Kalina's heart was beating very fast. She was standing on the edge of the balcony rail. The wind was blowing her hair across her face. Down below, she could see the clear blue pool water. It looked exciting to jump in the pool from that high up. Just as Kalina was about to lean forward to jump, a strong arm went around her waist. The arm pulled her back from the edge.
"What do you think you're doing?" Rhys's voice was laced with a mixture of concern and frustration. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, jaw clenched.
Kalina blinked in surprise. She was snapped out of her daze. "I was just looking at the view," she lied. Rhys had appeared suddenly, and his arm around her made her flustered. She could feel her face getting warm.
Rhys's brow furrowed, and he tightened his grip. "Don't play games with me, Kalina. I won't let you throw your life away." His piercing gaze held a depth of emotion that stole her breath away.
"I am not throwing my life away, believe me." She countered, rolling her eyes. "I was really just admiring the view, Rhy sir." Releasing herself from his surprisingly tight grip, as if she was important to him.
"Tell me, whenever I see you, you are always in a precarious situation?" Rhys asked frustratedly, pointing an accusing finger at her face.
Kalina shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know why you always find me in those kinds of situations," she said back to him, since he was acting like she wanted his attention. "Tell me also, why do you always come at the precarious times, why not when I'm enjoying myself?" She ended with a childish grin.
"You..." He shook his pointed finger angrily, wishing he could wipe that grin from her face, which only made her grin wider. Is she kidding him? "Come with me now." He grabbed her hand tightly and pulled her along.
"To where, Rhy sir?" Kalina's stomach dropped as she spotted her family and guests in the sitting room up ahead.
Oh no, this man was going to make a big deal out of this, and everyone would think she was just trying to get attention.
"Um, Mr. Castillon, please stop. It was really just a misunderstanding. I was enjoying the view and breeze. I wasn't trying to kill myself." She tried to pull her hand free and stop him from walking angrily, but he was too strong.
Rhys didn't slow down until they were standing right in front of the crowd. Kalina's cheeks turned red from embarrassment.