Before I went to sleep, I tried to reach Alejandro and after several attempts, I managed to get through his line. “Where are you?” I had to shout so he could hear me because his background was noisy and it seemed he’s in a bar or something similar.

“Partying with friends, are you having a good time with him?” Alejandro asked in a tone that infuriated me.

I gripped my phone tightly because I feared that I may throw it on the wall. Omar’s relative was just like him, so arrogant and full of himself too! “Hey, I told you I’m not a hooker!” I shouted at him.

“Did I mention anything about it? You’re being defensive, why?” He inquired.

“Mind your own business. So, what time are you coming to the island tomorrow? You know, I need to go home.” I let out a deep sigh because I didn’t know how I should explain it to him in ways that he wouldn’t misunderstand me. I waited for his response but Alejandro became silent for a moment and I wondered if he passed out. “Hello, are you still there? Are you okay?” His silence made me worry because he’s the only person who could take me away from Isla Blanca.

“I’ll come and get you in an hour,” he said, and he caught me by surprise.

“Are you serious?” I needed him to confirm or if he’s only kidding.

“Yes. Get ready and I will be there in an hour,” Alejandro said and ended the call immediately.

Five minutes have passed since I talked with Alejandro but I was still confused at his announcement. He wasn’t obliged to sail at night to get me and he could just do it in the morning! As a woman who’s single for a long time, my heart fluttered at Alejandro’s words because it was unexpected.

I giggled at the thought that Alejandro could be interested in me as a woman. For the nth time, I let out a deep breath to calm my heart and made a mental note that I should start dating by the time I’d be back at the mainland.

Nevertheless, I got my things ready and spent the remaining time checking myself in the mirror. Inwardly, I blamed Omar for the trauma and humiliation in the past. His betrayal caused more damage to me because I couldn’t bring myself to date another person without overthinking that I would get hurt again. The fear of being betrayed again stopped me from taking a risk on another person and to date countless gorgeous men.

I was about to inform Omar that Alejandro’s coming to get me when he knocked on the door. I tied my hair into a ponytail and double-checked my appearance before I went to see him.

“Aren’t you ready to sleep? Why do you still have your lipstick?” Omar asked as soon he noticed that I have my lipstick on.

“Alejandro’s coming to get me now,” I informed him and Omar’s eyebrows met on the center of his wide forehead, then he glared at me as if I said something wrong.

“He said what?” He refused to believe that Alejandro’s going to make an effort to sail at night just to fetch me from the island. “Did Alejandro mentioned that he’s into you?” He added.

“Nope, but if that’s the case, I will be grateful,” I told him.

“He’s not a good person, Anna.” Omar badmouthed Alejandro in front of me as if his words of discouragement would change my mind from leaving the island.

“Everyone is bad in someone else’s story,” I replied. I checked my wristwatch and I only had ten minutes left before Alejandro’s arrival. “I should get going now and thank you for accommodating me,” I smiled at him before I retrieved my things but he followed me inside and locked the door behind him. “What is it?” I asked.

“You can’t be serious about leaving now,” he reiterated the fact that Alejandro couldn’t be trusted.

For the nth time, I told him to mind his own business, and Omar got angry. He grabbed my wrist and yelled at me. “You’re hurting me!” I told him.

“Alejandro’s just going to play with your heart and used you for his convenience. Are you still going to meet him?” He yelled at me before he let go of my wrist and I scowled at him.

“Yes, I am!” I shouted back to make him understand the significance of Alejandro’s presence. He looked down on the floor and for a minute I thought that he would just leave me alone but he didn’t!

“Fine, then I’m coming with you.” He announced before he stormed outside.

I was stunned by his sudden declaration of going back to the mainland because I learned from his secretary that Omar has no intention of returning to the office for some time.

For the last time, I checked myself in the mirror and I sprayed a little perfume before I went outside and my eyes enlarged when I saw him lounging outside the room. “Are you crazy?” I was aghast by Omar’s presence and the thought that he waited for me.

“I’m crazy about you,” he replied, and I rolled my eyes at him. I walked passed by him but he continued to follow me.

On the boardwalk, he walked by my side, and he offered to carry my bag. Of course, I refused to let him do anything in my favor. My job was done, and I had no intention to reconcile with him.

Alejandro waited at the boardwalk and his expression darkened upon seeing my companion. He scowled at Omar, and then he glared at me. “You must be close to him since he walked with you up to here,” Alejandro mentioned.

“No, but he insisted on going to the mainland when I let him know that you’re coming here,” I replied and Alejandro nodded. “By the way, you should be careful with your attitude, or I may include it in the article that you’re not in good terms with your brother,” I warned Alejandro, and he just smiled. “But of course, I will appreciate it if you won’t let him in the boat,” I whispered into his ear, and he laughed. The sound of Alejandro’s laughter was drowned in the waves but Omar caught it and glowered at us.

“I like you, I mean, I like your grit,” Alejandro said.

I shrugged off my shoulder and replied, “I don’t mind having a hunk friend,” and winked at him.

Inside Alejandro’s magnificent boat, Omar was out of place as I preferred to chat with Alejandro. The younger Alvarez has a good sense of humor and I loved his corny jokes. Omar tried to separate me from Alejandro but the man refused to let Omar have his way with me.

“I don’t know what happened between you and him, but it seemed that you’ve known each other for a long time,” Alejandro voiced out his observation while we were on the deck.

I just smiled and didn’t comment on his statement. “You’re not fond of your big brother, either,” I told him instead.

“Sometimes, but we’re good,” Alejandro answered. “Would you like to have a beer?” He asked and when I nodded, he excused himself to fetch the drink.

Omar strutted as he announced his presence. “Finally, you’re alone.”

“And?” I asked him if that would make things different.

“Did he tell you that we once shared a woman?” He asked, and his question awakened the lioness in me.

I scowled at him for asking such a ridiculous question. “Are you jealous that I spend more time with him than you? Why are you such a dick?” I yelled at him.

“Yes, I’m jealous Anna. You used to be mine, but Alejandro’s doing everything to steal you away from me!” He responded with so much passion in his voice, and if I wasn’t mad at him, my heart would surely felt the butterflies.

“I had no idea that you’re insecure to your brother,” I pointed out the obvious and he glared. “You always glared at me, don’t your eyes hurt for doing so all the time?” I jested, but Omar wasn’t able to get back at me because Alejandro’s coming.

Alejandro ignored his brother and gave me a bottle of ice-cold beer. “Cheers,” he said after opening the bottle for me.

“Cheers,” I replied.

“Hmmm bro, if you want some beers, just go and get some. There’s a lot in the fridge,” Alejandro ordered Omar to get his beer and I thought he wouldn’t leave.

“Are you free on the weekend?” Alejandro asked me when Omar left to get his beer.

“No, I’m expensive.” I smiled upon seeing his shocked reaction. I was only jesting and he took it seriously.

When Alejandro realized that I was kidding, he chuckled and touched my head casually. However, Omar came at the time Alejandro’s hands were on my head and jumped to my rescue. As if I needed some rescuing from a hunk who made me smile while sailing on his yacht. While Alejandro and Omar were on each other’s throat, I managed to distance myself and ignored them.

When the yacht docked at Marina, I thanked Alejandro for the ride and didn’t wait for anyone of them to help me down. Both men were a pain in the ass, and I didn’t want to involve myself with them any longer.