Her Secret Affair

Chapter 6

Brianna closed her door quietly. 

"I have a family," she reminded herself, eyes closed.

She automatically checked her phone to see if Joseph had texted her today. No messages. No surprise there. Most days, she has to text him first before he remembers she exists.

Sighing, she threw the phone on the bed and sat eating her breakfast alone, wondering whether she will be seeing Frankie tonight after she told him it is best he leaves.

Ping. 

J: Where do you keep Nicky's stuffed sloth? He is throwing a tantrum because he can't find it.
B: Good morning to you, too. I slept well, thanks for asking. It's in the second box to the right of the shelf in his room.

J: Sorry. Good morning. Got it, thanks.

J: Oh, hope the conference is going ok. x

And that was that. Frustrated, Brianna took a shower, got dressed, and left her room for the conference. She spent her day sitting alone and moody. For lunch, she took her plate and went to sit by the pool, grateful that she was not part of the afternoon session for the day. 

Looking at the water, she wished she had thought to pack some swimsuits so she could take a dip. Leaning back on the pool chair, she slowly drifted to sleep.

On the other side of the pool, Frankie sat looking at her. He has been there all day, not wanting to be alone in his room, but also not wanting to bump into her at the conference. He actually didn't have to be there anymore, but he couldn't bring himself to leave either. He was surprised when she walked in with her plate in hand, looking tired. He contemplated whether to leave or go to her, but her asking him to leave this morning kept him rooted in his spot.

He watched her as she slept. No longer able to resist the pull he felt towards her, he walked to her side and slowly laid down on the pool chair beside her so as not to wake her.

The shadow of the evening sun slowly started to set in. As he checked his watch, it was past 5 o'clock and he realises he has been lying there, looking at her for the past two hours. He was screwed.

She slowly started to stir, her eyes fluttering. Midway through her yawn, she stopped, their eyes connecting.

"How long have you been there?"

"I saw you walk in. I didn't want to bother you. But then you fell asleep, so I sat here to keep you safe from other men" he smiled.

"Ha-ha-ha" she mocked "I don't think there are any men out there running to fight over me."

"How would you know? You were sleeping. You have no idea how many of them I had to fight off."

Laughing, she shakes her head. He motioned for a pool boy, and one quickly appeared.

"Can I get a vodka martini and a Strawberry Margarita for the lady," he raised his eyebrows for her to confirm. Seeing her nod, the pool boy walked away to get their orders.

"So... What are we doing?" she asked.

"We are sitting by the pool," he smiled.

"I'm serious Frankie."

"So am I. We are two friends, sitting by the pool having a drink, and catching up. Don't think about it."

"I can't not think about it. This morning.."

"Brie, stop," he interrupted. "Let's just be two people, well two friends, who enjoy each other's company. We are both here at this moment. Just us. No one else. Let us not overthink. Just for today. Please."

She looked at him, unsure of what to say, willing herself to get up and walk away. The internal war within herself was interrupted by the pool boy placing their drinks on the table between them. She reached out slowly, taking her glass in her hands, her decision to stay made. 

Frankie visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He could not take another rejection from her. Not today. Not after all this time. Relaxed, he picked up his glass and leaned back in his chair. 

"How come you're not dressed for the pool?"

"I hadn't planned on lounging by the pool. I really thought I'd either be spending my time in the conference or in my room."

"You do realise the hotel has a gift shop with swimwear, right?"

"Of course I did. Today was on the spur of the moment."

"Come on, finish your drink. We're going shopping."

"You can't be serious," she laughed.

"Woman, why do you always think I'm playing. Come on, let's go. Leave that here, will order another round when we come back."

Looking at him, taking in his swim shorts and t-shirt, she took his outstretched hand and stood up.

Searching for something decent in the Gift Shop proved to be difficult. They only had two-piece bikinis which all revealed too much. 

"What's wrong?"

"These are all too revealing."

"Really? What about this one?" He pulled out a black, low-waist Brazilian bikini bottom with a dark blue triangle top. Without thinking, she grabbed it, together with an aqua beach cover up and walked to the cashier.

She watched the cashier tap her purchases, packed it in a bag and handed it back to her.

"Hi, you haven't told me the price for me to pay yet."

"Oh, the gentleman already gave us his details to bill to his room," she smiled.

Walking outside to where Frankie was waiting, "This wasn't part of the deal. You're gonna have to tell me how much these came up to for me to pay you back."

"Brie, stop thinking too much. Go get changed, I'll wait for you back at the pool."

Faced with his back walking away, Brianna walked to the restroom defeated. "Why am I doing this?" she asked herself as she changed. "I can just go back up to my room." She pulled out her phone from her bag, checking for messages. Nothing.

She hit Joseph's name without hesitation, listening to the ringing tone as she waited.

"Hello?" she heard him shout over the noise in the back. "Joe, get off that phone" she heard a woman shout to him.

"Joe? Where are you? I can't hear you properly."

"Hello? Hello? Brie, I can't hear you. Let me text you." Silence. Annoyed, Brianna checked the message that had just come through her phone.

J: Brie, couldn't hear you properly. I'm having a drink with some colleagues from the office.

B: Nicky?

J: He is staying over at mum's tonight. Everything ok?

B: Yes it's fine. Have fun.

J: Ok. Talk later.

Angry at Joseph, Brianna finished changing into her bikini. "Right, he didn't want to leave Nicky with his mum for us to have some alone time in this hotel, and yet he is quick to leave him to go have drinks at the bar with his friends? What is wrong with me? Damn, you Joseph!" Tears streamed down her face.

Pulling herself together, she washed her face, removing traces of her small breakdown. Pulling the coverup over herself, she picked up her bag and walked out of the restroom.