His Island Girl

Chapter Six

That night as he lay in bed, his mind drifted to the events that happened during the day. From the little argument he had with Mr Gregg, to the emotions he felt and about his strong resolve to create new changes in the company. In the middle of his meditations, she crossed his mind again and he stopped for a moment, then focused his mind completely on her.

It was the first time they had a conversation and although it was a brief one, he was not going to forget it in a hurry. The tone of her voice, the feel of her skin, her scent, everything about her was slowly pulling him into an unknown abyss. He felt totally lost. He couldn't fathom if what he feels is lust or infatuation but he knows that she has absolutely drawn him to her with her charms. If it's love then it was truly love at first sight.

If anything new happened during their second meeting, it was an increased yearning for her. He has already made up his mind to go back to the island the next day being Sunday and he isn't going to stop until this new storm in him is calmed. After having series of thoughts, he managed to fall asleep.

Sunday morning began bright and beautiful. Dave showered and got ready for another adventure. He was dressed in a casual but smart outfit which fitted perfectly, bringing out his masculinity. He went out to the balcony which extended from his chamber and stood for some minutes, enjoying the serenity of the swimming pool and the beautiful flowers in the garden as the gardener did his routine checks on them. After some minutes of silence, he went back into his room and picked up his phone and wristwatch.

He walked straight towards his mother's chamber and knocked gently on the door. He waited for some seconds before hearing her faint voice from within.

"Who is it"

"Mother, it's me" he spoke softly to her hearing.

"Dave? Please come in"

He opened the door and closed it behind him after stepping in. His mother was in her bathroom rob and her hair was covered in a white towel. She had just taken a bath.

He went and gave her a warm hug before kissing her on the cheek.

"A wonderful morning to the most amazing woman on earth" he started and she couldn't help but giggle as she blushed. He possesses some kind of charming characteristics and gentlemanliness in the way he interacts with women especially those dear to him.

"Oh you're up so early and already dressed. Today is Sunday remember? Don't tell me there's work to be done in the company today" she said.

"Not exactly, I just need to be some place today" he said.

"Not work believed me. Just somewhere special" he added when he noticed the unconvinced look on her face.

"If you say so" she said and went to sit on the stool of her dressing mirror.

"Seems you're going out too?" He asked whilst putting his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah. I have a little get together with my friends. I'll be home late" she said and started the hairdryer to work on her hair.

"So will Charlotte be home alone? Today also?"

"Charlotte has always been home alone hasn't she?" She responded, almost getting agitated. She knew she hasn't been there for her last daughter lately and she was not ready to receive another round of criticism on being a bad mother from him.

Just as if he has heard her thoughts, he decided not to stir up any emotions from her. He stood behind her staring into the mirror at their reflection as she combed her hair.

"In that case can we at least let her do what would keep her happy while we're away?" He folded his arms.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean mother. She shouldn't be locked up all the time being bored with nothing to do. Would you like your child to be dull all the time?"

"I thought we've already talked about this a hundred times before. She's an Orman and-"

"She's not a prisoner" he interrupted.

"Dave you're getting on my nerves" she lamented.

"Because I'm telling the truth?"

She sighed and became silent for some seconds.

"I'm only trying to protect her. She's still young you know? Barely fourteen I just don't want her to get so loose-"

"But if you tighten the reins so much don't you think she will suffocate and die?" He asked softly.

She just stared at him through the giant mirror as he stood behind her staring back. Momentarily, he walked up to her and lightly touched her shoulders with his hands.

"Please mother. She needs to do what she loves to do, even if it's once in a while. Yes you can stop her sometimes when you feel she's had enough but not all the time. Please mother, loosen the reins a bit" he spoke calmly and softly in that charming demeanor that made his mother's heart melt.

"Okay. Just for your sake" she breathed.

"Not for my sake. For Charlotte's sake" he corrected and she smiled before raising her hand to hold on to one of his that was still on her shoulder.

"You know why I love you so much?" she said calmly.

"Why?" He leaned in on her in until his head was on the same level with hers as they both stared into the mirror.

"Because you look so much like your Dad when he was your age. You take after him too. Your voice and body structure and your behavior is exactly like his. Even in your speech and facial features. No one will look at you and have doubts that you are truly the son of Jeffrey Orman. So sad though that he's no longer with us. I really miss him so much" she said.

"He's resting in a safe place now I believe. Really, he was just like me? Then you must have fallen head over heels with Dad when you were both younger?" He teased.

"Hell yeah! You can say that again. If not that you're my son now I'd have fallen head over heels in love with you too" she said and they shared a round of laughter. It was a rare but intimate moment between mother and son which hardly come by.

"Honestly, tell me if there's any girl you've ever met that has not fallen for you already. You're just too good looking for your own good" she said.

Then again, she crossed his mind that instant.

He straightened up and decided it was time to leave.

"I have to be on my way now" he adjusted his shirt.

"Oh really? Where exactly are you headed to this early. You should be in Church, it's Sunday"

"Sure. If only my mother can decide to cancel her get together and drive the family to Church as a devoted Christian that she is" he released the most epic sarcasm of all time as he smirked. His mother could only mop at him in contempt without finding the right word or action to defend herself.

"Have a nice day mother" he smiled and kissed her cheek one last time before leaving.

"Make sure you eat breakfast first" he heard her say but he was already out the door.

He stopped by at Charlotte's room and had a few minutes brother and sister moment with her too. He informed her about the discussion he had with their mother and gave her permission to visit the places she likes only if her nanny Pauline and the driver goes with her. Charlotte was so glad at the new development and couldn't stop thanking him as she embraced him all over.

Few minutes later found him driving down the road in his black Lexus. Black was actually his favourite color.

* * *

He alighted from the boat that conveyed him from the mainland to the island. After paying the seaman more than what he requested earlier, he checked his wristwatch and it was only 10:20am. The seashore was already filled with activities as usual so he proceeded to the main beach.

He decided to take a stroll round the beach enjoying the scenery of the sea, watching happy people swimming and having fun, kids making sand castles and others having some sort of picnic. This same island that has stirred controversy between him and his company is now providing him with a new found peace and calmness and he was beginning to get too attached to the place. Something about this place seems to allure and subdue him day by day.

He turned to pick up some pebbles in order to throw them into the sea when he collided with someone. Again. For the third time. The small basket she was holding fell off her hand and all the fresh sardines in it were littered on the sand.

"Oh my goodness" she muttered silently.

She immediately raised her head in anger to confront whoever it was that caused such terrible thing to happen and behold, it was her.

She looked more cute in her state of anger with her eyebrows being curved at the edges and her forehead strained. As soon as she realized who it was, she became speechless. Her eyebrows and the lines on her face began to relax, indicating her calming down. They became lost in each other's gaze for what seemed like eternity. She bit her lower lip and looked away from him, reserving all the emotions she was feeling. For a moment, he thought she was going to reprimand or confront him discourteously for his misconduct but she didn't. Instead, she simply squat down and began to pick up the sardines back into the basket.

He too squatted just opposite her and began to help her pick the fresh sardines. Without a word to each other, they worked together by picking up the sardines while stealing glances at each other in silence. Sometimes, their hands collided as they accidentally tried to pick up the same piece of sardine.

"You have developed a hubby of bumping into me all the time haven't you?" She finally broke the silence in that sweet angelic voice as she picked up the basket and straightened up.

"Not sure about that either but perhaps fate has decided that we would be bumping into each other after our first meeting" he said as he stood and straightened up.

She supported the little basket between her waist and her right arm as she began to walk towards the sea. She was dressed in a tight blue jean that was folded above her ankles and an oversized white shirt with rolled up sleeves.

"Where are you going?" He asked without knowing why he asked or if he even had the right to ask. He just wanted to have a little conversation with her even if it didn't have to end well. She was the sole aim of his numerous visits to the island and now that he's gotten a chance to be with her one more time, he's not prepared to loose her again. He is willing to make good use of this little chance.

"As you can see the sardines are all covered in sand. No one will buy a sandy sardine so I need to wash them" she said as she continued walking towards the sea.

"Will it be okay if I do that instead. I mean I caused this to happen. I'm sorry. I just want to make it up to-"

"No you don't have to. I'll manage"

"I insist. Please..." He pleaded softly in that charming demeanor that she had to pause and revere at his charisma. Her eyes moved from his face to his shoes. He reasoned that she must've probably thought he looked too clean to get himself dirty with such kind of work.

"Don't bother about me. I promise" he said as a way of convincing her that he was willing to do anything.

"Alright If you insist" she said and handed him the basket. They walked together in silence until they reached a secluded point where the land met the sea. There were no much people there.

He took off his wristwatch and handed it to her to hold as he took few steps into the water and suddenly remembered that he needed to take off his shoes as well. That was not his kind of job and he has never done it before but he was determined to make it up to her and perhaps end up impressing her.

After handing her his shoes also, he squatted but the basket slipped off his hands and the some of the fishes fell into the water and began to float away. He quickly stretched out his left hand to catch some of them but then he heard a soft giggle behind him as she was enjoying the moment.

He couldn't help but turned immediately to catch her laughing face and she looked absolutely beautiful. He could watch her for a whole day.

"That's not the way to do it. You'll only get wet and loose the fishes" she said amid giggles.

She went beside him and squatted too. He could only watch as she first rinsed the basket and placed it in the water. With one hand she held the basket, with the other she rinsed the sardines individually and thoroughly before putting them into the basket. When she was done, she jogged the basket inside the water once more before straining it. She seem to be an expert at that.

"Let's go" she said after getting up.

He wasn't sure if he heard her correctly but she just said "Let's go". He didn't move and only stood at the same spot staring at her. It felt so surreal that everything happening was indeed happening for real. For the first time in years, he felt like a toddler waiting to be given instructions. Instructions from the woman that has captivated his body, mind and soul.

"I...mean let's... leave this place" she said again as soon as she realised the awkwardness. She immediately picked up his shoes and handed it to him as she held onto his wristwatch, waiting for him to finish putting on his shoes.

They walked together side by side in silence. Each of them feeling the mutual bond and chemistry forming between them. He had a great feeling that the day would be a good day.