"Natasha?"
I flinched and quickly turned my attention toward Harry, taking a sip of his lemonade juice. It looks like he's been calling for my attention. I didn't realize I was spacing out the whole time. I glanced at my drink, playing with my straw when Harry spoke again.
"What's the matter? You barely touch your dinner…."
The sun had set already, and the place was filled with lights. We're still outside and in front of the ocean's surface, just chilling in a cottage with floating lights. I could see from here the other lights illuminating the darkness. It feels like you could reach the stars on the land. The waves' whispers and the wind's strokes somehow ease the anxiety, but something is telling me this is not right.
Or am I just overreacting again? I sighed.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about my husband…."
Well, I am indeed worried about Ethan because what if, while we're away, something happened there? I know there is a nurse that is looking out for him. Still, I am just worried that the nurse might know about Ethan and will call the police. God, I know we're all over the news. We're lucky Harry doesn't watch television or scroll through his socials. He would instead do golf.
"What about him? Don't worry too much because someone is there to check on him while we're away." Harry stated that his voice was weaker than before.
"Well, I know that, but I just couldn't stop thinking about him…."
A long deafening silence prevails both of us. I didn't mind it at first because I was playing with my straw while thinking about Ethan's situation when I noticed that Harry was also quiet. I looked at him sideways to see his reaction and saw that Harry's brows were furrowed while staring out of nowhere. It seems like he's thinking of something else, so I have to snap my fingers right in front of him.
"You okay?" I ask, making sure. Harry blinks, nodding in response.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for spacing out," he mumbled, looking down on the sand.
I squint my eyes, twisting my body so I could see him clearly. The wind blew, making the strands of my hair cover my face. I removed these strands, pushing them at the back of my ear to see Harry, who averted his eyes away from me. His chest was falling and rising, not in a usual way. Did he think of something painful? Or did a memory trigger him?
"What's wrong? You seem upset." I asked, placing my hand above his lap. I caressed it slightly, gesturing that I was here for him and everything would be okay. Still, I think Harry didn't like that, I guess, because he removed my hands in a friendly way, giving me a slight grin.
"Excuse me." he stood up, leaving me behind the cottage. I blink numerous times, processing what the hell just happened. Did I say something wrong, though? I was left there, thinking deeply, when Steve showed up holding nachos.
"I got the nachos!" he said excitedly, but I was the only one there when he noticed that. He slowly placed the nachos above the table, roaming his eyes around the area when I spoke.
"If you are looking for Harry, I don't know where he went. He suddenly loses his composure and walks out while we're in the middle of having a conversation." I sighed. Suddenly I felt like I had said something offensive that I couldn't remember.
"Hmm…what did you two talk about?" Steve asks while munching on his nachos.
"About my husband, actually. I was just worried, to be honest…nothing else because I'm far away from him, and I couldn't bear to think that something is happening while I am away…."
Steve didn't say anything for a while. He keeps on munching and chewing. I sighed, rolling my eyes because I knew I wouldn't get something from him. I took the nacho and am glad he let me, though.
"I think I know the reason why he's upset."
"Hmm?" I looked at him, taking a bite of the nacho, when Steve shook his head, shrugging his shoulder.
"Why would I tell you? He's the one you should ask…' then he mumbled something under his breath. I think I heard him saying stupid, but I didn't nag him anymore since it was a murmur to himself.
Steve sat beside me, looking at the ocean for half an hour. It was odd since Steve is talkative, but he went quiet abruptly. I turned around to look at him, only to see him sleeping peacefully. His head was resting on the wood, his mouth was open, and his hands were placed on his stomach. I slapped my forehead, shaking my head in disappointment. No wonder.
I stood up, deciding to take a walk beside the sea. Well, I just hope that Harry is just in the hotel suite, taking a rest. We would return there after I took a deep breath here. I don't want to interrupt Steve's sleep since he's been hyper since this afternoon. He had tried all kinds of rides here, making me want to think that he had never experienced those things when he was a child.
But I doubt that. He's rich like his friend. He's just a head crack.
I placed my hands behind me, letting my feet get drenched by the sea salt. I inhaled before releasing it. I look up at the atmosphere to see the celestial body above, lustrous and sightly. I wish Ethan was here and he could witness this kind of sight. Ethan had suffered too much from everything, and he needed to unwind somehow.
I stopped walking and slowly glanced down to see where my feet took me. I didn't realize I had already reached the other side of a hotel. I was about to turn around and head back to our cottage when I caught something.
I narrowed my eyes into slits when I saw someone familiar dancing at the bonfire party. I was not sure at first since it was wild and everyone had the time of their lives when I quickly realized who it was. My eyes increased, and my jaw dropped. Is that Harry? What is he doing here? How did he even end up in this part of the beach?
I squeezed myself when the wind blew harshly, and this time, I almost lost my balance. Goof thing, I caught myself before rushing to get to his spot. I was glad I was wearing a shirt and shorts that Harry had bought in a store earlier. If I were still in a bikini, I would shiver here and drop on the floor, immobilized.
I gasped when I stopped in my tracks, glancing at each people who were partying. They were punching their fist in the air while holding a beer. Everyone was wearing bikinis and trunks. Everything looks wild, and everyone seems to be having the time of their lives. I swear I saw Harry here, but he suddenly vanished. He must be in the middle of the crowds. He was dancing with a woman earlier, and it seemed he was out of control.
Well, he was gone three hours earlier when he left the cottage, so he must have been here for at least two and half hours, drinking until dawn. I need to drag him away because what if something happens to him? There's no one here who would help him aside from us.
"Excuse me…" I hurriedly dive into the crowds, pushing myself to get further. The lights blinded my eyes, making it hard for me to see clearly. I felt someone go me, causing me to lose my balance and drop on the sand. I coughed, removing the dirt on my face, when I heard someone laugh at my stupidity.
"Look! Someone's making with sand!"
My whole body froze, and the color of my face drained when I noticed that everyone had made a circle and the spotlight was now on me. I slowly stood up, helping myself, when someone kicked the sand on my face, making me yell in surprise. It stings that I think I wouldn't see clearly after this.
"Uh-oh, someone's blind!"
A Series of laughter echoed on the beach. I shake my head, clearing the sand on my face to see what is going on and why they are picking on me. I looked around, and my heart shattered when I saw everyone was looking at me. I took a step back, but someone pushed me again in the middle, gaining their attention. This is dreadful. Someone might notice me.
"What's wrong, baby girl? You seem lost."
Another bellowing of laughter vibrates. I clenched my hands.
"Have you seen Harry?"
"Harry? Is that your boyfriend or your dog?" someone yelled, and they chuckled at his jokes, except me.
"He's my…boyfriend." this suddenly slipped out of my mouth, and everyone cheered.
"Does someone here have a name, Harry? Your maid is looking for you!"
I don't understand that teasing and bullying I am getting here, but I guess I am the only sober one, and the rest are utterly drunk and high.
"What?"
My eyes widened, and I quickly turned on my heel to see Harry standing behind me, holding a beer bottle. His face is red, and he looks sleepy, but he can still walk and stand up. I smiled, taking a step forward and reaching his hand.
"Harry, come on, we need to go-"
"Who are you?" he suddenly asks, constricting his eyes. Everyone laughed, and I suddenly felt a second-hand embarrassment from what he said.
"Harry, you're drunk. I need to take you back." I scolded and took his hand, but the most unexpected thing happened.
Harry pushed me and poured the beer bottle all over my head, laughing manically.