BELLA’S POV
“All right, just make sure that everything will be fine on my reservation once we arrive there. Thank you for the help,” I thanked the person I was talking with before I ended the call.
“Hmm, where are you going?” I almost jumped off in shock because Riri appeared in front of me from out of nowhere.
“Beach,” I replied shortly, passed through her, and approached my table to get my things. I want to go home already since it seemed like my day will be so long tomorrow.
“What did you say? Did you just curse me, Bella?” Riri accused me, which made me frown.
“ You should start cleaning your eardrums. I have said beach, as in the resort. Ryle and I will go there tomorrow,” I firmly replied to her.
“Ah, I thought you told me something inappropriate.” It seemed like she became relieved because of my explanation. “But wait outing? Where?” Riri asked.
“In Batangas,” I replied shortly.
“Why did you decide out of nowhere to spend time with Ryle? Besides, why did you not invite me?” she protested while sulking. Psh, she talked so much but the downside was she wanted to join us.
“To answer your question, I realized earlier while I was talking with Senior Detective that I should spend time with Ryle more often. That is why I decided to go to Batangas with him tomorrow. And, for your information, I was about to tell you after I ended the call, but you suddenly appeared in front of me,” I explained to Riri. She nodded.
“You did not tell me earlier…” she stopped for a while and checked her wristwatch, “gosh, the mall already closed. I did not have a chance to buy a swimsuit,” she childishly protested, which made my mouth opened in unbelief to her statement. I thought something else was bothering her. I shook my head because of the way she acted. I can’t believe that until now she still acting like a child.
“Oh, what happened to you? Why you looked like you carry the heaven and earth at your back?” Cedric asked in wonder upon seeing Riri’s face. I did not notice that he was already on our side.
“It was because of Bella. She planned to go to Batangas tomorrow, but she did not tell me earlier,” Riri replied while pouting. I could only hold the back of my head because of what she said.
“First of all, I only suddenly thought about this whole thing. Second, I originally planned not to include you in this thing,” I explained to her. I saw how Riri’s lips became longer because of what I said.
“You were so mean! Are you really my friend?” Riri said and acted like she was hurt. She also slightly hit me on my shoulder. I could not help but roll my eyes because of her childish act. She was like a six-year-old girl.
“So…” Riri and I looked at Cedric at the same time when he faked a cough and spoke, “Where are we going tomorrow?" he continued. My jaw almost dropped because of his question. I also heard Riri laugh because of it.
“Are you serious? Do you want to join us?” I asked with unbelief.
A smile formed on Cedric's lips as he speak, “Oh why you seemed shocked? It has been long since the last time the three of us spend a vacation together.”
“That is why I like you as a friend, Ced,” Riri chuckled and they exchanged high five.
I could only have a long sigh because of what he said, “Fine. You two can join tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Riri and Ced exclaimed with excitement. It made my other co-detectives look in our direction.
I could only shake my head because of their behavior. Sometimes, I could not help but be embarrassed to be their friend. Rather than stressing myself, I took and wear my backpack, then I passed through them.
“By the way…” I stated and looked back to them, “If you two arrived late tomorrow, don’t expect that we are still there, waiting on you both.” I reminded them for the last time before I leave the office. After leaving the office, I went straightly to the parking lot, enter my car and drive right away. I need to go home as early as possible since I need to have enough rest for tomorrow’s endeavor.
***
“Wow! This place is so wonderful!” Riri exclaimed like a child because of the amusement upon seeing the beach resort where we will be staying. Seeing her reaction made me laugh while I was stretching my whole body. Argh, that was really a long drive.
“You have a great taste, Bella.” I looked back because of the voice I heard.
“Thank you. I actually had a hard time getting us a reservation here since this is one of the most favorite resorts here in Batangas,” I explained to Cedric.
“Sis let’s go already,” Ryle called me excitedly. I smiled seeing his reaction. I am glad that based on his reaction, I can clearly see he looks happy.
“Ops, before you run any further, I want to remind you of your luggage.” I stopped him when I saw that he was about to run away. Of course, I will not carry his luggage. I still clearly remember the shock on my face earlier when I saw his luggage. It was so much for a two-day and one-night trip.
Ryle went back to the car with a frown face, then he took his luggage with him and carry it. After I finished parking my car, we entered the resort together.
“Good morning. Welcome to Happiness Beach Resort,” the welcoming team politely and energetically greeted us as we entered the lobby.
I smiled at them, then walked towards the lobby desk to check-in. “Hi! Reservation for Ms. Bella Soriano,” I said.
“Just wait for a moment, Ma’am,” the receptionist politely replied. As I wait on her, I looked in Ryle’s direction. I was shocked when I saw Mr. Ramirez outside.
“Sis, the cool man who saved me is also here,” Ryle happily informed me, then he pointed his finger in Mr. Ramirez’s direction.
“I see them, Ryle. But next time, don’t point your finger at someone,” I corrected him.
“I apologize, sister,” Ryle replied and scratched the back of his head.
“Here’s your room key, Ma’am.” My attention went back to the receptionist when she spoke.
“Thank you,” I casually replied to her, then I took our room key and started walking.
I felt that Riri, Cedric, and Ryle followed me from behind. Until we reached our room, no one dare to speak, which made me look at them in wonder.
“There is only two bed here in the room, and I could not have another reservation yesterday since they said that they were fully booked,” I explained and looked at them.
“So what will happen is Riri and I will share the first bed. Then, Ryle and Ced will share the second bed,” I added. They all nodded at me.
“What is happening? Why do you all seem quiet?” I asked them.
“I don’t know either. I just joined bro Ced and sis Riri in their silence.” My lips parted because of Ryle’s explanation. This kid is sometimes unbelievable.
“Ah, Ryle let’s go. Let’s see the beach,” Ced suggested to Ryle.
“Sure big bro,” Ryle agreed and walked towards the door. However, before he stepped his foot outside the door, he looked back at me.
“Ahm sister, may I approach big cool bro?” Ryle asked me with a second thought.
I deeply sighed and nodded, “just make sure that you will not talk too much,” I told him with emphasis.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he happily replied and saluted to me. Then, he excitedly leaves the room. Gosh, he did not bother to wait on Cedric.
“Don’t worry, I will look after him. Just follow us afterward,” Cedric reassured me.
Cedric smiled at me before he leave the room. When Cedric already left, I sat down in the bed and looked at Riri.
“What is this all about Riri?” I asked in confusion. I noticed that she became quiet after we saw Toph downstair earlier.
“I was right thinking that there is another reason why you decided to have an outing, Bella,” Riri seriously stated and sat beside me.
“What are you talking about?” I frowned while asking her.
“Cut the act, Bella. I know what exactly you are trying to do,” she irritably replied.
I let out a heavy sigh, “It was true that I wanted to be with Ryle today…” I confessed.
“But you cannot let time pass by that you are not yet resolving the case you have,” Riri continued what I was about to say.
I nodded at her. There is no point lying to her anymore, “ I want justice, Riri. They killed Claire,” I said while sobbing. Riri hugged me.
“There are other ways, Bella. You know that this whole thing is unethical to us,” she reminded me while still hugging me.
“I know too. That is why I bring Ryle here, but I could not say no to you and Ced so I let you come with us,” I explained. I felt how Riri let a heavy sigh even if I could not see her.
“Bella, you are putting Ryle’s life in danger because of what you are doing. What if it was true that Mr. Ramirez was the one who killed the reporter and Claire? Did you not think about it?!” she told me with a bit of anger in her voice.
I sat properly after letting Riri remove her hands from me, “I genuinely think that the real suspect is just close with Toph,” I said. She seemed shocked because of my revelation.
“Do you not still convince that Toph can possibly kill the victims?” Riri asked. I shook my head.
“First of all, he did not have any motive. Second, I don’t exactly know why, but his conviction makes me believe that he is innocent. And last, is there anyone in the right mind that will set up his death even if it almost killed him?” I explained to Riri my pint one by one.
“But, the evidence speaks otherwise, Bella,” Riri firmly replied.
“The evidence we have is not enough to put his blame on this case. That is why I am doing everything I can to know the truth,” I answered. Riri gently massaged her temple because of stress.
“You are so hard-headed, Bella. What if you are the next one in danger because of what you are doing? I really hoped that you got excluded in this case,” Riri remarked. I was shocked because of her revelation.
“You know that I was about to be excluded in this case, have I heard it right?” I asked her. I saw how she gently gulped when she realized what she said earlier.
“Y-yes. Senior Detective asked us for our opinion about you being here in this case,” Riri confessed. She tried her best to avoid my gaze.
“And you really agreed to make me remove in this case,” I unbelievably exclaimed at her. I was shocked because she knew how important this case was to me.
“If it was for your own sake, why would I not agree?” Riri asked and looked at me directly in my eyes.
“Claire already died, Bella. I will not take it anymore if there is something bad happening to you, too.” I clearly see in Riri’s eyes the pain, longing, and worry of me. I hugged her again.
“Sssh…I am sorry if I was being reckless. I just wanted to give justice to my parents, to the reporter, and to Claire. Please forgive me if I did not think about what you could feel,” I sincerely apologized to her. I felt a bit guilty because of what I did.
“I-it is okay. J-just do not do it next time,” she said and gently hit me.
I laughed, then let go of her, “I will keep that in mind, do you forgive me now?” I asked her.
“Psh, if I did not love you, I might send you to jail for misconduct,” she replied. I could not help but pout because of what she said.
“I love you too,” I replied, then chuckled. Riri rolled her eyes at me.
“Let’s go. Cedric and Ryle might wait on us for so long. Besides, they might be surrounded by girls. If that happens, you might lose your love life,” she threatened me. It was my chance to roll my eyes on her.
“We are just friends, okay?” I cleared things up for her.
Riri stood up and started walking towards the door, “If you say so. Come and let’s go,” she chuckled and left the room first.
I could only shake my head because of what she said. I could not believe that up until now she is still rooting for me and Cedric to be in a relationship. When I already made sure that our room was locked, I straightly went to the elevator. After reaching the lobby, I walked towards the beach area to look for Ryle. Riri and Ced.
“Bella!!!”
           TO BE CONTINUED!
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hi everyone! I just wanted to thank all of you for supporting this story so much. I just want to celebrate this milestone with you as I reached 100,000 reads on this story. I am so glad that you are enjoying every chapter. I will try to update this story as often as I can. Thank you also for those giving me tips, it meant a lot to me. But while waiting, you can also check out my other story here in the app. You can also follow my Facebook page, Blossom Hearts Universe to be updated on my stories. Thank you everyone. I love you all!
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