[22]: the beach

________________________ 22 the beach "They say it's a perfect combo that takes your breath away, but you think otherwise yet here you are anyway." ________________________ Turns out his will wasn't as strong as it used to be. He's not exactly sure what happened, but the next thing he knew, he was already standing on the beach with boxes full of pastries on his hand, looking at all the people that are enjoying their time in this crowded place along with a scowl that is somehow permanently plastered on his face. The moment Aurora looked at him with that look in her eye that she always used to get what she wanted, he knew right then and there that he was f****d. As much as he resisted, seeing her cute and adorable face was enough to waver him from his self-proclaimed "strong will"—Edward gloated about the whole thing, of course, not to mention that Aurora kept looking at him with a smug look on her face. "Stupid." He muttered as he clutched the boxes tighter to him. "Damn those eyes." As he continued complaining about everything under his breath, paying no particular heed to his surroundings, he thought about all the possible ways he could make his cousin and former lover pay for what they did. Retaliations may have been one of his strongest suits, but right now, he couldn’t really concentrate on his thoughts that much. With the heat of the sun glaring down on him like punishment for all the invectives he directed towards it, along with the noise ringing in his ears like an aggravating broken record and the messy seascape that greeted his vision, he was convinced that this day just turned out for the worst. How could he let this happen to himself so early in the morning, when he could have avoided all of these by being his usual acerbic and contemptuous self? Right--it was those damned sea-blue eyes that had unraveled him from inside out, making him feel like he would have done such a ghastly and reprehensible thing should he refuse to heed the suggestion that came rolling out of that sharp-edged tongue of hers. How she could ever be capable of doing a feat like the aforementioned is beyond his rationality, but he’s adamant on making sure that his intransigent proclivity would be brought to light the next time around.  As he continued immersing himself in his train of thoughts, a group of women a few feet away from him eyed him with a giggle, their gaze fixated on him and his form, his aristocratic face instantly capturing their attention. The way their eyes raked over him was still oblivious to Alexander, but definitely not to Edward and Aurora. The pair held the boxes they had in their arms closer to them as they stood beside each other and individually assessed what's happening in front of them--Edward with unadulterated amusement and Aurora with narrowed eyes and lips curling in a slight snarl but masked it with faux disgust immediately. "I say in the next five minutes, he still won't be able to notice the way those girls over there are eyeing him up." Edward said, his lips lifting up in a mirthful smirk. Aurora rolled her eyes, willing herself to make sure that the condescension and umbrage would be masked by her carefully honed dispassionate tone of voice. "And I say he will, but he would most likely just stare at them with a blank look on his face before being his snob self." "Alright, I'll give you that." He replied with a laugh. "Willing to bet five bucks on that?" Usually, when it's Edward who wants to have a bet with her, her answer would be a big fat no. Why? Because the guy is as cunning as his cousin is--it’s as simple as that. Having dealt with the guy all her life, she knows very well how absolutely inexorable he is when it comes to things that he wants to go his way. The way he’s well-versed in astute and guileful demeanors and how he very accurately resembles Alexander when he does that is what makes Aurora is strikingly wary of the words and actions that he offers to her. But seeing as now that the subject of their bet is someone who is ridiculously unpredictable and someone he can't influence, taking that bet would end up with her having a fair chance of winning. So as a result, she stuck her hand out for him to shake and said, "You're on." Edward chuckled, shaking her hand in the process to signify that a deal has just been made. "You know that you're going to lose, right?" "I wouldn't be too sure of that." She replied smugly as she clutched the boxes tighter in her hands to prevent it from falling down—and wasting all the good pastries Sally baked before they left yesterday. As a form of reply, Edward only shook his head before settling his gaze back to his cousin, who is still pretty much oblivious to the looks he was getting. How he could not have even felt that someone is looking at him, he has no absolute idea. His cousin's senses may have dulled a bit, but he's pretty sure his cousin is also not that dumb to not notice either—the girls eyeing him up doesn't even know how to be subtle to begin with. So with that, Edward was able to conclude that his cousin's lack of notice only comes down to two things: either he's that pissed about coming to the beach or his own attention is lying elsewhere (namely Aurora). And judging by the look that is currently plastered on Alexander's face, he's guessing that his conclusion is accurate enough. A sigh escaped Alexander's lips. "Why do those two even like the beach? It's scorching hot out here. Not to mention that the amount of people gathered here is just ridiculous." He mumbled as he walked about, leading him closer to the group of girls whose gazes are still fixated on him. He just stood there, a bored look plastered on his face, his hands still clutching the box tightly. Craning his head, he tried looking for the two people he came to the beach with. He's pretty sure that those two did this on purpose—leaving him alone to make him suffer more than he already has. Sometimes, he really finds it a pain in the ass how someone who knows him that well could and would use those information they got against him. And with the way those two are culpable to be mercilessly cunning, he wouldn't be surprised that that's actually what's happening right now--nor will he ever be surprised. Then suddenly, a brunette with a bikini clad body whose hair is up in a bun, sunglasses covering her eyes, and a slow, but sure smile on her lips stood in front of him. He's not exactly sure when she got there but judging by how her face still has a pleasant look plastered on her face, he's guessing it wasn't that long. "Hi!" She greeted, a bright smile appearing on her face. "You seem to be lost. Can I help you with anything?" Alexander's eyes raked her up and down. She's not exactly that bad, it also helps that she has a great body, but he's just not interested. If it were some other time, maybe, just maybe, he would have given her a piece of his time. However, the chances of that happening is still slim to none. Besides, he isn’t the friendliest person there is, so he really couldn’t be bothered with human interactions that require more attention and conversation than he’s capable of. That still doesn’t change the fact though that he could appreciate a beauty when it’s handed to him on a silver platter. But right now, he's too irritable; too annoyed to even acknowledge her presence. He already knows what are the possible factors affecting his mood and knowing just what it is only made him feel more miffed.  The woman’s eyes shimmered in vague friendliness. “Well?” Another sigh escaped Alexander’s lips. "No." Came his short reply, before redirecting his attention elsewhere. Just where the hell are those two idiots he’s with? They really couldn’t be bothered to deal with him, could they? "Oh. Well, you know, you would definitely be more handsome if you smile. How about you flash me that smile of yours?" She looked at him with a glint in her eyes. With how preoccupied Alexander is with his thoughts, he hadn’t really noticed that the two people he had been searching for for the longest time were just following closely behind him, albeit some distance was still maintained. Both Edward and Aurora knew that if they were to let the contentious and indifferent man be cognizant of their presence, he would only be more vexed and he would no doubt bite their off about dragging him to the one place he absolutely couldn’t stand. That comment of hers made Alexander sette his gaze back to her. "Who are you for me to give you a smile?" The blankness in his voice and the way he said it in a nonchalant way silenced the girl in her place. Edward absolutely couldn't believe his ears. He knows that his cousin is rude but damn--that was really some Grade A asshole-ic and callous response. He let out a chuckle that Aurora partnered with a smirk of her own. "This is exactly the reason why basically all the girls in his school at Columbia are scared of him even when almost all of them find him undeniably attractive." He stated with a laugh. "Isn't any different from our school here, really." Aurora replied, the smirk still intact. The girl stared at Alexander with unmasked shock and surprise, her eyes blinking repeatedly to try and take in the words that came out of his mouth. It took a moment for her to gather her wits, but quickly masked it with a conflicted smile on her face. "Well, they say that smiles make the world go round." "It's money that makes the world go round, actually." He said, completely disinterested in the girl’s way of making the conversation flowing. All he really wanted to do was for her to stop talking and leave him alone so he could finally continue his search for his two companions--who would be absolutely socked when he sees them again. Her smile slowly slipped off her face. "But it could also be smiles." "No, not really. Not all people are worthy of being given smiles." "Well," Edward started as he kept his eyes trained on the scene unfolding right before his very eyes. "that's one way of scaring off a girl." As Aurora laughed and kept her gaze on the slowly retreating girl, she couldn't help but think of reasons why girls wouldn't be scared of Alexander. But then again, they wouldn't really know. He's as closed-off as a vault, only being able to open him up when you know the key to his ice-cold heart. Not to mention that behind that tightly secured vault is a very sweet and compassionate guy that would make sure you’re being taken-cared of extremely well.  The grin on her face remained, even after Edward looked at her and said, "Looks like it's a tie after all. He didn't notice the girls and he was being his usual rude self." "Too bad. I was looking forward to the five dollars I was about to receive. It's just a shame that Alexander is ridiculously predictable." She replied as she resumed her walk to try and find some people who were willing to buy some of their pastries, as well as to put an end to the secret spying her and Edward did on his clueless cousin. “Well, to us that is.” Edward followed closely behind her, chuckling as he did. "Oh I know. It's getting boring." He suddenly felt a smack on the back of his head and a bit of pain going along with it, making him yelp in his place and Aurora to look at him with a questioning gaze. Turning around to call out whoever did that, he stopped his words though as soon as he saw that it was only Alexander, a scowl plastered on his face and a burning fury glimmering in his cool silver orbs. A grin slowly made its way onto his face. "Oh Alex. It's you. How was your talk with the pretty lady?" Alexander's scowl never let up. He transferred his gaze to Aurora and Edward back and forth before giving them a glare. "The both of you are going to pay for bringing me to this wretched place." He looked at Aurora. "And don't forget that you're still my personal assistant." Walking closer to her, he stacked the boxes he was carrying on top of hers, emanating a squeak of surprise from her. "There, you carry my share and sell them for me." Aurora’s jaw dropped. “What? Carry them yourself, dumbass. You have hands for a reason and it’s meant to be used.” He really wasn’t in the mood to have another banter with her right under the heat of the scorching sun. If he did, he’s absolutely positive that he would end up combusting and castigating the two people who are within earshot. He’s had enough of this ridiculous show and people irritating him from left to right didn’t help in appeasing matters at all. “Well those hands are only useful when you don’t have a personal assistant. Lucky for me, I have you fulfilling such a role in my life.” He replied, keeping his glare locked on hers. “And you’re abusing your power.” She told him, cringing on the inside of how totally lame her response was. She’s sure that Alexander wouldn’t let that little thing escape his attention, but in her defense, the fury and rage bubbling inside of her made her blind with it that she couldn’t see the whole picture. In short, she was being truly lackadaisical--and in front of her enemy/friend/former lover no less. Aurora really could have gone by without the usual slip-ups that she manages to bring herself into. Edward let out a laugh. “And you’re surprised? Come on, Aur. The guy was abusing his power right from the very start.” “Well, he’s adamant on making me suffer, after all.” The sly grin that made its way onto Edward’s lips was unnoticed by the former lovers squaring each other off in a glaring contest. He really has no idea how Aurora could not see it as clearly as she could before, but he guesses that she’s just refusing to see whatever it is that she sees behind Alexander’s impossible and pompous actions. He can’t exactly blame her for doing that, but if she just opened her eyes a bit wider, then she would see that the whole situation is wholly in her favor. He could tell her about it, but where’s the fun in that? And so, in response to her words, he said, “Well, not exactly making you suffer.” Aurora’s bright blue eyes turned to him with confusion shining in those mesmerizing orbs of hers. “Maybe he just wants to spend time with you as much as he could?” The murderous glare that he received from his cousin after that did little to deter him from his slight intervention. Alexander has never bothered him even when they were still children, so he wasn’t at all intimidated by his actions right now. If anything, it only managed to amuse him more than he already is. “What the f**k are you on about?” Alexander asked him vehemently, the venom in his words not lost on him at all. “Just that you’re doing all of these to be closer to Aurora.” He sent his cousin a teasing smile, to which he only replied with a hardened glare. “Or was I wrong about that little detail?” “Do you even need to ask such a ridiculous question? Of course you were wrong.” Edward hummed a happy tune as he responded in a sing-song voice, “Not what you told me last night.” Curiosity bloomed in Aurora’s chest as she took in the ongoing conversation between the two cousins. She has absolutely no idea what the hell they’re talking about, but it does seem interesting--especially since it involves teasing the living daylights out of the most stoic and aloof man she knows. Finding joy in that shouldn’t be what she should feel, but the overflowing and overpowering feeling of amusement is what had been brought to light inside of her, that she could do so little to stop it from growing even further. “What did he say last night?” Aurora asked as she settled her gaze on Edward, who was looking at her with the same amused expression he gave his cousin. “Well, just something about--” “Utter another word, and I’ll smother you in your sleep.” Intervened a seething Alexander, his eyesight seeing nothing but red at the moment. As much as he enjoys having his cousin around, it still doesn’t change the fact that he can be the most overbearing and overtly annoying bastard he has had the displeasure of knowing. He’s sure Edward can say the same thing to him as well, but it’s not like he cares anyway. Instead of feeling threatened by Alexander’s words, it only seemed to have an opposite effect on the laughing Edward. “Why would you not want me to utter another word? What you said last night was totally interesting; inspiring even.” Aurora raised an eyebrow at Edward, the boxes weighing on her arms seemingly forgotten for a moment. “What did Alex say?” Edward gazed down at the woman staring up at him with curious eyes, grinning when he felt Alexander’s stare starting to burn a hole through his skull. “If you must know, Alex mentioned some things last night about--” “I swear to God Ed, I’ll cut your f*****g tongue off if you don’t shut up right now.” The growl that escaped Alexander’s lips right after he said those words left the guy in question laughing even more in his place. “I’m not kidding, you moron.” “I know you aren’t.” Edward said. “It just amuses me how you’re trying your absolute best to shield both yourself and her from the things you told me when we had that certain conversation last night.” Then a more serious expression appeared on his face, which took not only Alexander by surprise, but Aurora as well. “It would really do you some good to have a talk, you know?” At that Aurora let out a scoff. “There’s really nothing to--” “Talk about?” Edward chorused, effectively making her quiet in her place and finishing the words that came out of her mouth. “Your time is limited. I don’t think I need to remind you of that, don’t I?” Despite knowing that Edward’s words held some undeniable truth that Alexander would never be able to shake off, he still refuses to heed his cousin’s words. Although it’s been a long time, he still just isn’t ready to have that talk both her and Aurora knows they need to have. He’s pretty sure that Aurora feels the same way as him, which isn’t all that surprising to him. It’s absolutely a miracle that he could even remotely allow himself to bare all those thoughts to Edward last night, and that was majorly because they had a drink before dozing off. Still, the way Edward is persistently trying to get him and Aurora on each other’s good sides is really starting to get annoying. “We’ll talk when we want to, which I doubt is happening any time soon.” Alexander then turned his attention to a gobsmacked looking Aurora. “And you. Make sure you don’t drop those boxes.” That definitely made Aurora snap out of whatever trance she was entrapped in. With a scowl etched on her lips, she glared at Alexander with the harshest glare she could muster and told him, “Maybe if you help me with these then I wouldn’t have any problem dropping these piling boxes.” An emotionless laughter erupted from his lips as he stared down at her with a condescending look burning brightly in his eyes. “I gave that to you for a reason as well. Now sell that to your heart’s content and those boxes better be empty by the time you return.” Aurora didn’t know that she could feel more surprised than she already did. It honestly appalled her how much one guy could possibly make her feel an ever growing emotion, but she figured that she could do so little to prevent that from happening. “Well aren’t you a demanding little piece of--” “This was your idea, was it not? Now reap what you sow. Sell them and make sure you do a good job.” And with those words, he trudged away from his two companions, no doubt making his way back to the bakery to try and make the place his short-time solace. Aurora gazed after him with a snarl, her mind cursing him again and again with all the colorful words she could possibly think of. "Stupid Alex." Edward gazed at the both of them for a long while, before he ended up laughing loudly and grinning happily. “Were you honestly expecting any less?” He told her. “He has always been an asshole.” “I know.” Aurora’s scowl deepened. If there was one person she would gladly strangle with all her might, it would most definitely be the guy who just walked away from them and left everything to her like the bastard that he is. She wouldn’t even think twice about doing it. Doing that would be one less annoying thorn in her life that she would be happy to get rid of and would be more than happy to ensure that it stays that way. Edward chuckled, clutching his boxes closer to his chest. “Just let him be. You know how he is, right? He has always been irritable whenever he goes to the beach and that still hasn’t changed even the last time you saw him.” “I can tell.” She replied dryly, her gaze still trained on the now empty space that Alexander once occupied. “Once an asshole, always an asshole, I guess.” Her comment elicited yet another laugh from the other Giovanni. “Not really, but I suppose Alex is a special case. It seems like it’s already embedded so deep inside him that it can never be taken out no matter the methods used.” Aurora growled as her feelings of disdain for the one and only Alexander Giovanni heightened. “I have always hated that about him.” “Really? It sure doesn’t seem like it at all.” Edward gave the scowling girl a teasing grin, completely disregarding the fact that he could end up being on the woman's list of people to bring down. Well, he's pretty sure he's already included in that list of hers, but he doesn't really need to go up the ladder more than he already has. Without even looking at the said list, Edward is positive that his current rank is just slightly below his callous and indifferent cousin.  Aurora glared at the grinning Edward. “Your opinion on that is completely invalid.” Edward laughed again. "Well, at least we know that Alex's rude self never gets old." "That's because it would kill him to be kind to another person." She looked at him, the displeasure he feels for her companion’s cousin clearly palpable in her face. "He's allergic to that, you know." "Oh God, you're the best." He laughed before he quickly stacked his own boxes on top of hers and Alex's too. "Do my share for me too, yeah? Thanks Aur! You're definitely the best." "What?" She screeched. "Edward, come back here, you imbecile! Where the hell are you going?" "Enjoying the beach! Isn't it obvious?" He hollered back, not once turning around to look at her growing red face. A scream of frustration escaped her lips. "Stupid cousins." And that was how she ended up carrying five full boxes of pastry and trying to sell them, all the while resenting Edward for him swimming away at sea, cursing Alexander for his hatred for the beach and her for being so gullible to Edward's twisted words.