Upon coming in, the man locked the window, thinking Angeline was too careless to leave it open.
Then, he made his way to the bed gingerly to pull the blanket over Floretta and close the book Angeline left open on her waist.
For a long time, he stared at Angelineâs features until his cold gaze turned complicated.
To him, there were times when Angeline was like a prickly cat that, although detestable, had a certain charm that never failed to captivate him.
Evander lowered his head, locking his gaze on her lips. His Adamâs apple bobbed subconsciously as a gush of heat rushed through his body as he looked at her irresistibly fair and exquisite collarbones exposed under the blanket.
His eyes darkened, and he leaned down toward her but recalling how Angeline had slapped him in the car last time, Evander subdued the burning urge within his body.
Evander felt his heart was a mess. His deep and quiet gaze showed that he had never experienced something like that before, yet he knew deep down that he had fallen for her.
It was then that he realized that her attraction toward him was way stronger than his suspicion toward her.
Itâs okay. There is still a long way to go. Thinking, he took another intent look at the sleeping woman, and his eyes became gentle.
Then, he got up from the bed and left.
Over at the corridor, Jacob had just opened his door and was walking toward the living room with his tired eyes half-opened.
He had gotten up to look for food, for he had barely had anything during dinner since he was busy keeping Floretta entertained.
Yawning and stretching, he walked down the dimly-lit corridor, but as he looked up, he caught a glimpse of Evander not far away.
Wait. Did he just come out of Angelineâs room? Is he here in Summerbank?
Jacob was instantly shaken awake. He blinked his eyes hard, but silence had resumed in the corridor, and Evander was already nowhere to be seen.
âThis is weird,â he mumbled, darting his confused gaze down the corridor. Am I seeing things because Iâm not fully awake?
Early the following day, Angeline brought Floretta downstairs for a buffet breakfast. She was feeling recharged and energized after a good night of rest, but Jacob looked disturbed.
For the whole night, he had been thinking about the person he saw in the corridor and could no longer keep it to himself when he finally asked, âAngie, did you close your window yesterday? Did you see anyone suspicious around?â
âHuh? No.â
Angeline took up a toast and spread a thick layer of jam over it as she looked at Jacob, bewildered.
âWhatâs with you this morning?â
âItâs nothing. Iâm still in the process of waking up.â
Telling himself to stop overthinking, Jacob ruffled his hair in frustration and got up to get breakfast.
A pensive look spread across Angelineâs face as soon as he left. She peeled some of her toast and munched away with her thought distracted.
Actually, she had realized something was amiss when she woke up, for she clearly remembered she did not close the window the night before.
On top of that, not only was the book on her body closed and returned to the bedside table but the page she was reading was also folded into a triangle on the edge.
Thatâs not what I would usually do, but thereâs no way a thief came in. The hostel is guarded.
âAttention! Dear parents and children, the film crew has just given all of you a new task.â
Suddenly, the program host went forward, clapping his hands as a few photographers appeared with him.
As he spoke, the facilitators at the set started handing out cards to everyone.
âYou guys will have to figure out lunch on your own today. We have hidden some ingredients and cooking tools in the nearby forest, so the three teams will need to look for those things on their own,â
the host explained with a smile.
âWow! Thatâs so exciting!â Floretta cried out with her eyes filled with curiosity and clapped enthusiastically.
âBut the forest is vast, so we will need an experienced guide to help us. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in putting our hands together to welcome our special guest for today!â
Angeline, who had been disinterested thus far, suddenly raised her brows.
A special guest? I donât remember the director mentioning a special guest.
Like Angeline, all the other guests were surprised as well. As they turned, a tall and attractive man appeared at the entrance.
With a set of white casual apparel on his well-toned body, the man looked as if he had just finished his morning run. His every move exuded masculine strength as tiny drops of sweat dripped down his neck.
As the morning sun bathed him, a halo formed around his body, and the crowd could not help but marvel at him.
âGosh! This man is so handsome!â the guests exclaimed.
Among everyone, Angelineâs team was the only one who was shocked by what they saw. The spoon in Angelineâs hand almost slipped back into her cup when she beheld that man, and her mind froze.
By contrast, the man of the moment looked calm and composed as he took his time to walk toward the host.
âHello, everyone. Iâm Evander Golding. I will be your guide today,â he announced in a deep and mellow voice.
Angeline held her forehead as she tried to process what was happening.
I knew it! The person I saw yesterday was him. I was right! What is he doing here? I thought he was on a business trip. Why is he our guide all of a sudden?
Meanwhile, Jacob fumed in anger when he saw Evander. Having helped Angeline escape Evanderâs control, he had planned on winning her over, but Evanderâs appearance had messed up his plan.
âThis is unfair!â he seethed.
Yet, those from the other two teams were delighted to see Evander, whom they regarded as a blessing from heaven.
âHi, Mr. Golding,â they greeted politely, each standing up from their seats.
Jacob felt even angrier when he saw this. This bunch of spineless people. I will never give in.
At the thought of that, he slammed the table and proposed a challenge.
âThis forest is huge. Our lives would be at risk if anything were to happen out there. Did you guys seriously arrange an unlicensed guide for us? How are we supposed to trust him?â
The host smiled at Jacob and explained, âDonât worry, Mr. Zane. We are not done introducing our guide yet. Mr. Golding obtained a rock-climbing certification when he studied abroad.â
Jacob was stumped for words.
âBesides, he is one of the first climbers to conquer the twenty-six-foot Mount Olmi, who made it to the headlines.â
Impressed, the guests gazed at one another, and a roar of cheer ensued.
Angelineâs brows stitched in a subtle frown as she recalled the news she read.
Back then, it took the world by storm, not because it was Evanderâs first attempt to climb that mountain but because he was the youngest mountaineer.
His perseverance in the face of danger was what earned him the worldâs respect.
âDo you have any more questions, Mr. Zane?â the host asked with a wide smile.
Jacob scoffed and swallowed his disgruntlement in silence as he took a big and hard bite of his toast.
This is so unfair! His achievement is overhyped simply because he is in a position of power. What is his motive for coming here, by the way? Itâs not like he needs to do this for money.