Chapter 2

Vincent POV

This is why I hate traveling on a commercial flight. But I can't do anything about it, Andrew won't let me. He even paid for my ticket. Yeah! As if I can't pay for it.

We just arrived here in California and waiting for our bags to come out. Women's eyes are glued on me and I can't help but roll my eyes at them. It's like they see a food and craving for it. I shook my head and tried to ignore does glaring eyes.

I looked at my best friend; Andrew who made sure that I'd come with him and he smiled at me.

Why did I come with him? That's because he had a deal with me. Australian businessmen, almost everyone wanted him to be the face of their products but he's just too lazy to do any photo shoots. If it's not for their band's album, he won't do such a thing.

He made a very interesting deal that even I, Vincent Nicholas Johnson can't resist. He is willing to be our products' face.

What's his reason for inviting me and for making a deal with me? That's because he wanted me to come along with him and see California differently. In a more interesting way. That's how he says it.

"Hey!" Andrew said, slapping my back.

"What?" I asked.

"PMS-ing?" He asked, giving me a smirk. "You're so grumpy." He added as he shook his head.

"This is why I hate traveling on a commercial flight, even in a business class," I said to him as I stamped my feet on the floor and waited for my bags to arrive.

"Welcome to California, Vincent." Zoey, Andrew's little sister, told me. She has brown hair and brown eyes as well. She's also Zoehy, my little sister's friend. They're at the same university and I think they're very close because sometimes Zoey would sleep in our house and Zoehy does the same.

"Yeah," I replied to her.

"You'll be having fun here. We promise." She said to me as she raised her hand and put it on her heart part.

"Sure." The only thing I said.

"Come on children, your Grandfather is already outside." John, Andrew and Zoey's father told us.

We got our luggage and went outside the airport to be greeted by the heat of the sun.

I brought out my sunglasses and wore it.

"There they are," Carmen said. She's John's wife and Andrew and Zoey's mother of course. She is the same age as my own mother so; she treats me like her own son. Both of them, it's like I'm their eldest son.

"Your father didn't age at all," Carmen said to her husband who just kissed his wife on the temple.

We walk towards Mr. Smith and he smiles at his grandchild and looks at me. He gave me a nod. Being the family that they are, they hug because they haven't seen each other for two long years.

"You look handsome, Andrew." Mr. Smith said.

"Of course, GF," Andrew replied to his Grandfather. "It runs in our blood." He added and that earned a huge smile from him.

"And you, little princess." Mr. Smith said. "You look, handsome. Oh! I mean beautiful like your mother here." He added as he pointed to Carmen.

"Such a talker GF," Zoey said as she gave his grandfather a good hug.

"And who is this handsome one here?" He said as he looked at me and went back to Zoey's. He smiled at her.

"He's Andrew's best friend." Said Zoey as she pointed to me.

"Nice to meet you..?" Their grandfather said, raising his eyebrows and smiling at me.

"Oh... Vincent Nicholas Johnson, sir." I said as I quickly shook his hand. "Please call me Vincent," I added.

That shaking hands is very firm.

"Welcome to California, son." Mr. Smith said, offering me a very warm smile. "Just call me Romeo or GF like these kids call me." He added.

Romeo might have seen my reaction because he chuckled. "My mother likes Shakespeare." He said to me and I nodded and smiled at him.

"That's a wonderful name. Nice to meet you too, Romeo." I said to him.

Introductions were gone so we decided to go to the van waiting for us.

We put our luggage at the back and made ourselves comfortable inside the van.

Romeo glanced at me and creased his brows. "So, Vincent?" He started, making me look at him. "You're a Johnson and from Australia." He said. "Are you related to the owner of Johnson's International? I heard he's an Australian." Romeo said, making Andrew chuckle and earning a stare from his Grandfather.

"Why are you chuckling, young man?" Romeo asked.

"Sorry, Grandfather but...." Andrew said, shaking his head. "He owns it." He added.

"Oh!" Romeo said.

Aella POV

Five laps? Yeah, not bad. I'm not a swimmer, so five laps is not a bad thing, it's just five and six feet. I'm pretty sure, everybody can do that. I tried to get out of the water but the wind blew so I decided to swim again for another lap. I stayed at the corner of the pool and relaxed for a little while, watching my cousin and niece swim. I'm a bit bored now, what should I do now? Swim until my other relatives arrive? I don't think so. What to do? What to do?

"Why don't you change your clothes now, they will arrive here anytime," my mom says, answering my thoughts. She can read my mind? Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, she's my mom so I think she saw my body language and that brought her to that question. I thought to myself.

"It's freezing up there," I said to her, making sure to act like I'm really cold.

"Yeah." Christina and Nancy said in unison but my mother just smirked at us.

My hands are starting to form prunes so I decided to get out of the pool before they become scary fingers.

I picked up my towel on the floor wrapped it on myself and started to walk.

"I'll go take a quick shower and change," I say to my mother.

"Me too," Christina said as she got out of the pool. Nancy followed us as well.

Mother smiled at me. Yes, you're right. I told my mom a quick shower but hello? I'm Aella you think I'll make it quick? Na-ah!.

As I take my shower I sing 'Every time' by Britney Spears

Coz every time I try, to find I fall without my wings I feel so small I guess I need you baby

And every time I see you in my dreams I see your face it’s haunti-

When I heard someone calling me.

"HAZEEEL!!!"

"Over here, why?" I shouted.

"They're here!"

"Who?" I asked Nancy. Of course, it’s Nancy.

"Are you crazy or something?" she said. "Who do you think will arrive? Your Prince charming?" She added, chuckling.

"Besides, Tina's already had her shower in our room's bathroom," Nancy shouted.

"Nothing's new, Aunt Nancy." I heard Tina answer, followed by a chuckle.

Uncle Andy and others are here. I should make it quick.

"Yeah, I thought it's him, get out! I'll be there in 15 minutes" I replied.

"You're funny ha ha ha" she said in a sarcastic tone. "Be sure you'll be done in just 15, not an hour or so" she added.

"Yeah, now go away so I can finish my business here" I replied to her as I opened again the shower and did my business.

"O-kay"

I heard their footsteps fade and I wrapped my body with a big towel, not with the one I used earlier.

I decided to wear a mesh purple dress, dried my hair with a blower on the drawer, brushed it and put some mascara to brighten my eyes and some lip gloss.

I picked up my phone on the side table and went downstairs.

I can hear my Uncle Rey talking to my cousin Andrew in an Australian accent.

"Yes, Let the chips fall where they may," I said to myself. I don't have an Australian accent but it sounds so sexy.

I went outside and made a peck on each of their cheeks when my eyes caught an unknown guy beside Zoey. Wow, he's handsome, is he her boyfriend? I hope not. Okay admit it Aella, he looks gorgeous and sizzling hot! His hair is black and it's in its proper places, like he really put an effort on it. He smiled, oh sh*t! I just melted. How long have I been staring at him? I don't want to know. I smiled shyly to ease the tension between us and looked away.

Nancy caught my eyes and she smiled widely, her eyes were like telling me "He's hot". I shook my head and walked towards her.

"Aella?" I stopped walking towards Nancy and turned around where I heard the voice calling my name. "Yes?"

Alright, I forgot to greet Andrew and Zoey because of that sizzling hot guy. Andrew approached me and hugged me very tight.

I don't know why I suddenly got nervous. "How are you? Long time no see" Andrew smiled as he held me at arm's length.

"I'm good" Don't kill the conversation Haze, don't kill it. Think! Think! Think! "You?" that's the easiest I could say despite of my running imagination.

"Well, I'm still me," he said as I let out a small laugh "But, let's not forget to include the word still handsome," He said, making us chuckle.

"You know, it runs in our blood..... So you don't need to tell me that" I replied, smiling at him.

I turn to hug my cousin, Zoey. "It's been two years Zoey, we missed you," I said as he gave me a warm hug.

"Yea, I was so little when we visited here" she smiled. "and now look at me, nothing's changed" she continued and we laughed. Zoey and Andrew are beautiful but as you can see they're smaller than me.

"You look pretty, Aella," she said as she touched my hair.

"But not prettier than you are Zoey." she's very stylish like her big brother.

I can see Mr. Hottie unknown guy staring at us as we talk. I can see him from the corner of my eyes. He's gorgeous. He reminds me of the man in my dreams last night. Is he for real?

"Andrew, why don't you introduce your best friend to Aella and Nancy?" said my Uncle Andy who put me back to the present. Andrew jumped at the thought. Yeah! Maybe he forgot he has company. He's Andrew's best friend and Zoey's boyfriend at the same time. Oh dear god, please no, not him.

"Oh right" answers Andrew. "C'mon here bro, sorry I forgot my manners," he said to the guy who gave him a nod and walked toward us.

The guy is now approaching us and I can't help but look at his beautiful eyes nose and that baby lips. I wanted to rip those lips and glue it on my notebook, so I could kiss it whenever I wanted to. Stop that nonsense Aella!

"I'm used to it Andrew," the man said and wow! He has a beautiful voice. It's so strong but sweet.

The nearer he walks, the faster my heart beats and I don't know why. I felt it three years ago and let's not reminisce about that stupid thing that happened to me. After that incident, I was like a moving rock.

"Aella, Nancy this is Vincent, my best friend. Vincent, these are my cousins" Andrew begins. Being himself maybe, the man named Vincent held out his hand first to Nancy and by that, I am truly disappointed, maybe he's interested in Nancy. Right! Who am I to make this guy interested in me? I am nothing compared to Nancy. She's very sexy, beautiful and smart. No questions to ask, just Nancy as usual. Well, I'm not jealous of the boys she flings because she's my cousin and I love her.

When he held out his hand to me I shook it firmly. His hands are firm but yet so soft. You know what I mean? It's like he has hands like a cotton ball but when you take it for handshake, it’s hard as a rock. "Hi, nice to meet you Aella," he said as he looked me directly in my eyes.

I smile "Nice to meet you too. So how was your flight?" I said, trying to add up for a conversation. Do I look like pushy?

"It was a nice takeoff, the pilots were good" he answered with a smile and that ladies and gentlemen melted me.

"That's good" was the only thing I said.

"Yeah, think so."