Sunrise

“IT’S OKAY! THE breakfast is delicious, so it’s okay,” I said shyly, although I have not forgotten what he did to me last night.

“The dress fits you perfectly. You look beautiful today,” he praises.

“Thank you for the dress. You shouldn’t have bothered in the first place.” My cheeks become redder.

“Don’t think about it. You’re beyond gorgeous in that dress,” he replied before turning his back on me and return to the man he talked to earlier.

With delight in my heart, the heat traveled to my cheeks. I followed him with my gaze. I thought I’d just go back to the suite first and called Cindy.

But I’m frozen to my feet when I saw Peter approaching me.

“Peter?!”

“Yes. You must be shocked?” A sweet smile flashed on him.

“No—honestly, yes!” I muttered.

He laughed a little. I quickly turned to Lawrence, who was now busy talking to someone again.

“I’m sorry for what happened last night. How are you? You alright?” I asked Peter. I looked at his cracked lip.

“Yes, I’m better now,” he replied as if nothing had happened.

A moment of silence intervened between us.

“Uhm, are you with Carrick?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I nodded. I glanced again at Lawrence, who was now staring intently over us. My heart began to pound as he walked in our direction with his lashes knitted brows.

“Ahm, I’ll better go. Nice meeting you again,” I told Peter.

I was about to turn around when he grabbed my wrist. I turned nervously to him after glancing at Lawrence, who’s approaching us.

“Margaux, I told you, I wanted to court you. I wanted you to know that I’m serious,” Peter confessed.

I was about to answer, but Lawrence was already close to us.

“What are you doing here?!” he asked Peter earnestly.

“The groom invited me,” Peter replied in a calm voice. I noticed Lawrence’s gaze drop to my wrist that is still holding Peter.

“This is my resort,” Lawrence said. “Everything you see with your eyes belongs to me. Can you leave peacefully or do you want me to add more bruises to your face?”

Peter grinned and stood beside me. “I do not know why you’re acting like that. Are you jealous?”

I looked at Lawrence, waiting for his answer. “Are you kidding me?” Lawrence smirked. Obviously not stained with cowardice. “I am a Saavedra. That should not be asked.”

My gaze fell to the ground because I did not expect that answer.

“You’re right. You are a Saavedra,” Peter sneered back.

“I just don’t want to see a woman being abused in front of me,” Lawrence shot back.

“Hey, she’s not your girlfriend! The last time I checked, you and Terris were dating. Don’t tell me you want to include Margaux to those women you play with?” A smile flashed on Peter’s lips after he spoke.

I saw the disapproval on Lawrence’s face, but he remained silent. I swallowed hard. Silence means yes, right? It looks like he really intends to include me in those women he wants to play with.

I closed my eyes, trying to reduce the emotion that made me tremble.

“There is nothing wrong with flirting with Margaux,” Peter said. Lawrence clenched his fist in silent anger.

I saw his perfect jaw move before he spoke. “It’s okay. You can do what you want.” He glanced at me first before saying goodbye to Peter and me.

The pain I felt as I followed him was unfamiliar.

“Are you alright?” Peter asked me.

“I want to rest first. My head suddenly aches,” I excused myself.

“Would you like me to take you to your suite?” he offered.

“No, you don’t have to. I can do it,” I answered quickly. I didn’t want him to know that I was in Lawrence’s suite. He frowned at my answer, so I smiled a little. “I’m really fine. Thanks for the offer, but I can really do it. Thank you again,” I said goodbye before starting to walk away.

When I got to the front of Lawrence’s suite, I was reluctant to knock on it. I couldn’t help but look around, and I couldn’t avoid the gazes of several employees.

Before knocking, I took a deep breath and gathered my strength in my chest, but no one answered. I was about to turn around when it opened. My jaw almost dropped when I recognized the woman who opened the door for me.

“Terris?”

“Margaux? What are you doing here? Are you looking for Lawrence?” The corners of her lips twisted.

I noticed she held the towel wrapped around her tightly, indicating she was not wearing anything underneath. I barely had time to react because she immediately raised an eyebrow and leaned against the door.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Lawrence is in the bathroom, taking a bath. Do you want to come in first?” A smile flashed on her lips when she said that.

“N-not anymore. Thanks anyway!”

I quickly turned my back on her. I cannot name the pain that was constantly evolving in my heart. But one thing’s for sure, that pain hits me big time.

I just decided to go to the front desk on my own.

“Excuse me, Miss. I am one of the guests of Mr. Carrick Saavedra. Can you kindly check if he has a reservation for me? I am Margaux Collins,” I introduced myself.

“All right, Ma’am,” the attendant replied between smiles. She looked at the monitor for a moment, then spoke to me again. “Ma’am, I apologize, but our president has already canceled your reservation.”

“What?!” My tone rose; that’s why some people looked at us. I closed my eyes for a moment and felt the irritation. “Can you give me another room?” I said, recovering from the shock.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we’re full right now because of the wedding guests,” she told me.

“But I’m also a guest here!” I pointed my finger at myself.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” she apologized.

Without a smile, I turned my back on her and marched back to Lawrence’s suite. He can’t do this to me. Where will I stay if he canceled my room reservation?

When I approached his suite, I knocked on the door without hesitation. And Lawrence opened it for me.

“Why did you do that?!” I started with so much anger.

“What?” He frowned as he dried his hair with a towel. He was wearing a simple white shirt and black pants. For a little while, I was distracted by the well-groomed Lawrence in front of me.

“You canceled my hotel reservation. Do you think I will allow myself to stay in your room?” I said as my sanity returned.

“Why not? Do you want to sleep outside the resort?” His shoulders trembled with a silent laugh.

“No way!” I exclaimed.

He just shrugged his shoulders at me before he opened the door wide and turning away. I took a deep breath and shook my head. Eventually, I decided to step inside. My eyes immediately searched for Terris, but there was no trace of her inside.

“If you are looking for Terris, I cast her out of my suite. She entered here without my permission and tried to seduce me,” he said. “If you think something is going on between us, then you are wrong,” he added.