Warmth of a Lover

Thirteen

The walk to the mooring was unexpectedly quiet. Azur did not utter a word the entire time and instead, he led the way and helped me climb the boat. We waited until all the people just arriving on the island were fully focused on settling themselves.

By the time we were in the middle of the ocean, boarding the gigantic water vehicle, we had the boat all to ourselves.

"I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at this." I knowingly sighed at the scorching sun.

He smiled. "Me too."

I breathed in the swooshing wind and grinned. This was paradise. Were things going downhill from here? I don't know. Maybe it will, maybe it won't.

I looked at my wristwatch for a moment and forgot that I had not briskly tucked my hat in. Because a couple of seconds later, luck proved itself to be teasing me. The boater hat I had put on almost got blown away by the wind so I screamed when it left the comfort of my head.

I reached for the woven hat desperately and endangered myself. I was near the edge of the boat and if I took one more step further, I would have fallen into the deep blue ocean.  Luckily, Azur was beside me so he caught both me and the hat on time.

"I got you." he managed to whisper.

Azur scooped me up, grabbed me by the waist, and settled me down to safety. I never dared to get so close to the edge ever since. Afraid that no one would be there to keep me from being swept away if it happened again. I thought I could handle it all by myself.

"Thanks." I awkwardly mouthed next to him.

Azur let go of my frame and laughed when he saw the heavy breathing I let out and the nervousness on my face. Holding onto my hat for dear life, my brows drew together.

"It's okay, Amber. You won't fall out there while I'm here. And if you do, I'll jump down to get you out." Azur assured me, caressing my bare back as he made me sit down on one of the chairs nearby.

When I was able to calm down, I met his eyes. "I think I'm scared of deep waters."

"I noticed that but don't fret. All of us have an inkling of doubts and fears."

"Who are you, Azur?"

He cautiously blinked at me. "I'm your island companion, Ivan's distant cousin."

"We both know you're far more than that. Like what do you really do? Something about yourself? More things you can ever think of sharing?" I pushed unnoticing.

"So, you want to get to know me? Why?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Because you're spending time with me, silly. I have to know what I'm getting myself into."

"I don't have much to say about myself actually."

"Consider this a part of what you owe me. Tell me about you, Azur."

"If I do, will you not get ahead thinking too much out of things? I don't want you catching feelings for me."

I shrieked. "Don't worry. I won't. You really had the audacity to say that?!"

Azur laughed hysterically to see my reaction. "Why are you getting red? Do I make you nervous?"

"Of course not, Azur. So, you flirt and then you draw the line? You've got the nerve."

"It's not like you're interested in me, right? Why are you getting mad?"

"I'm not mad," I stressed. "And just to remind you, we just introduced ourselves to each other properly days ago. You're the one who is thinking too much out of this."

Azur sucked in a breath and nodded his head, a peculiar smirk on his lips. "But I must say, Amber, you get even more attractive when you're mad. I should not find too much pleasure in teasing you."

"Shut up."

I didn't even know anymore if what was coming out of his and my mouth were true. A voice within me whispered that somehow, our words might have become half-meant.

"We're here." he loudly spoke, a warm smile appearing on the sides of his lips.

I squinted to see him standing in the bright sunlight but followed his gaze by not gluing myself to the seat but instead walking towards where he stood. To see the nearing dock, to get a glimpse of how this day was going to go.

It is true that I've passed by here before but it felt different arriving there from the island. As soon as I landed both my feet on the wooden structure built along the sea, I looked below and saw the waves hitting the cemented walls. There was trash on random parts of the shoreline beyond, some floating and some even found on the sand and the soil.

How unpretty, the mooring from the other end showed more inclined civility and occupation that the small city reeked of mid-urbanization.

"Let's go?"

"Let's go."

I followed him around, letting my eyes wander to the boggling heaps of people going about their days selling fresh marine creatures, portering passengers from other islands around, and tourists boarding the next ride for their claimed ticket.

As much as I have been unused to the boat-like yacht that took us to Carmina island, I taught myself that the public transport we rode a while ago was called a barge.

"Did you enjoy the barge? Doesn't it remind you of something?"

I furrowed my brows. "I don't know. Everything just seems new to me."

Azur nodded, placing a hand in his pockets to fish for his phone.

"I'll make a few calls, okay? While were waiting for our ride," he mumbled gently.

"I'm not a kid,"

He laughed. "I know, I just wanted to see how you were going to react."

Azur went on about checking reservations, calling places, checking out intricate details about unfamiliar names of places. Right after, he ended the calls and I eyed him.

"I thought you were propagating about spontaneity, but you already made reservations?"

He grinned sheepishly and touched the back of his neck. "I guess I did make calls early in the morning before asking you."

"So what happens now?"

"Trust me, spontaneous traveling is what we'll do this morning. And then you can have your shopping in the afternoon, also-"

I blinked. "You're basically telling me that you have been planning all this?"

"Last night, I couldn't sleep. This crazy idea came to my mind and it was only then that I managed to close my eyes and fall back to slumber."

"How confident were you of me saying yes?"

"40 percent. But I kept my hopes up anyway. And guess what? You actually agreed!"

I shook my head. Azur snorted with that charming smile and pointed to a turquoise Lamborghini Aventador S convertible, making my curious eyes widen.

"I must say, it's a beauty," I exclaimed after peering closely at the approaching car. "A pretty cool beauty."

Azur locked gazes with me and his dimples visibly showed itself, as proud as the grin he wore to see me rave about the pretty car. And yes, I do admire cars as much as I wish to collect them. I just think of doing it in my head because most of my personal salary goes to charity. A good cause, much more essential than storing vehicles I can just test drive for a while and telling the staff that I'm changing my mind right after.

I might be the best example of a person who either becomes a spendthrifter when a moment calls for me but at the same time frugally aware.

It was glinting under the sun and its color popped off so much I totally believed it was brand new.

"Is this customized? The color?"

"Yes, it is. Turquoise is my favorite color."

Well, I guess my Aunt was right. The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them.