Playlist - hate u love u by Olivia O'Brien

Luna

Over the next few hours, while the anxiety of the weekend steadily built to unbearable heights in my chest, I watched the beautiful landscape of Cabo San Lucas.

I've never been to Mexico before, so I was a little unsure of Cabo, but watching it with my own eyes, it looked absolutely beautiful. The beautiful sunny breeze hitting my nose and the warmth made it look stunning.

The beautiful beaches blew past my peripheral vision, reminding me of the time I spent with my mother. Since moving in with my aunt, I've never felt the need to visit a beach, and now here I am. In the beach city of Mexico with someone I'm growing to like.

Eventually, the middle-class cottages disappeared and huge mansions and resorts started lining the coast. It was the type of resort I had seen in magazines and instagram. My eyes widened at the absolute beauty of the city.

Rolling down the window, I deeply inhaled the salty air of the ocean as Ares pulled the rental car up to a winding, gated driveway.

“Is this your friend’ villa?” I couldn’t believe my eyes as I took in the enormous villa. “She’s absolutely loaded,” I huffed, a little jealous pang hit my veins. I didn't like kids my age who danced on their family’ hard earned money.

Ares chuckled at me. “Is that envy I hear?” He mocked me. “To be clear, it's not Maria’ place it's mine.”

“And you are renting out this place to her,” I said. “To let her have some sort bon voyage party for herself.” Unbelievable. He's was just too extravagant.

To my surprise, he confirmed my notion. “Actually, I am.” He then spoke with someone over an intercom before the ornate metal gates slowly swung open, allowing the rental passat onto the beautiful property. “She thought it would be reasonable to rent my property instead of booking hotel rooms.”

Sometimes I forgot his dad was a real-estate mogul not some ordinary person. It was natural for him to have a property on every piece of the earth surface.

Beyond the gates, a sweeping lawn holding lush specimen trees lined the flagstone drive. A garden highlighted the front of the home with flowers of every imaginable color. I was in awe of it.

“Ares.” My voice melting from the beauty in front of me. “This is all so beautiful.” My eyes was pleased with the content in front of me. The mahogany entry door caught my gaze, they looked familiar to me. I just couldn't place them in my mind.

I have seen them. I thought to myself.

The side of Ares’s lips raised upwards. “You like those?” His husky voice uttered out the words so smoothly, it was like soft butter. “Someday I'll take you to my place in Wales.” Wales? “It's my home country, you know,” he added clearing up my unasked question.

“But your name is Torrance.” That was enough to make him American enough. How can Britain be his home country?

His eyes snapped to mine. “And?”

I shouldn’t ask him more, but curiosity in me reared it's head. “I assumed your hometown was Chicago,” I said. “Your family have resided in Chicago since more than a century.”

His eyebrows arched. “Uh-uh.” His tone held sass. “Did your research? I see.” He gave me an impish look. “I think you're obsessed with me.” I did not like sass.

I gave him a fake smile. “Slow down your horse, Torrance," I said. “You should be aware of the fact that your family is no ordinary one. You guys are moguls and I assure everyone in Chicago knows a great amount of deal about them.”

“Oh, defensive, I see.” He gave me a dimpled grin and it made me want to reach out and touch his beautiful dimple.

In the distance, a path from behind the home led to the serene ocean. The water lapping against the sand and the twinkling sun shimmering off of it brought a sense of peace—if only for the barest second.

We pulled up at the roundabout and the staff was there, waiting for us. Oh, an entire family.

With our bags already at their side, one of the member of the staff, an elderly man smoothly opened the door, and  I stepped out. Ares’s door was opened by, I assumed was this man's wife. They all smiled brightly at us and our bags were taken inside the villa.

Ares stretched his neck from side to side, clearly tried from travelling. “Sir Ares, it is so good to see you.” The man had a heavy accented voice.

“It’s good to see you as well.” Although his answer should've sounded polite, but it came out all cold. The couple were dotting on Ares and he just rudely brushed them off.

“Is everything ready?” Ares interjected to whatever the couple had to say and moved inside the doors. “C'mon, Luna.” He extended his hand to me and although I was pissed at him for not answering my question and behaving rudely with the staff, I still took his hand and we both walked in with the couple following us.

If the exterior blew my breath away, the inside of the house was just phenomenal. Looking up to the home, I felt awestruck. Albeit astonishing in every way possible, I wondered if all of Torrance’ property were extravagant like this. I had seen the outside gate of their home mansion and it's intimidating size, never the inside, but it was very elegant, very English. This was just straight up fancy.

“Papa, papa.” A girl came running to the man, who's name I still don't know. “Elmida has a chicken in her arms.” She pointed at her sister who was walking with Ash.

Oh, shit! I completely forgot about Ash.

“Ash,” I went towards that girl and took him in my hands. “Shoot, I forgot about him.” I nervous chuckled at my carelessness.

“Beautiful cat.” The girl who must be my age, caressed Ash’ ears.

“Thank you…”

“Karla.” She got my hint and told me her name. I was about to thank her and ask her whether she was an animal lover, Ares’s voice yelled out my name.

“Luna.” I startled at the tone of his voice. I looked back at him, only to find him impatient, staring at me. “I don't want to grow old, come along fast.” Okay, what happened to the soft Ares and who is this stranger?

I was offended at the way he was talking to me, but I didn’t want to bring out an even terrifying Ares in front of these poor guys.

“C'mon, baby." He placed his arms on my shoulder and I wanted to shrug it off me so badly. “Is my room ready, Julio?”

Gulping in, the man answered. “Yes, sir Ares, everything is in place for you and your friend.”

“Good.”

“-wait,” I stopped him from walking any further. “I'm not going to stay in the same room as you.”  

His lips twisted, and he stopped himself before saying anything. “Alright.” He withdrew his arms from me. “Give her the room adjacent to mine.” Julio nodded at his words.
“Till then, get freshen up in my room.”  His amazing green eyes swung back to me.  “Gina.” He pointed at the kind lady. “Will show you my room. Relax over there till your room gets ready.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I'll wait here.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but acted against it. “Whatever. I have some business to take care, I'll see you later.” He then walked-no, stormed out of the stunning living room, disappearing from my eyesight.

“Miss..?” Gina tapped my shoulder. “I'll get everything ready in 15 minutes. It won't be long.” I nodded and admired the interior of the house.

I found the home to be shockingly warm and welcoming. At first sight, standing in the two-story foyer with a cascade of staircases on either side, my eyes took in the breathtaking view of the ocean. Sunlight spilled in effortlessly through floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the back end of the home.

A doublesided stone fireplace was the center of attention in the living room. Gleaming, dark cherry hardwood floors led into a gourmet eat-in kitchen that dripped with black granite in every direction. Deep earthy tones scattered throughout a library, billiard room, and dining room.

I don't know how long I just stood and admired the interior, but when Gina called out for me, I knew it took a while. Feeling almost breathless by my surroundings, I nodded at her words and followed her up to the staircase and in my room.

The upstairs was no less amazing. The same flow of furnishings with warm accents and hues was sprinkled throughout the upper level. I felt like I was in a spa when I walked into the bathroom connected to my room. European fixtures and a marble shower encased in floor-to-ceiling glass made me want to skip the beach all together and opt for the hot steam instead.

This alone outdoes the entire furnishing of my house, I thought.

Everything was so elegant about this place. I don't see how I can fit in this place or with these people. For one moment, I think Ares is not shallow like them and maybe someday we can actually, date or something, but then he acts like an ass, and breaks my illusion.

I was very exhausted with the travelling, so I decided to lie down for a few moments. The next time when I opened my eyes, it was twilight. I yawned and stretched in bed, gazing over the twilight sky.

Others must have arrived by now, I thought. No one woke me up from my nap, so I assumed they must be enjoying themselves at the beach.

I changed from my morning clothes and slipped into a short beige dress and the house slippers which were in my room, and went to the living room.

I hope nothing dramatic happens here with me.