I am travelling to a nearby island for meeting one of my clients. I plan to spend a few days after the meeting and relax. Recently there have been major hierarchical changes, we are starting a fresh after the weekend.

I feel delighted as we enter the island, the view, the vibes and the fresh atmosphere attracts me. It was a good choice to come down here. As soon as I say these words to my subconscious self, the car haults with a screeching sound. My driver Bran and I both try to check the issue with the engine or find someone to help. There are no mechanic shops near by and no cars that I see since last 30 minutes.

I have got used to all the jinxes in my life. Nothing new to me. But DAMN, I'll be late for the meeting. I don't want the first impression to be so bad, noting that I am punctual enough. My driver went to the near by village in search of help, while I am trying to find the fault in the engine.

Soon I see a girl parking ahead of me, should I ask for a lift? I see her helping an elderly woman to get out of the car, may be her grandmother or something, the granny starts blessing the girl for helping her out to reach the village. Oh! So they aren't related. Bran jogs towards me when he stumbles down on the road but before I could reach him out that girl helps him. Generous Much!

"Oh My God! Are you fine?" She worriedly asks Bran after offering a hand "Yes Mam! Thanks for the help" he smilingly takes the gesture. "Here, please drink the water, you seem exhausted" "Thanks again Mam" just standing there I listen to their conversation, up until now I see her back. I walk upto Bran to ask if he's fine. "I am fine Sir, but I did not find any help down the road, though I called a service centre  but they'll take 1 hour to reach here" I nod in understanding "Don't mind me for interrupting, but can I help you guys in any way?" This makes me turn to her and I see the most mesmerizing hazel orbs looking all concerned. I stay muted but Bran speaks up "Mam, it would be so kind of you if you could drop Sir to downtown, he has a very important client meeting and we are running late." "Sure thing, how much time do we have?" "30 minutes Mam!" "Let's get going" she soon walks up to her car. "Sir I'll stay here until the help comes" "No Bran, let's go together, we'll leave the car behind" "Please Sir, I insist, the guys may have already left for the pickup" I am a man of less words, can't really express how I feel, this is the only thing I lack. "Thanks Bran, I'll be waiting for you"

The girl comes up real soon and asks to get inside. As I am the only one getting in she asks "Is he not coming?" "No" "And?" "Service Centre people will come soon" "Oh, Okay" "Where to go?" And I give her the address. She is driving insanely fast. "Don't worry, we won't get into any kind of accident, just don't want to get you late, we are running out of time. It will take 50 minutes to reach the destination. Oh! And I am Isabella by the way" "Liam" I say with a curt nod, though I know she won't be able to see me. "You know it's good, we ended up meeting, I was on my way to the same resort where you are have the meeting, otherwise not much vehicles pass by here in the area" This was just the start, she kept talking all the way about the scenery, food stalls and what not. I would just nod, do a "hmm". This girl talks a lot.

I don't realize that we are already parking at the resort, that too just in 30 minutes, this girl kept me engrossed intentionally. Does she want something from me? "What are you waiting for? Run, your 30 minutes are up" I jolt at this, but say a quick thanks to her. "You're most welcome Liam" she smiles.

The meeting ended up quite well, I was just on time. But what keeps me pestering is how is it even possible that someone helped me without any ulterior motives? Is she that kind and selfless? I walk to the front door to find her standing, looks like I am wrong, now she will ask for some money, or any other favor I am sure. Huhh!!

I ignore her trying to walk past. "Hey, Hey Liam!" I turn around, ready to listen to the favor or money may be. "Did you not see me just now, or you ignored purposely?" I don't answer, but keep staring at her "Anyway, here take your wallet, you left in the car and I didn't want to disturb you during the meeting. I thought of leaving at the reception, but there was no Liam registered, so I ended up waiting for you, and I did not peek in" she says all in one go with a little smile on her face. I am stunned, she waited for a whole hour, just for returning the wallet "I'll get going now, bye, have a safe stay." I stop her by holding her hand wrong move. Not sure what came into me, she gives me a questioning look. "Sorry!" I release her hand "Let's get dinner " she looks at me confused, question mark written on her face . I couldn't help but chuckle at her cuteness, which makes her to frown.

"A thank you dinner, for helping me out" "Umm, I don't really need a treat for it, a thank you is enough, please don't bother, I'll leave now" "Bella, I insist, please?" She turns hearing me calling her Bella, I hope she doesn't mind "Okay, I guess" "Thanks, we'll just wait for my driver Bran" "Sure, fine with me"

We all three had dinner beside the beach, all the while Bran and Bella were chatting, murmuring and laughing hard, while I was just lost in my thoughts. I would gaze at her when she was speaking, laughing, noticing the gentle breeze waving off her hair, her eyes sparkling. I have never seen such a lively girl yet, she is original, beautiful, honest, kind and caring, without any expectations. I was absorbing all this, I may not meet her in future and it is too fast to exchange numbers.

But future had different plans, we ended up being neighbors in the resort, she was all over the place. Cooking for me, making me laugh, sometimes holding hands friendly. We watched a few movies eating popcorn, visited many places. I did all those things which are unlike me. I am happy, but I know it will not be for long. I can not hold anyone with me otherwise I'll hurt them. I can not hurt her, may be I have started developing feelings for her. No worries, it will reduce after tomorrow. Today evening I depart for the city, leaving her behind. Yet again my boring life will start and I won't complain.

Bran had to leave just the day after we arrived due to some family issues which gave the two of us enough alone time. But me being me, i did not ask for her contact number and obviously asking her out was off the plate. Although I was happy to know she's single, a bit about her family and lots and lots about her sister and her husband but I did not make any move. Coward Much! Well that I am!

I shake hands with her, tears all welled up in her eyes. I know she'll cry, but I don't hug her. "It was nice meeting you Bella, take care" "Same here Liam, you too take care" and she does the unexpected she hugs me tightly to which I don't reciprocate immediately as I am still in daze, but regaining the composure I stroke her silky smooth hairs and pat on her back. "Don't Cry, please?" She jerks "who said I was crying?, see" "Yeah! Sure, I'll get going then" though I say this but wait for a while before leaving, seeing her disappointed look. I know I have disappointed her, but it's for the better. I don't consider her just a friend, but she thinks of me as a friend, that is why she is sad may be?

While on my way to the hotel I saw a granny asking for lift, I had to help her, she was need and carrying a lot of contents with her, moreover that village is on my way, so no harm.

As I was helping the granny to come out, I saw a man who had his head immersed in the bonnet of his car. Should I ask him if he needs any help? As I was pondering upon it, i saw another man falling in front of me. I immediately offer a hand for him to get up. I see the other man coming towards us with a worried face. Both the men start discussing about the issue of not finding the mechanic. I am quick enough to butt in, me and my restless attitude. One of them as I understood is Bran the driver. The other one  enters the car and I quickly ask about Bran to the man and he just says a simple "No" This man sitting with me is so hard to talk. Ughhh. Keeping aside my loudly speaking mind! I ask politely "And?" and then he fills in, though again in a few words, apparantly Bran is staying behind waiting for service centre guys.

I ask about where to go and the man gives me the address. Damn! It will take 50 minutes to reach there, and his meeting starts in 30. I will have to be quick. I inform the same to the man. Oops! How rude of me, I did not introduce myself. I give him my name and in return get to know his "Liam". No doubt the man, I mean Liam is quite handsome, stop oogling. I have to get rid of this man soon, before my mind is out of control!

I am driving insanely fast for 2 reasons, one: to make him reach on time and two the most obvious one: I have to get rid of him soon. I can sense him little concerned about my fast driving, to keep him busy nd distracted I keep talking nonsense all the way, though I get nothing but soft humms.

We finally reach the destination which ends up being the same hotel I am staying in. Stay Away! He utters a quick thanks and exits the car. While turning, I see he has left his wallet. I see a lot of cards and cash in the wallet. I wasn't planning to peek. I checked because I was thinking of dropping it at the reception. We can't trust anyone. I should wait for him to come out.

When he came out, he by passed me. Did he not see me here? Or is he ignoring? I shout out to him and return his wallet. For a moment I see a lot of emotions on his face which is short lived! Then he asks for dinner, to which I am taken aback, not that I am expecting him to ask me out, but it is unexpected to come from such a cold being! And cherry on top I hear him chuckling, another surprise!

We wait for Bran and then we head for the dinner. Throughout the dinner Bran and me are the one's chatting, laughing, but Liam just keeps staring at me and sometimes lost in thoughts. We aren't able to say goodbyes as we end up being neighbors in the resort. Hah!

Bran left us the other day, so Liam and me are alone now. Em! I generally cook for myself, I don't like outside food much, and as I am on my vacay I should cook. I should offer some to Liam. I am not doing this to win him over, it is a normal courtesy. I see his shocked expression first when I knock on the door, he is contemplating something while I give him the food plate with my favorite ratatouille pasta in it. "I thought I would give you some as I prepared for myself, Bon Appetit!" I don't wait for his reply and dash to my room. Well, for one: he was looking extremely hot in those tight tshirts and denim Jean's just out of the shower and two: I should be in limits.

I jolt up from my deep slumber, seeing Bran calling me non-stop. It's just 11 in the morning, why is he calling. Yeah we exchanged numbers the other day. "Isa, can you see if Sir if awake, he's not picking up calls and everyone is worried hell here" Yup, he calls me Isa, he's like the big brother I never had. "Hello to you too Bran, I'll just have a look and give you a call back" I rush to washroom to do my business, at least brush my teeth and go to Liam.

I knock few times when the door open revealing Liam drenched in sweat. Was he working out? "Liam, Bran called, he was saying you're not picking any of your calls and they are worried about you" He nods, and doesn't close the door which I think is his way of inviting me in. Eye Roll. His suite and mine are a quite similar, I sit on the couch and wait for him. He just disappeared after opening the door. He comes back with the phone in his hand and sits beside me, the heat of his body radiating. I so want to ruffle his disheveled hairs, but I control the urge.

He seems lost. "Yes, I am fine, just email me the details, I'll be back in 2 days" So he is staying here for another 2 days. Should I be happy or sad? But why am I even thinking this? I am nothing to him.

"Sorry for being a bother, what would you like to have?" "It wasn't a bother at all, I just had to walk literally 20 steps to come here. And will you go out with me?" Did I just say will you go out with me? I again got to see various emotions on his face, just for a while, surprised, amused a SMIRK and then sadness! "I can see the wheels turning in your head, don't imagine things, what I meant was we are here for vacation so let's go out and explore, okay?" I know he'll refuse, I hope he agrees though.  "Okay"