Encounter

ALEIA

It was seven in the morning when I finished the delivery.  I only have one hour left to prepare for school. I increased my speed in driving when suddenly someone crossed the road, so I slowed down again and stopped later.

I was about to confront him for his carelessness when I noticed that he was busy dialing his phone. He is a tourist, maybe.

“Sir, excuse me! There is no stable connection on this island,” I said, trying to get his attention.

But I was so shocked when he looked at me. I was speechless for a moment, and my heart was beating so fast. How can I not recognize him? He was the man I had been dreaming of since I was ten. His eye that hid thousands of stories. I can stare in his eyes all day long and get mezmerized by them.

I tried to remain in composure. Why is he here? What is he doing here? He is supposed to be busy preparing for his engagement.

“I really can’t find any signal. I need to contact someone,”he said in despair.

“Are there no areas where we can find some connection?”

“The weather is not good today, making the signal difficult to find. Are you here as a tourist?”

“Yupe, I’m looking for a place to stay for a couple of days,” he answered while trying to put his phone in his bag.”I guess everything I brought here is useless though. TSS!” I tried to suppress a smile. He looked so cute even of  he is mad.

I looked around to check if someone was here with him, but I saw no one. Is he trying to run away from his engagement? Or maybe he just needed some time to think about it? Nathalie must be furious for now, for his fiance is gone. Nathalie adores him since we were kids. So am I.

“Sir, are you alone?” I asked while trying to scan the area. But he really is.

“Kinda. Do I look like I’m hiding someone in my bag?”he joked and laughed at his joke.” Can you recommend some place to stay? I mean, I don’t have any idea about this place.”

I nodded.”Sure, come with me then!”I said and headed to where Ryder was parked. But he did not follow; he just remained at the place where he was standing. He looked so shocked to see my motorbike. Later on, he walked closer to me with confusion in his eyes.

“Are we going to ride on that motorbike?” he said, looking amazed and doubtful.

“Definitely. Can’t you see there are no other means of transportation here, except this one? Well, there are some cabs, but they don’t park here all day.”

“You must be kidding, miss! Can you drive well?  You know we only have one life. What if we’ll get into an accident or something?”I smiled, so this is him. I knew him. The mighty Matthew who is unreachable by many.

“So you don’t trust me? It’s okay. How can you entrust your life to a mere stranger you just met on the road? I’ll go ahead then. Just stay here for a few hours and wait for a cab.”I slipped and started the engine.

“Wait! Okay, I’ll come with you,” he said, then hopped at the back. “Do you have an extra helmet?”He was speaking near my ear, and I could hear his heavy breathing. He is tensed.

“Oh, I don’t have any extra helmets. But don’t worry, it is still early. The policemen are not on their posts yet, so it would be okay.”

“What? This is so unbelievable. What if I’ll get caught for not wearing a helmet?”

I was somewhat pissed off. He is so stubborn and tough to convince.”If you are still unsure about this, then you can get off now.”Let’s say that I adore this man, but sometimes he is so hard to handle. He thinks highly of himself.

But what happened next surprised me. He hugged me tightly from behind with his chin on my shoulders. I can’t help myself from smiling.

So this is how it feels to be hugged by someone you love. Homecourt advantage it is.

I felt his warm breath fuming in my nape and my ears.” Hey, what are you waiting for? Let’s go, “he whispered, giving me chills all over.” drive safely, please.”

I nodded.”Sure, sir. Hold tight”I started the engine and headed off to the nearest rest house for rent. I was driving so fast intentionally, and I could feel him hugging me tightly as if he was afraid to fall. And my smile went from ear to ear. I felt like I was on cloud nine.

“Slow down; we’re over-speeding,” he ordered as I could feel his grip on my shirt.

“No, we are not. This is normal here on the island.”

We soon reached the rest house owned by Cleofe’s family. The rest house is made of native materials like bamboo and other types of wood, something that tourists enjoy. Aircon will no longer be needed because it is located near the sea where you can even hear the crashing of waves every now and then.

“Is this the place that you wanted me to stay?”he said, frowning. Oh, I forgot that the man with me now is not used to living a simple life because he is the mighty and wealthy Zach Matthew Kline. He is used to staying in luxurious and expensive hotels and villas. How can he survive life here with us?

“This is the only available place to stay. Why?”I asked, trying to pretend that I did not know the reason.

“Well, it’s kinda weird, though. Is it okay to stay here? ” His eyes are scanning every corner of the place. As if he is trying to evaluate if he can survive or not?

“Of course, I’m sure you’ll love it as soon as you get used to it. Wait, let’s find the owner of this house.”

We walked to Cleofe’s house to talk to her mother, Mrs. Wills.

“Mrs. Wills,” I called while knocking on the door.” I’ve brought a customer.” It was Cleofe who opened the door. She was surprised to see me with him.

“Mom, Ale is here,”she said.”Come in. Have a seat, sir.” Zach sat on the bamboo chair near the window.

“How about me?”I joked.

“You can sit beside him if you want,” she whispered. “Ale, is he your boyfriend?”. I automatically covered her mouth with my hand to shut her up.

“Ssh! He might hear you.  He is a prince in their kingdom. We must respect and treat him well, okay.” Zach was staring outside. I wonder what he is thinking.