"Zac, how do you feel about going to the seaside today?" Hazel said as she sat at the corner of his bed.
He squinted at her. "Is this Mandy's idea? Are you really planning to use the same old trick towards me?" He was not going to fall for her tricks this time. In fact, he had grown more vigilant to all Hazel's suggestions.
"It's my idea," she protested. "My business has been doing well these past two months. In fact, I've received lots of orders. Plus, it's such a rare chance for Mandy to take a day off. She has a car too, so how about we go out and have some fun?" Hazel plastered a smile on her face. She had worked hard earning all that money, she was not planning to let it all go to waste just because she couldn't help her friend get her dream man.
Zac leaned back on the chair. "I don't want to go. You can go by yourselves." He waved his hand dismissively. "I would rather have some quiet time."
Hazel rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty enough to attract different sorts of men. Wouldn't you worry for my safety?"
"I'm not worried the slightest."
"Why not?" Hazel frowned. Ever since her last fashion show, she had been ordered not to talk to any unfamiliar men, watch different men, or even to touch any other men except for him. In fact, he already treated her as if she was his own property, and now he was going to act like he didn't care for her?
That ass!
As if he could read her mind, a smile weaved its way into his lips. "They're not as handsome as me. I'm sure you aren't interested in them."
She was at a loss for words. Although what he said was the truth, did he really have to be so arrogant?
Blinking, an idea came to her.
Hazel raced back into her room and took out two cups filled with three dice each. "How about we'll roll the dice?" she suggested. "If you lose, then you're going to the seaside with me."
Zac hated this game with a passion. Not only did he lose thirteen times in the past rounds, but he had also lost every bet tied to that damned game.
However, he believed that his luck was bound to change.
"Fine, whoever adds up to the biggest number will win," he agreed.
"Okay!" She handed one cup to him. "You first."
Zac shook the cup hard before releasing it on the desk. He wore a smug smile.
Five, six, six.
Holding the other cup in her hand, she shook the cup while praying silently.
With his legs crossed, Zac lay on the back of his chair leisurely. She wasn't going to win the game unless she came out with a six, six, six. At this point, her chances of winning was close to none.
When the dice fell onto the table, his eyes twitched.
Six, six, six.
What the hell? How was that even possible?
Hazel couldn't help but burst into laughter. At this point, she was already considering on packing up her stuff and leaving for Vegas. Maybe then, she'd have all the opportunity to win big.
"Pack your things," she said happily.
Zac gritted his teeth. He had worked around financial circles and casinos for years. In fact, his life was brilliant and promising. He didn't expect that his day would be ruined with three dice!
Noticing the displeasure written all over his face, she patted him on the shoulder. "You're going to have a good time. In fact, you'll even meet your girl," she teased.
Zac stood up. "I'm going to have breakfast first."
Hazel tittered. Was he really going shift his anger onto food?
She didn't stop him, and he was out the whole morning. A part of her suspected that he had already eaten lunch at this point.
When Hazel heard the door open, she was about to tease him when he pulled her into another room. "I'll go to the seaside if you wear this swimsuit."
A swimsuit?
'Oh my god! Did he just buy me a swimsuit?"
She took the bag from his hand and opened it.
Was this a swimsuit or mummy wrappings?
She stared at the swimsuit. In fact, it looked as if it belonged to a scuba diver. The only thing it was missing were the webbed sandals.
As a fashion designer who had seen multiple fashion statements, it was the first time for her to see such a conservative design!
"It fits you." A smile slid onto his face. Given that he had seen her before, Zac knew all her sizes like the back of his hand.
She wrinkled her nose. "I don't want to wear it. Not only is it ugly as hell, but it's insulting for you to think that I'll wear it!"
'He seems to be a man of good taste, so what the hell was running in his mind when he picked out this swimsuit?'
Zac shrugged. "It doesn't matter. We can always sit on the balcony and watch the sunset today." It seemed that not only would he refuse to go with her, but he also wouldn't allow her to go with Mandy!
Hazel glared at the sky. For the sake of her money and Mandy, it seemed that she had to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The beach in the West was beautiful and quiet. The silver sand powdered across the ground as the cold wind brushed the waters. Being far away from the hustle and bustle of the city crowd, the air was fresh and peaceful.
Hazel gritted her teeth as she mustered up all the courage she had to walk out of the fitting room.
Mandy burst into laughter. "What the hell are you wearing?"
"A traditional-inspired swimsuit?" she said weakly before casting a stern glance at the culprit.
Zac smiled silently. Well, he did win the bet either way. How could his wife be exposed to other men.
Mandy's swimsuit highlighted her tanned curves, and it had attracted the men's attention as soon as she walked out of the fitting room.
She ignored all of their lustful gazes and approached Zac.
It was said that many people who went to the beach were promiscuous people looking to let off some steam.
Although Zac wore sunglasses and was properly hidden under the shade, his incomparable elegance overshadowed the beautiful scenery. He attracted plenty of attention from different crowds.
Hazel couldn't swim, so she had to wait by the roadside stall to get a floater for herself. Once she got one, she waved at them.
"I'm going to have some fun in the waters okay," she said happily. Since Hazel didn't want to be the third wheel, she hurriedly grabbed her floater into the sea to give them an opportunity to be alone.
It was already summer, and the ocean was warm from the sun's scorching heat. She raised her long legs and clicked along the waves. Soon enough, she had gotten farther and farther from the coastline.
Zac frowned. She couldn't swim, so why was she going farther away from the coast?
Mandy didn't mind as she stared at him with loving eyes. "How about let's take a walk on the beach?" she flirted.
"Go by yourself." Behind his sunglasses, his eyes were fixated on Hazel.
A wave surged in the center, tearing across the waters. It splashed across the shoreline heavily.
Hazel was lying on her stomach, enjoying the sunshine. She was too busy relaxing to see the waves that were approaching.
For a person who didn't know how to swim, a strong wave could be fatal.
"Shit!" Zac cursed. Taking off his sunglasses, he rushed towards the sea.
The waves came crashing on Hazel's back, knocking her over. Before she could reach out for her floater, she found herself being pushed deeper into the waters.
She panicked, waving her hands up in the air and kicking her feet in the waters. She tried her best to float upwards, but she could already feel the currents dragging her deeper. She wanted to call for help, but as soon as she opened her mouth, seawater entered down her throat.
She choked and coughed. Before she could sink into its depths, a strong arm reached for her and pulled her out of the seas.
"Fuck!" she choked out, coughing violently. Zac patted her on the back gently as she coughed out the seawater.
Mandy rushed towards her and handed her a bottle of water to rinse her mouth. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "You scared me to death Hazel."
"I just drank some seawater." Hazel managed a sheepish smile.
"I can't believe you. You were holding a floater, and you still drowned." She sighed.
When Hazel felt much better, she lay down on the beach chair and took a sip of water. "It was just an accident," she explained. "I didn't notice the waves coming. If I did, I would've grabbed the floater."
"From now on, you're not allowed to go into the waters alone," Zac ordered.
"Of course not. To hell will I give you a chance to perform CPR," Hazel snapped, pretending to be insulted. When in reality, she was actually touched by his words.
Zac rolled his eyes. Affection was evident in his movements.
Mandy glanced at the two of them, not knowing what they were talking about. However, the word 'CPR' made her eyes light up.
Maybe then she could create a moment for her and her prince charming.