Chapter 5
The attention of the entire hall was drawn to a clinking glass being struck graciously.
"Friends, folks of Willcox, Welcome," Mr. Ortega echoed from the deck-like stairway, spreading his arms like a bird basking in dexterity with a champagne glass in hand as he spoke.
"Glad you all could make it. You know when the orphanage reached out if I could host this esteemed event I accepted in a heartbeat. What honor it is to have you all here and being part of something that actually makes a difference. The story of this town is a young one, built-in passion and heart and it's lives on through our acts towards the little ones. My door will always remain open to them. That is why I'll be making a donation of $10,000" he said raising a cheque which he handed to a Nun. This gesture triggered applause from the inspired audience.
"Please this is nothing," he continued as he made a hand gesture to cease the cheer, "I too remember what it's like to have nothing back in the streets of Medellin."
"Oh boy! here we go," Charlie snickered making the bunch chuckle, all but Lovely.
"Settling for scraps before I made it here, to the land of opportunities and found my fortune. Such a travail no child in Willcox will ever face cause they have us so drink, be entertained, and let your donations be as big as your heart, enjoy!" he finished flashing a flamboyant smirk and hurried down, in a mix with the crowd. Echoing applauds followed sharply with smiles and chatters from all directions, high-spirited by Mr. Ortega's monologue. One of the many people stirred by this soliloquy was lovely, if Mr. Ortega didn't make an impression on her before, he sure did now.
As the hysteria died down, a group of children took to the platform and sang featly hymns that echoed through the walls, so soothing to everyone present. Lovely was trenched in the charm of the afternoon like most but was perplexed when she caught a glimpse of her uncle walking alongside Mr. Ortega with his entourage, all in three pieces, with stern faces before they all went behind closed doors. Uncle Billy surely wasn't the type to be found in such a circle.
"Hey, you wanna leave here and go somewhere calm and quiet? I have just the spot," Charlie asked, interrupting her thoughts. She had faintly noticed when the children's singing had now been replaced by a live band making the atmosphere euphoric, an aura lovely didn't much appreciate.
"Yeah sure, so long as it's calm," A burned-out lovely uttered.
Charlie drove a Jeep convertible to the side lawn maneuvering through the fleet of cars parked upfront.
"We need a car to get there? Lemme guess, this place isn't on the estate, is it?"
"Not exactly, no."
"Charlie, even if I want to, I came with Ashley and I didn't tell her I'd be leaving this soon."
"And you'll text her on the way and I can drop you home afterwards. That's what the car is for," he convinced.
Lovely got in the front seat soon enough, giving in to his allure other than reason. She strapped in her seatbelt and they were past the gate in no time.
As they drove, she stole a glance every now and again. His blonde curls sprang thickly covering his forehead, his profile was so clear-cut as his eyes, a pale brown like that of sand, such features she couldn't help but admire.
She attempted to take another glance but this time was met by Charlie's eyes. He had noticed her reoccurring stares and this made him smirk. Lovely sharply turned her gaze to the road, the last thing she wanted was her attraction to him known.
The rest of the drive after that was a session of awkward silence and after some minutes, they swayed away from a tarred road and took a path with canopy-like overhanging trees and he drew the car to a halt some distance away from a dock. They were at a lake
Lovely had heard of a few mentions of this lake but had never had an occasion to gaze its dark waters that glimmered as the noon sun shone against its rippling surface. Lovely stared speechless and astounded, it was such a bewildering view, a serene one at that. Summer break was done leaving the lake almost deserted with no one around at that hour.
They sat by the docks swinging their bare feet and striking the waters, talking at length.
"Woah, I never would have guessed," she purred, still entranced by the sight.
"Guessed what?"
"That you'd bring me to the lake," she smiled and closed her eyes as her face basked in the sun. She felt his grip on her wrist shortly after.
"C'mon let's go for a ride"
Her eyes widened, her face seeming a little startled," huh? What ride?" as the pair stood.
He turned his gaze and lovely's followed, towards some rowboats on the bank of the lake a stone throw from where they stood.
"No, No, No. There's no way I'm getting on one of those old things." She echoed, her fingers above her lips trying to conceal her faint laugh, blushing a little.
"He sure doesn't waste any time," she thought
"And Why not?" he questioned.
"Cause this is what couples do on dates?" she emphasized but only in her head or did he consider this a--.
"Don't tell me a little water scare you?" He grinned making chicken gestures.
"I'm not scared!" she pouted. "I just think--"
Before she could finish conjuring up an excuse, they were running towards the boats with Charlie's elated mood making her not just put up very little resistance but set her in a similar mood.
After Charlie rowed seamlessly, they were far from the bank now. It was so still and only the sound of the rowing oars and fluttering of pigeons broke the flawless silence.
"Why the anxious look? I'm not going to propose or anything," Charlie cackled, throwing his face upwards as he rowed.
"Really? what other reason would you bring me here then?" she remarked sarcastically and laughed because they were being ridiculous. She had been a little tensed the moment they got on the boat together but not anymore.
He stopped rowing, in the middle of waters face to face with each other.
"I could spend a fortune on a diamond ring to match your beauty and it still wouldn't come close, " he said after a brief pause, eyes narrowed on hers.
Her body thrilled in tremulous ecstasy as she heard those words. She had never been the type to be moved by compliment nor flattery but his had an alluring effect she couldn't ignore anymore. She was violently tempted to say "Take me Charlie, lets us delight in this strange enchantment of the senses that we both feel," and at that moment Charlie started leaning forwards as if reading her thoughts and her heart leaped. She could no longer act coy to his advance. They leaned closer, rocking the boat slightly. He put his hand upon her cheeks and she felt his lips come down on hers, gently. Her lips part under his and she was drowning in throbbing waves of sweet strange desire. He broke the kiss and stared closely into her eyes as if he meant to see her soul and locked lips with hers, more passionate than the first which lovely Responded to with even desire as his hands caressed her waist. Both were too caught up in the heated moment and leaned to a side, tilting the boat, enough for them to lose their balance, causing them to fall out.
This let up a splash as they plunged into the waters and emerged briefly, laughing at each other, how could they forget they were on a boat?
"A swim? Even better," Charlie laughed, stroking against the water to stay afloat.
How terrible this unlikely turn of events would have been if one of them couldn't swim, Lovely thought.
They played in for quite some time, chattering on and on about various topics like how life in the city was a lot different from that in Willcox and nothing about the little bit of romance they had earlier. The Sun was starting to set and it was time to go, their enchanting affair rooting Its closure.
"Hey, how deep is this lake anyways? "She asking Charlie now on the boat and squeezing his trenched T-shirt with his back facing lovely who was still swimming. "Good thing I left my jacket at the dorks" He thought.
"I don't know really; it shouldn't be more than 50-"He was cut off by the sound of lovely plunging as she dived in deep the shadowy waters. Charlie was startled by this, leaning low to the edge of the boat, trying to catch a glimpse of lovely. After a couple of minutes, he could help but fret, now really anxious. His mind not helping much as it played the worst possible scenarios.
"Lovely!!? C'mon, this isn't funny just so you know," Charlie hollered. Still, nothing. The waters were motionless, only the pounding in his chest and the cool breeze ruffling the tree leaves could he hear. Charlie stood about jumping in, now very frightened but Lovely emerged to the surface rather forcefully gasping for breath.
He watched as she swam to the side of the boat and dragged herself unto it.
"Good heavens lovely! way to give a scare. Are you alright?" He snapped briskly, a hand on her back.
She brought her head up to his face still gasping for air as her eyes darted around maniacally, transfixed with panic.
"Body-" she stuttered in a suffocated whisper, her chest growing so tight it was hard to breathe.
"There's a body down there," her voice trembled.
Lovely could feel herself panic-stricken and tensed to the point of shaking, horrified by what she thought she had seen.
All Charlie could do was stare at her pale face puzzled, still overwhelmed by her words