DANA
Another staff arrived and carried our bags. Mine was just a small travel bag and it was held by this man named Antonio. I followed him until I was led into one small triangular bungalow, like a studio type apartment for one person. The walls were small brown bricks and the windows are made of glass. It's fronting the crystal-clear ocean on a low tide. Two minutes aboard and I already fell in love with the place. I mean, it's like a paradise on earth. Anyone would fall in love with it. The clear skies, the glistening ocean, and the unpolluted wind is just what I needed.
"the towel, bath robe, and your bathroom essentials are already inside the place, Miss Dana. Here's the key." – Antonio gave me a key with a cute pineapple keychain.
"Thanks, Antonio. Is there a phone inside for room service or something?"
"yes, Miss."
"perfect. Thank you. I'll handle it from here."
Antonio left. I took in the sight of the place again. The sea smelled like salt and rain. Finally, peace. I know I said breaking deals is my life but it is overwhelming at times and I need a breather. This one is. Exactly like this.
"excuse me, Miss. "
A voice behind me said. I turned around to see a man with straight black hair, narrow eyes, pale skin and an athletic body just a few meters away.
"yes?"
"I think we exchanged keys." – he said, holding up a key with a cherry keychain. My brows folded and looked back at the house. Wait, right. The one I have doesn't match with the door's lock design. Mine's the cherry one.
"oh, yes… here."
I stepped closer and handed him the key. Our palms brushed a little. I saw him smirked. What was that about?
"thanks… you… you look familiar. Have I seen you somewhere?"
He asked. I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. This is what I hate about running into people.
Of course, he did. Where, possibly? Is it this year's Powerful Businesswoman's List? The Moneymakers' Magazine? That interview with the finance guru whose name I can't remember or that huge billboard with my face drinking an expensive champagne brand? Where, possibly?
"no, I don't think you did." – I said and turned my back
I went here to have some time alone, to unwind, to be anonymous. I don't need to meet some friends. I turned in the key to the small bungalow and saw my bag inside. When I looked back, the man has gone. Good.
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Whoever said money can't buy happiness clearly doesn't know where to spend the vacation because waking up with the sound of the crashing waves is worth it all. I woke up and stretched my arms, the sunlight slowly greeted me from the windows. I gave in to its temptation and opened the door. Wow. It's a low tide and the white sand was visible, with dots which I believe were shells. It was so cold that I shivered, even the horizon was foggy.
After a quick shower, I decided to take a stroll beside the coast. I don't see anyone else awake yet so I also used the time to take pictures of the view, and of myself with the use of a tripod. After which, I came back to the room because Antonio was standing outside, carrying a tray of breakfast.
"good morning, Miss Dana. I hope you had a good sleep." – he said. I noticed the tray has a long-stemmed rose on it. Cute.
"thanks, Antonio. I was asleep as a log." – I said, smiling.
He chuckled. I followed him inside and he placed the tray on the table, there were two chairs on it. When he's done, I thanked him and got my phone to take a picture of the heart-shaped latte and a cinnamon roll lying on the side of two chicken sausages. I was about to take a picture when I saw there was one missed call from Zyril.
I clicked my tongue. I told her not to bother me for the next three days because I would be on vacation and nothing that's related to work is allowed to interfere with my schedule. I ignored it. If it's that important, I'm sure she would send me a follow-up text or another call. Since none of the two came after, I guess that was nothing.
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After an Italian lunch on this exquisite café, I got myself a tattoo from one of the staffs. It was a morse code spelling my name. I looked at it from the huge mirror he has and its spot just on top of my left shoulder was perfect. I gave him my payment and all the guests were escorted to the floating restaurant in the middle of the ocean. We were transported by small boats, each of us wearing an orange lifejacket.
That's when I saw the man from yesterday. He was one of the three friends who are here in the island with me. He gave me a smile, and I gave him a nod. He was sitting across me and this little distance made me notice his jaw. It was sculpted like a marble sculpture and his lips… they look like they were naturally tinted with rosy pink. And then he looked at me, so I looked away. Goodness, Dana, what are you doing?
"we're here, ladies and gentleman! We here in the island call this "The Floating Appetite". Dining while the waves are crashing on the sides and the ocean wind blowing on your face…you all should really try it." -Santiago said, quite enthusiastically. Unlike yesterday, he's only wearing a plain white tee shirt and black loose shorts.
The Floating Appetite. What a bad name. I should give them a seminar about the importance of names with promotion of the product or their service. That name's just…well, that's their problem. I decided not to interfere and just let it go.
"hi, miss. I didn't catch your name yesterday." – the strange man asked. Two of his friends were already on the restaurant
"Dana. Dana Russel." – I said and turned
"Dana Russel, of course! I couldn't sleep last night wondering about it… not in a perverted way but, you really look so familiar and well, your name explains it all. Who are you here with?"
Are we really having this conversation?
"no one."
"that's sad."
Excuse me?