A Husband, A Stranger

6

Jean's POV

It's night, me and Marco are on our way to the restaurant. "We have arrived, young master", my driver said stopping the car in front of our destination, it's just right beside the beach. There's a long line at the entrance, I walk past them, Marco following behind, I can feel eyes on me from everybody in the line. "Hello sir, do you have reservations?", a waiter asked, "Yes, the name should be Jean Kirstein", I said. "Alright sir please follow me", it's a big restaurant, there's a live band on the stage playing soft music. The waiter lead us into a private room, we got a view of the beach, we sat down. "Here's the menu and if there's anything else press the red button on the wall", he said handing us the menu. I take a look at the menu, it's full of seafood and nothing else and the price... "Order whatever you want", I said not making eye contact with Marco. "I'll be paying by my own this time", he said putting down the menu. "Nope I'll be paying for both of us, you sit back and relax", I said pressing the red button on the wall. "I can-" "Hello again sir are you ready to order?", he was interrupted by the waiter. "I would like to have a lobster and he would like to have...", we both look at Marco, "A seafood fried rice please", he said handing the menu to the waiter. I check the menu, it's the cheapest thing on the menu, "And that's all", I said handing the menu to them. "I'll be back with your order in a few minutes", he said leaving, things are awkward now. "So do you maybe want to go for a walk at the beach later?", I asked leaning back. He look at me with an excited look, "I thought you never ask", he said nervously. This is awkward for no reason, he keeps staring at outside, he don't even dare to make eye contact with me. I look at him, not gonna lie his freckles really are beautiful. He have a long face, the way he part his hair is nice, I slowly look down, he have his chest expose a bit. There's freckles on his hands, neck, chests... I wonder if he have it under there- okay what the fuck is wrong with you Jean, you can't just look at someone and think about that. I rub my face, I slowly remove my hands, he's still staring out the window glass, is he really going to have his chests like that exposed all night? The door open, "A lobster and a seafood fried rice, enjoy your meals", he said placing both of them on the table and left.

The lobsters not bad, it's fresh. I look over to Marco it looks like he's having a hard time to eat, "How's your fried rice?", I asked putting down my utensils. "They're great", he said stuffing more of it into his mouth. Liar. "If it's good then why are you eating so slow?", I asked leaning in closer, "I'm just enjoying it", he said looking away. "You don't like seafood do you?", I asked, "I told you I can pay by my own already, I don't want to waste your money", he said slowly chewing the rice. I push away the plate aside from him, "Let's go and get you some food you want", I said standing up. "But..." "No but, let's go now", I said grabbing his hand, we payed and left the restaurant.

"You can let go of me now", he said. I turn to him, he's lowering his head, "Sorry", I apologised letting go of his hand. "What do you want to eat?", I asked putting both of my hand in my pockets, "I'm not that hungry, I've ate almost half of the plate already", he said. "Let's go to the beach then", I said taking of my blazer, "Like right now?", he asked. "Yup just like promise", we walk there, we saw someone selling ice cream. "My, my what would you two lovely couple like?", the old woman asked smiling. It's the first time someone call us both a lovely couple, I slowly look at Marco, both of his ears are bright pink. "You go to the beach first I'll bring the ice creams to you", I said, he slowly walk away. I turn my attention to the old lady, "One vanilla and one strawberry", I said. "Alright young man", I turn to look at Marco, he's walking not far, "Here you are Mr Kirstein", she said placing both of them in front of me. I take out my wallet, "How did you know who I am?", I asked paying for the ice cream. "Who wouldn't recognise the famous Jean Kirstein?", she asked receiving the money. "How can you be sure that he's my boyfriend?", I asked, "He's not your boyfriend but husband", she said. "Oh how did you know?", I asked taking the ice creams. "It's everywhere in the news young man", she said smiling, "Thank you for the ice cream", I walk down the little stairs and take off my socks and shoe. The moon is shining at it's brightest than the other stars, it's nice and windy. Marco is standing near the water looking at the moon, I slowly walk to him, he's so focus on the moon. I hand him the ice cream, "I didn't know what you want so I got you strawberry flavour", I said. He take it, "Thanks I like strawberry flavour", he said. I start eating my ice cream, "You seem to like the beach a lot", I said. "Yea, I've only been to a beach a few times only", he said. We finish our ice cream, "Are you ready to go back?", I asked wiping my hands. He just nod, he looks sleepy, I got us a cab, we got in and Marco fall asleep immediately. "To deep blue hotel please", I said, he nodded and got on the way.

After a few minutes we've arrived, "Keep the change", I said handing him the money. I got off and open the door for Marco, "I'll take care of him thanks", I said putting his hand around my shoulder. He drove away, "Marco...Marco...", I tried waking him up, "Marco!", I shouted, he wakes up and it looks like he just have a flashback from WWll. "We're here", I said letting go of him, he look around and rub his eye. I walk into the hotel first like I could care less about him, I'm not his nanny or anything. I got to the hotel room, I took shower and sit in my bed, he still isn't back yet, should I go check on him? The door open, Marco slowly walk in, "Where were you?", I asked. "I got lost", he said throwing his whole body on the bed. "Go take a shower", I said, "Too lazy", why is he acting like this? "Go wash your hand and feet, then change into your pyjamas", I said pulling the blanket. I heard some shuffling sounds and the water started running, my eyes started to get heavy, I close my eyes.

A/N: Sorry that I made Jean look and sound filthy rich, I've already changed his character in the future.  I actually wrote this in 2021.