Chapter 10 - Stefania #2
Breakfast with Marlen is a little tense, but the awkwardness is overshadowed by my excitement to explore.
“Can I walk around?” I ask, wondering if he plans to keep me a prisoner inside the villa, but I haven’t seen many guards at all, mostly just the cleaning staff.
“You can go anywhere. It’s an island. You’ll only get so far,” he chuckles.
His comment annoys me. He underestimates me. “You don’t know what I’m capable of. I could steal a jet ski. Or the little boat from the yacht,” I scoff.
He laughs warmly. “I’ll need to give you a lesson on the jet ski first. We can do it after breakfast.”
His teasing tone is friendly, and reluctantly, it pulls a smile onto my lips.
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” I say sarcastically.
“But seriously, feel free to explore. This villa is your home while you are here. The beach is beautiful. The water is warm. If you do swim, don’t go too deep.
Though it’s crystal clear, and this island has a beautiful reef, I’d prefer it if you didn’t go alone.
Maybe we can go snorkeling tomorrow? If you’d like? ”
I stare at him for a moment, unsure, but wanting to believe that this is all just as it appears and not something else.
“So, you’ve genuinely just brought me on a holiday?” I ask cautiously.
“Yes, and myself. I’ve really needed a break for a while, and I saw how nuts you were going locked up in the mansion. This is a holiday, Stefania, nothing more than that.”
After breakfast, Marlen heads to the gym and leaves me to my own devices. In my bright yellow sundress, I walk barefoot along the beach, holding my sandals and wondering how in the world I ended up in this tropical island paradise, but loving it.
I explore the many pathways that weave through the resort’s little jungle gardens.
I wade out into the shallow water when it gets too hot.
I see a turtle swimming near the shore and sit and watch it for a while.
I find bright orange exotic flowers and pick up a coconut from the sand, curious to see if I can open it back at the villa.
After a while, I realize I’ve reached the edge of the village. My heart somersaults as I glance behind me, back toward the villa where Marlen is. He’ll be furious to find I’ve gone so far away, but what do I care? I want to see everything.
With a tentative first step, I walk toward the village.
It’s bigger than it looked from my first glimpse of it on the jet ski. People walk along wide streets, all smiling at me when I pass. Women wear colorful dresses, and men walk shirtless, tanned, carrying bundles of freshly caught fish.
“Welcome, come in, come look,” an older woman waves at me, gesturing for me to come into her little store. Her smile is wide, and her face is wrinkled from years of sun and salt. Her hair is long and dark blonde, hanging in a thick braid over her shoulder.
The store is filled with beautiful handmade jewelry made from seashells and coconut shells. Along one wall are colorful dresses like the ones the other women were wearing.
She picks up a beautiful wide wide-brimmed sun hat. “It’s made from dried reeds we picked around the river that runs through the island near the waterfall. My granddaughter weaves it for me,” she tells me. “Your cheeks are already too red from the sun.”
I gingerly touch my cheeks, blushing darker. “I did put sunscreen on, but I swam a few times already, so it must have washed off,” I explain.
“This wild sun is hotter than the city sun; you must be careful.” She places the hat on my head and turns me toward a small mirror hanging on the wall. The hat looks super cute. It’s really gorgeous. I’d love to have it, but I can’t.
“I’m so sorry, I don’t have any money on me to buy it from you,” I explain, handing it back to her.
“Don’t worry, darling, it is yours. The island welcomes you,” she tells me, placing it on my head again.
“Are you sure? I can come back tomorrow and pay you. How much is it?” I ask, my heart warming at her kindness.
“It is yours. As I said, the island welcomes you. I recognize a beautiful soul when I see one,” she says. “You are like sunshine. Glowing and bright.”
The grin that spreads across my face is filled with humble gratitude. I reach out and hug her, which seems to take her by surprise for a second, before she lifts her arms and hugs me in return.
“I’m Stef,” I say.
“I am Lillia,” she smiles.
After meeting the woman, I continued exploring the village. A man cooking fish outside his house offers me a piece to taste. It tastes of the ocean—rich, fresh, and salty, and it leaves an oily residue on my tongue and makes my stomach growl for more.
I continue exploring until I walk straight into Marlen.
My heart sinks in fright, and I wince, waiting to be scolded for leaving and being gone for so long.
“Hi, island girl,” he smiles, reaching up and touching the brim of my new sunhat. “This is really cute.”
“The lady gave it to me. She was so kind,” I explain, surprised by his friendliness.
“You’ll find the whole village is generous like that. It’s a true community. People share and help each other without a moment’s hesitation.”
My tummy growls loudly, and I blush, placing my hand over it. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten yet,” I say, horrified.
He chuckles, “Come on, there’s a place here in the village that you’ll love.”
We sit on a blanket in front of a low wooden table, filled with flame-grilled fish and rice and vegetables grown on the island. The food is magnificent. The view is breathtaking, and to my surprise, I’m having a lot of fun with Marlen.
He laughs and reaches over to pull another piece of fish loose, using his fingers. “The first time I met Mikhail, he convinced me to try sea urchin. It’s not something I recommend.”
The restaurant owner, who is also the chef and our waiter, laughs loudly. “You pulled a face like a child,” he calls out, overhearing our conversation.
I laugh loudly too, the mango and coconut cocktail going to my head a little.
Marlen tells me lots of stories about the island and the people here. He speaks as though they are part of his family, too, as though he has a deep fondness for them and this place.
I watch him with fascination. His body is relaxed, his face is open and welcoming. He laughs freely and doesn’t look guarded at all. This isn’t the same man who walks around the mansion back home. This man is kind, happy, and warm.
Over the next few days, Marlen and I explore more of the island together.
He takes me hiking to the waterfall. We swim in the much colder water that comes from the rocks.
The more time I spend with him, the harder it is for me to see him as the enemy.
It’s confusing because I’m enjoying myself more than I should be.
At dinner in a colorful restaurant in the village that night, we’re laughing again, and we’re sitting too close together. Our legs are touching beneath the table, and I’m leaning toward him.
In this moment, I realize something dangerous.
My attraction to him is getting stronger.
Day by day, I’m being pulled toward him, physically and emotionally, and I simply can’t allow it.
He’s already made it clear that I have no effect on him.
The memory of his words still stings me when I think of them the night we kissed. Rejection. Raw and brutal.
My heart constricts when I realize how reckless I’ve been. I’m letting myself fall for a man who kidnapped me and is holding me prisoner. None of this is real. This is all… this is…
“I’m ready to go home,” I say, standing up in a hurry, overwhelmed by my emotions.
“Oh, but you didn’t finish your dinner yet,” he gestures over the calamari steak and coconut salad.
“I’m done.” I smile tightly, stepping away from the table.
“Alright, I’ll get this to go in case you want it later.” He waves the waitress over.
I stand near the door, ready to leave, while Marlen settles things with the waitress.
I hear them laughing and turn to watch them.
She touches his arm, letting her fingers drift slowing over his muscles while she smiles up at him, fluttering her long lashes.
I see her writing something on a piece of paper and handing it to him.
Did she just give him her number? What the actual fuck?
Dark jealousy floods through me, spiking my heart rate.
It’s irrational. It’s silly. But I can’t help it.
I spin away from the scene and leave the restaurant without waiting for him. I walk straight onto the beach, heading for the water to splash my feet and try to cool my thoughts.