บท 10: The Marina

They arrived at the Marina and it was still early for lunch.

Earlier while they were approaching the island, Aryana was jumping in excitement as she described the Marina on the camera. The Marina was a huge restaurant that sits on an island shaped like a crocodile. The northern part was where the harbor is located. The quay was chiseled out of natural rock formation and supplemented by cement to accommodate around a dozen yachts and boats.

The island was not big. It can only accommodate around 200 people and there were just 4 small villas for the super-rich who can afford overnight accommodation.

At the southern part was the sand bar about a kilometer long and just 5 meters wide. There was no structure there. It was a place where people gets to enjoy swimming and basking in the sun.

Marlon took the cell phone from Aryana and started taking her videos. Erik enjoyed watching her as she described the Marina in full detail with childlike excitement. She has a captivating voice and Erik, though he has been to the place many times cannot help but look at the place before him in a new light.

"It is breathtaking."

She turned to look at Marlon but Marlon moved to the other side and so her gaze met two dark brown amused orbs. Her eyes were bright with delight and she was all smiles and a pair of cute dimples appeared just beside the corner of her lips. But the smiles died down and were replaced by a serious look when she realized who she was looking at.

"Yeah, it is indeed breathtaking." Erik inhaled deeply not because of the beautiful island ahead but because of the woman in front of him. Damn! He felt something stirred within him. He was attracted to her. But he dismissed the feeling right away. Maybe it was only because she reminded him so much of Robert.

A group of security guards and waiters welcomed them after alighting from the yacht and they were escorted to the 3rd floor. The restaurant was like a boat and you get a feeling that it was floating above the water when you look out from the 3rd floor.

The walls of the 3rd floor were all glass and one can have an unhampered view of the outside. The table they were seated at, has a view of the sandbar. Aryana looked with awe at the long stretch of white sand being lapped gently by foamy waves on each side.

She quickly got her cell phone and took a video of the beautiful view. There was no one on the beach now. Everybody seemed to be having lunch all at the same time or maybe it was too hot because it was mid-noon.

"Hey guys, look at this amazing view. What a lucky day for me." She was using a blue tooth microphone now.

Both Erik and Marlon smiled at how she described the scenery before her.

Erik excused himself and went to the men's room.

Marlon stood and took the cell phone from her. He wanted to take a photo of her with the view of the sandbar and blue of the sea beyond as background.

"Give me your best smile Miss Beautiful. This is for your to-be fans." Marlon snapped some pictures in between taking the videos.

Aryana giggled heartily. She then made a heart sign with her fingers and give her best smile which showed her two cute dimples.

Marlon took his eyes off the camera and briefly looked at her with a spark in his eyes then he quickly took a picture before the smile faded away from her face.

Erik came back along with a man wearing board shorts and a white Tee Shirt.

Anton went straight to Aryana without any regard for Erik or Marlon.

"Hello pretty! My name is Antonio Lopez. What's yours?" He spoke with an air of confidence. He took Aryana's hand and brought it to his lips.

Aryana tried to pull her hand away but was unable to as he tightened his grip on her hand.

"Aryana" she smiled awkwardly.

"How about let's take a selfie together." He moved closer to Aryana and took out his cell phone. "Smile"

Click.

Aryana was stunned.

"Oh you did not smile darling." He whispered to her.

He put his left arm around her shoulder. Aryana threw a glance at Marlon.

'Help me out. He is molesting me.' Aryana pleaded with her eyes. Marlon seemed angry but was not saying anything.

She looked at Erik but looked down when he saw him studying her.

Anton threw his cell phone to Marlon and he instinctively caught it mid-air.

"Great reflexes there Torres. Take a picture of us." That sounded like a command rather than a request and the shameless man beside her addressed Marlon by his last name.

Without warning, Anton's hand suddenly glided down to her waist. She gasped as she felt his hand squeeze her waist and her expression was caught in the camera.

"You…" Aryana instinctively removed his hand and stepped away from him. Antonio only laughed and looked at her with a glint in his eyes.

"That's enough Anton. Stop flirting. She is the daughter of a dear friend so don't even think about it." Erik said coldly as he threw a look of concern at Aryana and a warning look at Antonio.

"Hahaha." Anton chuckled. "Oh, I see. Sorry about that pretty lady. I was just used to women throwing themselves at me all the time." He said in a seductive voice and winked at Aryana.

Aryanna flushed in anger. What a shameless narcissistic man!