"Now, who the hell is it?" Riley stood straight, annoyed, feeling the vibration in her pocket. She has no energy to even sit properly.
"Uhh!! What the fuck does she want now?" She gritted her teeth seeing the call from her hospital. Riley stood up and walked away from the noise to talk.
"I don't know why my cousins curse too much," Shirley said, looking in the direction she walked away. Tyler chuckled hearing her inner thoughts.
He found these three cousins so interesting.
"So, when was your first 'cousins' trip?" Tyler asked curiously.
"Four years ago, South Korea"
"Why Korea?"
"These two crackheads are BTS fans, and there was a concert. They pre-booked the tickets" Shirley shrugged. Tyler nodded as understood.
"Then, Switzerland, London, you know Riley settled there, then Bali, Finland, and lastly LA, with Larra. And this year, it's Miami " Shirley explained.
"Impressive!"
"Thanks. We were together till we were 25, then we went apart. But we couldn't see each other for so long. So we started our travels, we could see each other and see places"
"Yeah. That's great. We should always be connected with our loved ones"
"So, Larra settled in LA only last year?" Ron asked curiously.
"No. She went there five years ago.Ā It was hard for her to get a job first. But, she tried harder and reached her destination." Shirley said with a proud face.
"She was always into literature "
"And Riley, when we went on our UK trip, she fell in love with the place. After coming back to India, she applied for a job there, convinced her parents, and settled there. And Larra gave her moral support" Ron chuckled hearing her. Much relatable,
Larra convincing Riley to live wild!
"And I left there alone, but thankfully, I have Rayan with me," Shirley said with a sweet smile.
"He was with me, always. In all my ups and downs. And I can't think of a life without him," Shirley said sadly; the thought reminded her of something, someone.
"Yeah, love hurts!" Tyler said thoughtfully, earning an amused look from Ron.
"You know what, we shouldn't waste any moment if you feel something for someone. We don't know when they are gonna disappear from our life again," Ron said suggestively, hoping someone would get the message.
"Right, that's why I proposed Rayan," Shirley said, giggling.
"Woah! Cheers lady" Ron clunk his glass with her.
Tyler thought deeply. Ron was right. He shouldn't waste any more time. He stood abruptly.
"I will be right back"
"Good luck with that, buddy," Ron said without looking back; he knew where Tyler was going.
Tyler towards the less crowded side of the beach, where Riley had gone before. As he thought, she was sitting on the beach, talking to someone on the phone. After a few seconds, she ended the call and stood up.
"Everything's fine?" She flinched when she heard someone. She released her breath when she saw it was none other than Tyler.
"You scared me"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to" he chuckled seeing her pissed face.
"Yeah. It's, just a call from the hospital. Nothing important" she said nonchalantly. He nodded and stood beside her, facing the sea. The sea breeze caressed them like giving a therapy, made them relaxed.
"Can we talk?" He asked a few minutes later making Riley nervous. Still, she nodded.
"That night-"
"I am sorry" Riley didn't allow him to complete.
"I know, i shouldn't have done that. But, I was so embarrassed. You were so nice and I think, I fucked up. I just couldn't face you in the morning, so I.." she said with a guilty face. Tyler looked at her confused.
"Look, I know you must have regretted it-"
"No, I don't"
"Huh?" Riley was surprised to hear him.
"I don't regret it Jenner. I was just sad to know that you left, without telling me"
"Yeah. But we were so wasted and it all happened in the heat of the moment and I-"
She couldn't complete her words before Tyler grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. She put her hands on his chest in reflex, with a confused face.
"Are you wasted now?" Tyler asked in a low octave, sending chills on Riley. She gulped and shook her head.
"Me neither" saying that he pressed his lips on her. Riley became shocked must be an understatement. She couldn't digest the fact that Tyler just kissed her.
When Tyler slowly moved his lips, Riley felt those tingles again, which she felt one year ago, that night. Then only she realised how much she missed that warmth. She doesn't know when she synced her lips with Tyler.
Tyler, glad to know her response, pulled her more closer and deepened the kiss. Riley's fingers ran through his dark brown hair. When the breathing came between their desires, they pulled away. Riley looked at him with a newfound emotion.
"I don't regret it now, I don't regret that day, I don't regret that night" Tyler tucked her hair strands behind her ear and kept his hand on her cheek.
"You stole my heart just that day Riley Jenner, you have no idea how much I missed you. Even I couldn't fuck anyone after that. Every time I tried, I saw your face in them, and, I just couldn't do it, till this day" Tyler's confession made her shocked.
What?!
"I-"
"Ssh.. I know you must be shocked to know it. I know you are not ready for a relationship. And I am not forcing you to do anything. But, just don't ghost me anymore, please? Just be in touch with me. I will wait for you" Tyler poured his heart out and Riley was beyond clouds. Her eyes teared up hearing his hearty confession also felt bad knowing she wasn't ready for it.
"Okay?" Tyler cupped her face and asked for assurance. After taking a deep breath, Riley grabbed his wrist, and nodded with a smile. And then, Tyler showed her the most charming smile she had ever seen in her life. His eyes twinkled with happiness. Riley couldn't help herself from smiling ear to ear. She nodded vigorously, like a promise. Tyler once more leaned closer and kissed her forehead.
But both of them weren't aware of the pair of eyes watching them and squealing excited.
Larra returned from the washroom with a flushed face and sat near Ron, where she was sitting before.
"You okay?" Ron asked her suspiciously.
"Yep" she said grinning.
"Wait, did someone fucked you in washroom? You look red" Ron eyed her face closely.
"What?! No you idiot. I just squealed" she slapped his biceps.
"Why?"
"You will know it soon" she said and winked at him, giving another heart attack for him. He shook his head and composed himself, don't wanna fall for that.
"I love it when you call me seƱorita.." Larra suddenly started singing making everyone look at her confused. Tyler and Riley just took their seats, widened their eyes and stole glances.
"I wish I could pretend I didn't need ya.." this time it was Winnie, who stood up from her seat and swayed her hips sexily. Shirley and Stacy became interested in the show and cheered them on.
"But every touch is oh-la-la-la.. It's true la-la-la.." Larra also stood up and swayed her body,leaned back on Ron for support, using him as a pole. Ron was peacefully enjoying his drink, choked in shock and spilled it.
"Ooh, I should be runnin' Ooh, you keep me coming for ya.." Winnie moved her hips and called Larra towards her, acting all sexy.
"Okay, what's going on?" Riley was feeling super nervous, stood up and asked. The both dancers stopped their show and looked at her with a blank face.
"What? We are just performing" Winnie said offended.
"Yeah. Do you wanna join us, seƱorita?" Larra asked with an oh so innocent face, battling her eyelashes. Riley, already know her cousin, gave a deadly glare to her.
"Oh Larra, look. We can use this as a pole." Winnie said pointing towards a small pillar beside the counter. Larra squealed excited and ran towards it. Riley shook her head, giving up.
"Locked in the hotel Thereās just some things that never change You say weāre just friends But friends donāt know the way you taste, la la la.." Winnie, was in shorts and bralette, showing her perfect curves and that pierced naval, gave a perfect pole dance show for the customers. She swayed and revolved around that pole like a pro.
"Ooh, when your lips undress me Hooked on your tongue Ooh love, your kiss is deadly Donāt stop" Larra, on the other side, in a skirt that reached her knees paired with a crop top, acted like the pole was a man and went up and down, rubbing on him.
The customers cheered for both while Shirley cheered for her cousin. Riley, feeling all shy glanced at Tyler, who watched her with an evil smirk.
And Ron, Ron was gone by now. He doesn't know what he felt seeing Larra all being a sexy goddess. When she raised her hands above and swayed sides, her crop top went up and gave a clear view of her thin waist and that button. When she swayed up her hips like a pro, he went all unholy for a brief second. Ron immediately turned around and chugged down the drink in front, panting heavily. He looked down on his lap and sighed in defeat.
Shit!
When he looked up, he saw Tyler and Stacy watching him with a smirking face. He could only smile nervously. His junior was being too obvious.
The trio came back to the hotel with Ron and Tyler. They didn't bother to call a cab since they all are coming back to the same place.
"Good night ladies" Ron shouted and headed towards his room, he was hella tired.
"Good night surgeon" Larra shouted back stepping inside their room. Shirley also followed her and directly fell on the bed. Larra followed her and cuddled.
"So, good night, Tyler" Riley stood at the door with a hesitation. Tyler looked around quickly and gave her a peck.
"Good night seƱorita" he chuckled and walked away. Riley stood there sometimes, watching his retreating figure. With a sweet smile, she got inside and locked the door.
Larra looked up when she heard her phone beeping.
Meet me at 7. Let's get you a tattoo.
She smiled and went back to sleep. _________________________
"Sorry, I am late" Ron was scrolling through his phone when Larra came running. They have planned to get her a tattoo.
"Only five-" he couldn't complete his words when he looked up to her, his words stuck up in his throat seeing a very fresh Larra.
She wore a pastel green pencil skirt with a white spaghetti crop top. A white shirt loosely laid on her one shoulder exposing the other one. And her hair, it wasn't tied.
Then only Ron realised that he always saw her with tied hair. But in this outfit, with that loose brown hair which reached her elbows, she looks... Beautiful!
Yeah, with her baggy pants or skirts with a messy bun, she looked hot. But now she looks beautiful, very pretty as a morning flower.
"Surgeon?" She flickered her fingers in front of his face, he flinched in reaction and smiled nervously.
"What happened? Shall we?" Ron nodded, still in trance, and opened the passenger seat door for her.
"Woah. Mr.Surgeon is a gentleman I see" she said with an impressed face making him grin. After closing the door he came to the driver's seat.
Larra turned the mirror towards her.
"Just a minute. Let me apply my sunscreen" she opened her cling bag and took the tube. Ron looked at how she managed to look so beautiful without any makeup. She just wrapped up her makeup session by applying just sunscreen and lip bam.
"Finished?" Ron asked surprised when he saw she sit like him waiting to start the jeep. She nodded confused. He chuckled and shook his head and started the car.
"What?" She was offended.
"Do I have to put some layers? Do I look ugly?" She asked confused, again checking the mirror.
"You are nothing but ugly, Ms.Editor" he said with a genuine smile.
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's because I am seeing a girl who thinks 'to be pretty and confident there is no need for make-up' for the first time." He stated.
"Ohh, that means, I am pretty, huh?" She asked with a teasing smile. When Ron looked at her, she battled her eyelashes to tease him more. For a moment Ron looked at her brown eyes and those pink lips, his lips twitched upward slightly, he immediately put on his sunglasses to avoid any unnecessary thoughts.
Has she come to give me a boner already in the morning?
"How long?" After five minutes Larra asked him.
"Half an hour" she nodded in return and enjoyed the view. When Ron saw a street food stall, he pulled out the jeep.
"Let us grab something to eat" Larra nodded and hopped down with him. They had a sandwich and smoothie from the stall, and continued driving.
It was silence inside the jeep, not an awkward one but a peaceful one. Both seemed to enjoy each other's company.
"So, how's your life alone?" Ron decided to get to know her more.
"Umm, it is neutral, not peaceful nor disturbed." Ron nodded understanding. In fact he was also living a similar life.Ā
"I can do anything, anytime I want. That's a plus point. But, sometimes I miss my close ones. Some memories will make us crave for them. Those days will be tough to pass. On such days, I will go on hiatus" she said grinning.
"Otherwise, usual, office, writing, colleagues, parties, hook ups and all." Ron nodded, agreeing.
"Don't you visit India? Your parents?" Ron asked casually, not knowing what he just caused inside her. For a second, her face went sad, but she masked it immediately.
"Nah. I don't" she said casually, shrugged as it wasn't any big deal. Ron somehow sensed her discomfort and didn't want to push any sensitive buttons.
"What about you?" She asked him.
"Me? Same. Usual . Hospital-home-hospital-home. On weekends I will go to some parties or anywhere peaceful. Sometimes I visit Tyler or my family"
"Uhh surgeon, why are our lives so boring, right?"
"Yeah, it's only become colourful when we go on these trips or we gather." Ron also agreed.
"Exactly"
"Any girlfriend?" Larra asked after sometime.
"Not yet" he winked at her. She gasped in response.
"There's no nurse or interns who are trying to get in this heart?" She asked playfully, pointing at his heart. Ron looked at her amused. She was very carefree, really free to talk.
"Tell me, surgeon. There are no dark fantasies going on, huh?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Come on. I am a professional gentleman." Ron said offended and Larra burst into laughter, clapping her hands together.
"I really like that. Professional gentleman!"
"Thank you, Ms.Editor" saying that he changed the manual gear, his hand rubbed on her exposed thigh in that slitted skirt. Larra flinched when she felt that tingles on her thighs.
"Sorry" he said immediately, with a worried face.
"Relax dude. Gosh, you are definitely a professional gentleman" Larra said giggling. Ron once again lost in her presence.
"Until I reach my limit" he muttered under his breath.
"Huh? You said something?"
"Nah" he shook his head.
"Woah. I am really excited to get a tattoo."
"Right? I already told her about our arrival. She must be free now"
"Thank you so much darling " Larra pinched his cheek playfully, earning a hiss from him.
"We are almost here" Larra looked around and narrowed her eyes. They were on the outskirts of the town, the place looked, shabby.
"Gosh, surgeon, if you wanna kill me, you could have thought better ways, why did you bring me here?" Larra looked around when he parked the jeep on the side of a street.
"Sorry dear, I didn't get any creative idea like you" Ron played together and went out. Larra followed him andĀ walked with him. She flinched when she felt Ron's hand on her wrist. She looked up to his face only to see he walking with a blank face, some men with vape sitting on the side of the street.
So, this professional gentleman knows how to protect ladies!
But, why does his face look like she already knows that, that possessiveness when we already warn others to back off from what is our own!
When she looked at his eyes from the side, a warmth spread in her heart making her smile.
They entered an alley and passed three blocks and stopped in front of a two storey building. Then only Ron freed her hand.
"Ron!" A lady in mid thirties opened the door and hugged him excitedly.
"Lisa! How are you?"
"Fantastic! Damn man, you became hotter than last time" Lisa slapped his arm playfully, openly drooling on him. Ron shrugged with a smug smile saying ' it has to be like that, you know'!
"You must be Larra" Lisa turned her attention towards Larra and she looked surprised at Ron.
"Nice to meet you Lisa" Larra shook her hands with her.
"Gosh, she is so pretty" Lisa looked at Ron and said. Again, Ron shrugged with the same expression and winked at Lisa.
"Come in. Let's get you painted" Lisa said excitedly and opened the door for them.
When Lisa tattooed Larra's skin, Ron waited in the waiting area of her parlour. Larra didn't allow him to come inside.
"You okay? Does it hurt? " Ron jumped from the couch when she came out after hours. His worries were reflected in his eyes.
"Yeah. It will be okay." Larra nodded assuring.
"Can I see it?" Ron asked expecting.
Larra extended her wrist, displaying the same BTS-ARMY tattoo.
"Woah. We got the same" he almost laughed surprised. Larra nodded excited. Then she turned around and parted her hair, displaying her back neck, where an angel tattoo is done. Ron's eyes darkened for a moment seeing her bare back neck and that black ink was pulling his sanity.
"Woah" he breathed heavily unknowingly. Then Larra turned to the side and showed her left ear, under that a small tattoo with leaves.
Ron smiled impressed and showed a thumbs up, not trusting his words or actions. Lisa smirked knowingly in the corner.
"You like it?" Larra asked excitedly.
"Yeah. I love it" Ron said with equal enthusiasm.
"Thank you so much Lisa. I really really loved it" Larra hugged Lisa thankfully.
"Anything for you dear"
They said good bye to Lisa and left the place after having a small conversation. Lisa gave instructions to take care of the tattoos for a few days to avoid infections.
"I can't wait to show Riley and Shirley these" Larra chirped excited when they climbed up to the jeep.
"Can I turn on the radio? I am in the mood for some music" Larra asked hopefully.
"Anything for you dear" Ron copied Lisa's dialogue and both laughed together.
"You and I.. Ridin' Harleys in Hawaii -i-i.." both sung with the song together and drove to meet their friends. __________________________
"Larra left a note that she is gonna get a tattoo with Ron. That bitch ditched us for a tattoo." Riley showed the note when Shirley came out of the washroom. Shirley thought for a moment and nodded.
"Ron! What do you think?" Shirley asked thoughtfully.
"Can't predict" Riley shrugged nonchalantly.
"Larra is acting differently around him, something wild. Sometimes I feel scared" Shirley said in a serious tone.
"Shirl, Larra is wild when she is wild. And Ron, he is wild as Larra. So, Don't worry. We have days to know"
"Yeah. I hope everything will be fine at the end of the trip" Shirley said putting the note back.
"Speaking of that, I have something to tell you" Riley started with hesitation.
"Promise me that you won't freak out," Riley said in a defensive tone.
"Jenner, what did you do?" Shirley raised one eyebrow.
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