The Secret Island
Chapter 66: While in the car

Martin asked her to go out for a trip. But still, it was Celine who drove them both there.

Celine turned to the man sitting in her front car seat. He was observing the view through the window. If she was not mistaken, he was enjoying himself like a kid on a field trip. We were going to Brighton just as she initially thought she would invite him. She hadn't had a trip to see the Seven Sisters for years.

She tried to finish all her work, but she couldn't do it. The tasks of a CEO are endless. So she brought her laptop with her. Martin didn't mind. He was happy, just her saying she got time to go on the trip with him.

Since she took on this position, Celine has always been busy. She worked throughout the holidays. And she didn't really have any need to go out or take a break until. Celine turned to look at Martin as she thought that. He was looking at an empty field and trees on the side roads. The views were not particularly exciting.

Celine already booked a room for us. The thought of a holiday was quite exciting to her. The time reminded her about our time together back then. It was only tiring to drive there. Yeah, she had second thoughts about taking a train. Suddenly, she wanted more private time with Martin, even within the confide of a car also counts.

"So... you said you want to get to know me more. What do you want to know?" Celine started a conversation; she was not accustomed to sitting quietly in a car.

"Oh...."

"Don't just be all quiet. We will be spending three days together, you know. It's quite rare for me to find days off."

"Oh...well, okay, can you tell me what has been going on with your life for the past four years?"

"Things that happened to me for the past four years?" And will he tell her what happened to him in return? "Yes."

"Fine..." She told him about the time she proposed her business plan to her parents, and she even took a loan from them to expand the business. She told him how she picked a place to renovate for her office, how she hired her first employee and how to prove herself to her dad's seasoned employees-those times were tough. She didn't tell him how much she missed him and how much she still loved him. She didn't tell him all that.

"Wow... you are brilliant. I have always thought you are a brilliant person." He complimented her. Although she was driving, she could see in the corner of her eyes that he was looking at her, and he was smiling... with pride.

Her stupid heart skipped a beat.

Again...

And it beat faster.

That feeling again. The same feeling as the same man. No matter how often this happened, she couldn't get used to it.

"And... do you get a chance to date, anyone?" Martin asked as if he was afraid. She didn't know why he put himself in this situation, but he had nothing to fear.

"And have you been with anyone since we were apart?"

"No..."

"Hmm...it's the same for me." She could see his smile was broader, and for some reason, she wanted to tease him a little.

"But I did go on dates with multiple men. Nothing much; just some dinners, watching movies, walking in a park, all that jazz. You know, whatever single people do." She teased him. It was true, but that was all she did. What innocent activities those were, so innocent that her friends kept teasing her.

But that was enough to bring a scowl to his face.

"Okay..." and he went silent. Maybe from jealousy or feeling unappreciated, she didn't know if someone like him could have that type of feeling, the version of him she remembered was so unemotional and might even think that this story she told was ridiculous.

"Martin, how many girlfriends have you been with?" She had a sudden curiosity. He might have more experience in a romantic relationship than her.

Martin was quiet for a while.

"Well, four, including you."

"Huh! Are you serious?"

"I was a studious kid. All I did was study. And once I graduated, work was all I had. Why? Too many?" He answered and asked with a bit of concern.

Then he asked her the same question.

"And how about you?"

She fidgeted a bit while focusing on the road.

"It's alright. I don't mind about the number." He added.

"Err...I just need some time to count."

She turned to look at him. Martin smiled to signal her that she really didn't have to worry.

Fine! Just let me count. I just need time to figure out what happened since I was 12. Things got a bit crazy in college, and I didn't remember much but never mind, I don't want to remember most of that...

"Well..."

"Yes?"

"I think... more than twenty, but less than thirty."

"

"I wasn't serious with most of them. In some cases, I was with the guy for a week or two, then we got bored of each other and went our separate ways. I was not serious about any of them." She quickly added. She didn't want him to misunderstand.

"That is true, Martin. I just went with the flow. I wasn't serious about those relationships."

"Um. A week or two. Just like me." The man who was once excited to be here now just sat still with a frown.

"Martin, please don't misunderstand me on this. I didn't mean to displease you. I just talked about the past. That was the stuff before we met!"

"I know... I know... I'm mature enough. It's your life, your stories. I have no right to feel anything about it. And it was I who asked in the first place." He said that, but he didn't exactly seem 'fine.' She could tell from here that he was upset, so she decided to park and talk to him.

"I believe I have upset you." He didn't even turn to look at her.

"No, no, no, nothing at all. I know I'm responsible for my feelings." He said unemotionally and focused his gaze on the view outside of the window. She could see him biting his lower lip.

"Am I just one of those guys you dated and think nothing will come out of it?" He asked. And she wasn't having it-Celine swiftly moved from the driver seat and kissed the man, answering the question he might have and the doubt in his heart. She initiated the kiss, but it was him that led. Her soft lips trembled slightly when he responded to the kiss. She could feel the depth of our feeling for each other every time our lips met. His arms held her tight, wishing for us to become closer. The hunger hadn't dissipated-our time apart still left scars-the scars that were slowly healing when we were together like this.

Martin might not know how much influence he had on her. She couldn't even remember the names of some of the guys she dated. She was startled when his hand got inside her shirt and caressed her bare back... Martin bit her lower lips, and she opened up for him to deepen our kiss.

When he broke the kiss, she was drunk with his touch that she didn't know what to say.

And eventually, he asked her.

"Answer me, for the time we had together, what do you think of me? What do you think of our relationship? We have told me you love me. Is that really true? I am not just another guy you said that to, am I?" He really didn't understand...

She caressed his cheek and looked into his eyes before she shifted her gaze to his lips, red from our recent kiss.

"If I'm not serious about us, why have I still insisted on remaining single all these years for you?"