Encounter

MATTHEW’S POV

As I was staring outside, watching the crashing of the waves, I couldn’t help but think of my family. Dad must be so mad right now, if only he listened to me, but the aspiration of getting more wealth blinded him.

Yana and David must be so worried too, especially that I could not reach them. I hope that when I come back, everything is still in the right place, and Nathalie will give up on her obsession with me. But how long should I hide here, and can I even survive their way of living?

That woman who drove me here looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember when and where I met her. It was impossible to meet her in the business world; she looked plain and rugged with her plain shirt paired with ripped jeans and a sneaker. But one thing that made me confused was her motorbike. How can someone as plain as her afford to buy that kind? Though it’s not the most expensive one, it still costs a million.

But as I  was looking at her now as she is talking with that bubbly little girl. I can’t help but stare at her silently. She looks so simple yet engaging  when she speaks. Her personality screams for attention and authority.

“Sir, wanna have some coffee?”the bubbly girl, Cleofe, asked me. It was when I realized that I had been staring at the woman for too long already. The woman who made me ride on a motorbike without a helmet while I was hugging her. It was my first time and It felt good. It gave me an awkward feeling, though.

I nodded.” Sure, if you don’t mind.”She walked to the kitchen, and when she came back, she was already bringing a cup of coffee. There, I remember the life back there.

“His Royal Highness, here’s your coffee,” the bubbly girl said while putting the cup of coffee on the wooden table in front of me. What did she just say?

“Cleofe!”The woman shouted, trying to stop Cleofe from what she was about to say.

“What did you call me again?” I asked.

Cleofe glanced at her. “Ale said that you are a prince in your kingdom, so we need to treat you well, your royal highness!” she answered with so much sincerity. I giggled upon hearing it.

I am not a prince, but it somewhat looked like that. Did this woman know me? How can she make up those if she had no idea of who I am?

“Cleofe, right?”She nodded.”I am not a prince. If I am, then where is my horse? I’m just an ordinary person like everyone else, so there’s no need for a VIP treatment,”I said while my gaze was on that woman. Trying to ask for her explanation.

“Sorry if I made up that story, Sir. Cleofe is a very playful kid. I just did it so that she wouldn’t bother you in the future,” she said apologetically, not able to meet my eyes.

“It’s okay. I can handle her. Anyway, stop calling me sir, and please look at me.” I couldn’t focus because she kept on staring at the floor, maybe guilty of what she did.”You can call me Zach.” Zach is a better disguise since I do not use it often.

“Nice to meet you, Zach. I’m Aleia, but you can call me Ale,” she said casually. I glanced at her hands, wishing that she’d offer them for a shake. I bit my lip. What am I thinking?

“It sounds nice,” I said, smiling, and started to drink my coffee which began to get cold. “How about you?”I mean, if Ale would want some coffee too. The coffee reminds me of Yana and KTI. I hope they are doing fine while I’m away.

“I already had mine early this morning. Thanks,”she said, and a few moments later, the owner of the resthouse came.

She discussed everything with me, including the payment, which left me in awe. Why? Because it was so affordable and I thought later on that the price is just right.

Ale, Oh, I started calling her by her name now after she told me about it. She was so accomodating; she even went with me to the resthouse and took care of the things I needed

I was so shocked to see its interior after Ale opened the door. They call this a rest house.? My bathroom is much better than this. It has a small living room, and all equipment is made from wood: from its furniture to its bed. There’s no mattress after all. How can I comfortably sleep without a mattress? It will surely give me back pains and make my muscles sore.

Later on, I realized my true purpose of being here, and that is to live an ordinary life. If I wanted a grand vacation after all, then I should have gone to a luxurious resort with five-star hotel accommodation. But I chose to be here to forget the pressure and to drop all my excess baggage for a while. Maybe I could find someone who will accept me for who I am now, being like this. But do we search for it? I thought that when it was about time, it would just fall like a shooting star in front of us. That thing we called love.

“Are you sure you will be okay here? You look disappointed,” Ale said while trying to arrange some things. Though the room was not that nice, it looked clean and well-organized.” Don’t worry; I’ll ask Mrs. Wills that I’ll personally assist you while you stay here.”

“Thanks, would that be okay with you?”I asked after putting my things in the bamboo bed. “Can I request a mattress? ”

She nodded.” Sure, I’ll bring it to you when I come back. For now, enjoy the view, and the fresh air. Cleofe will get your breakfast anytime from now.” Is she going to leave me here? Alone? I mean, how about if I need something? I think I can’t last here without her.

“Are you leaving me here… alone?”I almost said it in a whisper, afraid that she might misinterpret.

She chuckled,” Just for the time being. I’ll be back after I’m done with my duty. If you need something,  please call Cleofe or her mother, they would be glad to assist you. Would that be okay?”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Can I ask if where do you live so just in case I know where to find you?”

“I live in the house nearby. Don’t worry. I’m not going to leave you,”she said as if it meant something more.” as if I can do that, ” she added on a whisper, but still I heard it.

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I’ll be back, so you don’t need to worry,.” I watched Ale leave and, after that, unpacked my things.