Chapter 118 - Smile (1/2)
The next morning, their team building organizer, Sun, prepared the group for a scavenger hunt. He wanted the team to split into two smaller groups.
”Alright, we want each group to have the same number of men and women,” explained Sun.
He shook his head, very much aware of his lie. What he said was an alibi; an excuse. As he called out the names that would complete Group 1 and Group 2 Sun remembered that the lists for each group had been handed to him directly by the Dr. CEO's assistant, giving him clear instructions on who would be in each group.
”Here are the lists of items you should look for,” Sun explained, handing out the lists on small index cards, ”and things you have to do. Deadline is at 11:00 AM,” he continued, explaining, ”just before lunch. By then everyone should be back here. The first team to accomplish all the tasks, win!”
Just as usual, Yera and Xander were in a group together, but surprisingly, Dion and Rizie were also with them. A few minutes after Sun's explanation, the scavenger hunt began. The two teams split up; scattering around the resort. The private island where they stayed was beautiful; with gorgeous blue waters and nature spots overflowing with greenery.
Yera glanced around. She smiled as she wished they could just sit around and relax.
Xander muttered, ”Nice place right? You will like the villa more once you decide to visit that favorite place of mine,” he said, noticing how much his wife seemed to admire the place.
”Hmm, yes let's visit it then and let me see how great your favorite place was.” Yera murmured before she ran to join their team to complete each task.
One of the tasks was to give a teammate a piggyback ride for ten minutes. Dion offered to piggyback Yera, as she was the smallest on their team . Yera thought Xander would make a fuss, but to her surprise, Xander agreed and offered to record the video.
After completing that task, Yera and Xander wandered behind. Walking behind the rest.
”What's with you and Dion?” Yera asked suddenly. Yera noticed that Xander always paid extra attention to Dion, but unlike before he seemed more considerate, or was it generosity she was seeing more of?
Xander coughed, then glanced at Dion, who was next to Rizie. They had drifted about five meters behind them. He sighed. He clearly remembered giving Dion advice on how to tell Yera the truth about his identity. Xander hated lying to Yera, but he understood and respected Dion's decision to wait for a better time to disclose the matter with Yera directly. She was his half sister, and until now she had no idea he existed.
”Hmmm, nothing. I like Dion's company. It's like what you say: I should treat him nice since he is one of your closest friends. Or do you want me to bully him instead?” Xander asked, teasing.
Yera wasn't fully convinced. She opened her mouth to say something, but Rizie hushed them, ”Guys walk faster. Let's hurry up and finish this. Oh look, there's an egg nest!”
The pair sped up. Xander said, ”Don't think much Darling and let's go. I will love to hold your hand but then…”
Yes, Yera wanted the same thing, but right now they couldn't openly show their relationship. Seeing how Xander was interacting cheerfully with everyone, Yera smiled. Dion noticed, and smiled back awkwardly.
'Those smiles,' she mused. He had the same awkward, funny smile as her dad. Everytime he would smile she felt like she was seeing him again. She remembered his face from when she was still a kid. Maybe it was one of the reasons that she was so comfortable with Dion.
'What a coincidence,' she thought. She and Dion shared that same, stiff smile. Her grandfather would often tease her on how unrelaxed her smile was.
Yera's parents died a day after her sixth's birthday. During the celebration, the day before all of them were happy, especially her. The next day, her parents left on an important business, using one of their private planes. But a tragic accident occured, killing both her parents instantly.