Chapter 1
A service vehicle from Notradame University was heading thirty-four kilometers away from the city’s busy life. It was a long trip with the scenic view of rice fields and sugar land to the hidden paradise of a luxurious private beach resort, where the sea was as clear as the sky. The finest sand was spectacularly clean. The hotel in front of the beach was painted white, like on Santorini, with a corridor encircled by pink rose decorations. Everything was all for a grand celebration of Vanessa’s eighteenth birthday as part of a prestigious family, the Hamilton.
It was an elegant and remarkable gathering, as the visitors were from the country’s famous names and clans. Vanessa invited her friends from school, including her best friend Fiona Miller, a timid, lovely young lady with an attractive smile. Fiona caught the attention of the bachelor man, who stood out from the crowd owing to his handsome physique. He wore a gray polo shirt with sleeves folded halfway to his arms. The three buttons on his neck were open, showing its muscular contour and Adam’s apple. He also looked tidy because he had his polo tucked under his jeans. And it turned out that he was Vanessa’s uncle, Brandon Hamilton, secretly glancing across at Fiona.
“I hope you have an amazing birthday, Vanessa!” Everyone greeted her cheerfully as they arrived.
The host requested them at the location two days early so that they could rehearse the choreographed dance that would take part in the program.
“Oh, guys, I’d like you to meet my uncle Brandon. He’ll join me in my eighteen-flower dance,” Vanessa introduced him to everyone.
All her classmates flushed as they found he was a gorgeous gentleman, including Fiona, who was intrigued by his mystic look and enticing set of eyes. The fierce, messy style of his hair added to the enchantment of his appearance. His eyes were captivating, as if they were peering into her soul.
“Hi,” Brandon replied, extending his hand to greet her.
“Hi, sir.” Fiona felt embarrassed by the ideas running through her mind and silently bowed in shame. Brandon gently pressed her delicate palm, causing her body to flutter.
“I’m so happy that all of you are here today,” Brandon stated as he let go of Fiona’s hand.
“Of course, we are glad to meet Vanessa’s uncle.” Everyone giggled except Fiona. She remained staring at him.
“Hey, Fiona,” Vanessa said. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Of course, I’m fine.” Fiona’s response was fumbling over her words.
“Perhaps you had a long flight. I’m sure you’re all tired. Maybe you might want to go to your rooms and get some much-needed rest,” Brandon suggested.
“Yeah, Uncle is right,” Vanessa agreed. However, she was curious about his uncle’s actions because she wasn’t used to hearing him talk much, especially in front of people he’d only met.
“Cathy, could you please help them out?” Vanessa asked a member of the crew.
Fiona and the others were headed towards the corridor when she caught sight of Vanessa’s uncle, who was walking in the opposite direction. Fiona believed that Brandon was eye-catching just by the way he walked.
“Hey Fiona, do you like Vanessa’s uncle?” Leslie, one of their other friends, whispered.
“No, of course not,” she denied it.
“Based on your expression, I could tell,” Leslie laughed.
Leslie had been in many relationships since her first year of college, unlike Fiona, who remained uninterested in dating despite her numerous suitors.
“Hey, he’s quite old for you. Don’t get your hopes up. Maybe he was already married,” Leslie indicated.
“I have already told you I am not,” she insisted.
After taking them out in the luggage, Fiona organized her belongings in the closet. She, Leslie, and Marie all shared the same room.
Knock, knock, knock.
Leslie opened the door after hearing the knock.
“Hi, baby!” Glenn greeted and quickly snatched Leslie’s lips as if they were the only ones in the room.
“Excuse me!” The scene surprised Marie but not Fiona, who was so used to seeing Leslie and Glenn behave in such a manner.
Glenn was her older brother, so she could typically hear them moaning to each other from the next room over.
“I’m sorry, I got a little carried away there,” Leslie sheepishly apologized.
“Whatever!” Marie frowned and then went to the bathroom.
“Would you like to accompany us, Fiona? I saw a cool club on my way here,” Glenn invited.
“I’m sorry, but I need more practice before my piano performance,” she refused.
“Oh, yeah, I remember you’ll be playing the piano for the final dance.”
“Yap.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m sure she wants to stay here and get to know that guy better,” Leslie joked.
“Hey, stop it, Leslie!” Fiona frowned.
“Who’s the guy?” Glenn asked and also frowned.
“Just ignore it, brother. Leslie only makes all of this up,” Fiona swiftly explained.
“But you must introduced me to that guy__,” Glenn persisted.
“Oh, brother!” Fiona was annoyed and sat on the bed, wore the large headphones, and turned on the Walkman cassette player to avoid an argument with her overly protective brother.
“Hey, sweetheart, I’m only kidding.” Leslie came over to kiss Fiona on the cheek while grinning. “Goodbye, Fiona!”
After Leslie and Glenn left and Marie’s wish to sleep, Fiona coordinated with the staff to rehearse for the upcoming performance. Vanessa had requested that she play the piano for the closing portion of the eighteen-dance to the tune of “I’ll Be There” by Jackson 5. The event coordinator led her into a room that had a giant grand piano.
“Wow!” Her eyes enlarged as the staff showed her the piano.
“This is a dream come true!” She exclaimed when she touched the grand piano’s keys.
“I’ll leave you, Ma’am.”
“Thank you very much,” she politely answered.
Fiona sat before the grand piano, admiring it more and more. She took a few slow, deep breaths before touching the keys and moving her hands to the rhythm.
On the other hand, Brandon was an avid classical music fan and loved listening to the piano. Hence, he searched for the source of the piece after overhearing it. His eyes widened in amazement as he gazed at her, seemingly lost in the world. Fiona’s performance was overflowing with emotion, giving the impression that her heart was truly in it. Brandon was captivated by her beauty as he watched her face swing in sync with the music she was playing.
“She’s fascinating,” he uttered, mumbling.
Fiona heard a loud applause coming from the direction of the door after she hit the final key.
“Mr.?” She stood up in shock and quickly bowed her head in shame.
“Don’t,” Brandon said, “I want to see your face,” he demanded.
“Shit! What the hell did I say?” He questioned himself, cursing.
“I mean, there’s no reason to be shy. You played very well,” Brandon praised, changing his tone of speech.
“Thank you, Mr.,” she replied with a lovely smile.
“Oh, please,” Brandon strained to keep his inner self as Fiona’s smile enticed him.
“Would you like to look around?” He couldn’t resist inviting her and spending more time talking together.
re…
