Chapter 3: Chapter 3: HELP!
Montgomery's POV
We arrived at The Datai where flower garlands and cocktails awaited us.
"Welcome Mr. Lewis, Madam Lewis. We cannot express enough just how pleased we are to have you here again." The General Manager himself greeted us. What was his name again? What is there to bother. All I knew is my marriage to Journee would be delayed. Flying tomorrow would mean our vows will only be exchanged in the next 24 hours if we are lucky. Fuck! I briskly walked past the entourage who warmly welcomed my grandmother and Journee instead. I requested the key and headed straight to my chalet. There was work to be done.
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Journee's POV
Montgomery Lewis's behavior left me bewildered. How could he be so rude? Does the man have no knowledge of manners and etiquette, which are the stepping stones to heaven? Such arrogance. I was starting to regret my decision to willingly marry him.
Robert informed us that we would most likely fly out the next morning once the sky cleared. However, that didn't happen. Instead, the weather forecast for the next two days predicted even worse conditions.
"Perhaps fate is on my side after all, postponing my marriage and all," I thought. After three days of being cooped up indoors, I grew bored. There was no queue at the resort due to a thunderstorm that had knocked out the island's main source of electricity, as I was informed.
"Granny, may I do a little sightseeing?" I asked my grandmother, hoping that my obedience and politeness over the past few days would earn me permission.
"Why, of course, my dear. Being cooped up here with a 75-year-old woman must be boring. Would you like Monty to accompany you?"
"Oh, no, thank you, granny. I'm sure he's still busy. I wouldn't want to impose."
"How considerate of you. Speak to the concierge about where you'd like to go. They'll charge it to the room. Have fun!"
"Thank you!" I quickly changed into a fresh pair of jeans and an off-shoulder blouse before dashing down to the lobby. As expected, I was greeted with smiles and utmost politeness by the staff.
"How may I assist you, Ms. Lee? We have many tourist attractions here. Would you like a trip to Kuah Town? Or perhaps you'd like to visit historical sites like Telaga Tujuh or Mahsuri's Tomb?" The kind-looking concierge stopped me.
"I just need a ride to Lubuk Tuna."
"Ah! I see you've read about our private waterfall."
"Yes." I didn't want to delve into the specifics, but having lived on the island for four years during my childhood, I knew it like the back of my hand. Back then, Dorthy's parents were engineers stationed here to improve the island's transportation for tourism. Ah... those were the times.
Twenty-eight minutes later, we arrived at the renowned waterfall. It was peaceful and serene. Since it was the off-peak season, there wasn't a soul in sight.
"Should I wait here, Miss?" the same concierge asked me.
"No, thank you. You can return in about two hours." That should give me plenty of time before the next storm hit.
"I don't think that's wise. We have legends and folklore surrounding this place."
"Don't worry. I know the rules. No shouting, no peeing in the water, no damaging any part of this sacred place."
"Sure... but I still think I should stay, for your safety, of course."
"I used to live in Langkawi. I'll be fine. I used to come to Lubuk Tuna every weekend. So please, let me have some time to myself."
"But... miss. The legend says a powerful demon king resides here with his 28 generals. It's not wise to be here alone."
"I also know that the legend says he is a benevolent demon king who doesn't harm humans unless they break his rules."
The concierge still appeared worried, but he reluctantly retreated and quickly left my view, seeming afraid to my amusement.
Finally, I found myself alone by the clear, emerald-green water, immersing my feet in its soothing embrace. Tears welled up, silently streaming down my cheeks. I didn't want to go through with the marriage. In fact, I had always envisioned getting married at the age of 40—a career woman who commanded respect, enjoying evenings with friends at parties and business functions, and spending weekends with my father for as long as he lived. It was a dream, a hope, and now it all felt shattered. Gone as swiftly as the waterfall cleansed my feet, leaving me trapped in a loveless union with a cold, stone-hearted workaholic.
"Help," I whispered, daring to voice my inner turmoil.
A warm breeze caressed my skin, sending an odd shiver down my spine. So strange, yet so fitting. Maybe I was about to fall ill, burdened by the stress right before the wedding. Ha! I wondered what others would think of that.
As I watched the cool water trickle across my feet, it enticed me, beckoning for a swim. It held the same allure and enchantment it had when I was a child. Whatever... I might as well savour one last taste of freedom.
Casting a cautious glance around to ensure my solitude, I stripped down to my underwear and immersed myself in the water, feeling its gentle embrace.
The warm breeze returned. Was it the same wind? I shook my head, questioning my own thoughts. What am I saying? Of course, all wind was the same and yet different, mere particles in motion at varying speeds.
Taking a deep breath, I submerged myself underwater, fully embracing the moment. Ah... such a wonderful sensation.
A swift movement caught my attention. Something large. Had someone jumped into the waterfall? Oh no! I am only in my underwear. I scanned the water but found nothing. Perhaps it was a mischievous monkey throwing stones. I guessed.
Emerging for a breath, I settled on one of the smooth rocks by the side, only to witness more movement against the current. It emitted a hue I couldn't quite comprehend.
Could it be a water snake? I hastily withdrew my feet from the water, rushing to put on my clothes. There was no way I would go near one of those creepy crawly creatures
I hurriedly got out of the water and dressed, but in my haste, I forgot that I was still wet. I hadn't taken a moment to shake off the excess water or squeeze my hair dry. So now, I stood completely drenched.
"A little wind would be great now," I muttered sarcastically to myself.
Whoosh! A gust of wind enveloped me from all directions, miraculously drying me within seconds.
"Weird... So... very... weird." A small part of me screamed inwardly in frantic fear. Ghost! Run! Yet, a braver part of me felt intrigued.
Could it truly have been just the wind? Or was it something supernatural, even paranormal? If so, was it trying to frighten me? Play with me? Help me, perhaps? But come on, think rationally. Why would any spirit, demon, or ghost help to dry me? It made no sense.
I shook my head, attributing it to wedding nerves and the mounting pressure.
It's simply the wind, plain and simple. After all, Langkawi was scorching hot. Warm air at a certain momentum would naturally dry me up fast... right?
Once again, something stirred in the water. I stared intently, attempting to discern its nature. Perhaps it was a fish that had been swept down the waterfall and became trapped here?
The movement moved toward the cascading waterfall, accompanied by the sound of wet, echoing footsteps blending with the crashing water. My heart leaped into my throat. I knew—deep down—that it was far from normal.
The footsteps grew louder, and I noticed footprints on the rocks, moving out of the waterfall and towards me.
Shit... Whether it was my imagination or not, I didn't care. I needed to get out of there. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me. Once I reached the roadside, I spotted The Datai's limousine pulling in. Thank God! Help! I dashed towards it, hopped inside, and slammed the door shut.
"Is everything alright, miss?" the kindly concierge asked, genuine concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine, just fine. Could we please head back to the resort quickly?" I spoke with urgency.
"Of course, miss. Is there anywhere you'd like to stop by first?"
"No, no. I have everything I need back in my chalet."
"I see. Don't worry, miss. These seats are all leather. If you need it, you can have my jacket to tie around your waist." He offered, understanding the situation.
"Oh! Um, that won't be necessary. Thank you."
Why did he offer his jacket? Tie it around my waist? Huh?
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Montgomery's POV
I had been confined to my chalet for three days now, buried under an overwhelming workload. The deluge of emails, piling up before the phone lines and Wi-Fi went down, had pushed me to the brink of exhaustion. It felt as though my energy would be completely drained. However, I was relieved that it was all behind me now. Throughout those arduous days, my thoughts often wandered to Journee. The mellifluous sound of her voice provided solace to my troubled mind. It was a mere memory, yet it seemed as though my entire world revolved around it.
"I should invite her to dinner today," I mused, acknowledging her distress. Setting aside my paperwork, I made my way to her chalet, a mere 200 meters away.
"Hello, granny," I greeted my grandmother as I entered. "Is Journee in her room?"
"Oh no, dear. She went out for a tour of the island a few hours ago."
"In this scorching heat? She's not properly dressed. What if she becomes dehydrated?" I was bewildered by Journee and my grandmother's apparent indifference towards the sun's harmful effects.
Just then, I turned to see a flushed and breathless Journee standing before me. "Hi. Are you alright? Where did you come from?" I guided her to a chair and fetched a glass of water. She didn't answer immediately, which frustrated me. "Where did you go?" I demanded.
"I went to Lubuk Tuna," she replied softly.
"You went to the waterfall alone?!"
"No, I went with the concierge."
"Why on earth would you go during the low season? Don't you realize how dangerous it can be? Not to mention the scorching heat at this time of year!" I hadn't intended to raise my voice, but it escaped me, unfiltered. Fortunately, my phone rang before I could cause any further damage.
"Yes? Okay... Granny, Journee, Robert says we're clear to fly at 2 pm. Start packing your things." Without another word, I hurried back to my chalet to begin packing. We had only one hour to get everything ready.
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Journee's POV
Wow... what a man! And I don't mean that in a positive way. It seems that every time we interact, he exudes dominance and makes demanding requests.
I had barely recovered from the shock of encountering some kind of spirit, and now Mr. Montgomery Lewis was unleashing his temper on me. However, I couldn't reveal my true feelings in front of granny. I had been diligently working to gain her favor, and I couldn't afford to lose it. She might be my only ally after I get married. It's crucial to maintain a positive relationship with her.
"Do you need any assistance, granny?"
"No, my dear. Robert will help me. You go and freshen up before we leave."
"Alright, granny."
Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a peculiar colour darting through the area like a gust of wind.
Did it follow me? I hope not. No, no, no... Journee, think logically, not emotionally. Once we fly over the ocean, this entity won't be able to follow us anymore. Remember, Mommy said they are bound by the laws of the spirit world. The sooner we depart, the better.
Shaking off the budding fear, I dove into full packing mode, and we all hurried to the airport. It seemed like I wasn't the only one trying to escape this place.
There was an unsettling amount of wind in the air, but it didn't matter. I had to leave. Quickly!
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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