Leanna

[Zoe's POV]

[Elliot Volknov]

I took in a mouthful of fresh summer, salty air, and slowly released it from my mouth.

AaahhHH . . .

HAWAII!

I turned all giddy as excitement filled me. I couldn't wait to try everything Hawaii had to offer.

The clear, crystal, turquoise water was enticing everyone to feel its refreshing depth. The soft golden sand and different color seashells were laid bare and ready to be played. The diverse group of men and women in their bikinis outmatch each other under the drizzling warm Hawaiian summer sky.

A paradise for beach lovers and the perfect honeymoon destination for any couples!

As I walked along the shore with no particular destination in mind, I noticed a group of women and men alike who were taking glances at me.

I don't look weird in my swimsuit, right?

I took a peek and found nothing out of the ordinary in my two-piece, pink crochet, swimsuit.

I shrugged and sighed.

It would be much more awesome if I had someone to enjoy this scenery and all the activities it had to offer.

After I left Leanna for Cain Fay to terrorized, I ended in the middle of all the crowd and activities.

"Hi!"

I turned to find a young, innocent-looking man with shoulder-length brown hair in a loose ponytail, standing meters from me. He was sporting a friendly smile that even his eyes were smiling.

He was pretty for a man and had that kind of face that would make everybody at ease from just the sight of him. 

My guard went up.

This type of men could charm women with a single flash of a smile. They were friendly and sweet and could melt any woman's heart with a wink with those innocent, puppy eyes.

Dangerous.

"I'm Elliot Volknov."

My eyebrow rose when he extended a hand at me.

. . .

. . .

I didn't accept his hand while I shifted my head left and right, just to be sure that he was speaking to me as I couldn't believe a pretty man would introduce himself to me without any motive.

He chuckled in response at seeing my reaction as he retracted his hand.

"May I know your name?"

"Do I know you?" I didn't hide the hostility in my voice at his open friendliness.

Elliot grinned, not one bit offended with my crass attitude. "No. But I'm very much interested in getting to know you."

This guy is smooth.

Is he picking me up or something?

I frowned at the thought.

Elliot seemed to read what I was thinking, and raised both hands.

"I'm not here to hit on you."

Even his voice was pleasing to the ears. Mellow and soothing and a little sharp like the ringing of bells. Evident that he was still young and growing.

It reminded me of that boy . . .

Stop! Don't think of him. Forget. Forget!

". . . th . . . play . . . vo . . . so, are you game?"

I snapped out from my trance at the end of his words.

"W-what?"

I must look like an idiot right now, yet he seemed not to mind my lack of attention as he sweetly smiled. He then pointed his finger at a group of men and women who were setting a volleyball net.

"I said, do you want to play with us? We're currently short of a player right now."

I glanced over at the group of towering men and women and stared at the boy in front of me. I was not exactly tall in my five foot four inches' height, and this Elliot guy was like the same height as me.

The same height and build as that boy.

"How old are you?" I blurted before I could even stop myself.

Elliot chuckled, yet still accommodated me in kind. "I may look young, but I just turned seventeen."

I didn't hide the surprise on my face at his confession.

I was older by months!

I wonder if that boy was also the same.

Looks younger from his real age.

! ! !

Stop!

Fudge!

This Elliot guy made me remember that boy all the more.

I have to get the hell away from him!

----

[Zoe's POV]

[Interested]

I motioned to leave when he grabbed my hand.

"Come on!"

He then pulled me to the group of men and women. I didn't want to make a scene in front of this many people, so I let him led me along.

"Everyone, I found us a new member!" Elliot announced.

The two men's eyes sparkled while the two women sized me up.

So it was going to be a three vs. three battle.

Wait. Why did I already count myself in?

Their faces were unfamiliar. I wonder if they were college students from other universities or something.

"Zoe?"

Urgh . . .

"Hello, Nicholas." I faced the man in his sexy open buttoned white collar shirt and swimming shorts.

Nicholas's eyes narrowed while his face plastered a disbelief kind of look. His eyes glinted in desire before it quickly replaced by a kind, gentlemanly smile.

"Hello, Mr. Farrell." Elliot got between the two of us while his face had a laid back smile.

"Mr. Volknov," Nicholas greeted back, tone respectful as his face was all smiles.

I was surprised that they knew each other.

Nicholas was eight years older than Elliot, but he was respectful towards the young man.

"Zoe, I didn't know you're acquainted with Mr. Elliot Volknov." Nicholas smiled at me, yet I heard the slight accusation in his tone.

Ah . . . No. Why did I fell with this kind of guy again?

"We've just got acquainted today. We're about to play a volleyball game," Elliot said when I didn't answer.

Nicholas's smile grew wider. "Oh . . . Do you have room for one more?"

What?! No!

"Sorry, Mr. Farrell. We're already even," Elliot replied with an apologetic tone.

"Oh," Nicholas said, his smile never wavered. He then walked to the two near the playing field and whispered something before coming back to us.

"That guy over there said he would be the referee so I could take his place."

I glared at him.

Why is this man approaching me now?!

Elliot maintained his warm smile as he spoke, "I see. Let's start then."

"Mr. Volknov, why don't we make the game more . . . interesting?"

When Elliot didn't answer, Nicholas continued, "Why don't we make a bet?"

"A bet?"

"If I win, you'll grant me an audience with your father," Nicholas said without batting an eyelid.

Oh . . . So this is why.

I was embarrassed, thinking that Nicholas approached us because of me. He was obviously here for Elliot for whatever reasons.

"I see . . ." Elliot remained unfazed like these kinds of dealings were happening to him every day. He maintained his warm, carefree smile.

"Alright . . . but . . ." Elliot grabbed my shoulder and shoved me to his side while I was stunned at the sudden closeness. "Zoe is on my team, and if you lose, you'll have to heed one wish of mine."

The way he said my name was like we knew each other and were the best of friends.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Nicholas brows twitched. "Alright. Let's start then," he said before he walked to where the other players were waiting.

I slapped Elliot's hand away from my shoulder. "What are you doing? I didn't say that I'll agree."

Elliot just grinned while rubbing his hand. "Don't you want to get back at your ex-fiancé?"

"I thought you don't know me? You were asking my name a while ago. How did you know I was that jerk's ex?"

"Sorry, I lied . . . Who wouldn't know about the Collin's infamous black sheep? You're very popular, even abroad."

"So you're just pretending. What do you want?" I crossed my arms and switched to my bitchy mode.

"Relax. I don't have any motive in approaching you." Elliot weakly smiled. "I just . . . I wanted to get acquainted with you."

"Why?"

I was too busy setting my guard and ignored his cheeks that were turning red.

"Because . . . I'm interested in you."

. . .

. . .

I should be flattered.

But I'm not.

I couldn't believe he was interested in me. After Nicholas and the incident with Emma and the thing with that boy, I found it difficult to trust people I just met.

"You don't believe me. Your face says it all." Elliot's expression fell, yet he maintained his warm smile. His kind eyes almost made me reach out to console him.

I suddenly felt guilty for making him sad.

. . .

. . .

"Hey! You guys, let's start already!"

The tense, awkward atmosphere broke upon the impatient voice of one of the female players. They already took their position, and I noticed that Nicholas's team have two towering males, including the man himself and a female who competed with their height.

While our side had Elliot as a male and us two girls. Not to mention Elliot and I were of the same short height, the other girl was probably at five foot six inches.

This is completely one-sided!

----

A/N

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