ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE

ANISHA'S POV

Mrs Silva had just called me in to have some food, but I politely declined. I was too full and exhausted. The end of semester exams had been unkind to me, and although I was sure I had passed them all, I had a feeling some of the pass marks would be low. I only had seven days to rest before I started on my new job. Keith Junior, Ciera's husband, had offered me a chance to work at K JNR PRODUCTIONS, and I really wanted to use that chance to gain hands on experience of the degree that I was studying.

Before realising it, I had fallen asleep on the bed. Mrs Silva woke me up. "Miss Anisha, wake up. Sir Dylan will be here soon."

I blinked and rubbed my eyes before I yawned tiredly. I went into the shower and as soon as I was done getting dressed, after the shower, I walked out towards the garden, to admire the flowers. Dylan's car drove in, and I went to meet him.

"Looking beautiful my love," he smiled at me warmly.

"Thank you," I smiled back.

"Well, I'm here to take you. We're leaving now. I see the exams exhausted you. You need to relax. We're going away for five whole days!"

What! "Really? Where are we going?" I asked with a smile.

"We're going yachting. Just you and me," he smiled.

Oh my word. Yachting. Did I even know what that was about…thank God it was going to be just the two of us, otherwise I was going to embarrass myself and Dylan too, failing to know what to do or what not to do among the elite.

"I…I don't know what to say. What should I pack?" I asked.

"Everything is taken care of, we just need to leave in a short while," Dylan told me. I giggled and followed him, failing to contain my joy.

"Good afternoon sir, good afternoon miss Anisha!", the staff's greetings echoed along the front hall and the hallway. I greeted them, but Dylan, as usual, just nodded and continued walking down with me.

"Oh but Dylan, I have to start working at K JNR PRODUCTIONS! Wont I need to be reading something; just to prepare myself for the new job?"

"We'll be back after five days. You're fine, my love." Dylan bent down to kiss me. Oh my word. Shivers ran down my body; I had never known that such a reaction would come as a result of being kissed on the ear. Just a simple peck…oh my word, my body was betraying me! I could not afford him seeing my instant reaction; thus I quickly turned away to hide my face.

***

A yacht. I had never been inside one, and the huge boat I saw gave me a fright. The fear was not in a bad way, but due to over excitement. Anxiety, maybe….positive anxiety; if there is ever such a thing. It was a huge pure white beauty, too beautiful to be seen by me, I felt. The words Ani-Lan were written in a beautiful ocean-blue colour. Everything about the yacht looked new. I fell in love with it. There were more than enough butlers, maids and other people who were just standing by, all dressed in navy blue suits and red shirts. They each had ties with the name Ani-Lan embroidered on each. I was introduced to the captain, the First Mate, the Bosu, Deckhand, Chief Engineer, Electrician, Head Chef, the Butler and others. As for the maids and other staff, a group introduction was made, without anyone having to state their name individually.

"Sir de Milo", each of them bowed slightly when Dylan and I passed by.

"Miss Anisha," they bowed down to me too.

Oh my word! That was too much! it was all too much for me!! The yacht was too huge; and also too luxurious. Suddenly I started to feel very small, and I felt like I was just a nobody trying to live a life that was not mine. I told myself to enjoy it, but not to get used to such a life. It was too luxurious. Dylan took me around the place, showing me places around; the main cabin, guest cabins, some saloons, dining rooms, bars, gym…it was just too much for me to take in.

There was a library. I walked in and admired the many books. I realised that two of the huge shelves contained books on music, film production, theatre and all those subjects.

"This yacht really stocked up the library. They even catered for music lovers. There are many books here which I think will make a good read." I commented.

"Yes, I had them delivered especially for you," Dylan came from behind me and slowly brought his arms around my waist. It felt very good. I loved every moment of it. I could feel his breathing right above my ear, the warmth of his steady, gentle breathing. I turned my head to meet his ever so beautiful eyes, and for the millionth time I admired the beauty of my man.

"You had them delivered for me? That is very sweet, I truly appreciate."

We walked along and saw many other rooms. We went up the stairs leisurely.

"Let's take photos!" I immediately screamed out, pulling out my phone.

"Let's take as many as we can. I also have a professional photographer. She's here in this yacht."

"You do?" I asked in amazement.

"Yes, why not?"

"How many professional people did you hire?" I asked in shock.

"The photographer, the chefs, of course…the beauty therapist, in case you need their services. Everything you need is here. If you happen to want anything and it's not available, I will make sure to get it for you."

Oh my good Lord! What could I ever have wanted which was not already in the yacht! There was too much already!!

We walked around the whole place, from the bow to the stern of the yacht, and up the gunnel (gunwale). I looked out at the clear blue water, seeing no end of it, and I fell in love with the beauty of it all. The water was peaceful and silent, and it seemed to send peace to me. I felt joy welling up from the deepest of my heart, and before I knew it, tears had started to flow.

"You're crying?" Dylan's voice brought me back to reality. Startled, I quickly wiped off the tears and assured him that I was just overwhelmed with happiness.

We went inside for a very delicious meal. The food was too much. When we took our seats at the beautifully set table, I expected more people to join us, but when I heard Dylan saying to me "let's eat", I realised the food was for the two of us.

"Isn't the food too much?" I could not help but ask.

"It's OK. Eat what you like, and leave what you don't like," he smiled at me.

My heart ached a bit, as I thought to myself that it was a waste of food. What was going to happen to the leftover food? - I wondered to myself. But, not wanting to seem ungrateful, I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.

Towards evening "Can we please go back up? I really liked the view from up there." Of course he agreed, and led me there. We spoke about anything and everything. When Dylan lay down on his back, I automatically followed suit. The countless stars shone brightly from far, far away. It was a beauty to behold. The sense of peace continued to overwhelm me, and I felt very happy inside.

"Come close to me, I won't bite you," Dylan teased me. Slowly I shifted closer to him, and he offered his arm as a pillow for my head. Oh my word, I was in love with this man! Fallen in; head over heels! Swimming in his love, the man was driving me insane! He came closer to me, and I drew closer as well. He gave me another slight pull, and I gave in, until there was no space at all for me to move into. I felt his warmth right there, warming up my body, or rather heating it up. It felt like a fire had been kindled right next to me, and I fought hard to keep myself composed. I could not afford to say anything, for fear that I would say the wrong thing. Or worse still, my voice would betray me…what if it came out shaky and maybe too low? Hmm? Too low? Or too high? Who knows? I was not ready to expose the feelings that were stirring deep inside my heart.

When Dylan spoke to me, I just answered by a few words, like "umm," "Ok," "yes," Or I would just giggle.

"You're too tense," he ended up commenting, making me tense up even more. My whole body tightened and thank God that it was dark, for I could not have handled him seeing my love-struck face.

"Relax. Look up at the stars, take in a deep breath, and relax. You're here with me, there's no need to be so tensed up."

I shifted a bit and smiled, without saying anything. I found my hand slowly moving on its own…oh! Was it moving on its own? Or did I…did I move it?...oh my word, my hand moved and slowly rose up, becoming heavier and heavier for me as it rose up, before it fearfully landed on Dylan's chest. My heartbeat was a racing machine, with my heart pounding as if it threatened to escape from my body.

"That's more like it," Dylan put him warm palm on top of mine.