Trapped
"Sit here okay? I'll be right back. Promise." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead as he placed her against a tree.
"Were there any other survivors?" She asked.
"I don't know if I can call them that -I'll be back," Ethan said without further elaboration.
"Mark?"
"He didn't make it sweetheart."
What had she really done to deserve any of this? Her life seemed to go from bad to worse. She could have easily lost her life in a split second...She didn't even know how the plane crashed or how they ended up here. She had no recollection of it whatsoever. None of this was making sense. When she woke up yesterday morning everything was right in the world, but now everything was in total chaos. What was she even thinking, going with a total stranger all the way across the world? She didn't even have her wallet...she burst out laughing at the irony of it all.
"Care to share? I could really use a laugh right now." Ethan smiled as he dumped a tent and a bag of supplies on the ground.
"I was just thinking on the irony of it all.." she mused. "When I left home yesterday, I never thought I'd find myself stranded on an island with a hot billionaire..."
"So you think I'm hot?" His eyes twinkled as he smiled.
"Pffft! You don't need me to answer that?!" she rolled her eyes.
"I managed to find a tent, a sleeping bag, change of clothes and some food. We will be good for a couple of days."
"That's great. What would I ever do without you?" She gently nudged him with her elbow as he sat next to her.
"Oh I don't know but I'm pretty sure you would be lost without me." Ethan winked at her and opened up the first aid kit. "This is probably going to hurt? I'm sorry.."
"I'm a big girl. I'm sure I can handle-OUCH!"
"You were saying?" He raised an eyebrow and cleaned up her wounds with great gentleness, finally covering it with a bandage. He distracted her from the pain by filling her in on the events that led to the plane crash.
"You see my ex-wife, Janice, cheated on me with my Step-dad, who she went on to marry never the less. Needless to say, I cut both of them out of my life but they won't let me go without a fight." He grunted and went on. "My mother was an only child like myself, and her parents were filthy rich, and left her an undisclosed amount of wealth. My mother, in turn, left everything to me when she passed on tragically in a car crash. You can guess from my status that it was millions- and my dearest father only walked away with a mansion in the hills. The will stipulated that all that wealth goes to my Dad should anything happen to me. So naturally, they want me dead." Ethan shrugged noncommittally.
"Your step-father wants you dead?!" Cassie's blue eyes widened in disbelief. "Along with your ex??"
"Cassie sweetheart, you're not the only one that suffered betrayal at the hands of your loved ones. At least yours have limits." He said dryly.
"I'm sorry Ethan." She rubbed his arm and he gave her half a smile, "and here I was ranting about my stupid life."
"The guy married my mum for her money. Everyone knew that..including her. But I guess she thought he would change but guess the joke was on her...anyway back to the matter at hand." He straightened up and continued narrating the ordeal.
"My dearest ex-wife Janice managed to not only seduce my father but my employees as well. Our drinks were laced but I think it was meant solely for me. I think somehow you got caught up in this mess through association with Yours Truly... They were not expecting you to join me but they had to go ahead with their plan. They had strapped parachutes onto their bodies and were kind enough to fill me in on the plan before they jumped off the plane. You see Janice is a professional pilot FYI-and was the co-pilot yesterday. She gave me a beautiful parting speech before she dived out of the plane..." He grimaced as if he had a bad taste in his mouth.
"I maneuvered the plane to auto-pilot for a while and got my sky-diving equipment-I know but I'm always prepared sweetheart." He chuckled, "You had already passed out so I secured the gear around you and leaped out of the jet; as it took a dive and landed on no man's land. I knocked out after that and somehow we got separated, which brings us here..." He gestured around them.
"Wow and I thought my life had drama! That's quite a story, Mr. Hunter." Cassie laughed trying to lighten the mood. "I've worked out quite an appetite just listening to all of that."
"I'll gather some sticks and get a fire going. Don't move." He ran back into the woods and emerged with a bundle of twigs in his arms. He busied himself making a fire and Cassie hopped over to offer her help.
"Don't worry sweetheart I got this. Besides I don't want you putting to much pressure on that leg." He indicated to his handiwork. "Sit, please."
"Maybe I should go and take a bath?" She looked longingly at the clear blue water as it kissed the shore.
"A swim you mean?" He laughed.
"Yeah...I feel sticky and stuff."
"You need help? There's a smaller waterfall over there, I can carry you over and you can shout once you're done." He offered.
"No, it's okay. I'm sure I can wobble my way there if you just point me in the right direction. Besides I'm not in a hurry, it seems we like have all the time in the world," she looked around pointedly.
"Yeah, I can see what you mean but I will remain positive. We will get off this island sweetheart." Ethan said vehemently. After all, he had a few scores to settle and he would live to see the day his enemies got their penance.