The Honeymoon Game

Before the arrival

Chapter Five

Darnell 's Pov

“It's a stupid idea Elvis, is this how I would think when I clock sixty?” I chuckled, sipping a bottle of beer.

“As long as it is at the Island, bro it can't be that bad,” Elvis answered, pouring a full glass of beer for himself.

“Yeah, that's right. That place is like heaven on earth, I can quit working just...” I paused as an idea struck me.

“What's wrong?” Elvis asked, concern written over his face.

”Kiesha!” I sat straight, shifting to the edge of the seat.

“What about her? Did you do something again?” He dropped the empty bottle, still holding his glass.

“Kiesha has always wanted to visit the island after watching my videos of it,” I answered, ignoring his question.

“I can actually make her forgive me by inviting her over to the island. Great!!! This is the best idea that has popped into my brain since that slap from that lady at the wedding.” I clapped my hands.

“Yeah, it's a good idea. Let's just hope you don't mess things up again,” he held up his glass of beer, pointing at me.

“Do you always have to sound like a simp when we talk about Kiesha?” I mocked him, reclining into the couch.

“A simp? Darnell , she is your girl, how am I the simp here?” He dropped the half empty glass.

“You are always wanting to be in her good book and making me feel like a bad person. That's what simps would do,” I laughed at him.

“You're sick man. By the way, you didn't really tell me all about the lady that slapped you, who exactly was she?” He changed the topic.

I was quiet for a moment, envisioning the face of the said lady. Even though I felt pained by the slap, I couldn't deny the fact that she was a damsel, she was literally glowing in the silver colored dress she wore. Her hairstyle was unique, then she had to be thick. Who the hell was she?

“I don't know, she just appeared at the doorway, slapped me and walked away after saying some rude things.” I smiled. It was now funny, our little argument in the midst of that crowd.

”You don't seem angry about it? You're smiling,” he was staring at me with his brows shifted in surprise.

“You wouldn't be angry too if you had laid eyes on her. Now I regret being rude.”

“You are always rude. Especially to me,”

“She deserved it,” I defended myself.

****

After my conversation with Elvis, I caught myself thinking more about the dazzling lady that had slapped me at my father's wedding. It was bad that I didn't have any clue who she was. No name, no idea if she was close to the bride or the groom's family.

It couldn't be from the groom's side though, she would have looked familiar. I can't tell about my distant cousins, but she didn't look like one.

“Dad, were you aware of the guests at your wedding?” I asked, as I helped in loading the car boot.

“Was there a particular person I should have noticed?” He held up the door to the boot.

“Ermm... Not really. How's your bride?” I switched, deciding not to talk about the lady, especially since I didn't have the right words to describe her.

“She's delighted about this trip. Her daughter seemed a little adamant about coming, but it's all good now. I really hope we can all get along, because that is the purpose of this journey.” He closed the boot, rounding the corner to the front seat.

“I would drive,” I stretched out my hands, requesting for the keys.

“Promise me you would try to get along, Darnell .” He held up the key.

“I'm trying to be nice here by choosing to drive, you can't be giving me conditions for that,” he sighed before dropping the keys into my palm.

“Where is your friend?” He was talking about Elvis, who had pleaded to join us.

“He would meet us at the Island. I sent him to get Keisha.” I ignited the car.

“She's your woman, why didn't you go get her yourself?” He settled in the passenger seat.

“Because I'm driving the groom.”

“You didn't have to do that.”

“But I chose to.” I turned on the car Ac, closed the windows and drove out of the parking lawn into the streets.

The house at the Island is one of my dad's most precious assets. We spent most of our vacations over there, especially when he was still married to my mum. Apparently, his wedding with her was the only one that lasted beyond a year. They were married for eighteen years before the divorce.

I still don't understand how they were able to tolerate each other for good eighteen years, only to decide one morning about going their separate ways. My mum left first and returned after a year to serve the divorce papers. I was eighteen and old enough to choose who I wanted to be with, so it was no issue when my dad retained custody of me.

You see, despite the wealth, it hasn't always been a bed of roses. I still visit my mum when I want to, and I guess no matter what happens, I would always wish that they were back together.

The traffic light turned red and I pressed on the breaks. “You think this one would last?” I asked my dad.

“What son?”

“Your marriage with Maria,” I watched the light turn yellow.

“I hope it does, but if it doesn't, we will keep searching for happiness and wherever we find it, we will lay there for as long as it lasts,” he was looking out of the window as he spoke.

The light turned green and we were moving again. The street was bustling with activities, there was light traffic and I had to horn my way out of it. The rest of the drive was quiet and took at least an hour more.

“We need to make sure everything is in order before she arrives,” my dad was saying to the house manager, as they both made their way into the entrance of the castle.

Collins, a grumpy man, with a stout body structure was the house manager. There were two more domestic staff that were in charge of keeping the surroundings clean. And I could bet they were doing a great job.

I leaned against the car, breathing in the fresh air that came from the sea. The house was built in an old fashion, one story, ranch style, except that there was nothing actually old about it. The top floor of the building was made entirely of glass, giving a rangy view of the crystal water that surrounded the island.

A soft susurration came from the green and yellow branches of palm trees that lined the walkway, struggling to reach out to each other. The entire environment spelt peace and comfort. There was a pool at the side of the house and a mini bar. I decided to check out my room, then come back for a swim.

I was almost at the entrance when the horn of an approaching car stopped me in my tracks. Maybe the bride? I first thought. I was glad to see that it was Elvis returning from the errand I had sent him on.

Although i wanted to meet more properly with this Maria, who was supposed to be another temporal step-mum, (don't blame me for saying temporal, because i just have a haunch that this wouldn't be any different from the others) and her daughter who I wasn't opportune to see at the wedding, I didn't want to meet them unprepared.

Elvis highlighted the car alone. He didn't turn around to open the car for Kiesha, which was unlike him. I've seen Elvis hold the car for every girl, in his opinion, it is what every gentleman would do and the ladies like it.

If you ask me, that's bullshit. I have never had to bother about a lady liking me, because they always do. I am the prize and I carry myself as one, and just before you tag me proud, I should tell you it isn't. When you know your worth, you would be as confident as me. It what I always tell Elvis, but the dude is a f*****g Simp.

“You didn't hold the door for her?” I asked, as he approached me.

“There is no her in the car,” he announced.

“What the hell do you mean by there's no her? I sent you to get Kiesha, man.”

“Your girl is mad at you and wouldn't come.”

“You were supposed to convince her, apologize on my behalf. I thought you were a gentleman and know what the ladies like? How come you couldn't pull this through?”

“Darnell , stop throwing a tantrum around here. I am a gentleman, and I advised you against sending me to her because I know ladies do not like their men acting arrogantly like you.” He pointed.

“So you think I am arrogant? Wait, what did you tell her, Elvis?” I placed my hands on my waist, stomping my feet lightly on the maple wood floor.

“I told her you wanted me to come get her, so you both could spend some weeks at the island.” He shrugged.

“And she said?”