My Hainan

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Lilah

He’s standing outside my apartment building foyer, waiting for me with his car. I’ve never had anyone look at me the way he does, but I play it cool and laugh at myself for closing his mouth. I found it flattering. He clearly likes what he sees, and I absolutely do not mind him looking at me that way, either. Somehow, I’m not surprised he likes luxury cars. This is more the type of person I want to be spending time with. Not like all the other guys trying their luck from time to time. But you can see when a person is trying to be something they are not.

John intrigues me.

He must know that ladies don’t eat much on the first date, because he is considerate in his meal orders. Nothing too strong in flavor, nothing too heavy, the wine is crisp, and the evening is perfect. I want to tell him everything about me. I want to know everything about him. I want this first date awkward phase to be over so that we can get to the real conversations. I do, however, like toying with him. He should work for it.

We walk down to the beach after our meal, and as my feet touch the sand I get lost in my own thoughts, singing to myself in my head. Returning to reality, I realize he’s staring at me with his captivating eyes, smiling.

“Where did you float off to?”

“Shhh! You’re going to make me blush!” I feel so silly for just fading off into dreamland with him standing there looking at me.

“So, it seems we are both on holiday for the next couple of days. I wonder if you would want to join me on my road trip?”

“What are you going to do on your road trip?”

He pulls out a set of pictures from his summer suit jacket’s inner pocket that’s folded over his arm.

“Let’s go and sit over there under the light and I’ll show you.”

We walk over to the concrete stairs and sit right under the lamp pole for light. We’re the only people on the small beach. The air has a slight breeze, and it’s peaceful. I’m in my perfect element. Handsome guy, check. Gentleman, check. Attraction, check. Chemistry, check. He seems financially stable, check. All the major boxes are ticked for the moment, and I don’t want to hear anything that might spoil tonight. But let’s see where it goes.

“Look, every photo has a number at the back. These are the locations I’ve been recommended to visit.”

He pulls a map from another inside jacket pocket and folds it open for me. On the map, there are also numbers. He places the map down on one of the stairs, then places all the pictures face down next to the numbers.

“If you agree to turn these pictures over, I presume you agree to go with me to each of the locations you leave facing up.”

“It sounds fair, but does it mean I can’t turn them back over again?”

“I would like for that to be true, but I won’t force you to do something you’re not comfortable with. So, if you turn all the pictures face down it’s, it’s okay.”

I smile at him and flip the first picture over, then the next, all the way to the end.