Chapter Fourteen - Alone

At 6 p.m. the next day, I was carrying the shopping bags back to the cottage when I saw a familiar face walking down the beach.

He stopped to take a look at me. "Someone got busy, huh?"

I chuckled. "How are you, Luke?"

"I'm good. What about you?" He gave me a bright smile.

"I'm good too."

"You need help with that?" He pointed to the bags.

I nodded wih a cheeky smile as he took half the bags from my hands.

"So? Where's your husband?"

"Work," I rolled my eyes.

"Are you guys really on a honeymoon?" He raised a brow and I burst out laughing.

"Believe it or not, we are."

I climbed up the steps and unlocked the front door. He followed me inside and kept the bags near the couch.

"Thank you," I said. "Please sit down. I'll get you a drink."

He raised a brow. "Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?" I went to the fridge and pulled out two beers. Quickly removing the cap of both the bottles, I carried them to the hall.

"Are you sure your husband won't mind?" He spoke in a mocking tone and I rolled my eyes.

"He's too busy at work. I'm sure he won't mind me having some company."

He sat on the couch beside mine and grabbed his beer. I took a sip and sighed in comfort.

"How's Leila?" I asked.

"She's great. Infact she was too reluctant to leave you that day and kept asking me when she could see you again."

"Aw. She's such a cutie. Why don't you bring her here?" I straightened my back with interest.

He seemed to be considering the idea. "Here? No. She's going to mess up the entire place."

I let out a laugh, remembering how Jimmy would do the same. "It's fine. I'm used to it."

"Sure you are. What about your husband?" He smirked and I pressed my lips into a thin line, thinking about Alec's reaction when he would come back and find the entire place messed up by a toddler. It would be priceless.

I shook the stupid thought away and looked back at Luke. "Right," I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled. "I don't think she has the time anyway. She and her mom are busy shopping the entire Barbados since we're leaving tomorrow."

My jaw dropped. "You're leaving tomorrow?"

"You sound surprisingly disappointed." He smirked.

"Maybe I am a little," I shrugged and leaned back into the couch. "I mean I'm going to be here in Barbados for another week or something. Alec will be at work most of the time and I've shopped everything I've wanted to. There's nothing else left to do."

He tapped his chin with his forefinger. "Honestly, I would die of boredom."

"Not helping, Williams."

Once again, he seemed to be thinking and his eyes lit up. "How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?" I trailed off.

"Like a friendly dinner obviously," He spoke as if realizing something. "Just like two friends over a dinner but you don't have to come if you don't feel like-"

"No. It's fine," I nodded.

If Alec can go and have dinner with a random girl, I can surely go for dinner with a friend.

"Are you sure?" He raised a brow.

"Ofcourse," I gave him a smile. "Actually. It's nearing half past six already. Let's go."

"Okay," He nodded and we both got up to leave. I was already dressed in good clothes as I had went shopping so I didn't feel the need to change.

We walked across the shore to get to the exit of the hotel. The valet brought his rented car within minutes and Luke got into the driver's side after helping me to the passenger side.

"Chinese or italian?" He asked.

"Italian," My eyes lit up.

He chuckled. "Aye aye captain."

Reaching forward, he turned the radio on and stopped at a station which was playing The Beatles. I clicked my fingers with the beats while enjoying the music.

"So tell me about yourself, Luke," I spoke when he started driving.

"What do you wanna know?"

"The common things," I shrugged. "Like about your family, your home and stuff like that."

"I live in California with my dog, Baxter,"

"Aw," I let out a laugh.

He grinned widely. "Yeah he's family. Too bad I couldn't bring him for vacation. Anyway, the rest of my family lives in Texas."

He told me stories about the time he decided to step into his father's business. He initially wanted to become a singer. His family was supportive of his decision but he dropped the idea when Leila shut her ears the first time he sang to her.

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Families do anything for you, even if they have to lie to your face," He shook his head, which caused me to laugh more.

"But that little devil," He spoke as he turned a corner.

"She's anything but a devil," I spoke.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah right."

He parked the car outside a fancy restaurant, which reminded me of the events of day before yesterday causing me to frown.

But I shook the thoughts away and plastered a smile on my face as we entered the place.

The hostess smiled at us and guided us to an empty booth. After handing us the menus, she left us alone.

We chatted for sometime before placing our orders. Luke was such a funny person. His life stories could make anyone roll on the floor with laughter.

From falling head first in a quicksand to freezing himself to death by hiding in the refrigerator during a game of hide and seek, he was an expert in all the stupid things that could ever exist.

Did I mention that he was an amazing prankster?

He told me stories about the pranks he would play on his teachers and never get caught.

Throughout the dinner, he kept the conversation alive as we enjoyed the amazing ravioli and lasagne along with the wine.

In the end, he ordered a dessert called 'Tiramisu' and I slowly devoured the amazing dish.

We chatted for some more time before finally leaving the restaurant. It was already dark outside and I looked down at my watch. 8:30 p.m.

My eyes grew wide. How did it get so late? I haven't got a single call from Alec, which meant he wasn't back in the cottage yet.

Luke drove back to the hotel and I stepped outside into the cool breeze as the valet approached him to collect the keys.

We started walking to the beach and silently strolled along the shore.

When we reached the cottages, I turned to Luke with a smile. "Thanks for the dinner."

"Thank you for being such an amazing company, Scarlet. We have got to stay in touch."

"Ofcourse. I can't believe I almost forgot about it. Here, add your number," I handed him my phone while he did the same.

I added my number in his phone and we exchanged our cells.

I turned to the sea and enjoyed the cool breeze, pushing my hair back. Luke stood at my side and out of my peripheral vision, I could feel his eyes on me.

I turned to him only to find them lingering across my face. He blinked and his lips broke into a smile as he looked ahead at the sea. "Beautiful," He muttered.

I looked ahead and nodded. After standing in the same spot for a few minutes, he finally cleared his throat and looked at me once more.

"I should get going now."

I pouted. "Really?"

His eyes fell down to my lips but he lifted them up to my eyes within a second.

I shifted my weight from one foot to another as an awkward silence took over.

"Yeah. I should go. Goodbye, Scarlet," He stepped forward and gave me a side hug, warmth radiating off his body.

"Goodbye, Luke," I muttered and watched as he turned around to walk away.

My hand went up to my heart. Why was it beating weirdly?

Shaking my head, I turned around and walked towards the cottage in sight. Climbing the steps, I pulled the key card out to unlock the door but was surprised to find the lights turned on inside. Was Alec back?

I pushed the door open in confusion. Stepping inside, I jumped in surprise to find a figure standing at the window, his back to me as he looked outside at the beach.

Alec was in his casual clothes and I concluded that he came back from work an hour or two ago.

"Alec?" I called out.

He didn't turn around, instead he lifted up a bottle to his lips and threw his head back to swallow the drink.

I stared at him in surprise as he turned around, his posture unsteady, his eyes bloodshot and droopy. Was he drinking?

I stared at the bottle of alcohol in his hands, which was almost empty.

"What is the matter?" I asked, shocked.

His eyes glared at me, almost like he was accusing me of something as he took a few shaky steps forward while I shifted back.

He stopped a foot away from me, his burning gaze making me squirm in my spot.

"Are you okay?" I managed to ask.

"No," He spoke bluntly.

"What happened?"

At this, he let out a deep chuckle and turned around to walk over to the couch.

"Just had a bad day. But who cares?" He shrugged as he lifted the bottle up to his lips.

I didn't know what took over me when I slipped in beside him and pulled the bottle away from his lips. "I care."

My words surprised me.

His gaze met mine as he searched for my eyes.

"Tell me what happened," I spoke in a soft voice. When he didn't speak anything, I lifted my hand up to his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I really do care," His gaze moved from my eyes to my hand and then back at me.

"If you really do care, Scarlet-" He paused to push my hand away and my lips parted in surprise when he yanked the bottle free from my grasp. "-you wouldn't be with him while I was here, alone."

His last word brought back all the emotions I had felt about him being completely alone, which I had previously thought he didn't need. But now, I knew I was wrong. He did need them. He might not need my pity but he did need some company.

Ofcourse, how could I think of him as a machine without feelings?

It's not like he had feelings for me but currently, I was the only person that held some stable position in his life. I was his wife.

I didn't know if he had spent any nights like this in the past, just thinking about how lonely he was but even if he did, who would have known? He would have to wake up as Alec Sinclair the next morning.

I didn't like the idea of me being alone in Barbados for almost a week but the thought of him always being alone ate me alive.

He might not even have thought into this as much as I was thinking. But at this point, I couldn't just help it. I had always wondered if the solitude bothered him, but now I knew that it did.

Alone--The way his lips had mocked that word, the way his expression had fallen when that word left his mouth, the way his eyes had blazed--I knew I wasn't overthinking about this one.

"You even brought him here,"

I lifted my gaze up to his eyes. He was pointing to the beer bottles lying on the table.

I sighed. He's just a friend. I wanted to say but didn't, knowing that it would probably lead into a whole new argument with him.

Though, I didn't owe him any apology for having dinner with a friend, when he himself treated a random girl, I apologized anyway.

"I'm sorry," I muttered softly and he leaned back into the couch, lifting the bottle to his lips once more but I gently pulled it and placed it on the table, away from his reach.

"I might have left you alone but I am here now," I started speaking again and his eyes fell upon my face once more. "You can tell me what happened."

His sharp gaze made my breath got caught in my throat.

"Go to your room, Scarlet," He ordered.

I held my chin high, suddenly bursting with confidence and shook my head.

"I said GO," He snapped. My breath hitched and he tried to reach for the bottle again but I picked it up. Carrying it to the kitchen, I dumped it in the dustbin and came back to the hall, feeling his glare on me.

"There," I snapped. "Now you. Get up and go to bed."

He raised a brow at me. "I don't have to listen to-"

"If I were you, I'd shut up," I glared at him and by the shocked expression on his face, I knew I was winning at this.

I stooped down to put his arm across my shoulders and held his torso firmly.

"What are you doing? I can get up......on my own," His speech was slurred but he still seemed to be quite out of his daze now.

"Okay then. Get up,"

He pushed himself off the couch easily but I kept my hold on him firm as I guided him to his room. His steps were small and shaky and once he was on his bed, I removed his shoes and tucked him into his duvet, all the while feeling his tired gaze on me.

When I finally looked up into his eyes, his eyelids were already dropping and soon, his breathing became steady and I knew he was asleep.

Why do I suddenly pity him with all my heart?

He's just drunk and alone!

Gosh! I shut my eyes for a moment and opened them again, fixing them on his sleeping form.

His brows were furrowed even in his sleep. What exactly is your story? Why don't you have anyone?

"You might be a douchebag, Sinclair but from now on, you're not going to be alone." I muttered under my breath.

I won't let you be.

*****

I heard some shuffling outside and opened my eyes.

The sun was out already and I brought my hands up to cover my eyes. Why do I always forget to draw the blinds at night?

Stepping out of the bed, I groggily walked out of my room.

I reached just in time to find Alec pouring hot coffee from the machine and sitting down on an island stool, his eyes half open and his hair messed up in spikes as he lifted the cup to his lips. Honestly, he looked like a Greek God right then sitting there all annoyed with that sexy frown.

I opened my mouth to start a conversation.

Hey Alec, what exactly happened yesterday?

No.

Why was yesterday a bad day?

No.

Why were you drunk last night?

No way.

"How are you feeling?" I finally asked.

Better.

His eyes opened fully and fell on me. I saw something flash across his eyes, like he remembered last night but he went back to drinking his coffee without answering my question.

I rolled my eyes and took a seat opposite to him.

"I asked how you were-"

"I heard you," He spoke in an irritated tone and kept his eyes closed. "I'm fine."

I nodded, inspite of knowing that he wasn't looking at me.

I cleared my throat. "Wasn't it just yesterday morning when you gave me a lecture over not losing control?"

His eyes opened once again and he set the cup down, on the marbled island, facing me fully.

"I didn't lose any control. I still remember each and everything."

You opened up to me, Alec. Maybe just a bit, but still. That's something he wouldn't do in his senses.

I smirked. "Really?"

He raised a brow at me. "Yes and excuse me now. I need to get ready," He got up from his seat.

"Ready for what?"

"For work, Scarlet," He spoke while walking to his room.

"No wait," I ran ahead of him and blocked his way to his room. "You can't go to work today."

He raised a brow at me. "What?"

"You're hungover."

"I'm not." He tried to walk past me but I side stepped him and blocked his way again.

"How about you look in the mirror once? You can't even open your eyes fully."

"I just need a goddamned shower. Get out of my way."

"No," I crossed my arms over my chest.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping down for a moment and I smiled. Guess I'm winning once more.

Finally, he opened his eyes, his hand reaching for my arm. My jaw dropped when he moved me to the side without any struggle and got into his room, shutting the door after him.

I stared at the closed door with narrowed eyes.

Huffing, I went back to my room and shut the door with force.

After fifteen minutes, Alec stepped out of his room in a white shirt and gray pants, filling the hall with his alluring scent. His hair were dripping wet and he didn't look tired anymore. Guess he was right.

His gray suit was draped over his shoulder, hooked lazily at his finger.

He smirked at me and I realized that I had been staring at him since the past minute or something. I looked away immediately.

"I'm coming with you," I stated.

He stopped in his tracks. "Where?"

"Wherever you are going," I shrugged and he raised a brow at me. "Why?"

"Because I've got nothing to do here," I motioned my finger around the hall.

"What is the point? I have a meeting and you're just gonna end up falling asleep in the waiting room. Sleep in your room instead."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "That was different. I was suffering from jet lag."

"Jet lag?" He chuckled.

I rested my hands on my hips and tapped my foot impatiently.

When he saw that I was adamant, he sighed.

"Fine. But I don't wanna hear any complaints later." He spoke seriously and started walking to the door.

I smirked.

I'll make sure it's not another boring day at Barbados, Sinclair.