to your mom’s birthday celebration. I’ll let Kael know,” Danica told his sister.

“Sure!”

“Bye!” Kael waved at the woman, waiting for Danica to get inside.

“B-bye!” She leaned forward and then kissed him on the cheek. The sweet smell of Danica soothed his senses. As soon as she understood what she had done, she hurried into the building.

Kael couldn’t help grinning because he thought Danica was adorable.

“Do you like her?” Lauren asked as he entered the van.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course, I’m talking about Danica!”

“She’s Mr. Arvesso’s daughter.”

“So? I like her for you!”

Unbeknownst to him, he shrugged his shoulders, still lost in thoughts of Danica’s adorable face.

Lauren playfully nudged his arm and teased him, “You like her! You like Danica. That smile says it all.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

That’s when he realized his smile had lingered, his mind drifting to the thought of Danica kissing his cheek.

“I don’t know. She’s cute and can be quite feisty. Can you believe we were enemies at the resort?”

Lauren grinned. “I like Danica, and the fact that she’s Lily’s close friend is a bonus. You know how selective Lily can be with people.”

Kael shrugged. Whatever was to come in his relationship with Danica, he was content to let fate decide.

Lauren invited him to stay at her home, and he agreed because he was exhausted.

However, he never expected to find Finn’s sister, whom he hadn’t seen for years, sound asleep in the guest room, looking like a princess. He found himself deep in thought as he admired her beautiful face.

Pain, sadness, guilt…