Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Zachary looked totally wronged. His grandpa’d been strict as hell his whole life-never let him talk back, let alone pull some obvious rule-bending stunt.
Quinlyn picked up on his pouty mood, like a hurt puppy too stubborn to say anything. She bit back a smirk-who knew the male leader was such a drama king?
Yalena’s eyes darted around, and she shouted, “Quinlyn, you knew about this? You should’ve warned us. What are we gonna do now?”
At her words, the group of more than ten people eyed Quinlyn like she owed them. They all thought they were in this together, and she should’ve warned them to pack.
Quinlyn’s hair whipped around in the wind. She brushed it back with one hand, clearing her face, then flashed a smile. “You’ve got it all wrong, Yalena.
“I brought this stuff because I love adventures. If things get tough, I can handle myself. But that’s not the whole story.
She paused for effect. “Think about it-a deserted island, wild landscape, stargazing, fishing. Staying there with someone you care about sounds pretty romantic, doesn’t it?
“I bet Mr. Logan Fletcher had that in mind when he built this place. It’s about unexpected moments, not following some boring itinerary. If you wanted everything served on a silver platter, why not just book a resort, right?
“I’m totally laid-back. Just gonna do my own thing and stay out of your romantic getaway.” She shot the crowd a perfect fake smile, leaving them stuck for words.
But Yalena was different. She had an eye for beauty, and she’d spotted Yasin standing stiff as a board by the shore.
Yasin had freaked her out at that birthday party. Just seeing his profile now, she knew it was him.
“Quinlyn, what are you even rambling about?” Yalena retorted. “Your friend’s over there waiting, isn’t he?”
The group’s tension eased. After Quinlyn’s explanation, they figured it did sound pretty romantic.
Zachary glanced over, only to hear Quinlyn’s playful tone as she quipped, “Sure, but he’s such a delicate kitty and needs me to watch his back.
“You’re all different, though. You’re the delicate ones, waiting for guys to sweep in and save you. Relax-your guys won’t let you starve. Right, Zachary?”
‘Oh, the annoying Quinlyn!’ Zachary’s eye twitched, then he squeezed Yalena’s hand tightly. “Don’t worry, Yalena. I’ve been to this island a few times. I know my way
around.”
The staff, who were about to leave, paused. One thought ran through all their heads-no wonder Logan had been watching Zachary so closely.
Then, a staff member approached Quinlyn and gently pointed out that she couldn’t keep all that extra gear. Otherwise, the rest of the group would think it was unfair.
Considering the coming storm, Quinlyn refused to back down. Besides, she had to keep up her role as the supporting character. How was she supposed to do anything if she was starving?
The staff were stuck. Logan had told them to give Quinlyn special treatment, but how?
Yasin watched her dig her heels in and stubbornly refuse to give an inch. He couldn’t help but chuckle, which immediately earned him a killer glare from Quinlyn.
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In the end, the staff took Quinlyn’s bags. But since she had connections, they just stashed her stuff somewhere on the island and promised to let her know the location later. Finally, Quinlyn gave in.
As soon as the staff were gone, Quinlyn turned to Yasin and snapped, “You just stood there watching?”
Yasin nodded, dead serious. “As a delicate kitty, I require protection.”
‘Protect your ass! What kind of kitty are you, anyway? A man-eating one?’ Quinlyn grumbled inwardly.
Then the Narrator’s voice kicked in. [As night fell, a massive storm hit the island, forcing everyone to take shelter in a nearby cave. With no food or spare clothes to speak of, they split into groups to scavenge for supplies.
[During their search, Yalena and Zachary accidentally tumbled off a cliff. Zachary was critically injured while protecting Yalena, and he quickly developed a dangerously high fever.
[Quinlyn discovered them and carried the unconscious Zachary back to the cave. But Yalena was nowhere to be found. When they finally tracked her down, she’d fallen into a deep pit and was knocked out cold.
[In the aftermath, Quinlyn took the blame for the incident. A furious Zachary unleashed his anger on her, tearing into her with harsh words.]
Tsk. Unleash his anger on me again, huh?’ Quinlyn sneered silently. She stretched and glanced at Yasin beside her. “Come on, kitty. Let’s go fight our fate.”
She was determined to change her fate. And Yasin? He was already Supporting Male #N-might as well help him take a big step up, too.
Yasin couldn’t figure out why Quinlyn, who’d just been upset, was suddenly so fired up. But after a second, he nodded.
In fact, Quinlyn wasn’t overly hyped. It was just that every time the Narrator rehashed the past, those cringy, forgotten plot points sharpened into focus-so embarrassing, she wanted to dig a hole and hide.
She couldn’t help thinking, ‘How could I have been such an idiot? Zachary is fit and over six feet tall-he must weigh at least. 165 pounds. I carried a 165-pound sandbag through the mud, with the downpour stinging my face until it went numb.
‘And all the while, I was preening like some doting mother, grinning to myself, imagining how moved he’d be when he opened his eyes and saw me. I was practically begging, hoping he’d finally realize I’m the one who’s perfect for him.’
Yasin stared at Quinlyn beside him. Her fists were clenched tightly, her face twisting more and more with each passing second, and flames of intense fury burning in her eyes.
***
Finally, the staff finished all their prep work.
Yalena and Zachary took the lead, with Yarden and Elsie close behind. Quinlyn and Yasin brought up the rear.
The other four-two guys, two girls-were all good-looking. Word was they were kids of the Fletcher’s business partners. Anyway, they were all spoiled brats.
A staff member addressed the group, “Okay, grab your ID badges. These are your emergency beacons-press them if you’re in serious trouble. Our rescue team is monitoring the island around the clock.
“The island’s got all the basic supplies, but they’re hidden in different spots. We’ve got five survival kits total, so you’ll need to pair up and share. Some kits are better stocked than others-work it out between yourselves.”
All ten nodded.
After handing over their phones and stuff, the staff announced the start of this ridiculous game.
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Yalena and Zachary, acting as hosts, started chatting up the group. But they completely ignored Yarden, Elsie, Quinlyn, and Yasin. As the six of them chattered away, the four just stood there, speechless.
Quinlyn glanced around and turned to leave without a word.
Yalena called out, “Quinlyn, we’ve talked it over-we’re safer as a group. Let’s stick together.”
Now, if Quinlyn went with the group, she’d only be asking for trouble. But if she refused, she’d come off as being overly finicky.
Quinlyn chose the latter, calm as ever. “Nah. My kitty’s timid.”
Everyone glanced at Yasin, who was taller and bulkier than Zachary. ‘Seriously? He’s timid?’ they thought.
Yasin played along, looping his arm through Quinlyn’s, bending down to rest his head on her shoulder. “Yep. I’m scared of the heat, the cold, the dark, and starving-all of it.”
