At that moment, everyone was sitting down to breakfast, but the atmosphere was tense from anyone else's perspective. It was no surprise, considering Eryx was seething with anger—or perhaps jealousy. These past two days had felt like heaven for him, but everything changed when Alan called Braylon, turning the mood gloomy.
Even though Alan was just a kid, the thought that he wasn't Eryx's son made him want to tear the world apart. Braylon sat quietly, eating his food, clearly fed up with Eryx's cold treatment. After a few moments, he pushed his plate away and left the table without finishing his meal.
The tension was uncomfortable for both Alex and Revilla.
"Eryx... why are you so angry all of a sudden? Look at Braylon—he's worried about you. You know he needs you more than we do," Revilla said, but Eryx scoffed in response.
"If I'm so important to him, why did he marry some random woman and have a child with her? Do you really think I'm just going to roll over and accept what's already been done?" His words were harsh enough to cut deep, and unfortunately, they struck right at Braylon, who was overhearing the conversation.
Braylon felt a pang of pain in his chest. Trying to remain unnoticed, he quietly left the room. The village head watched the scene unfold with a sly smirk.
After breakfast, the group returned to their room. Braylon was already working on his laptop, possibly preparing the report. Eryx flopped onto the couch, resting his head on the armrest. His indifference only served to hurt Braylon more.
Alex and Revilla were sitting on the couch with Eryx, who groaned in response.
"I guess we have to wait for Franklyn to arrive. But I'm getting bored already," Revilla complained. She was acting like her usual self, but in reality, she was trying hard to avoid Alex. After what happened the night before, Alex found it difficult to face her. He had lost control and done something he regretted.
"Can we hang out? I heard there's a fall nearby... We could go there. It would throw them off; they'd think we're being lazy," Alex suggested, and Revilla nodded in agreement without fully realizing it.
"Then let's go..." Eryx said, shifting in his seat.
"Braylon... stop what you're doing... Let's head out!" Revilla exclaimed excitedly.
"No, guys... I can't come. I have some work to do... You can go without me," Braylon said, turning them down. Eryx was already frustrated by this response. He could tell that Braylon was using work as an excuse to avoid them, and it hurt him. Did Braylon think so little of him? Eryx was lost in his thoughts.
He snapped back to reality when Eryx's voice broke through his reverie.
"If he comes, we can go. If not, just forget it," Eryx said as he got up from the couch. The sudden movement caused both Alex and Revilla to lose their balance, but Eryx managed to sit up straight. Braylon knew how stubborn Eryx could be and sighed as he removed his glasses.
Eryx caught a glimpse of Braylon without his glasses, noting his long eyelashes and the way his hair fell over his eyes. Braylon's soft, smooth skin made Eryx want to take action. If no one else were around, he would have jumped on Braylon right then and there.
Braylon shut down his laptop before getting off the bed.
"Let's go..." Braylon said, and they nodded eagerly like puppies. He made sure to secure the laptop.
"Hey... Why are you locking up your laptop? It's not like anyone is going to steal it," Alex said, rolling his eyes.
What if...
His single word startled them. Maybe someone was already watching them.
"Whatever it is... let's just go... Don't ruin my mood..." Eryx said, causing Braylon's heart to ache. He forced a pained smile before leaving the room. Their friends watched the exchange, feeling sad as they realized the hurt each of them was causing one another.
They made their way to the waterfall in silence, creating an awkward atmosphere.
The waterfall was a stunning aquarium blue, blending shades of Atlantis and Mediterranean blue. It drizzled onto the rocks below, while a stream burbled along its bed, bubbling over rocks and branches. At the bottom, a swirling vortex formed, and foam collected from the friction of the water, making the area look like paradise. The rest of the pool was crystal clear, allowing them to see the rocky bottom beneath the surface.
Next to the waterfall, flowers swayed gently in the breeze created by the falling water, adding splashes of color to the green landscape. Although it was a sunny day, the air was surprisingly cold.
The flowers emitted a mood-relaxing fragrance that surpassed even the world's finest perfumes. The scent of the yellow iris flowers contributed to the tranquility of the scene, with their buttery-soft, smooth, and skin-like aroma that felt heavenly. The waterfall sprayed droplets like pearls across half the area nearby. Algae had already painted the rocks a vibrant green, and water leaped onto them as if playing.
Fronds of deep green plants waved gently in the water's depths, and the soothing sound of the wind echoed all around. The waterfall cascaded like a sheet of blue velour.
They gasped in awe at the waterfall's clarity. The bravest among them quickly shed their shoes and plunged into the water. The droplets glided over their bodies as they passed through the icy waterfall. They shivered when they entered the cave, standing beneath the falls to cool down, but the water was freezing cold, sending goosebumps racing across their skin. Ultimately, they ended up trembling on the bank. They didn't take off their clothes, but every time their wet garments brushed against their skin, they shivered even more.
They spotted a gaggle of geese grazing by the bank, creating a picture-perfect scene. A cluster of Amazonian ferns, edged with saw-like teeth and standing still, added a tropical touch. Wagtails bobbed and dipped on a rock, foraging for juicy flies. Water trickled over the rocks, seeping away like holy water from the promised land, pure and clear.
The whole place truly resembled paradise.