When I found you... Chapter 6(Jaevon Fanfic)

The two of them became silent for a while. The chirpings of the birds, the rustling of the winds and the roar of the waves could only be heard.

“Are you here on vacation?” James asked after a lengthy silence.

Devon was closely studying the butterfly that was flying from one flower to the other that she jumped when James spoke.

“What?... Oh, yes. I’m on vacation with some friends.” Devon answered glancing at James and went back to studying the butterfly. She stopped her study of the insect and turned around to face him.

“What about you? Are you on vacation too?” Devon asked.

“Yes, I need it. After 2 long, suffering years, I deserve a break.” He said, absently rubbing the back of his neck. Devon watched him silently.

He looked rather stressed, Devon thought and remembered the night he saw him… He was angry at someone and seemed to be very distressed at something.

James looked up at her and smiled. Devon who was studying his face turned red at the dazzling smile he directed at her.

“Wanna go somewhere?” James said smiling mischievously.

“Huh? Where to?” She asked.

James stood up beside her and grabbed her hand.

“Come on. I wanna show you something. You’ll love it.” He said, pulling Devon out of her chair and dragged her towards a deserted part of the place.

“Wait, James… where are we going?” She asked worriedly.

“You’ll see.” He said and dragged her to some part of the island, where there are boulders of rock and wild plants.

James was walking a little faster that Devon was finding it hard to keep up. She got a little irritated for James still won’t tell her where they’re going and she have to stumble once in a while and it got worse when he kept telling her to walk a little faster.

“For your information, Mr. Force I’m keeping up with you. You dragged me in this… this place and I don’t even know where we’re going!” Devon shouted at him and stumbled again… good thing James was holding her firmly or she’ll end up sprawled flat face on the sand… but she was finding it hard to be grateful to him.

“We’re almost there.” James told her.

“You’ve said that 5 times already Mr. Force and we still haven’t arrived to that godforsaken place you’re so excited to show me!” She said irritably.

James stopped walking and smiled down to her looking amused.

“You were saying? We’re already here.” He said teasingly.

“And call me James. Don’t be too formal” he added with a grin.

Devon saw a big Victorian villa stood near a cliff. She was gaping at the villa when James held her hand again and walked towards the back of the villa.

“How did you know about this place? Isn’t this a private property? James… Are you sure it’s alright to…? Devon asked worriedly. James stopped walking and turned back to her.

“Will you stop worrying? Trust me. We’re safe. We’re not trespassing because this place belongs to my grandfather.” He said with a lop-sided grin.

Devon looked up at him awestruck and glanced at the villa and back to James as if to connect the two. He just smiled and dragged her all the way to the back of the villa.

There she saw a wide garden with a dead fountain and withered flowers around it, a long winding staircase was located at the far side of the garden that takes you all the way to the sea below.

This place seemed deserted and lack of care, she thought.

She explored the place, James tailing at her heels.

“This place is wonderful. A little renovations and cleaning this will be a total grandeur.” Devon said smiling, glancing at James.

“Yeah, I know. I never got to that part yet. This was given to me just 3 months ago. In my grandpa’s last will, he gave this villa to me along with some lands in Cagayan.” James said.

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that your grandfather has passed away.” She said with a look of sadness.

James just smiled and walked over to the fountain and sat.

“He was a great man… my grandpa. He was the one who introduced me to music.” James said lost in thought. Devon looked at him and remembered the night she found him playing the violin.

They fell silent… just viewing the scenery sprawled before their eyes.

“This place is really wonderful.” She said in the silence.

“Wanna go inside?” James suggested.

Devon agreed and together they walked toward the back door. She saw furnitures covered in white linen, cobwebs forming on the ceiling, and dusts were now forming on the floor.

“Sorry… it has not been maintained since my grandpa died.”

Devon glanced at him and just smiled and walked to the far end of the room where a grand piano was located.

“I’m planning to hire someone to renovate this place.” He said, looking around at the place and rested his gaze on Devon and smiled. She smiled back.

“You could renew the paint for a start, look for new furnitures and rugs… you need new lights too. A chandelier would be great in here.” She said looking up at the ceiling.

Devon, who was looking around, finally looked at James and she turned scarlet. James was lounging at the settee watching her with an amused smile playing on his lips. He stood up and walked toward the piano, rested his hip at the side, without moving his gaze upon her.

“Are you planning to turn this place into something like your dream house?” He teasingly asked.

“No, of course not. I was just… just suggesting what would be good to ch-change in this place as you already planned on renovating it.” She stammered embarrassed beyond compare and James gaze is making it worse.

“Your suggestions were right. I need to find a designer soon. I want this place done by the end of the year, as I’m planning to go back to Australia by next year… so much to be done there.” He said, sighing as he turned and walked a few steps to look out at the window overlooking the garden. Her gaze followed the tall, lean form and thought of the work he’s been doing. It must really be stressful, she thought. James turned his back from the window and walked the few steps towards her.

“Come”. He said, grabbing her hand and led her out to the garden.

“Where are we going?” She asked.

“Just follow me.” He answered.

They walk to the winding staircase and went all the way down to the shore. It was low tide, the sea breeze playfully blowing at the couple walking along the shore.

“Take off your slippers” James ordered.

“Why?” She asked blankly.

“We’re going for a swim.” He said with a grin.

“What? James… I’m not wearing fit for swimming.” She reasoned out.

James looked her up from head to foot that made Devon go red.

“It doesn’t matter. What you’re wearing is fine.” He said then grabbed her hand and walked towards the waters. They were several feet away from the shore and James stopped. The waters are now below James’s chest while Devon’s a little above her chest.

“Stand still.” He said still holding her hand under the waters. She obeyed and silently looked at the vast sea in front of them.

“Look.” James said in a whisper. She looked to were James was pointing and what she saw made her feel breathless from the fascinating creatures spread before them. Little fishes of different colors and shapes were now circulating around, swimming near them.

“Wow. James, they’re wonderful.” She said in awe, wonders shining in her eyes.

She went to touch a little blue fish that was nearest to her and laughed in delight when it started to nip at her forefinger which was very ticklish.

“I used to play here when I was young. You can say that they have been my playmates whenever I visit here.” He said while looking at the yellow fish near him.

Devon looked at him and wondered what kind of childhood he has… because he made it sound like he never really had someone to play with. They continued watching the little fishes swimming and started playing in the waters. James started splashing water at Devon who also thought the same thing. They were laughing and playing tag in the waters that there were all wet by the time the sun started to sink telling another lovely day has ended.

“Argh! I’m all wet.” Devon said catching her breath and laughing, keeping her distance from James who is now coming towards her with a roguish smile advancing like a predator who has found a very tasty prey. Devon ran towards the shore, James just right behind her. She was nearly at the welcoming dry sand when James caught up with her and encircled an arm around her waist.

“Gotcha!” James said laughing at the lady in front of him who was trying very hard to escape his hold. They were both laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

“Alright! You win, I quit.” She said after a while of struggling out of the clutches of her captor.

James let go of her and help her stand properly. They looked at each other catching their breaths and smiling.

“I had fun. Thanks.” She said after a while.

“My pleasure.” He answered.

They walked together up to the villa. Talking and laughing at each other’s story.

“I’m hungry.” James said.

“I have some bread left from earlier… OH NO!” Devon exclaimed, horror struck.

“What?” James asked worried.

“I really need to go. My friends must be worried sick about me.” Devon answered and ran the remaining steps to reach the top and out of there.

“Wait! I’ll come with you.” James called and followed her.