Chapter 4 4

- Evo's POV -

"Cheenie, have you heard yourself? That was ridiculous! Why don't we just tell your parents the truth?" Cheenie's request was giving me a headache.

We're at the resort now, and she wants Chloe and me to act sweet because she thinks her parents and cousins are starting to suspect something. One of her cousins saw Chloe and Junjie hugging earlier. We managed to come up with an excuse, saying Chloe did a favor for Junjie, and he was expressing his gratitude with a hug.

"Evo, please! You have no idea what my dad and mom are capable of once they find out," Cheenie clutched my hands tightly in hers.

"Evo, I'm sure they'll send me far away from you. Or worse, they might make me marry Junjie. He did that to my sister. When they found out she had a boyfriend, the next day she was married to a man she didn't love. And now, my sister is an unhappily married woman," she held my face in her hands.

"Evo, please! I don't want that to happen to me. I love you so much, and I don't wanna lose you. I'd rather die than lose you," I let out a sigh and held her hands.

"Cheenie, have you thought about what could happen to us because your parents don't approve of me? I feel like there's-"

"No!" Cheenie interrupted.

"For now, I need to comply. But in time, once we're done with our studies, I'll fight for you, Evo. For now, please, just do it for me," she begged desperately. Are her parents really that terrifying to make her this frightened?

"Cheenie, it's not about me. It's Chloe I'm worried about. She's a girl, and she might feel uncomfortable with this," Cheenie smiled and suddenly kissed me quickly on the lips.

"I'm so lucky to have you. You're so kind and such a gentleman. I'll talk to Chloe, this isn't just for us. It's for her and Junjie too. Holding hands, arms around each other, that's all. Only when the cousins and Mommy are around." We both turned to look when we heard a cough.

"God Chloe! You scared me! I thought it was someone else," Cheenie clutched her chest in fright. Chloe turned and entered the cottage. It's an open round cottage with stone seating all around.

"Where's Junjie?" Cheenie asked.

"Talking to his parents. They seem to be getting suspicious. Maybe the idea of us coming here wasn't such a good one," Chloe sat on the opposite stone seat.

"Chlow, can we talk?"

"If this is about what you discussed, it's okay with me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, it wasn't intentional," Chloe smiled and hugged my arm.

"See, Evo, Chloe's okay with it. We girls will do everything for our loved ones," Cheenie was about to continue when Chloe suddenly pulled her towards me. I was surprised when Chloe suddenly clung to me. She even put an arm around my neck. I just looked at her face while she seemed anxious and was looking at something behind me.

"This is so ridiculous! It feels like someone's always aiming a gun at me, and I have to be on alert all the time," she said, still focused on the area behind me.

"Hi guys!" that's when I turned to look. It was Junjie and Cheenie's cousin, Kristel. They came in and sat in the cottage.

"Aaw! So sweet!" I saw Junjie slightly cringe from embarrassment due to the sight of Chloe and me. I, too, suddenly tensed. Chloe stood up and sat beside me. She looked a bit shy. Maybe she got flustered and just sat next to me.

"Let's go, lunch is ready," Kristel invited. We all stood up and walked together. Cheenie was in front, Kristel was holding on to her. Chloe and I were at the back.

"Sorry, Evo. A while ago, when I saw Kristel, I got startled. These Chinese traditions are so annoying," Chloe smiled and shared.

"But Tita Celline and Tito Vince don't follow this. I couldn't imagine, Liam, would follow on this kind of rule," she added with a chuckle. She seems fine. It looks like she's not overly concerned about what's happening.

***

**- Chloe's POV -**

The interrogation conducted by Junjie and Cheenie's parents earlier was incredibly intense. They asked us so many questions. It seemed like they didn't believe us at all. But it looks like they were convinced to some extent when I took care of Evo during our meal. I kept placing food on his plate.

"I missed you," Cheenie said, leaning her head on Evo's shoulder.

We're in Evo's cottage now, sitting at the edge of the bed. We met here with Cheenie so that if anyone looks for her, no one will suspect.

"This is already my happiest birthday, Evo. Thank you for coming," her birthday is tomorrow. Evo took a red rectangular box from his pocket and handed it to her.

"I'm giving it now. In case someone guards you again tomorrow," he said with a wide smile. I took the box again and opened it. I took out the contents - a white gold bracelet - and put it on.

"Thanks, Evo."

"Do you like it?" He hugged me and I did the same.

"I love it. Thank you," suddenly, there was a knock that silenced us.

"Cheenie. Are you there?" her mother's voice. Cheenie let go of the hug and we looked at each other.

"Just open the door," Evo whispered to her.

"Relax," I added, as she was really getting nervous. She took a deep breath before approaching the door and slowly opening it.

"H-Hi, mom," she greeted with a trembling voice. Her mother peeked inside before entering. I greeted her, but her eyes were suspicious. She looked around.

"Where's Chlo-" She didn't get to finish her question when Chloe suddenly emerged from the bathroom. She was utterly shocked, like she saw a ghost.

"B-babe! S-sorry. Were you getting impatient?" Chloe quickly came to me and hugged me. She was already wearing pajamas. She took my hand and placed it on her waist while she leaned on me.

"Hi, tita," Chloe greeted, and Cheenie's mother smiled. But I felt like I couldn't breathe. It's as if my saliva dried up from swallowing too much. Whoah!! I tried to move my face away, but Chloe only leaned closer to me. Her chest pressed against my cheek and I could feel she wasn't wearing a bra.

"Let's go Cheenie," Cheenie looked at us and waved weakly.

"Have rest kids, it's already late. Wake up early so you can do all the activities here."

"Okay tita, Evo will leave too," Cheenie and Evo left the room, and as soon as the door closed, Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. She sat beside me, and I removed my hand from her waist.

"This is insane, Evo. I'm going crazy with what we're doing. You almost got caught earlier, and just now, Junjie and I were seen hugging," I didn't say anything. I kept my head down and my gaze fixed on the floor.

"Shit!" I instinctively touched my forehead, then ran my hand down to my cheek. I could still feel the--"Damn!" I forcefully exhaled and lifted my head. I glanced at Chloe and she was looking at me, eyebrows furrowed.

"Why, Chlow?" she playfully pursed her lips.

"You keep swearing. Are you annoyed at what's happening or because I hugged you? You're quite a character!" I grinned. I must have sworn loudly. I thought I was just thinking it. I pinched her cheek firmly and she winced.

"You're so stubborn!" I stood up.

"Why am I the one being stubborn? It's you and Cheenie who are the stubborn ones! You're both so flirty!" She rolled her eyes at me. I tousled her hair.

"Come on, go to sleep so you'll look beautiful tomorrow," I lightly tapped her hand away and she started fixing her hair with her fingers.

She stood up, "You'll just tease me more. You're already finding me cute when I'm sleep-deprived, what more if I get my beauty rest," she teased, making me chuckle, and then she pushed me towards the door. I opened it and left.

"Night, Chlow. Lock the door," she nodded before closing the door. I headed to my cottage, which was right next to Chloe's. I pulled out the key from my shorts' pocket and quickly unlocked the door. I entered the room and closed the door again. After locking it, I immediately flopped onto the bed, not bothering to turn on the light. I propped up one arm and rested my hand on my cheek.

"Darn it! Forget it!" I grabbed a pillow and lay on my side, placing the pillow at the side of my head.

****

Just as I stepped out of the cottage, Chloe came out too. She was wearing a black rash guard suit and hot pink... Hmm! What do you call that kind of bikini? Kelly sometimes wears something like that. It's not really a bikini. It's not revealing, but no guy can look away.

"Aaah! Why?" I touched my forehead. She suddenly--"Damn!" I let out a sigh and lifted my head. I looked at Chloe and she was looking at me, with a puzzled expression.

"Why, Chlow?" she pursed her lips.

"You keep cursing. Are you annoyed at what's happening or because I hugged you? You're quite a character!" I grinned. I must have sworn loudly. I thought I was just thinking it. I pinched her cheek firmly and she winced.

"You're so stubborn!" I stood up.

"Why am I the one being stubborn? It's you and Cheenie who are the stubborn ones! You're both so flirty!" She rolled her eyes at me. I tousled her hair.

"Come on, go to sleep so you'll look beautiful tomorrow," I lightly tapped her hand away and she started fixing her hair with her fingers.

She stood up, "You'll just tease me more. You're already finding me cute when I'm sleep-deprived, what more if I get my beauty rest," she teased, making me chuckle, and then she pushed me towards the door. I opened it and left.

"Night, Chlow. Lock the door," she nodded before closing the door. I headed to my cottage, which was right next to Chloe's. I pulled out the key from my shorts' pocket and quickly unlocked the door. I entered the room and closed the door again. After locking it, I immediately flopped onto the bed, not bothering to turn on the light. I propped up one arm and rested my hand on my cheek.

"Darn it! Forget it!" I grabbed a pillow and lay on my side, placing the pillow at the side of my head.

****

As soon as I stepped out of the cottage, Chloe did the same. She was wearing a black rash guard suit and a hot pink... Hmm! What do you call that kind of bikini? Kelly sometimes wears something like that. It's not really a bikini. It's not revealing, but no guy can look away.

"Aaah! Why?" I touched my forehead. She suddenly--"Damn!" I let out a sigh and lifted my head. I looked at Chloe and she was looking at me, with a puzzled expression.

"Why, Chlow?" she pursed her lips.

"You keep cursing. Are you annoyed at what's happening or because I hugged you? You're quite a character!" I grinned. I must have sworn loudly. I thought I was just thinking it. I pinched her cheek firmly and she winced.

"You're so stubborn!" I stood up.

"Why am I the one being stubborn? It's you and Cheenie who are the stubborn ones! You're both so flirty!" She rolled her eyes at me. I tousled her hair.

"Come on, go to sleep so you'll look beautiful tomorrow," I lightly tapped her hand away and she started fixing her hair with her fingers.

She stood up, "You'll just tease me more. You're already finding me cute when I'm sleep-deprived, what more if I get my beauty rest," she teased, making me chuckle, and then she pushed me towards the door. I opened it and left.

"Night, Chlow. Lock the door," she nodded before closing the door. I headed to my cottage, which was right next to Chloe's. I pulled out the key from my shorts' pocket and quickly unlocked the door. I entered the room and closed the door again. After locking it, I immediately flopped onto the bed, not bothering to turn on the light. I propped up one arm and rested my hand on my cheek.

"Darn it! Forget it!" I grabbed a pillow and lay on my side, placing the pillow at the side of my head.

****

Just as I stepped out of the cottage, Chloe came out too. She was wearing a black rash guard suit and hot pink... Hmm! What do you call that kind of bikini? Kelly sometimes wears something like that. It's not really a bikini. It's not revealing, but no guy can look away.

"Aaah! Why?" I touched my forehead. She suddenly--"Damn!" I let out a sigh and lifted my head. I looked at Chloe and she was looking at me, with a puzzled expression.

" What are those stares for? Oh my! Are you with Liam's spirit?" I scratched my head. I realized I was staring too intently, and she was getting closer to me.

"Sorry. I was just thinking about what to call this..." I pointed at her bikini. She leaned over to take a look and then looked back at me with a furrowed brow.

"And why do you need to think about what to call this?" I smirked again, running my index finger over my lips.

"Oh, nothing. It just looks nice, like I'd want to wear something like that too," her eyes widened slightly, and we both laughed.

"Eeeh! Don't do that, Evo, it's gross! I love gays, but... You... Ugh! You'd be such a big one if that happened," she shuddered visibly, clearly a bit disgusted, and we laughed again. We only stopped when Junjie and Cheenie arrived.

"Wow! You guys look so happy. What's going on?" Cheenie held onto my arm.

"Oh, nothing. It's Evo here," Chloe chuckled slightly. Junjie put his hands on Chloe's shoulders and turned her to face him.

"My girlfriend is really beautiful," he brushed Chloe's hair aside and tucked it behind her ear.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Junjie looked at us, or maybe just at me. Why does he seem to have a problem with me? He looked back at Chloe.

"Sorry, Chloe. Don't worry, this will all be over soon. I'll also tell my parents everything. I'm just looking for the right time." Junjie's head dropped, and it looked like he was about to kiss Chloe, but she hesitated.

"Why aren't you letting me kiss you? Cheenie kisses Evo, even in front of us. Unless you really don't love me," Chloe didn't say a word. Junjie held both of her cheeks and lifted her face. He kissed Chloe on the forehead.

"Just kidding. I know you love me. You're just shy, right? But you don't have to be, Chloe," this time, Junjie quickly kissed Chloe on the lips. My heart raced as I sharply inhaled.

"Junjie!" We all turned in the direction of the voice that called for Junjie. It was Yin, Junjie's older sister. Shit! Did she see what Junjie did? I glanced at Cheenie, who quickly let go of me and Junjie. They both looked like they'd seen a ghost. The two of them were startled.

"Come over!" Yin called without a hint of a smile. Cheenie quickly went to her, and Junjie followed. Chloe and I just exchanged glances.

**

Chloe and I went jet skiing. Junjie and Cheenie stayed together, almost inseparable from Junjie's sister and cousins. I stopped the jet ski near some large rocks a distance from the shore.

"Let's just swim here, Chlow. I can't handle the stares from the Sys. It feels like I'm being scrutinized," Chloe laughed at what I said while seated behind me.

"I feel the same, Evo. That's so awkward. I wish we hadn't come with them, right?" I jumped into the water and resurfaced.

"Come on. Join me."

"I don't want to. It looks deep, and I don't know how to... Ahhhh!" I didn't let her refuse further. I pulled her into the water, and she held on to me tightly. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my neck, and my hands supported her waist. It seemed like she might have swallowed some water because she coughed.

"Are you trying to drown me?!" she exclaimed. Earlier, I was laughing, but now I suddenly froze. She's incredibly beautiful. Earlier, almost every guy on the beach was looking at her. Even Cheenie was turning heads. Many people were glancing at her. But Chloe is pre- Jerk, Evo! Cheenie is your girlfriend. Sigh! But I couldn't help but stare at her.

"You're so beautiful. Junjie's right, he's lucky to have you," she paused and stared at me. Am I terrible for admiring a girl even though I have a girlfriend? She suddenly looked away.

"I know," I just smiled at her response.

"Do you love Junjie?" She turned her gaze back to me. She stayed silent for a long time. Why couldn't she answer right away? She nodded eventually.

"I wouldn't agree to be with him if I didn't," she smiled cautiously. Her smile seemed forced to me.

"That first... first kiss with Junjie? Was it?" Her lips slightly parted. I couldn't help but stare at her lips. Her lips were the first I kissed, and they were the first to touch mine.

"Aaah! Why again!? Why do you keep targeting my forehead?" she bumped her forehead against mine.

"Why do you keep staring? It's a bit unnerving!"

"Oh, nothing, okay, fine, I'll close my eyes so I won't stare," I was about to release her, but she tightened her hug on me, so I chuckled.

"Just try letting go, and if I drown, I'll haunt you," I let go, and floated on my back. She was still clinging to me, so our faces were close, and she was lying on top of me while I floated. We were both above the water.

"Evo, bring me back! You're being naughty!" she screamed.

"Haha! You're so cute when you're annoyed, you know?"

"Chloe!" I stopped swimming and held Chloe by the waist again when I heard Junjie's voice. Cheenie and Junjie were on a jet ski, approaching us. Junjie's stare was intense, but Cheenie just had a smile on her face.