"Where are you taking my daughter?!" Mom blurted, aggressively putting down her utensils on the table. Her voice thundered in the whole house making my heart jumped out of fear.

I nervously bite my lower lip as she stares deadly at my nerd boyfriend.

James is just sitting calmly in his chair while I'm here wishing I could go back in time and stop this. How is he so calm?

I thought asking permission for our trip at dinner is a good idea. Maybe not. Definitely not.

My silly ass knew that my strict Mom would never allow me to go. Ayolana resort is two hundred miles away from home. I can't even leave the house to go buy something at the mall without her permission. What was I thinking?

"I'm sorry, James, but you know that I don't let her travel. That place is too far." Crystal strictly, but with poise, moved her eyes away from us.

I sighed in defeat. "M—Mom, please..." I begged, still trying to persuade her. She glared at me.

"You are not going," she said with a hint of authority in her voice.

James and I glanced at each other. He squeezed my hand under the table. I mouthed sorry to him. He smiled and shook his head.

He wanted this trip more than me. He's been planning this. He wanted to bring me into a beautiful faraway place where I am free and no Crystal can tell me what to do or not do.

I spent my whole life doing nothing, but follow Mom. Crystal would always watch my grades and scold me if it didn't meet her expectations.

It was too much for me. I felt pressured and suffocated.

I want to be free. Even for just a short time.

"Ma'am, I can assure the security of your daughter. Avril is safe with me. I just want to make her feel very special on her birthday," he said in a pleading voice. My heart melted. "She has always wanted to celebrate her 18th birthday on a beach resort," he added.

Mom glanced at me. I made sure to guilt trip her by looking like a sad puppy.

She never held a party for me. I spent my childhood years eating nothing, but the same casserole she makes in every occasion.

The strict woman released a deep sigh. My spirits lifted. Looks like my guilt tripping look worked.

"How can you assure my daughter's safety?" she asked and drank her tea.

The two corners of my lips slowly lifted.

"Ayonala resort is guarded by highly trained guards and security cameras. It is located in a remote area, but we have our own medical team there and I will also make sure that she'll get everything she needs with the help of our personal servants."

The strict woman's eyes widened. She froze in her seat. I chuckled softly. I had the same reaction.

Who would have thought that a nerd guy like him belongs to a powerful clan who owns a popular resort and is the owner of a big fishing company?

In fact, Ayonala resort is just one of their biggest investments.

"I hate arrogant people..." My smile faded from what Crystal said. It was never his attention to show off. He's literally just answering her question. "But if you're going to flaunt about how you can protect my daughter, I'm more than willing to sit here with my hot tea and listen to you all day," she continued. Making my eyes twinkled in joy. I happily squeezed my boyfriend's hand under the table.

"I love you," he mouthed. I smiled. As much as I want to reply to him. Mom is looking at me.

The discussion ended with James and Mom talking about how and when we'll get there. Crystal has always been the overly protective type of parent. Kind of annoying really, but I'm sure I'll miss her in those two months.

"Hey..." he called. I smiled as I turn my head to the door. James is standing there. Looking at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his.

"Hey."

I slowly run my eyes on his body. He's not wearing a branded clothing even though he can afford it. He's wearing just a normal tee and pants, but it makes me want to drool already.

Don't come at me. I'm serious. He looks good to me no matter what he's wearing.

And really? Letting him wear expensive clothes will just attract girls.

Don't get me wrong. James is hot. Like for real. He just doesn't have a good style. But if he does? I don't know how many girls I'll have to grab by the hair.

He spoils a lot. He always buys me signature bags that I never really used. I'm not used of all the glam.

"How are you?" My pupils dilated as I watched him slowly makes his way to me. If there's one safe place in my house where we can freely act like a couple, it'd be my room. I'm glad Crystal is not restricting him from going here. "I like that smile on your face. You should keep that plastered all the time," he muttered.

My cheeks turned pink from the compliment. He never gets tired of telling me how beautiful I am. James made me feel so special. I never thought there would be person who'll shower me with flattering remarks.

I thought I'd be like Mom. A complete man hater.

"You know? I still can't believe it. You and I going on a trip together." I couldn't hide the excitement in my voice.

"You will meet my family," he said. My smile faded.

"Y—Yeah..." I looked away.

Of course, what was I thinking? That we'll have the whole resort to ourselves?

"The whole Ardiante Clan will join us there. It's been a long time since we planned a gathering. I'm sure that the family is bigger now and you'll join us very soon."

One thing I hate about James?

He was never the bad boy I've always fantasized about in my wildest imaginations. He's an old school. Too much even my prude little self can't stand it.

"Is there a problem?" he asked worriedly. I put my gaze back at him and smiled.

"No," I replied, shaking my head. He caress my cheek using his big hand. I rubbed my face there like a cat. "Do you still remember the gift I'm asking from you?"

"Hmm?"

I smiled naughtily.

"You forgotten already?"

We're on vacation and yet his mind is still busy from university related stuffs and such.

"Oh, yeah? You think I forgot?" He smiled sweetly at me. My cheeks heated. He remembers?

"Y-You really remember?" I stuttered. I didn't know he'd actually keep that in mind. Now, I feel the embarrassment.

"Here's my gift for you," he said and show me a small box with a cute ribbon on top. My shoulder falls. This wasn't the gift I was expecting. I accepted it anyway.

"What's this?" I immediately asked as soon as I opened the gift.

"A thimble." I look at him. "Remember when I gave you a cross stitch set and you always complain about poking your finger with a needle?" he explained.

I smiled to hide my disappointment.

"Thank you, baby, but it's another present I'm talking about." He tilted his head. "I asked you a long time ago about it," I said trying to remind him, but his forehead just creased.

"What is that again?" he asked innocently. I rolled my eyes. Did he really forget it or he's just playing? Maybe he didn't like the gift I'm asking from him.

"You said you'll pop my cherry."

His smile faded. I gasped when he withdrew his hand from my face.

"We talked about this, Avril. Not until we're married."

My heart clenched. It's not like he's going to marry me soon. He told me he wants us to build our future first before it happens. It's going to take a very long time and I can't wait for that long.

"B—But what's so wrong with doing that? I'm just sure of you and I want you to be my first."

He frantically looked at me. "I will be..." he growled. "But not now. We are too young for that and we can wait."

I can't.

"Don't rush things, Avril." I stared at his blue eyes. "I love you."

That's the last thing he said before kissing my forehead goodbye.