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Fan Fiction

Title: Love is paradise
(Love has dropped by)
Author: Trang Le Thu
Genre: Romance
Started: 21. December 2001

© Trang Le Thu 2001
Disclaimer: This story is a purely fiction. Nothing here is true!! All Hawaii descriptions come from the internet and guide books.

PART 8

Let Paddy show Agnes the other side of his personality :) Vote when you finished this part.

She listened for the sound of Maite's big mouth, but all she heard was the humming of a few distant motorboats on the sea. She slowly retraced her steps until she noticed a head of Paddy from behind a sail on a little boat called Destiny. He was diligently fastening the ropes as he opened each sail. It almost seemed as if he knew what he was doing.
She leaned her elbows on the railing of the dock and watched him in semi-admiration.
"So, Kelly!" she called out in jest. "Is this your newest hobby? Impersonating a sailor?"
Paddy recognized the voice and smiled to himself. He finished with the last sail and walked over to where she stood on the dock.
"I'm a man of many talents" he bragged proudly. "So, good morning. How'd you find me?"
"It was your hair" she replied smugly. "It's so damn long that I almost thought that you are a girl."
Paddy's eyes made a long, slow appraisal of her from behind his shades as he admired her slender tanned legs revealed by her short khaki shorts, and her equally tanned midriff complemented by her pale blue halter bikini top. He smiled good-naturedly, admitting to himself that was a witty line she had created.
"What are you smiling at?" Agnes asked him warily.
"You commented my hair. It was cute."
She rolled her eyes at his compliment, trying not to stare at the way his T-shirt fit snugly against his broad shoulders and chest.
"Where are the guys?"
"They met a group of girls this morning at breakfast who invited them to go surfing. So to make a long story short, they ditched us."
"And you passed up that golden opportunity to be worshipped by some more bimbos?" Agnes asked, feigning shock. "I don't believe it!"
Paddy waved a hand dismissively.
"I had my heart set on sailing today. Besides, it would have been ungentlemanly to cancel on you."
"Since when is Paddy Kelly concerned with being a gentleman?"
"Ohhhh… ever since when I was taught to use shoes."
Paddy thought he saw a faint flicker of an amused smile play across Agnes's mouth. He held out his hand to her.
"Come on. Let's get this baby running."
Agnes reached over to accept his offer, but then stepped back quickly, having a sudden change of heart.
"Whoa. Wait a sec. Jimmy was supposed to drive the boat. I don't think I trust myself with you behind the wheel."
Paddy laughed at her wariness.
"First of all, you don't 'drive' a sailboat. You 'sail' it. And secondly, I've had my sailing license since I was 15 years old."
"15?? Is that even legal?"
"I don't know what kind of hick town you come from, but in Dublin it is."
"I come from Bonn, wise guy" Agnes told him matter-of-factly.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Really? Wow. I guess there's a lot I don't know about you. Where is Bonn, anyway?"
"Germany, does it say you something?" Agnes said.
"Germany… let me thing… Where is that?" Paddy pretended. "I'll have to buy a map today to check where Germany is." He added.

He held out his hand to her again.
"Let's go, this wind ain't gonna last all day. We're wasting precious sailing time. You're afraid you'll have too much fun with me, or what?" he teased, flashing her a mischievous smile. "Stop being stubborn and get on."
"What if I don't?" Agnes challenged.
"Then you can go back and spend the day cooped up in that stuffy suite alone with your boring old book."
Agnes pretended to think it over, not wanting to seem too eager. It was unfortunate that the guys weren't there and that she'd have to deal with Paddy all by herself. But she could handle him. She didn't feel like missing out on a chance to go sailing, especially since it was such a beautiful day.
"I finished my book" she said, offering him her hand. "So I guess sailing is the next best thing."
Paddy smiled broadly, pleased with her decision. He took her hand in his and placed his other around her waist as he guided her over the railing and onto the boat.
"I'm happy to see you were able to swallow your pride for once" he teased, his hand still resting on her waist. "I'm learning how to be a gentleman, and you're not being so damn proud all the time. I think we're making progress. This could be the start of a beauuuuutiful friendship."

As Agnes reclined on the boat, hair blowing in the wind and the sun warm on her face, she finally felt like she was in paradise. All week long, she had been so wrapped up in her problems with Scott, and the verbal war with Paddy that the beauty of the island had gone unnoticed. Until now.
She looked down into the crystal clear blue water and watched the rainbow of tropical fish swimming around the boat.
"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Paddy asked, as if reading her mind.
"Breathtaking. I suddenly have the urge to go snorkeling."
"We can rent the equipment when we get back to the dock" he offered. "What time do you need to be back?"
Agnes shrugged casually.
"Scott will be home around 5" she lied. "We're going out to eat and maybe to see a show or something." The truth was that she had no idea of her plans for tonight or if they even had any at all. By the time she had woken up that morning, Scott had already left for work. 
"A show?" Paddy scoffed. "Are you crazy? There's the huge 'luau' on the beach tonight! It's supposed to be a party! You've got to go!"
"I don't 'got' to do anything" Agnes replied stubbornly.
"Fine. Suit yourself. But you'll be missing out." Paddy set the sails in position again, and after taking off his shirt, he walked over to join Agnes in getting some sun.
"That's an awesome necklace" he complimented, pointing to her sole piece of jewelry, other than the diamond studs in her ears. He had noticed it the first day they met and she had worn it every day since. He had been meaning to ask her about it. He was curious as to if she ever took it off.
Agnes fingered the handmade beaded necklace and smiled sheepishly.
"One of the girls I used to babysit for… she's 12 now… made it for me last summer. I haven't taken it off since. Don't ask me why. I guess I just got used to it, that's all. But now it's become like my trademark. Everyone always teases me about it."
"It's blue."
"My favorite color." Agnes nodded.
"Sorry. But I've already claimed that color."
"Don't think so. I claimed it before you did."
"No, I did it before!"
"And do you have proof of that?"
"I've been around three years longer than you, girl. This color is mine." Paddy said.
"You are 25?"
"No, 24! Kiddo!"
"So you are only 2 years older… but you look like a kid and you act like a kid!"
"Maybe! But I'm older, and no 'kiddo' to me!"
"Fine!"
"Think you can ask her to make me one?" Paddy turned to the previous theme.
"I could… but it'd have to be in a different color."
"But that color would look awesome on me" Paddy pretended to whine. "I can just picture it now. I'm on stage performing with those blue beads around my neck… Do you realize the kind of fad it would start among the girls?"
"Fad?" Agnes let out a little laugh. "They would think you were a fruit for wearing that kind of necklace" she teased. Even though deep down she thought it was sexy when guys wore beads around their neck, she was just playing with him to see what kind of reaction she'd get.
"Hells no!" Paddy protested in defense. "I've seen plenty of guys-and famous ones too-wearing beads like that. It's casual yet hip."
"Name me one."
Paddy didn't blink an eye.
"Martin Schmitt-not that you'd even know who he is."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Agnes asked, offended. "Just because I'm a girl I wouldn't know that Martin Schmitt is the famous German ski-jumper?"
Paddy flashed her an impressed smile.
"So you're a ski-jumping fan, too. Amazing. Look at all these wonderful things I'm learning today about the elusive Agnes" he joked dramatically.
"That was a very chauvinistic comment you just made. Don't try and change the subject."
"I'm sorry. But it's kind if a known fact that most girls don't like ski-jumping."
"Well, I'm an exception to the rule."
"You're an exception to every rule" Paddy laughed. "So do you like football, too?" he asked eagerly.
Agnes scrunched up her nose and made a face.
"I wouldn't watch an football match if you paid me."
"What!??" he exclaimed in shock. "Now I know you're definitely not normal. Football is the king of all games. It's…"
"Nothing more than a bunch of arrogant, overrated, athletes who are only in it for the money."
"It's not like that for all the players" Paddy was quick to defend.
"The majority of them" Agnes countered quickly.
"If our group never made it big, I would have made it in the football." Paddy laughed.
"And you would have fit right in" Agnes commented smugly. "You've got the arrogance."
Paddy feigned an insulted frown.
"I thought we were making progress today" he teased.
"I couldn't help it. You set yourself up for that one."
He noticed a faint smile play across her lips which she desperately tried to hide.
"Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?" Agnes squinted at him.
"You never let yourself smile. You always fight it back."
"Didn't we have this conversation already?" Agnes asked, referring back to the first day she ran into him on the beach.
"Yep, but I thought you would have lightened up by now. It's been almost a week you know."
"I already told you. I have a lot on my mind."
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Didn't we have this conversation, too?" she asked edgily.
Paddy threw up his hands and laughed, appreciating the humor of the situation. "Fine. I give up. What can we talk about then?"
"How about we don't talk at all?" Agnes countered.
"Hmmm… what are you suggesting?" he asked slyly, flashing her a mischievous grin.
She rolled her eyes at his antics, shaking her head in disapproval.
"You are such the typical teenage guy."
"That's the best comeback you could think of?" he teased, winking at her. He got up and began changing the position of the sail to correspond to the direction of the wind.
Agnes glared at him good-naturedly, but didn't respond. She watched him with growing admiration, because he seemed to know exactly what he was doing.
"You're not half bad at this" she commented casually, her eyes straying to his bare chest yet again.
"Was that a compliment?" Paddy asked, well aware of his audience. The fact that she was scrutinizing his every move him made him a little self-conscious, but it was also a great opportunity to impress her.
"More like an observation."
"I don't know… it sounded like it had compliment potential to me."
"Don't press your luck."
"I'd be more than happy to teach you. Then you can go back home and brag to everyone you learned how to sail in Hawaii."
"It looks too complicated."
"Nonsense. Besides, if you think this is complicated, how are you gonna survive med school?"

Agnes flinched at the mention of medical school. She had surprisingly been successful in blocking it out of her mind for the past few days, her problems with Scott being the greater cause for concern. But at Paddy's reminder, her somewhat sunny day had quickly clouded up again. Her fears were still very real. What would it take to be rid of them?
"Uh-oh, I said the magic words, didn't I?" Paddy asked, concerned when he saw her whole expression change.
"What are you talking about?" Agnes asked, playing dumb.
"Every time I mention med school, you clam up like an oyster. What's up with that?" he joked, trying to cheer her up again with his ghetto talk.
"We are not having this conversation" Agnes told him sternly. "I thought I told you that before."
"You did. But I figured it couldn't hurt to try again."
"Drop it, Kelly. I'm warning you."
He laughed in amusement at how defensive she had become, but obeyed her wishes and changed the subject.
"So how's Scott?"
"He's fine" she answered airily, not wanting to unconsciously reveal any more of her inner conflicts to the annoyingly persistent yet observant boy who stood before her, grinning broadly.
"That's good." 
The revelation he had stumbled upon last night in the club had been nagging him ever since. He wished he could tell Agnes exactly how faithful her so-called boyfriend really was, but he knew it wasn't his place to get involved. He just didn't want to see her get hurt, especially at such a vulnerable time in her life. He was torn by the moral dilemma, but he knew she would never take his word over Scott's, so there really was nothing he could do. Just sit back and pretend everything was fine, and hope that she opened her eyes before it was too late.
"What are you thinking?" Agnes asked, as she watched his eyebrows furrow in concern.
It was on the tip of his tongue, but he obediently held it back.
"Nothing" he lied, getting up to change the sails again.
"You're such a liar. I can see right through you Kelly."
"So then read my mind and tell me what I was thinking."
"Hmm… Let's see… You were keeping a tally of the number of dates you've had since you've been here and are upset because it's not even close to breaking any previous dating records?"
"Close but no cigar. I was actually thinking about some people I met last night in a strip club."
Agnes made a disgusted face.
"A strip club? You're such a pig."
"No. I'm just a typical guy. And damn proud of it."
"Guys with class don't hang out in places like that."
"You'd be surprised. If you only knew…" Paddy thought guiltily to himself.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing" he said, shrugging it off quickly. "Now are you gonna come over here and let me teach you a thing or two?"
Agnes sighed dramatically and stood up, feigning reluctance.
"You are such the little actress" Paddy cracked.
"And you are such an…" she started to counter.
"Arrogant wise ass, right?" Paddy finished for her.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." She smiled sweetly.

"So aren't you glad you agreed to let me take you sailing?" Paddy asked proudly as he held the elevator door open and flashed her sweet smile. Agnes stepped past him inside and pushed the button for their level.
"Are you glad you ditched the surfer girls?" she countered back playfully.
He didn't answer right away, pretending to think it over.
"Not really, but I guess I had some fun with you anyway."
Agnes's eyes narrowed at his insult and he burst out laughing.
"You are such a riot! I love doing that to you!"
"You're amused by the dumbest things, you know that?"
"You call that paying back?" he scoffed in amusement. "I thought you had more talent than that."
"There's only so much Paddy I can do in one day. I'm tired, I need a shower and a nice long nap. Then I'll be fresh with the insults again, so beware."
"Goodie. I can't wait." He rubbed his hands together greedily. "Tonight should be loads of fun."
"Who said I'm even going?"
"You'll be there" he chuckled. 
"Don't bet on it."
"You're so full of it." The elevator stopped on their floor and he followed Agnes out. "I'll see you tonight" he called confidently as he disappeared into his room.
"I said I'm not…" but his door slammed shut before Agnes got to finish her sentence. She clenched her fists at her sides in frustration. Why did he always have to get the last word in? He was such a baby.
"And I'll even put money on that" he added, sticking his head back out the door. Then he winked at her and disappeared again. Sighing aloud, Agnes unlocked her door but was greeted only by an empty room. 

While she ran the water in the shower, she went back into the bedroom and picked up the phone to check for messages. But Scott hadn't called. She hoped he would make it back in time for the party tonight. She really wanted to go. She just couldn't give Paddy the sweet satisfaction of showing up alone.

As much as Agnes hated giving Paddy the satisfaction of being right, there was no way she was going to pass up the luau just because of him. Scott had called earlier to tell her he'd be detained at the office until at least 11. He had promised to try and meet her down on the beach after he was through with his work. Agnes really wanted to go, and even tried to convince herself that there would be so many people there that she probably wouldn't run into Paddy anyway.

She stood in front of the closet for what seemed like an eternity, trying to figure out what to wear and finally settled on a white V-neck top with her knee-length blue and white floral skirt to match.
When she was fully dressed, she studied her reflection in the mirror, impressed with the tan she had gotten that morning during their sailing trip. Her arms and legs had become a healthy shade of brown, and her blonde hair had grown even lighter from the sun. She actually looked healthy for a change, she thought happily as she applied her lipstick and a touch of mascara.
When she got to the beach, she was surprised to see a crowd twice as large as she had expected. Looking around, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. It would be impossible to find Jimmy and the guys among all these people.
But why did she even want to find them? Because wherever they were, Paddy would surely be close behind. Ever since returning from their sailing excursion this afternoon, Agnes couldn't get him off her mind, his sexy smile, his flirtatious remarks, his charm. At least she was finally able to admit to herself that she was attracted to him. But so was every other female in the world, so she had no reason to feel guilty or ashamed, right?
She ventured further on into the crowd, trying to dispel whatever scandalous thoughts about him she may have been harboring, and it was then that she spotted him.

He was dancing, sandwiched between two scantily clad young women, and looked like he was having the time of his life.
'He's such a ham' Agnes thought, suppressing a disapproving smile.
She couldn't help but feel a bit envious as she watched his body sway against the girls, maintaining perfect rhythm between them.
And why was it that he could wear whatever he desired and still look unbelievably attractive? He was wearing khaki shorts with a blue Hawaain floral shirt, yet he had left it unbuttoned to reveal a white tank top underneath.

Agnes gasped at the change, surprised she hadn't noticed it sooner. He had a beard and a mustache. It was very short still, but it made such a difference in his whole appearance, making him seem older and more mature.
"Boo!"
Someone pinched her sides from behind, jerking her back to reality and she smiled when she saw it was Johnny, dressed in the exact same shirt as Paddy, only in a different color.
"Hey Johnny. What's up?"
"Not much. Having fun watching Paddy dance?"
A slight blush rose up in Agnes's cheeks.
"I wasn't watching him. I was looking for you guys."
"We're chilling over there" Johnny said pointing to a table further down the beach. "Come and join us." He grabbed her hand before she could protest and led the way through the crowd.
Joey greeted her with a suggestive whistle.
"Hey sexy."
"Looking good, babe" Jimmy teased, chiming in.
"Mmmm… Mmmm" Maite said winking at her. "Sorry for my pathetic brothers.
Agnes laughed and then pointed to their shirts.
"You guys are all matching tonight. How cute! You look like real tourists!"
"It was all Joey's idea" Joey pointed accusingly to his friend. "He made us wear them."
"And as you can see, he has absolutely no taste" Jimmy commented, pulling up a chair for Agnes. "Sit down. Join us."
Agnes folded her arms across her chest, pretending to be angry.
"I don't know… I still haven't forgiven you guys for bailing out this morning. You left me all alone to fend for myself with Paddy."
"Because we know you're so good at it" Joey teased.
"Did you have fun?" Jimmy inquired. "We sure did."
"I'll bet you guys did" Agnes laughed. "And yes, I kinda had fun, too. It was something different for a change."
"You're lucky you came back in one piece. Paddy is a maniac behind the wheel-or should I say behind the bow."
"Well, after I threatened him, he sobered up real quickly."
"He's afraid of you, you know" Jimmy joked.
"I know. That's why I take advantage." Agnes smiled mischievously.
"You're such a bad girl." Maite shook her head in disapproval "Just like me" She laughed.
Jimmy stood up and took Agnes's hand.
"Dance with me you sexy girl!"
"Sure you can keep up?" Agnes teased, winking at him.
"Hey, my name's not Paddy. You can't intimidate me that easily."
Agnes laughed as she let Jimmy lead her onto the middle of the dance floor.

She had started out despising these guys, stereotyping them as the usual celebrity snobs, yet after only one week, she had gotten to know the real them, and was pleasantly surprised with what she saw. Joey was a comedian, Johnny was shy but adorably sweet, Jimmy was like the protective older brother she never had, Maite was the all-around crazy kind of guy who made the perfect best friend, and Paddy… well… Paddy was a whole other story.
Agnes had forgiven him for his initial brutal attack on her, yet even though he worked very hard over the week to earn that forgiveness, his air of superiority and arrogance still remained. However, it was less severe than it used to be, because she never let an opportunity slip by to deflate that monstrous ego of his.
She and Jimmy passed him on the dance floor, but he was too enthralled with the bimbos to even notice she had arrived. Agnes shook her head in wonderment and began dancing with Jimmy forcing any further thoughts of that despicable boy out of her head.

Paddy took advantage of the break in the music to slip out from between his two dancing partners and make his escape. They had been harassing him all night. Normally, he would enjoy the attention, but tonight for some reason, he felt suffocated by their groping hands and possessive smiles. Joey would smack him in the head if he found out he foolishly let them get away. What was wrong with him?
For some strange reason, he hadn't felt like himself over the past few days. It was probably just the pressure of the bet as the deadline grew dangerously closer. But lately, the thought of losing $500 didn't bother him anymore.

He was a jumbled mess on the inside and it was all her fault. There was just something about her that intrigued him, hypnotized him, possessed him. She was unlike any girl he had ever met.
He was undeniably attracted to her, and that attraction had grown stronger by the day. But it seemed to be more than just a physical attraction. It was an emotional attraction as well. Even though their conversations and time spent together consisted of nothing but playfully sparring and jovial insults, he felt so alive whenever she was around. He couldn't quite explain it, and it confused the hell out of him because he had never felt so… vulnerable before.

He used to scorn that word, swearing he'd never fall vulnerable to any girl. Only they would be the vulnerable ones when they were around him. Yet now, the thought of Agnes made him weak in the knees and at the same time sent a thrill of exhilaration down his spine.
He wanted her. He wanted her more than he wanted any other girl before. 
And he was going to get her.

He took a seat at the bar and ordered a gin and tonic. The bartender didn't even card him. He loved Hawaii.
Scanning the beach, he tried to see where his brothers had disappeared to, but the crowd was just way too large. He was wondering if Agnes had gone against her word and had shown up after all, when his eyes fell on her and Jimmy in the middle of the dance floor.
She was quite a vision. She knew how to dress sexily but at the same time still dress with class. His eyes appraised her hungrily, impressed by her dancing ability. She and Jimmy swayed in time to the music, their bodies frequently touching. Sometimes Jimmy would twirl her and she would laugh in delight.
His desire grew stronger and stronger. He wanted to be the one holding her in his arms out there on the dance floor, and he wanted to be the one to make her smile.
That familiar shiver of exhilaration swept through him once again and he smiled to himself like a giddy child. She was here, which meant tonight would be the night he risked it all and made his move. It was now or never…

The question was: Do you think, it's time for the first kiss. It looks like you want the two to move faster on their weird relationship :)) 92%of you want them to kiss, and only 8% don't. Read the next part for your longed kiss :)) 

{ PART 9 }