P.O.V Paige
The next day I wake up and when I go downstairs, I realize Mason is not home. I don't call or text him. I just eat my breakfast as if nothing is going on.
Emily tells me to go get my bags that in a few minutes we have to leave. Before I go upstairs, I go to the yard to get my baby, I see him playing with my father-in-law and I smile at how happy he is.
When he sees me, he comes running to me and I let him lick me. I am going to miss him a lot, there is no doubt about that. I go upstairs to get my things with mixed feelings, I don't want to leave him alone for so long. Does it make me feel bad to do so? Is it possible that mothers feel the same way when they leave their children alone for work or trips, like mine?
I go downstairs again with my bags, my insurance puts them in the car and says goodbye right away, since he will stay with Simba, so he won't miss our absence.
I hug him and thank him for everything he does for my baby. On the way to the airport Emily gives me advice on how to dry my hair so it looks like today and I nod as I understand what she is telling me. We arrive and I go downstairs to drop off my boarding pass, Mason is still a no-show. To my misfortune I don't carry just one suitcase as it's a long time to travel. Luckily, a guy sees the two of us alone and helps us and I end up chatting with him. He helps me with a suitcase since he only has one backpack. We continue talking and I tell him about my trip, he tells me that he has to go to several places for work and that we might meet in some country by chance.
I smile at him, and we continue talking, he tells me that he has a partner, whom he loves with all his heart. I don't ask him, but from the way he speaks I can tell that he is in love to the bone with his partner. When he tells me his name I smile, as he does it shyly, perhaps expecting some reaction from me.
" Congratulations on having your better half in your life. Not everyone is lucky enough to be happy in love." I say, smiling.
"The truth is, Matthew is the best. He always supports me in whatever crazy ideas I come up with, and he never complains. Not everyone can do that," she sighs.
"You're lucky indeed, my friend," I say, taking her arm.
We both smile at how well we get along, even just minutes after meeting each other. We're engrossed in conversation when Mason arrives, looking serious. I introduce him to John, and they exchange greetings. John bids us farewell and whispers in my ear, "He's jealous." I discreetly nudge his shoulder, and he smiles, causing me to smile too.
Once we're alone, my smile fades, and I fall asleep during the flight. I wake up when it's time to disembark, and I apologize to Mason, realizing I had no reason to be angry. After much thought, I understand that he has his beloved, and I can't be upset because he says goodbye to her.
I sleep through the first night, and the next day we have a fantastic time surrounded by nature. We go on a marvelous tour that showcases historical places. We listen to the stories and end up exhausted from all the walking. The following day, we have no plans, so Mason suggests, "Tomorrow we can go to the beach and soak up the sun," he says, smiling.
"Sure, I like the idea. Shall I call Simba on video? Do you want to join?" I ask.
"Of course, let's call," he says, smiling.
We talk to Simba, well we talk, he just barks. Emily asks us how we are doing and what our plans are for tomorrow. I tell her what we did today and what we will do tomorrow.
After finishing the call, we go to sleep.
The next day we have breakfast on the terrace of the room we have and watch the sun light up the beach. We go downstairs and stay sunbathing for a few minutes. Mason helps me with the sunscreen on my back. So do I help him.
They bring me a drink which he buys me, and I drink it. It's refreshing and delicious, sweet and it takes me no time at all to drink the whole thing. During the day we just hang out on the beach and on the fourth drink I shake my head when he brings me my fifth. I don't want to get drunk.
“Do you really not want another one?" Mason asks, his speech slightly slurred.
“I think I've had enough for today," I reply, setting aside my drink.
“If you don't want it, I'll take it," he says, downing it in one gulp.
“You'll regret it tomorrow," I say, smiling.
As the night progresses, we head to our rooms. I help Mason because he's feeling dizzy from all the alcohol he consumed. I guide him to his bed, but as I'm about to leave, he grabs my waist and says,
“I can't resist having you so close and not tasting your lips," he says, leaning toward my face.
“It's not a good idea," I say, moving my face away from his.
“Just one, okay?" he insists.
“It could ruin your relationship with her," I firmly tell him.
“I can't go on all this time without knowing how they taste. I've been holding back for years," he says, sighing and resting his forehead against mine.
“It's only a few weeks," I say, closing my eyes.
“I'm sorry," he says, cupping my cheeks and kissing my lips.
At first, I try to resist continuing the kiss, but eventually, I give in because I've desired it too. Our hands start to explore, and he gently lowers me onto his bed, but he doesn't try anything more than kissing and holding me. Despite being slightly intoxicated, well, not that much, he doesn't attempt to go further.
He lies on top of me and kisses my neck. I close my eyes and let him, but it doesn't last long because as I have my eyes closed, I remember that I'm not a second choice, so I push him away.
“This isn't right," I say, sitting up.
“I'm sorry. I really like you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you for a long time," he says, taking my hand.
“You have your partner, in case you've forgotten," I remind him.
"I don't forget her, it's just that I don't know if what I feel for her is the same as before or just a habit. You've been occupying my thoughts for months now. I think I'm falling in love with you, and I want to try it, to see if we can be together, to see if you can feel something more than sibling affection for me, if you're open to it," he says, leaving me speechless.
"I don't know what to say. What if it doesn't work out for us? Our friendship and good relationship could be damaged, and that's not what I want. I don't want Simba to suffer if we can't look each other in the eyes or be in the same place. The truth is, I don't want to suffer. I want everything to be okay on this trip, and when we arrive, you see her and realize that what you thought you felt for me wasn't really there, and you choose to stay with her after all. Do you understand that?" I say, letting all my doubts out.
"I understand. We could give it a try this month and see what happens. I promise that if it doesn't work out before we return, we'll talk and clarify our relationship," he says nervously.
I think about it, I think about what I could suffer because of this. On the other hand, it's what I've always wanted, to try and see what happens over time. Thousands of questions run through my mind, and finally, I tell him,
"I need to think about it." He nods and asks me,
"I agree. Can we sleep together tonight? Just sleep," he says, raising his hand as a pledge.
"Okay, just sleep," I say, smiling.
We lie down, and he hugs me around the waist, kisses my hair, and sighs. I close my eyes and let myself drift into sleep.