Chapter 5: Moon Lake (1)
Nova wasn't feeling particularly excited about this date, but Chad insisted and put in the effort to keep checking in on her all day, repeatedly informing her of the time to go to the lake. She couldn't fathom why he wouldn't walk with her there until Bruce explained he was having a scheduled video call with his father.
Dolled up and dressed in a cute cornflower-blue summery dress and some white heels that don't dwell well in a jungle—Note to self, wear comfy shoes next time and put the heels on after, oh and don't bring white, easily stainable heels!— Nova ventured along the path with Bruce, Ghost, and a few others, who were surrounding her with massive guns. Although there had been a few problems at the resort regarding the natives, they hadn't been seen or merely watched from afar when she had partaken in some of the tours Felipe took her on.
Felipe and Bruce had fussed over her more after she fell unconscious at the lake last time. They'd taken regular breaks, and Nova felt like she was being overly babied, but she couldn't deny it was nice. At least someone cared about her wellbeing, unlike a certain man with whom she'd merely shared a bed with all week.
Uncalled for! Nova scolded herself as she tripped over another raised root and steadied herself on Bruce's outstretched arm. He assisted her like that for the remainder of the mini-walk. The humid rainforest had her panting a little up the slight hill and sweating. Fortunately, there were no pit stains under her armpits to ruin her dress.
They walked around the lake and she noted it looked completely normal. Nova must have hallucinated last time due to the heat, lack of water, and possible stress of seeing those bats. That made so much more sense anyway than what she believed she'd seen of that lake.
Bruce led her to the area of the totemic animals she saw last time, their tall structures looming over them as the sun slowly lowered, the light causing their shadows to drift gradually to the side. Nova stopped abruptly, her breath whooshing out of her from seeing the candlelight scattered around the area, casting it in a soft golden glow. Her gaze fell from the large jaguar statue that had fairy lights wrapped around it and lanterns hanging from trees, swaying gently to the breeze to the large blanket set out on the ground, a picnic basket, champagne left in an ice bucket along with petals and tropical peach and purple hibiscus flowers thrown across the area. It was certainly romantic, and she felt a soft smile tug at her lips while her heart clenched.
For some reason, the sight also made her feel sad. This was utterly beautiful and so romantic. But... There was a but, and she couldn't fathom what was wrong. Something felt amiss. Her gut twisted. Was it because he had yet to arrive?
Nova scanned their surroundings, wondering if carefree and loving Chad, the man she'd lost on this holiday had returned and would jump scare her for fun. But he wasn't there. Nova was by herself except for Bruce and the mini squad now guarding the surrounding area.
He was probably running late from the meeting. Even though it was logical, her heart still dropped and throbbed that her boyfriend wasn't there. Nova hadn't been excited about this but she still felt disappointed. She took one of the flowers from a beast-man statue and twirled the stem between her fingers before smelling its fragrance.
Bruce's gaze burned into the back of her head, and she knew he was waiting to gauge her expression and report it to Chad. She smiled up at him. "He put a lot of effort into this huh."
The corner of Bruce's eyes crinkled as he tried to smile in response, but it didn't last. Chad wasn't the one to put all of this together. He ordered the staff to do it. There was nothing wrong with that, he was a busy man and trying to prove himself to Preston Vale. But he had noticed since arriving on this island that he had been neglecting her more.