C4 "Body and soul."

"Huh? Rhian, I think I saw someone from above watching us." I said and then I pointed the resthouse specifically at the terrace where I saw the man.

But the man standing there just a while ago disappeared.

Rhian looked at the way I pointed her. "I couldn’t see anyone there, sis. Are you sure?"

"Rhian, I'd seen it. There was a man standing from the terrace of the resthouse, watching us. He was wearing t-shirts and jeans."

"Ah, it may be him. My second brother. That's our resthouse and as far as I recall, he has been staying there since we arrived earlier. He doesn't appear to have any intention of coming down here, but I'm certain that when he becomes bored in his room, he'll also follow here."

I was silent thereafter. I reexamined the terrace, but the man was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps that was Zack Lamont. Alanson's second son and the sibling of Rhian and Ryle. The way he eyed me from a distance made it appear that I had committed a crime he detested and wanted to punish me for something I didn't even know.

Even though we do not yet know each other, I am immediately offended. What have I done to deserve this from him?

"IRRYN, Rhian, come here now, and the meal is ready. We're going to eat."

"Let's go, Irryn," Rhian said to me when uncle Alanson called us both.

I nodded and smiled at the youngest. "Yeah. Let's go."

We all sat down on the picnic carpet and started eating.

"Just eat as much as you want, Irryn. Enjoy the food, don't be shy." Ryle smiled as he served food on my plate.

"Thank you, but maybe I can't eat it all, Ryle!" I slightly laughed.

"She's right, son. Maybe Irryn will not be able to eat all the food you put on her plate!" uncle Alanson cooly followed.

"Daddy, I want to make sure that our Irryn will be well fed. Look at her—she's very slim."

I know that fact. I'm really unintentionally thin, and by nature, I don't know why but no matter how much I eat, I don't really seem to gain weight.

"Anyways, Ryn, are you really like that, or you aren’t just fond of eating at all?" Ryle asked me.

"I suppose this is how I am. My body will not gain fat no matter how much I eat."

"When she was younger, I also supplemented her vitamins, but despite the amount of food she eats, she never gains weight. But, thank God, even if she's thin, she's healthy and somehow resilient, and that's the most important thing..." Mom expressed her enthusiasm.

Uncle Alanson looked at my mother. "That's right. What's important is that she's healthy and strong." Then he turned to talk to me again. "It may be in your genes, hija, that you are not gaining weight, or who knows someday when you get married, your body will also be able to get chubbier.”

Yeah. I agree. That's what most people are saying to me, maybe after I turn eighteen, I might gain weight or something else, maybe when I get married.

"Anyway, how old are you now, Irryn hija?"

"Sixteen, uncle."

"See? You have two years to grow more with your physical aspect. We'll see to that."

I gave a gentle bow and nodded.

"Anway, kids," the man talked to his children. "In no longer time, I am going to marry your auntie Fidelia. Ryle, I've already mentioned this thing to you, right?"

Ryle stared at his father for a few moments before nodding seriously. "Yes, dad. I understand."

I couldn't help but feel awkward. Ryle was silent. He didn't express an opinion on his father's decision, and I couldn't help but wonder if he didn't like or liked the idea, or if he was merely neutral about it.

"You and Auntie Fidelia are getting married, dad? You mean I'm going to have a mommy again, and Irryn will be my sister?" Rhian was excited.

Uncle Alanson smiled at his daughter. "Yes, baby. Auntie Fidelia will take good care of you as your stepmother once we get married, and you can treat her like your second mom in this life, while yes, you can be sisters with Irryn too."

"Yeah hey! Will they be residing in our home? Auntie Fidelia and sister Irryn will accompany us, so I won't be the lone girl at home."

If I could see Rhian's excitement, Ryle, on the other is a bit sad. I can't help but worry, I think he doesn't like the idea, or he's not yet ready to see his father getting married again. After all, I understand his sentiment. He is no longer as young, and as innocent as Rhian, he could already think things on his own, and maybe he's still not yet that ready to see his father getting in love with another woman aside from his late mother.

Uncle Alanson nodded. "Yes, Rhian."

"Yey! Can't wait to go home with a sister to play around!"

It was Rhian's chuckle that put a smile on my face. Even I caught a glimpse of Ryle's gentle grin. We shared a mutual glance. After I gave him a small smile, he returned it with his gentlest.

We were in the midst of eating when the sound of a can being kicked caught our attention. As we examined it, I noticed that particular sharp-eyed! He was still wearing his simple white t-shirt and faded pants, and I observed that he was wearing wet black boots downwards.

"Zack, you're here! Come here, son, and I'll introduce you to your auntie Fidelia and to Irryn." Uncle Alanson approached nicely to his second son.

So, it's confirmed. This is the second child of uncle Alanson.

He remained silent and didn't even bother to give a damn about what his father said. I wasn't sure if I was imagining, but I could feel his dark eyes darting directly at mine. It appeared as though he was scrutinizing me. Body and soul.

Both of his hands were placed in the pockets of his jeans. It appeared he had no intention of taking his eyes off me until I vanished into my seat. I felt the same strange fracture in my heart when our eyes first met.

After a long moment, he stopped staring at me and smirked, then continued walking on the shore. He walked past us as if he didn't see his father and sibling. He didn't even mind or flinch when his daddy called him!

"That devil!" Uncle sighed hard, almost losing his little remaining patience for his rebellious son.