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The events of last night, the sex with that woman, Emily…they keep intruding on my solitude.
It's infuriating, really, how my mind's been disrupted by someone I barely know. Sure, he’s Chris’s sister, and I’d seen her from a distance a handful of times but never had a chance to engage in a conversation. For one thing, I’m usually reserved and keep to myself; plus, every time I see her, she briefly talks with her brother and then leaves.
It's unusual for me to notice a woman to begin with ever since I stepped foot into the world of commercial real estate at a young age. With a keen eye for lucrative deals I've been fortunate enough to build my reputation from early on, and with that came money. Despite my success, I'm no stranger to hard work,meticulously crafting my empire from the ground up. Wealth is just a byproduct of my dedication and shrewd business acumen.
And with that reality comes a lot of unwanted attention. Women see my wealth and think they can just waltz into my life, expecting the world. It's irritating, to say the least, and I refuse to be someone's walking bank account.
On top of that, the whole dating process seems like a waste of time to me. Why bother with all the small talk and pretending to be interested in someone when I know they're only after one thing? Money changes people, and I've seen enough to know that genuine connections are rare in my world. I'd practically given up on the whole dating scene. It's just not worth my time.
And yet…why can't I stop thinking about Emily?
I should really be immersed in the pages of my book, not lost in the thoughts of my best friend’s sister. With a frustrated sigh, I attempt to focus on the words in front of me, but it's a futile effort.
“Mr. Cooper?”
The sound of my name mixes with the crashing of waves, startling me. I reluctantly tear my gaze away from the book I can't seem to read, squinting down at the dock. It's Max, the head of the mechanic department at Sovereign Harbor. I put my book down and wave him up onto the deck.
“Hey, Max,” I call down to him. “What’s going on?”
“I have to talk to you, mind if I come up?”
“Come aboard,” I tell him.
Max climbs onto the yacht with the familiarity of someone who's been on the vessel many times before. His dark hair is slightly disheveled from the salty breeze, and he still wears his mechanic's uniform. I offer him a nod of greeting as he approaches.
“Mr. Cooper,” Max begins, his tone carrying a hint of concern, “I've been noticing something with the lightbulbs around themarina. They're starting to dim, and we'll need to replace them soon.”
I let out a gruff sigh, running a hand through my hair. As the owner of Sovereign Harbor, I have to make the choices. I know Max is just doing his job, but the annoyance is beyond me today. I just want to be left alone.
“Always comes down to money, doesn't it?” I complain.
Max nods in understanding. “Well, we do have a couple of options. We can go with the more expensive eco-friendly bulbs. They say they'll be better for the environment but cost more. Or we can opt for the cheaper ones, but not exactly eco-friendly.”
I furrow my brows, my grumpy mood intensifying as I consider the options. “Alright, Max, but tell me this… Which one of these damn bulbs is brighter? You know Ben and the others want those blinding lights for nighttime.”
Max hesitates for a moment before answering. “Oh, the cheaper ones are incredibly bright, Mr. Cooper."
I roll my eyes, frustrated by the choices. I know that Ben wants bright lights for his many yacht parties, so the choice is obvious.
“Let’s go for those then,” I tell him.
As Max walks away to attend to his duties, my gaze idly sweeps over the deck, and that's when I spot it, a little paper turtle resting on the pristine surface of my yacht.
I furrow my brow.How did that get here?I wonder.
It's a curious sight, and for a moment, I ponder if it somehow got tracked here from Max's shoe.
I reach down and pick up the delicate paper turtle. It's a miniature replica, its shell intricately designed with small waves and intricate patterns that suggest the ocean's surface. I have to admit that the attention to detail is remarkable, as if the artist poured their heart into every fold and crease. Turning the paper turtle over, I discover a message delicately written in small,elegant letters on the back. The words read: “Protect our oceans, for in their depths lie the secrets of life.”
As I examine the carefully crafted sculpture, my thoughts drift back to her again.
Emily.
It's almost as if the universe is conspiring to keep her in my thoughts. I can't help but wonder what drives her passion for the environment. It's an unexpected distraction, one that I find both irritating and oddly intriguing.
No matter what I do, it's like I'm bound to her existence, unable to break free.
Chapter nine
