Waves Of Passion

“I know but what the world doesn’t know is what he has done to get to where he is right now.” She shook her head. “He has stepped on toes, sold people out…let’s just say that if he was on the Hunger Games he would be The Capitol. Getting ahead by sacrificing people and just being reckless.”

“I have a feeling that there is more to this story,” Christina pointed out and Eliza nodded.

“He had been trying to get this oil deal…he just recently got into the oil game, a few months before we got together actually and there was this contract, big money apparently. And he decided to tag me along on a business meet, it was apparently the meet. The one that could guarantee that contract but when we went to the meet, this weirdo kept on giving me this strange look. At first I thought he was just ogling me but soon enough I found out that the man had more on his mind than just undressing me with his eyes. And soon enough, he blatantly told Allan that he would sign the papers but only if he had me for one night.”

“What?” Christina asked in surprise her voice slightly higher than she intended. “Right in front of you? Did you have headphones or something?”

Eliza shook her head.

“I was right there. Seated, sipping on cocktails and he was looking right at me when he said it.”

“What did Allan say?” Christina asked and she forced out a laugh.

“He agreed.”

“You’re kidding me.”

Eliza shook her head.

“Not at all. The contract was so important to him that it didn’t matter what I went through. He actually looked at me and told me that it was a small price to pay for our future.” She sighed loudly. “That was just too much for me. I just had to walk away.”

“That bas*ard,” Christina said and I nodded.

“Tell me about it.”

“He keeps on telling me that if I was with him, I would never have to work a day in my life and honestly, I kind of like living this simple life. Going to work, doing what I love, being near my best friend…Celia, it is all amazing.” Eliza said smiling. “I love this life. It is perfect and fun and nothing like what I had back there.”

Christina held her hand.

“I can only imagine.”

“But hey, life is so much better. Here. I don’t have any regrets whatsoever.”

“Especially with you know who in your life,” Christina said winking at her.

She smiled and just then they heard someone clear his throat. It was a male voice. Eliza bit her lip as she looked over her shoulder to see Justin leaning against one of the lockers.

“Hey, hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he said. “I asked around for you and everyone out there told me to check out the locker room…sorry, I didn’t expect to find you with anyone. I thought you were alone.”

“This is the female lifeguards’ changing room,” Eliza pointed out.

“Well, it’s just the two of you and everyone else is already out there working,” Justin said. “And the next shift change is not for another hour or so.”

Christina smiled.

“Because I like you, I am going to let you get away with this,” she said and Eliza raised an eyebrow over the other.

“You are?” she asked, surprised.

“I know it’s hard for you to believe but I am quite the sweetheart around here,” he said and Eliza laughed.

“He is right. He kind of is.”

“Thank you Christina. That means a lot,” he said.

“You’re very welcome, Justin,” Christina said, laughing.

“So, Eliza. Do you have a minute?” he asked and Christina got up.

“It’s okay. I was on my way out already,” Christina said smiling. “Besides I have a lot to finalize for the upcoming competition.”

“Competition?” Eliza asked after Christina walked out.

“There is a West Coast Surf Explosion series coming up in a few days,” Justin said.

“A few days?” Eliza asked, surprised and he nodded as he walked up to where she was. “I have been here for almost two weeks but nothing like this has been mentioned.”

“Well, it has been on the board for the last four months,” Justin said matter of factly.

“Guess I am still being taught the ropes.”

“Don’t worry…it takes some time before you get into the system.”

“But I have been a lifeguard before,” she said.

“But back then, being a lifeguard was your only job.”

She nodded.

“I guess.”

“And the Wave Tide team is more than enough to handle the situation. I’m sure you are not being kept out of the loop on purpose. You have not really been portraying a picture of complete…stability. I’m sure Christina noticed everything and it was probably why she thought it would be better to keep you out of the loop. But it does not mean that she doesn’t plan on having you there for the day.” He held her hand. “Because there is no way I am going to compete for that without my favorite lady there for me.”

She smiled. “I am definitely going to be there for you.”

He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss.

“I highly appreciate that. And maybe I can show you just how much as soon as I possibly can.”

“Why not immediately?” she asked and he shrugged.

“I have an interview in a few minutes and we both know that I can never be done with you in a few minutes.”

Eliza smiled and shook her head. “You make me sound like an animal.”

“Hey, you bring out the animal in me,” Justin said, smiling.

She noticed his smile slowly fading. It was like something was suddenly wrong. Something that she could not really tell what it was.

“What?” she asked and he sighed loudly.

“I heard what you said to Christina,” he said in a soft voice and she rubbed her temple. “No, no….I didn’t mean to eavesdrop or anything.”