"I want to see the sunrise," Ozora answered, while her hands smoothed over the coat she was wearing.
"Sunrise?" Eldrick's brow furrowed. He always woke up late every time he was on vacation. Eldrick had never seen the sun rise directly.
"Yes, Sunrise. Soon the sunrise will appear. I want to enjoy its beauty."
"It's still four in the morning, Ozora."
"The sooner the better, right?"
"You wait on the sofa! I will keep you company. It's not good for women to go out alone at this hour. Don't leave before I come. Understand?" Eldrick made sure Ozora agreed to his orders.
"You forced me?"
"It's for your own good. It's still early and it's cold outside. Don't argue! Wait for me!"
"You are a fussy man!"
Eldrick managed to convince Ozora. He went back into her bedroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. Even though he didn't sleep, he still had to make sure his breath was fresh.
Eldrick also wore a warm coat, trousers and shoes. The weather in Ireland was cold. Ireland is always cold because this country is famous for rainy weather that is more frequent than other countries.
"Let's go!" Eldrick invited Ozora who had been waiting for him on the sofa. He yawned then looked at Ozora who was still comfortable in her position.
"Are you sleepy?" Ozora watched Eldrick's mouth which had been yawning several times.
"I haven't even slept yet. I will sleep after breakfast later."
"You haven't slept yet?"
"Yes. I have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places. I can only sleep in two places. My office and my room at home."
"Why?"
"I don't know.. It's been like that since I was little."
"Poor you."
The two of them walked along the beach. It turned out that the place was not as quiet as they imagined because some of the guests who were traveling also wanted to enjoy the sunrise.
"After breakfast you will sleep again, right?" Ozora made sure that the man got enough rest.
"Maybe. But it won't be long since those two men must be bothering me."
"I won't let them bother you. After breakfast I will accompany you. I will make sure Othniel and Nicko stay away from you and are busy with their respective wives. An hour or two of sleep will do a lot of good for you. You can pass out if you don't sleep."
Eldrick was surprised to hear Ozora's words. "Are you serious about accompanying me?"
"Yes. You must be tormented because you can't sleep. I've been in that position before. But it's been a long time."
"Have you ever been unable to sleep?" Eldrick frowned. What other stories would surprise him? It seems Ozora would always surprised him and it made Eldrick even more curious.
"When I was a teenager. For two years I couldn't sleep. That was when mommy Aster always came to my bedroom and calmed me down." Ozora didn't say much more. She didn't want the man to know about her dark days.
"No wonder you love Mommy Aster so much. Are Geona and the twins jealous because of your presence?"
"Not at all. In fact, Mommy Aster did that because of the request of my three siblings."
"How come? My sister and I always argue to get our parents's attention" Eldrick was even more surprised.
"The first time I lived with them I had nightmares and I would scream out of fear. Mommy Aster came to my bedroom and she woke me up. That night we all slept in daddy's room. The wide bed became cramped because the four of us slept with them. Geona said that sleeping with the family would eliminate nightmares. From that night I knew that I was never alone."
"Are you doing this because you also want to help me get out of the nightmare?"
"Yes. I will help you. I know what it's like to not be able to sleep at night."
"Thank you, O. I really appreciate your help."
Eldrick's gaze was so warm seeing Ozora. The woman in front of him was very different from all the women he knew.
But what if Eldrick found out about Ozora's dark past? Would Eldrick still appreciate her?
They braved the frigid morning air. The sound of the waves could be heard very clearly and several times they passed other visitors.
Ozora saw a piece of a dead tree trunk. She invited Eldrick to sit there. "I think the sun will be clearly visible from here," Ozora said while looking at the still black sky.
"Maybe. To this day I have never seen a sunrise. This is my first experience."
"Your life is too flat, Eldrick. You have to try new things."
"No one taught me. Do you want to help me?"
Ozora turned her eyes from the sky to Eldrick's face. Becoming a rich man was not as beautiful as Ozora imagined. Eldrick had great wealth but was entangled in pickiness. It's normal if many women stay away from him because it is a very boring trait.
"You want it, right?" Eldrick asked again.
"Hmmm… I will talk to Geona about this. She is a therapist and she can help you."
"But you will accompany me, right?"
"Yes, Eldrick Zacharia. Why do you always insist?"
"Because you have to be forced."
The sun began to show itself. The reflection of the light could be seen from the sea water. It was so beautiful and Ozora wanted to take a picture of herself.
Ozora took out her cell phone from her coat pocket. She turned on the front camera and took a portrait of her face. Many times Ozora clicked her tongue because the results of the drawing did not match her wishes.
"Let me take your picture." Eldrick offered to help.
"But I'm embarrassed when someone else takes my picture," Ozora said honestly.
Eldrick rubbed Ozora's head which was covered in a knitted hat. "We have been friends. You can pose as you like. Looks like you can stand there."
Eldrick pointed out a spot where Ozora would have her back to the rising sun. "That's a great spot. I will stand there."
Ozora left the dry tree and stood at Eldrick's chosen place. Several photos were taken and then she asked Eldrick for her cell phone.
"What do you think?" Ozora asked curiously about the result of her photos
"You are beautiful even though you haven't showered yet," Eldrick answered. A pinch landed on Eldrick's arm. He mocked Ozora even when he hadn't taken a shower.
"Now my turn. Let's take a picture together."
Eldrick pointed the front camera at the two of them then several photos were captured by the camera. Just as they were about to check the results, a woman's voice called out.
"You here too," Geona said while approached them. It turned out that she also woke Otniel just to see the sun rise.
"Let's take a picture," Geona invited Ozora. Otniel warned his pregnant wife to be careful.
"I think you are still snoring in the bedroom," Eldrick mocked Othniel who was standing beside him.
"It's risky to have a wife like Geona. I have to get up early just to make her wish come true."
"Tskckck... you and Nicko have become slaves of love. I don't want to become like you."