When Love Connects

Thinking about last night, I do remember some of the things said between me and Mike. He was admiring my hidden talents of designing background decors and my ever unpredictable moods.

I wonder if he was there one time my boss was screaming at me for an undelivered box of dishwashing supplies to be used for the unlimited bubbles dishwashing machine the Studio was push selling that month.

He really was attentive of me, I quite like it. I did hope to see him again in the 5 days we would be staying at this lovely island resort.

I got dressed in my green bikini and topped it with a beige knitted cover up. My Mom was fixing us breakfast, I asked where she got them. It's from that restaurant called the Jungle she said while starting with her coffee and avocado toast. It's a nice place they have all sorts of organic healthy stuff that young people is lining up for. Plus there was a 24/7 bar my Dad added. We watched the sunrise together and I felt refreshed while looking up at the swaying palm trees by the shore.

I really needed a break, no matter how I was working my butt off, I couldn't start thinking about when I had a vacation for the longest time. I shrugged my mind off from the studio where I last worked at, and my failed attempt to make contact with my crush, and my Ex being in the vicinity, I was cringing at the thought that I would potentially see him here. I lounged at the chair some more and drank Margaritas

my Sister ordered for us as room service.

My family planned a boating trip in the afternoon, and booked them at a water sports shop nearby. There was literally horror in my face when I saw Nicholas renting gears at the same a store. I quickly hid my face under my pink straw hat.

I tried to abandon the boating trip and slowly backed away from the store, when I heard my Sister yell at me, "Hey" Where are you going Francine?

Nicholas heard a familiar name, he glanced at us and said, Is that you Francine? Franz?

I lost my balance from a bouncing beach ball a kid threw behind me, falling on my butt.

He saw me, What am I going to do now? I felt a shadow over my face asking if I'm alright.

Francine! it is You!, what on earth are you doing here? I tried to get up, and he assisted me his hand on my hip. How are you? You never answered my calls or my friend requests in my social media. I said I was busy, and will check my messages once I could get a connection. The reception here is pretty bad, I told him. He smiled warily and said "Let's catch up", If you're free there's a party at this hip bar called the Jungle, me and some buddies of mine are going there later, you should join us. I smiled awkwardly and I said Yeah, maybe I will. I hurried and met with my family on the rental boat. I didn't look back, but I'm burning with the thought of Nicholas's eyes are on me.

I enjoyed my time swimming and snorkeling, looking at the exotic fishes and corals sticking up from under a vast ocean floor it was shallow and my nephew even scratched his leg from one of the rock formations. We decided to head on back as the sky slowly went from blue to orange. We watched the sun go down, and I took a lot of pictures on my camera. I was wondering if I should go to the party later in the evening.

My Dad and Mom decided to have dinner by the shore, while my Sister and her son ordered in so the little one could rest and I was left alone nowhere to go, then my phone rang it was Mike.

Hey, did you have dinner already? he asked, his voice sounded cheerful. Yeah, I was just about to head on out. I said, where do you want to go? Drop by here at my bar and I'll cook for you. That sounds nice, I'll see you there in 15 minutes? He laughed and said take your time, and doll up okay? I was blushing under my slow breath. I hanged up and tried to think quickly what cute outfit to match with my sandals.

I went in the Jungle bar and the place is fully lit up from the fire dancers and drums playing I was in awe and finally arrived at the kitchen. There was no staff inside, they were watching the performance happening at the moment.

I smelled something nice brewing, and at the corner there he was, Mike wearing a chef's hat and green apron over his white coat. What's that I smell? Is that white wine vinegar? I heard the sound of sizzling of the pan, "I'm grilling" Mike smiled while his face is engulfed with white smoke. I am serving you Smoked Salmon with Grilled Asparagus. Oh I love fish, I excitedly answered.

I didn't know you could cook? Where's Marie? She took a night off from the kitchen, I told everyone they could watch the show outside so I could prepare this for you. So fancy! It's sounds so delish!, I was getting hungry, but the sight of a Man cooking was giving me a whole other feeling.

We sat in the chair and table outside facing the sea, the light of the moon reflected the stars on the water. Where did you learn to cook?, I asked. Well my Mom used to cook for me, I was an only child. She was a single mother, cooked for a cruise liner. I don't see her for 6-8 months, and when she's at home she always makes sure I was fed with healthy food. My grandparents raised me. They gave me candy and all sorts of junk food that my mom doesn't allow. That's nice, she cares about you a lot. Yeah, she does, I visit her from time to time. I learned to cook overnight oats for her when she got sick, I guess that's not much really, I tell her I love her every time I see her.

Well, the food is getting cold, let's dig in. Yes, let's sample this entrée you did, and it looks really good. I really think it was special. Thanks Mike, you don't know how I really needed a hot meal today. I didn't tell you but I recently quit my job at the studio. Mike glanced at me, he listened to me as he wipes his face with a napkin.

I didn't know what to do with my career, I never really did like it there. I felt stuck, and trapped in a place that was forcing me to be unhappy. "You did the right thing, Francine", when I left I searched for my passion and what I'm really good at. I was good at computers, but I felt lacking of drive. So I went as far away from the city, I fell in-love with this place. What do you like about being here?, I was amused by his sincerity. Well, this place gave me solace. From the past hurts.

Speaking of the past, here coming my way was mine. Nicholas was partying inside the bar, when he saw me with Mike. Well, well, well, what have we got here? Franz, you moved on nicely?! Excuse me? Mike said. I think you need to go buddy. Why?, do you own this place?, can't a guy have fun with friends and his ex girlfriend?, he looked at me. Sorry about this Mike, thanks for dinner. Where are you going Franz?

Wait up! Nicholas got hold of my arm. Mike got up from his seat and he grabbed my other arm, Do you need help Francine? he asked me. You are something else, Nicholas held on tighter. Please Mike, I need to go. Nicholas let's talk somewhere else. Mike insisted Nicholas is not in his right mind to talk. He should not interfere Nicholas shouted. Both of you please?! Mike let go of my hand lightly.

Nicholas followed me as I go.

What are you up to Nich? I'm not so desperate to see you happy already with your girlfriend! It's embarrassing for me to be seen here with you. Everyone was starting to crowd us. Who is she? Nicholas girlfriend followed us. Do you know her Nich?

I don't give a damn what you want to make of what you saw, because were done. We've been done for years, I moved on already, so please stop it Nich!

His girlfriend turned to me, excuse me who ever you are, you need to stay away from my boyfriend. Tell him to stay away himself. I'm done here. Nicholas puked everything he dranked. I ran away as fast as I could towards the darkest spot in the beach.

Mike followed me as I stopped from running, I was out of breath. Francine wait up. Mike pleaded.

What? what do you want from me? Am I someone that important to you? Are you someone important to me? Francine... You are, someone I want to care about. If you let me I will hold you near me, and never let you cry again.

I, in my whole life only ran away from things, my dreams, my heart aches and someone who loves me. How can you deal with someone like me? I asked Mike with my hands open.

I will let you fly Francine if that will make you feel happy, but if you like I can go with you, anywhere just to always see you happy. Search for yourself while you're at it. Do everything that's going to make you stable, and I will not stop you from running, because I'll run with you, cry with you, be with you while you're being crazy. Even if you feel like you don't have somebody, I'm here always. Mike hugged me.

I let go of my fears and hugged him, cried on his shirt. What do you want me to do? Go watch a movie with me, there's an open theatre here by the beach, let's sit together, you can cry there as much as you like. Nobody will notice since people here loves to watch sappy romance and drama films, and I'll bring you a blanket. I sniff and smiled just like that, he had me half laughing again. Mike thanks for being here. I'm glad to meet you here of all places.

No, Francine I feel lucky I was here, so thankful I saw you again. Thankful, for you being right where you needed to be, with me. We hugged side by side and went to see the movie.