With a tumbler of alcohol in his hand, he reclines down next to me. Again? This early the morning? Let it not be that he is planning on getting wasted like yesterday. I , I won't spare him a glance today. I will leave his wasted self to soak and die alone. I swear!
"You are drinking again? This early?"
He shakes his glass, emitting a slight smirk. "Don't worry. It's just a glass to get rid of hangover. No more for today,” he says, looking at me as if making a vow. “I . And I don't usually drink that much."
Yeah, right! The way you drowned those bottles, boy, I'm not dumb! Anyway, I buy his lie, why then would he drink that much?
"Why, then, would you drink that much?" I query as he rests the empty glass on the , shifting in the seat to face his bewitching face at me again.
"It was just one of those moments when you wish to forget everything. Everything."
He looks away. That is quite deep. He is a troubled soul. Something is bothering him.
And for someone of his pedigree to be bothered to the extent of drinking himself to , the matter ought to be dire.
"Matters of the heart?" I query, earning his stare back. He was about to get engrossed his thoughts.
"It's complicated," he states.
Complicated, huh? The real meaning of complication is perched right in front of him.
Me! I am a walking tangle. Engaged to one man yet betrothed to another, and now in hands of a total stranger. I am running for freedom when I know that my father never let that happen. Acting all bold and cool while, in reality, I should be to my bones because I don’t want to imagine what my father has in store for for defying him. And that ghost betrothed of mine, if we ever cross paths, I bet he take out all his anger and frustrations on me for humiliating him by failing to to our engagement party. I am in a deep, hot sh*t!
"You want to talk about it?" I implore out of the blue, perhaps looking for something keep my mind busy. I should stop thinking about my father and what awaits me he finds me.
He shakes his head, a small smile on his lips. It is as if he appreciates my concerns, he is not just about to open up to a stranger. "Naah! It's unnecessary baggage. I am that sh*t now. I am free!"
Whoa! Huh? I narrowed my eyes in bewilderment.
You mean, alcohol helps you forget that quickly? Like, it wipes out the pain and that fast? Fantastic! Then I think I have just found the perfect remedy to all of problems.
"So, what brought you to this city?"
Damn!
Does he have to ask? I am harmless, unlike him. No, more unlike him.
"Aah... Nothing. Vacation. I just wanted to have some time away from work, home, all," I lie. A very beautiful and, hopefully, convincing lie.
"Then you came to the right place. There are a lot of beautiful sites here. I can be your guide if you want. But my services are not for free."
I perfectly get his point regarding the beautiful scenery. A few examples include the
Bombolulu, the Fort Jesus, the Vasco da Gama pillar, and the picturesque coastline.
There is no doubt—Mombasa is indeed a lovely city. It should have been made the , according to me. I should overcome my worries and begin my tour around it.
And regarding his joke about his services, I have a sizable balance on my credit cards.
Money should not worry him. But I understand him because he does not have even a idea of who I am.
"Name your price," I boldly state, and at my words, his right eyebrow forms an curl above his eye.
"What are you offering?" He challenges.
"Whatever you want," I brag proudly like the stinking filthy rich babe that I am. He 't know that, of course. He would be surprised to know. Too bad! He will never a chance to know me that deeply. Perhaps.
Then again, there is a saying, Never say never. And as annoying as he is, he is giving homey vibes. I don’t know why or how to explain it clearly. He is just the that I need. Annoying, but still homey and cool.
"Whatever I want? Be very careful with your choice of words, Ellie!" He warns.
I roll my eyes! What can he ask? A million? Two? Ten million? Not even a billion can a difference in my account, dah! "Name it," I dare him, and he cocks his head .
What does he think I am? A joker? Naah! I have decided to enjoy to the fullest the freedom that I have during this unknown period of time. It is time to freaking , and I am going to spend and have a blast! I have never done this, so get ready me, Mombasa!
I gawk at him as he opens the beautiful curve between his lips and reads every single that leaves through the opening. "A night on my bed every single time I get to you around."
In a split second, my face instantly turns blue and wrinkly. Before I completely lose my ability to breathe, I snap at him.
"Ee...exc..." Ahem! Ahem! Why did my breath go? I inhale and exhale, calming my . "Pardon me?" I mutter, experiencing a confusing, weird combo of both hot cold chills.
"You heard me right, and you said I can name whatever I want?"
His facial idioms are raw. There is no tinge of smirk, and his daring eyes are not mine. He is serious.
But he can’t be!
“But I didn’t mean...”
“I warned you to be mindful of what you say. You did not restrict my wishes either.
And so, Damian Almeda wants you, Ellie Marie, submisively on my bed after every visit! Deal?”