Encounter

MATTHEW’S POV

Watching Aleia smile with her hair blown by the wind was like watching the sunrise after heavy rain. Her smile can calm even troubled water, and her hand is soft and warm, locked with mine. I squeezed her hand as we strolled to the cottage for our dinner.

I am not hungry at all. I mean, after what happened, I couldn’t focus on any other things. A part me of was guilty of doing that, and a part wanted more of it too. I took advantage of her. She was not like any other woman who clung to me for my name or money. I don’t want her to think that I’m a pervert.

She was still silent after we reached the cottage. Cleofe was there also waiting for us. If not because of this little brat, something could have happened. Maybe I should thank Cleofe for that beautiful interruption.

Cleofe was looking at our clasped hands. She was smiling, and I saw her bump Ale with her questioning look. She is a curious type of kid her age.

“Ehem! Lovebirds?” she said as we walked to the table. I even saw Ale blush. She squeezed my hand, asking for help, and I squeezed back. It was a charming gesture. She looked like a teenage girl caught by her friends. And then a memory many years ago flashed like a movie scene in my mind.

That night when a cute little girl who I thought was younger than me accidentally bumped me. She could have fallen to the floor if I did not manage to catch her. I even saw her taking secret glances at me. It fluttered my heart, though, and Ale was like that kid.

Shy and reserved but responsive. I even bit my lip with the thought of her lips on mine, with our mouths sealed. I swallowed, cleared my throat, and let go of her hand. I guided her to her chair. Cleofe left us a minute ago, and we were alone here again.

“Let’s eat,” I said, and she nodded. I put some of the dishes on her plate when I noticed that she was not getting anything.

“Thanks,” she said. We started eating. We did not talk. We just exchanged glances, looked away, and smiled secretly. We were like teenagers on our first date. Honestly, this was was my first time feeling so light and happy.

I helped her clean the table when we finished eating. Then we sat on the bamboo chair facing the ocean. The sea was a little calmer this time. The moon has started to show up with its entire face shining down at us.

“Ohm, can I ask you something?” I said.

“Sure,” she replied.

“Do you live here with your family?” I looked at her after. She was looking to her feet that touched the fine and white sand.

She deeply sighed before she answered.”I live alone.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What! Why?” I asked.

“I lived with my granny and my mom, but they passed away already,” she answered hoarsely, still looking away.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I placed my hand above hers to offer her comfort.

“No need to be sorry. We will all end up at that point. What matters most is how we live our lives while we are here. And make a difference to other’s life?” she said while looking straight into my eyes. “Zach, life is short to focus on things that are not eternal.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, confused.

“When my mom died, I realized how precious life is. She loved to listen to the crashing waves and to watch the sunset. There are still many things that she wanted to do, but her time was limited, Zach,” Aleia said with tears in her eyes. She tried to hold it back, but she ended up crying. I moved closer to hug her. I tapped her back to lessen the pain.

“So that was why you chose to stay here, because of your mom.”

She nodded. “Yupe! This is her home. Our home. She chose to spend her last days here. Anyway, let’s change our topic. I don’t want you to think that I am a cry baby.” she said while wiping her tears.

“Tss! What’s wrong with crying? We all cried like crazy when we were babies.” I was shocked when she burst out laughing. “What’s funny?” I asked, chuckling.

“Nothing. Just the baby thing. So may I ask if why you came here alone?”

“Looking for fun? I’m a free spirit.” I shrugged off. I couldn’t tell her that I was here to escape my engagement and that I was a CEO in my company.

“Okay,” she said, but she sounded unconvinced. “So, are you having fun?”

I bit my lip while raking my hair upward.” So far-” I intended to cut what I was saying.”yes. Thanks to you. For not leaving a good for nothing man like me.” I’ll see if she will still stay even If she saw me that way.

“Even a wild grass in the forest has its purpose. So you are, even if we are not as mighty as others, we should serve our purpose,” she said and stood up after. “Let’s go home,” she said and walked ahead of me.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Are you not afraid of living alone?” I asked while we were walking on the way home.

“No. I got the whole village. We’re here.”

I did not notice that we had reached my rest house already. “Ale, I should drop you home.”

She laughed.”No need. I can take care of myself. Go in and rest.” She pushed me to the door. But I pulled her closer to me.”Thanks for dinner.”

“Thanks for the wonderful night. Wanna have coffee inside?” I asked while stroking her soft hair with my hand. She pushed me lightly, and we laughed.

“Stop flirting with me, Zach. Remember, we still don’t know each other yet-” I did not let her finish. I brushed my lips with hers. I was testing if she would push me away. When I noticed she was not resisting, I tried to claim her lips, teasing, biting, and sucking them. As if it was food I needed to survive. As usual, she was responding to my kisses with the same energy.

I felt like a force that we did not know existed was pulling us together as our lips were locked, moving in rhythm. I stopped for a moment, and I whispered, “The hell I care with that, Aleia!” And I came back to her parted lips allowing me to enter and taste more. Moans escape from the innermost soul that made me even want to taste more of her.

We were both catching our breath when we ended the kiss. I did wonder why Aleia allowed me to do it. Is she also attracted to me?

“Zach,” she said while gaining her composure.”I need to go.”

“I’ll go with you,” I insisted.

“It’s already late. You need to rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I watched her leave and when she was out of sight. I walked inside.