Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Waiting For Her To Ask For Help After a while, Raegan spotted Mitchel propped against a tree, stealing glances at her as she descended.
Avoiding any interaction, Raegan opted to tread further down and settled in the shade, anticipating Bryce’s arrival.
The midday sun scorched the hillside, igniting a thirst within Raegan.
Unfortunately, the only water bottle was gone.
The prospect of enduring two days under such conditions seemed daunting, especially under the assumption that Bryce would deny her water, unless she conceded defeat.
As Mitchel made his descent, Raegan shut her eyes, subscribing to the mantra “out of sight, out of mind”.
Yet, as he walked by, a scent she knew all too well wafted toward her.
The sound of something striking the ground prompted Raegan to open her eyes.
Mitchel had left a water bottle behind.
She puzzled over why she'd never before considered his littering impolite.
The bottle, caught in a sunbeam, seemed to have water rippling inside.
Skeptical, Raegan blinked hard, only to confirm it was indeed half-full.
Frozen in place for minutes, her resistance finally crumbled, and she moved toward the bottle.
Upon retrieving it, Raegan’s expression was a mix of relief and confusion.
She consoled herself with the thought that Mitchel was as fit as a fiddle.
The sun's rays made the water glisten, tempting her parched throat.
With resolve, Raegan unscrewed the cap, tilting her head back to drink without her lips grazing the bottle.
She dared only a few sips from the half-full bottle.
No sooner had Raegan set the bottle down than she noticed Mitchel, who returned and stood before her, eyes narrowed and arms folded.
His expression was like she was a pervert for taking the mineral water he'd been sipping.
A sudden coughing fit overtook Raegan, her cheeks flushing with red.
Mitchel extended a hand, prompting Raegan to clutch the bottle defensively to her chest, hastily asserting, "I'll pay you back once we're off this mountain." Mitchel’s outstretched hand paused midair, and ina frosty tone, he replied, "No need.” His darkening expression led Raegan to surmise he desired no further dealings with her.
The sentiment was mutual.
Besides, to a CEO, one bottle of water was trivial.
Mitchel's gaze darkened as he watched Raegan cautiously stow away half a bottle of water in her bag.
The tension in the alr was palpable when Bryce and Eloise approached.
Bryce'’s disheveled blue hair made him look particularly ghastly.
Upon seeing Mitchel, Bryce pushed Eloise toward Mitchel with a sense of urgency, exclaiming, "Mitchel, you are the one who is supposed to look after her.” If it weren't for Eloise who had clung to his arm and dragged him along, Bryce would have ascended earlier.
Eloise was disheartened.
Had she known how exhausting the day would be, she would never have accompanied Mitchel here to take a trek.
Clinging to Mitchel's arm, Eloise pleaded in a sweet tone, "Mitchel, I'm tired.
Can you escort me back?" Mitchel gave her a brief glance and offered, "I'll arrange a ride for you.” Eloise’s expression soured instantly, interpreting his words as an intention to send her back alone.
Previously, Mitchel had expressed a desire not to see her, which had left Eloise weeping all night, her eyes puffy with tears.
With no alternative, Eloise's parents had implored Mitchel to at least consider Eloise a friend.
Eloise, stubborn as ever, wasn't quick to change her mind about adoring Mitchel and needed time to cool off.
Mitchel, for the sake of Eloise's parents, hadn't expelled Eloise but instead invited her to join the mountain trek.
Now, it seemed Mitchel was subtly declining Eloise's advances.
But Eloise refused to give up so easily, especially with the presence of Mitchel's ex-wife who possibly waited for a moment alone with Mitchel.
Gazing at Mitchel's striking features, Eloise shook her head determinedly.
"I'm not leaving." She was smitten with this handsome man, having never met anyone who rivaled Mitchel's allure.
Mitchel simply looked at Eloise and kept silent.
Noon had arrived.
Bryce unpacked an assortment of fast food, urging everyone to help themselves.
His challenging stare at Raegan seemed to dare her to confess her hunger.
Raegan turned away, ignoring them.
Soon, the tantalizing smell of food wafted through the air, and Raegan's stomach growled.
She retrieved beef jerky from her bag, rationed it, and ate just enough to satiate her hunger.
Her foresight in packing practical items in her small bag was proving beneficial.
By evening, they had reached the mountain's summit.
While Bryce directed the workers to set up camp for him, he left Raegan to fend for herself.
As others rested in their erected tents, Raegan struggled with the hammer, which slipped and struck her hand, eliciting an involuntary cry of pain.
She looked up through tear-filled eyes, seeking Mitchel's assistance habitually, only to be met with his scornful gaze.
Ashamed, she quickly averted her eyes, chastising herself for such a lapse in judgment.
How could she have forgotten Mitchel's profound disdain for her? As dinner time approached, Eloise stepped out of her tent and summoned Mitchel, "Mitchel, come and eat.
Bryce has brought a feast of food and beer." Being offered with sorts of foods, Eloise started to get on with Bryce.
Mitchel glanced at the Raegan and sensed his patience wearing thin.
He anticipated her imminent plea for assistance.
With a scoff, he departed without a second thought.
Once Raegan perceived Mitchel's departure, she allowed herself to unwind and settled onto the ground.
A bitter smile played on her lips, pondering her own expectations.
Raegan had been self-reliant for so long that she managed to pitch the tent by herself after much effort.
Having trekked the mountain all day, her body felt the pangs of hunger and thirst, leaving her exhausted.
Ignoring everything else, she crawled into the tent and surrendered to sleep.
The quiet rustle eventually roused Raegan.
She turned on her flashlight and called out, "Who's there?" Hearing footsteps outside, Raegan wrapped herself in a blanket of fear, too scared to remain alone.
Grasping her spray for protection, she peered out of the tent to find nothing amiss.
Yet, the thought of sleep eluded her.
Her tent was vulnerably positioned at the edge.
After a moment’s hesitation, Raegan moved toward Eloise's tent which was safely nestled at the center.
Standing near Eloise’s tent, Raegan caught the sound of Eloise's voice inside.
"Mitchel, stop that.
It tickles...” The voice cut through Raegan, a frigid gust chilling her to the core.
She stood frozen momentarily.
Regaining her composure, she retreated.
Wasn't it normal for Mitchel to be intimate with another woman? After all, they were divorced.
Driven by desire, he was not one to refrain. Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a hand clamped over her mouth in the darkness.
Startled into full alertness, Raegan fought back fiercely.
But the assailant seized her hair with a vice-like grip, pulling her into the shadows.