Chapter 25 Harrison
HARRISON
After a panicked call, and me agreeing to pay a fee to fly out a staff member from Tiffany, Honolulu, I relax.
Samantha and I pace at the retreat like expecting parents. Not that we are in any way, shape, or form.
As the so-called emergency chopper comes in, it blows Samantha’s colorful silk robe.
Even if I liked seeing her topless, and I was slowly getting used to it, the silk robe is wrapping around her.
It is also shimmering and glorious, like her legs.
We exchange what is becoming one of our glances, and we pace as three people exit the sleek chopper.
Two look like minders or security, and they are not small. The third person is a short middle-aged woman, carrying a silver briefcase chained to her wrist.
It is likely wise. Supposedly, she has around three million in rocks and rings.
After fast introductions, I usher her inside. I am now wearing a dark suit because that is all I seem to have. Samantha has already lectured me on that, and she has said more human boyfriends have ‘less cold, commanding uniforms, like robots.’
Whatever the fuck that means. I know what I like. I know what I want. I also know what I need.
As the small diamond courier starts to display the dozens of stunning rings, I notice Samantha start to bite a nail.
She is starting to lose it. “Are you alright?” I ask softly, trying to be human.
“Yes, no!”
She walks back outside, and I follow her into the sunlight. Outside, I stop, but she paces.
“You need to tell me,” I command her, using my deep voice.
Finally, she stops and speaks.
“Okay, this’ll sound weird, but me… and, well, most women take marriage seriously. It’s only supposed to be done once and be special. This, what we’re doing, here and now, is weird. It’s more. It’s messed up. It’s wrong, Harry! Wrong!”
I nod slowly, looking at her face. She really is losing it.
I walk to her and lift her soft chin. My gentle human self is growing, and it’s a side I have kept dormant. Dormant within. “Look, I’m sorry.”
I then make a fast calculation as she huffs and paces. Screw it. She is more important, and deals are just deals.
“Look, let’s just forget it. You keep the money, and we forget Tokyo. I’ll forget the media and entertainment plans.”
“No!” Samantha snaps.
We walk up to each other, and I hold her shoulders. She puts her hands on my hips, and I like it. A lot.
I wipe a tear from her cheek, and she gulps. “I’m just dealing with… With my fantasy being…”
“Corrupted?”
Samantha sighs, and I rub her arms softly. “I’m sorry. I won’t ever hurt you again.”
Our eyes meet, and she wipes a tear away. “Just hurt me another way.”
We share a look, and I think she just sent me a wicked little message. What the hell? Suddenly, she inhales and walks inside. “Let’s just get the job done.”
Walking back into the large glass home, I watch her peruse.
“Look, you choose,” I say low, following her.
She shakes her head and keeps looking. “No, let’s do it together.”
I look at her, and it feels better. Or less messed up. Samantha takes my hand, and for whatever reason, it feels right. We walk around the rings in their black velvet boxes as if… As if we are a real couple.
I should find that screwed up, but I don’t. I even like it, and I find it comforting.
I find strength in it, somehow.
We continue around the rings as the Pacific waves move in the background. It feels strange, but it also feels special. I know it’s messed up, but something about it feels good.
Most of the rings are nice, several are classy, and a few are timeless. A couple are even spectacular.
I am unsure how and why, but we end up liking the same rack, and it soon gets down to three rings. We try them all on her engagement finger, and they all fit, and well.
We mumble away in private, and we share looks and comments, inches apart.
Finally, we agree.
The ring we choose is immaculate, classy, and timeless. It is also like what my father gave to my darling mother.
“We will take this one,” I say, my voice strong and deep.
The woman nods happily. The ring is worth around half a million.
Minutes later, the chopper flies out with the three people and their rings.
My personal banker in NYC wired them a million to encourage them to fly out and fast. Naturally, as a sign of good faith.
I’m unsure how much I’ll get back, but I give zero fucks.
Seeing Samantha’s face light up is worth it.
She is worth it.
As the chopper streaks away, the sun starts to set over the water. We walk outside, alone, and we stand in the golden light.
I twirl the large ring in my two fingers, and I am slightly nervous, but she seems to be at ease.
Sam is also stunning in her green billowing satin robe. The golden light from the powerful sun sits behind her, making her look like an angel.
My angel.
Her scruffy hair swirls in the wind, and she makes the most spectacular image.
“Do you think we should?” I ask, stepping up.
Samantha nods and she lifts her eyes from the ring to my mine. As the sun sets on the horizon, miles across the perfect blue ocean, I stand on the manicured grass next to the perfect retreat.
I kneel in front of her, and I gulp.
For some reason, my heart is racing, and my mouth is dry. I do not get nervous, but right here and right now, I am.
Sam looks perfect, and as the warm wind blows her robe, I can make out every inch of her body.
She steps closer, and our eyes hold. Although I want to kiss her stomach and devour her, I have a deeper feeling.
I just don’t know what it is. I also don’t know how to deal with it.
We continue our mock moment, and I smile up and into her sparkling eyes. Deciding to run with it, I place a hand around her. It sits low on her back and half on her butt. I want to hold her.
No, I need to hold her in this moment.
She leans in, and her thigh brushes against my shoulder. She then rests a hand around my neck.
“Sassy Samantha. Honey, button pusher, and tease, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Sam fakes a surprised look. We both laugh, but she wipes away a tear. She is perfect in every way.
“Of course, Grumpy. There will never be anyone as hot. Anyone as commanding. Anyone as icy, cold, and anyone as wicked for me.”
The speech hits me, and it feels good. No, it feels amazing.
So amazing, I decide to unpack it later.
I take her soft hand in mine, and I gently slide the perfect ring on the perfect woman. Standing, we exchange a look, and we lean into each other for a long, slow hug.
We both exhale long, slow, and hard, as if letting all the chaos in the universe go.
I place my hand behind her head, and I hold her close. I do not want it to end. I do not want us to end. My other hand softly rubs her back. As if caring and as if showing I am human.
“Are we really fucked up?” Sam asks. “Or are we just different?”
I have decided I like holding her as much as anything in the world. I like having her against my body. I also like having her in my arms.
“I have no idea,” I say. “I guess we’ll soon find out.”
We pull back a little and explore each other’s faces.
“As long as we look after each other,” I say, holding her chin.
The poor, emotional girl then nods, and my gut is tight. I’ve missed out on so much of a normal life. And whatever is happening here is perfect.
No, it’s spectacular, like her.
After showers, I act like a good fiancé and take the arm of my woman, girlfriend, and partner and I walk her to the jet. To our jet.
As we fly towards Tokyo, we are both silent for a long while.
I process all kinds of thoughts, mostly relating to why or how I’m so emotionally stunted. Also why I’m such a cold bastard.
I have no idea why Sam is quiet in her co-pilot seat. Actually, that’s a lie. Deep down, I know what we are doing is hurting her. And I need it to stop.
Sam has a pure heart. She also has a good soul. She has never hurt anyone, and she deserves better. The idea of her with another man also does my head in.
I think about us, and I know I have issues. I also know I’m not good enough for her. I don’t know if I can keep a relationship. All I know is this… I must try.
I also don’t want to live without her.