May 4th, 2018
Saturday, 8:45am

The sound of the blender whirring in the kitchen woke him up, and he opened his eyes hesitantly. The stinging smell of boiling pepper wafted into the room and it was the last incentive he needed to get out of bed. He needed to know what she was doing, and why. But when the scene was fully laid out in front of him in the kitchen, he still couldn't understand. She stood at the counter with her back to him, and he got stuck on the view for a while. She wore blue jeans and one of his company tee shirts with the name and logo printed on the back, bare footed. Her hair had been pulled at the back of her head and out of the way.

She looked up from the iron pan she was using to grind something when he coughed at the kitchen entrance. "Was it the sound or the smell?"

"How about both? What exactly is going on in here?" He stepped over to the stove and watched the fish frying in the skillet, with sausages and eggs in a bowl right next to it.

"It's breakfast. Don't you recognize it?" She laughed while washing her hands at the sink. "Woke up with a craving so I went home and got what I needed."

"I'm not sure what I see. There's a lot going on."

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Good morning to you too. Is my baby okay?"

He leaned closer and smiled against her lips, hugging her close. "Baby is tired. You smell fishy."

"Yet you're still holding on to me."

"I didn't say it bothered me."

"Good," she giggled when he bit her cheek playfully. "You want some coffee?"

"Actually I think I want your apple juice. The air in here is too hot for a hot beverage. Can I get a run down on what I'll be eating this morning?"

She pushed at his chest and he let her go reluctantly. "Lighten up; it's just dry rice with fish and pepper. A side of sausages and eggs. I fried some chicken for myself cause let's face it, who doesn't like fried chicken?"

"I think I had that once. Khalid loves it, but I'm not too keen on the pepper part," he sat down in one of the chairs at the table.

A glass of cold juice was set down in front of him. "You'll be okay. Drink your juice."

"Yes ma'am." She shot him a look and he winked at her. "So what's happening today?"

The knock sounded at the door when she opened her mouth to speak. "Hold that thought."

Robert, Amin's driver stood on the other side when she opened it, holding a big brown box. He smiled at her over the box. "Morning o."

"Morning Robert. Um, what is that?"

"I bring ay for bossman Amin. He here?" He peered over her shoulder, looking for Amin.

"Babe? Please come." The box moved a little but she was sure that she had imagined it. "Amin."

He walked over to them from the kitchen. "Robert? What's going on?"

"Morning bossman. Ahmed say I should bring ay to you. He say you ask him for ay."

"Ohh, I know what it is. I'll take care of this, babe."

"You sure?" She looked skeptical but he quickly squashed it by kissing her on the cheek.

"You're cooking remember? I got this."

"Okay o. Please hurry." When she walked away, their voices lowered and they spoke in hushed tones.

"Did you get the other things?" He took the box from him and opened the top for a quick peek.

"Yeah, it innay backuh lay car."

"Perfect. It's all black right? I asked for black."

"All over. It fine too."

He set the box down beside the wall and straightened up. "Thank you, Robert. You told Khalid you were leaving the store?"

"Bossman Bassam teh me say he way tay care lor ay."

"Tell him I owe him. Thanks, man." He dug in his pockets and came up with a five dollar note. "Here. Take transportation and go back to the store. I need the car today."

"Ah. Bossman, lay one lah plenty transportation o."

"I know. Go enjoy yourself."

"Thank you sah!" Robert left quickly, as if Amin was going to change his mind. He closed the door with a chuckle and turned his attention to the box.

"What was that all about?" She stood behind him with her arms crossed.

"Don't freak out," he reached into the box and pulled out a black, squirming puppy. Her eyes went wide at the sight of it.

"Oh my... Amin! Is that a...ohhh no. No, I can't! I can't have a puppy here. I'm barely home!" She took the puppy out of his hands and walked away while cuddling it to her chest.

"I'm not sure what to make of that so..." He watched her coo at the dog in her arms and play with it. "You're keeping him?"

"I can't. He's too cute. And so biggg!"

"Yeah. German Shepherd puppies are usually huge." He glanced over at the stove. "You can't see anything else right now, so tell me how to handle this."

"Try to get the fish out, and be careful. The oil will mar your pretty skin if given the chance. It stings."

"It won't kill me so I'm good."

"Okay, smart mouth. You bought him or? What's the story?"

He turned down the fire under the frying pan. "Uhh, one of Jorge's dogs gave birth. He mentioned it in passing and asked me if you might want one. I thought it was good idea."

She scratched the puppy under his collar and smiled when he tapped his back leg against her thigh. "That's...sweet. Why did you think it was a good idea though?"

"Have you ever seen a woman with a puppy? You guys turn into little children that can only make baby sounds around a dog."

"That's sooo not a compliment," she laughed and placed the puppy on the floor. "I hope he's trained. I'm not prepared to do the whole cleaning up after it."

"He's not, but I have his crate in the car. You can put sand in there for now and train him to do his business elsewhere."

"You think of everything, don't you?"

"Of course," he pulled her up and into his arms, "one of the things about me that you find sexy."

"You're a problem," she laughed and tried to get out of the grip he had on her. He ignored her attempts and nuzzled her neck, leaving little kisses.

Her phone rang on the table, and she glanced at it. The smile fell off her face almost instantly.

He noticed her stiffening and pulled back to look at her. "Jess. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." She left his arms and cancelled the call, clearing her throat. "Ready to eat?"

"Yes ma'am. Sure you're okay?" He sat down but his eyes followed her to the stove.

"Yup. We need to hurry. Gotta get the second part of the day started."

With her back to him, her face was hidden but he couldn't help staring at her. Something was definitely up, but he couldn't place his finger on it.

-------

She snuggled deeper into the grey jacket that covered her upper body and leaned back in his arms, resting her head in the crook of his neck. He pulled her closer, not saying anything. The sun was setting on the day and their completed plans. Jessica's idea of them going jet skiing and boat riding took a lot of hours and the two hours' drive to Libassa helped.

He could admit to having fun, it was a good escape from his thoughts and work. But the woman pressed against him was keeping information away from him and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. His initial plan had been to tell her how he really felt on Sunday. He wasn't sure what her reaction was going to be but it felt right to make it known.

"What's going on up there in that pretty head of yours?" She shifted in his arms and he let her go briefly. She sat facing him and held his face in her hands.

"I should be asking you that," he sighed when her smile faded. "Jessica. Will you please talk to me?"

Her gaze shifted to something over his shoulder, and she bit down on her lower lip. "I...um... I had to do something difficult. Work related."

He caressed her cheek and her eyes returned to his. "Okay? Can you talk about it? You look like it's bothering you."

"It is. I did it because I know it's the right thing to do. But...it affects someone I care about."

"I'm sure that person will understand why you had to. If they're reasonable enough."

A look passed over her face and her head dropped to my shoulder. "Yeah..."

"Cheer up. It can't be all that bad, right?" He tilted her chin and kissed her full on the mouth.

She smiled a little, then leaned her forehead against his. Yeah. It's not all bad. It's terrible.

"Does it have anything to do with the call you received?" He raised a brow at her and she shook her head.

"No... that was just a friend."

"Another friend you care about? You have a lot of those."

She pushed him playfully and stood up, extending a hand to him. "Walk?" He hesitated and she rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you what you wanna know."

"Better," he stood up and dusted the back of his pants. "Come here."

He held her hand and they walked in silence, feeling the sand on their feet. Her thin red dress fluttered in the breeze, sometimes revealing her black tights underneath. She pulled him at the edge of the water and faced the horizon, letting her eyes flutter shut.

"Cold?" His arms encircled her waist and pulled her against him.

"No, just thinking."

"About what?"

She relaxed against him and sighed. "Everything. Too peaceful, too...perfect."

"And that's bad?"

"No, it's just that...it doesn't last when it's like this. Something's bound to happen."

"Why not enjoy it while it lasts then?" He murmured into her hair and she couldn't help but agree. It didn't seem like such a bad idea.

•Waves•