"We didn't see any jaguars, Sir. Perhaps the events of the morning were too shocking for her constitution." Nova's head throbbed at their discussion. She stared up at the sheer white sheets hanging from the canopy of the four-poster bed, billowing slightly in the breeze that drifted through the balcony doors.
Since fainting like a damned damsel in distress, Nova had been taken back to the resort without any attacks from the natives and forced to lie on this bed while she 'recovered.'
Arching a brow, she stared at the bodyguard who stood before Chad, looking apologetic. "Are you saying I'm weak because I am a woman?"
Bruce blushed and scratched the back of his head. "I didn't mean anything by it, Miss Winslow." It was Miss Winslow now, huh? "I am concerned about your health, is all."
Chad sighed loudly, wiped his hand down his face roughly, and pressed between his brows, a pressure point to ease headaches. "I don't have time for this," he snapped. "Make sure she has everything she needs."
Blue ice shot at her, locking her in place as she shrank under Chad's disapproving glare. It was so much like his father's but much worse.
Preston Vale was a successful man, a wolf, no, a snake among wolves, poisonous and a little fearful. She'd worked and dealt with Preston professionally and had no qualms with the man. Business was business. But this was his son, this was Chad, someone she'd bared herself to. Right now, under that gaze, she felt something crumble inside of her.
"Chad-"
He'd already turned with a 'tsk' and stormed off, the door slamming shut behind him. Nova's hand lowered, feeling somewhat abandoned and uncared for.
"Give it a few days, Nova." Oh, it was Nova again? "Powerful men like the Vales will always be high-tempered. Don't take it personally. There is a lot on his shoulders right now, and the deaths of those workers must weigh heavily on him."
Oh, Bruce. I'm not quite convinced by that. Nova couldn't say that, though. Bruce had watched Chad grow up and could never see the worst in him. She hoped he was right, but the last glare shot at her by her boyfriend had left her feeling cold and unsure about the relationship.
Did he not care, or was she being a little too needy?
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
One week had passed. In that time, Nova barely saw Chad. He kept sending her away or returning late to their bed, leaving it early. She tried to ease his worries by offering to help.
That was the worst possible thing Nova could have done. He ended up shouting at her in rage, saying she didn't believe in him or the project and that he wasn't capable of doing it by himself.
After that, a tightness formed in her chest as he'd lashed out about his own insecurities. It came from a place where he wanted to prove himself to his father, and anyone in the way would be seen as an obstacle to deal with. That included her.
Nova's presence alone seemed to annoy him. He would sigh and walk in the opposite direction, giving orders for others to take care of her or 'deal with her'.
By the end of the week, Nova had made it a habit to go to the beach first thing for the sunrise. For one, she wouldn't annoy Chad with her presence in bed and hear his grumbling. There was also something very soothing about the sunrise. The golden-red hues encased her in warmth and made her feel more at home.
It was a ridiculous thought, but maybe this island was making her a little on edge; maybe being with Chad was making her a little crazed. Yet, by standing here and watching the sun rise along the horizon, painting the turquoise waters in orange, red and gold, Nova didn't even care about those unseen eyes watching her from afar.
This was paradise, but she'd never felt more alone. Even the threat of the natives gave her more attention from the death glares reflecting back at her from the rainforest than her actual partner.
She did wonder if they had morals about killing women and children or if there was something else holding them back. That couldn't be right, though. They'd made a few other attempts at the resort to injure workers, including a few of the female staff or they created a distraction for the elite squad of militia and damaged the equipment, halting construction.
A warm breeze caressed her cheeks, along with a soft growling sound. It was comforting, and she leaned into it, closing her eyes and sighing. Wait, a growling sound?!
Nova froze and snapped her eyes wide open. Paranoia had her whipping around and staring back at the jungle, searching for a beast, a threat, something! The wind tickled her cheek, dancing through her hair as she stared into the darkness. There was none.
Bruce's large form suddenly appeared from the wooden decking leading from the resort to the white sandy beach she had been walking barefoot on. He was sprinting in her direction, eyes wide, hair dishevelled, in nothing but some shorts, bearing a few tattoos on his chest, holding a gun and scanning his surroundings.
The moment Bruce deemed Nova safe, his panic faded, his run slowing to a jog. Nova's attention snapped back to him, away from possible natives watching her, some beast that seemed to follow her and any other strangeness this island was producing.
"I think I should leave this island," Nova murmured. The sign said it all when she first arrived. Destroying it and burying the bodies did little to calm anyone's nerves.
"Nova! Dammit, woman! You can't leave the resort like that. You could have been-"
"I'm pretty sure Ghost is nearby." She interrupted the bodyguard, pointing her thumb in the direction of one of the men patrolling the area and looking completely out of place. Ghost was doing a poor job remaining invisible, or was that just some cool random nickname they gave him?
Bruce sighed in exasperation and looked to the sky in prayer or searching for some sort of patience. "You're under my protection," he stated, frowning at her. "If anything happened to you-"
"I know. It will be your head or employment status." Nova rolled her eyes.
"I would be sad," Bruce exclaimed, staring at her in disbelief and concern. "Look." He pulled out his smartphone, swiped across a few screens and pressed on an icon before turning the screen over to Nova.
She was staring at Chad's schedule. She didn't have access to this, but obviously, his bodyguard needs to know it.
"He has a moonlit picnic date scheduled for you two tonight. A romantic dinner by that lake." He tapped the side of the screen, watching Nova. "He does care."
"Bruce…" Nova trailed off, feeling the weight of his words on her and guilt twisting her heart, especially with that wide-eyed expression locked on her.
Bruce might be some badass ex-special forces, a man with balls of steel. It's not that she wanted to picture said balls, but he was a sweetheart with good intentions. He saw the best in people.
That included the infamous Chad Vale. The man Nova was really starting to question her relationship about.
The idea of going on a date with him now without discussing the recurring problems that had transpired in less than a week caused her to shift on her feet uncomfortably. Chad hadn't mentioned anything to her, and finding out about this date from his bodyguard was embarrassing.
Chad was acting like how his father treats his wife—dates and holidays booked through his assistant. Preston Vale wasn't aware of most of these dates and appointments until the day before. He was that busy. But that man would cancel on Chad's mother more times than going on the dates because 'time was money.'
Nova shook her head. Is that where this was heading? Empty promises and last-minute cancelled dates due to work?
With a sigh, she stared back at the ocean, twinkling back at her with the morning rays.
"Fine," Nova murmured, agreeing to a date that Chad Vale hadn't even told her about and didn't until they sat down for breakfast awkwardly after spending most days apart.
"Wear something nice." That was all he said before being called away.