Chapter 3
Wet from head to toe, Summer went searching for her cousin's tea inn. The guy who had just 'rescued' her strangely tagged along behind her.
"Don't follow me. Don't think that I would be grateful. You didn't really help me."
Brian still continued to walk behind her.
"I said stop following me."
"The beach is not yours. You can't stop me from walking freely."
"How do you know?" Summer wallowed in the fact that the beach was hers.
Soon, they reached a quaint cottage, identical to the one in a photo in Summer's hand. She went inside. So did Brian.
"Cousin! Boss!" Summer called out.
"Cousin! Boss!" No one answered.
"Who are you looking for? Your cousin or the boss?" asked Brian.
"My cousin is the owner," Summer explained impatiently.
"When did I have a cousin like you?" asked Brian curiously.
"Huh?"
"If you're looking for the owner, I'm here."
Summer laughed mockingly.
"No kidding."
Finally, it dawned
on Summer that she would be facing a big problem.
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"How could it be? MY cousin sold his part of the beach to you?"
"Yeah. One year ago, I helped him to cleat his debt. In return, he gave me the beach."
"I still can't believe you. You're not even local."
"I'm. I grew up here. Everyone here knows that," Brian lied, trying to conceal his real identity.
"Fine. At least you must show me some legal documents."
"The deed is at my lawyer's. Believe me. I'm not a conman."
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"Let's go."
"Where is the car?"
Brian sat onto his scooter and patted it.
"You must be kidding. You expect me to ride on this? Must it be so old?"
"If you like it, you can walk for 30 minutes before you reach the lawyer. Or you get onto it and we will get there in 10 minutes."
Summer had to give in.
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Sitting at the lawyer's office, Summer finally had to believe what Brian said. The lawyer scrutinized Summer's passport with Brian peeping behind. Summer snatched the passport back.
"Must it be real? I mean this is what you call a deed?"
"Yes, Miss Anderson. The deed is legally valid. Each of you owns half of the beach and the inn."
"Stop joking."
"Lawyers don't joke."
"It's fair enough. You're my partner. You're always welcome to stay," said Brian.
"You won't understand."
"Why not?"
Summer stood up from her seat and went over to Brian.
"If you really understood, you wouldn't be a hick, Mr. Hick."
Brian smiled.
"Okay. I'll buy the other half of your beach. 60 thousands Malaysian dollar. Deal? Deal?"
"Why not you sell yours to me?"
"If you have the money," Summer said in clenched teeth and walked away.
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The representative of the corporation was sitting right in front of Summer.
"Miss Anderson, my corporation's plan is to build a resort at your beach."
"That's a great idea. Will I get free suites?"
"You sound very interested. I really hope we can make the deal."
"Congratulations then. You've successfully made a deal for buying half of the beach!" said Summer. He was dumb-founded for a few seconds.
"May I ask Miss Anderson whether you intend to sell the right part or the left part of the beach? Or you prefer to sell the front part or the back part of the beach?" he felt ridiculous and offended.
"Up to you. You decide," said Summer.
"You're insincere, Miss Anderson."
"No. I don't mean that."
"Okay. I understand. What about I raise the price to 3 millions."
"3 millions? Malaysian dollar?"
"No. 3 millions US dollars."
"US dollar? US dollar?" Summer murmured unbelievably.
"We will give you time to think about it. There wasn't only one beach on this island."
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No matter what Brian said and did, he just couldn't shun away from Alice's pestering.
"Why don't you understand?"
"I will understand if you say you love me."
"I "
"Tell me, is it that you've a new girlfriend? Who is she?"
Brian tried to placate himself.
"Don't just keep quiet."
From a distance, stood Summer who saw the whole situation. She walked over to the couple and took Brian's arm.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Summer.
"Who is she?" Alice asked angrily.
"He likes me. I like him. It's that simple. You don't have a chance. Okay?" Summer said to Alice.
"I really like you," said Brian to Summer as he held her closer.
"You don't have to overact," Summer mumbled as she dragged Brian towards the beach.
The two walked along the beach.
"You're more humorous than my ex-boyfriend."
"Really? So, you mean you feel something for me?"
"I bluff you. Back to serious matter. Let me buy over you beach for the price I told you yesterday."
"But I thought it's 3 millions US dollars."
"How did you know?"
"The agent, Mr. Wong approached me too."
"Well, fine. Each of us get 1.5 millions."
"But I'm not going to sell it."
"Must you say that?"
"I discover a good point of you."
"What?"
"Calculating."
"Come on. You'll be rich."
"I want to go swimming!" he hollered and ran to the sea.
"That's a fortune. Be serious!" Summer shouted, "Heavens, what do you want?"
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