The Secret Island
CHAPTER 36 Smile for Me

Celine told him the truth when she said she could drive a yacht. The fact amazed him. He enjoyed seeing her having fun with everything and taking the lead.

She prepared it all; the champagne bottles in the wine cooler, the food for today; the music playlists; everything. He felt like a special guest at a private party somewhere. Not that he hadn't been on a yacht party before. But the ones he went was much tamer-the purpose of those parties were networking and pitching ideas to either clients or executive. He was always on edge from the stress and could barely taste any champagne. But this was different; this private yacht party was just him and Celine. And it has been an adventure.

Celine was the kind of person that enjoyed life and chose to live life her way. He was learning that philosophy from her. In contrast to her liveliness, he felt like an older man trying to relearn living after being in hibernation.

"Alright! We have arrived." The woman at the steering wheel yelled out. She stopped the engine in the middle of the water, and there were no piers in sight.

"Where is this?" Martin looked around. All he saw was clear blue seawater and white cliffs on the other side of the island. She was right. We had never been here. All he saw was water and cliffs and rocks.

"Martin. Let's go. Let's get change." Celine walked to him and took off her clothes right there and then, revealing a black bikini underneath.

What?

"Why are you making that look? We are going to swim. We are swimming in the cave on that cliff over there. This little boat here could only go so far." She said enthusiastically.

"A cave?" Although he had been on this island for months, Martin hadn't been exploring the island this thoroughly. There was a cave? People could swim in a cave? But again, he never really ventured far from the villa, and he never wanted to, he had work to do, and that always took the top priority.

"Yeah...it's a popular spot, actually. The water is crystal clear, and the view is marvelous. There is enough light to make the water look like it glows. You, like some sort of magical luminescent place. Oh, boy, you really don't know? There are many reviews on the internet. Just type and search. It's all there on the top image page." She must have done some research before coming here.

He had to praise her for that. He had no clue how to properly relax and was even more clueless when it came to details about traveling. The places he brought her to was generic places like restaurants and sightseeing spots. He hoped she was not bored spending time with him.

He quickly shook his head when she pushed him to get change. Unbeknownst to him earlier, Celine bought him swim shorts. But how could he refuse the birthday girl? It was really overwhelming to be on the receiving end of so many secret gifts and surprises.

Again, he was uncertain whose special day this was really...

Again, he felt selfish.

He knew she didn't intend for him to feel this way. He had to be grateful, which he did. He just couldn't shake the feeling that he was, in fact, taking advantage of her.

She swam in front to lead him into the cave. The water was cold once he was fully submerged, and it was so clear he could see everything under the surface. After a few minutes, we reached the cave, and it was more beautiful than he could ever imagine. The place he didn't imagine existed and regretted not knowing it before. Otherwise, he imagined seeing himself swimming here. But again, who was he kidding? He didn't even choose to swim of his own accord if it was not because of Celine.

"Stunning..."

Martin sat up on one big rock inside the cave and looked around. Soon after, Celine climbed up the boulder and sat next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. The wind was getting stronger, and Martin began to shiver. He didn't get time to contemplate the weather for long when Celine asked the question.

"Martin, are you happy?" He turned to see her bright smile. Why did she have to please him this much?

"I am. You don't have to worry about me. It's your birthday after all. Of course, I'm enjoying all of it. But...why don't you let me do something for you as well? It doesn't seem fair. Why don't you at least let me buy you a gift." Martin finally could tell her what he had thought of for the whole day. It was strange that the birthday girl had to entertain her guest all day. And as a man, he didn't feel comfortable only being the receiver.

All she did was confuse him, especially this demand that caught him off-guard.

"Smile for me." A request from Celine.

"Huh?"

"Just do it. Smile for me. I want to see your smile." She ordered him again. Her being bossy was more adorable than frightening, and that forceful request made him laugh. He laughed so loud that the sound reverberated throughout the area. She stared at him as if trying to remember everything.

Her slender hand reached out to caress his cheek. And she spoke up; a soft voice made Martin's heart flutter again.

"Your happiness, the happiness of the person I love, is the best gift. Don't you realize that? Martin, you silly man...."

The light reflected in her eyes made him stare without the need to break eye contact. It was the sincerity in her voice that melted the coldness that had once been felt in his heart. She had that effect on his time and again. And every time Celine said that. Saying she loved him like that, Martin always gave her the same reply-the truth that she had never heard.

'I love you, too.'