Arranged Marriage (Completed)

Ready or Not

Normani’s point of view

I walked along the shore of the sandy, white beach. The bright sun and clear blue skies made it a perfect day to go to the beach. The warm sand stuck to the bottom and between the toes of my wet feet. I had stood ankle deep into the cool, crystal blue water in a poor effort to cool my body temperature.

There were a few beach chairs vacant, and I sat down in one. I had already applied my sunscreen before leaving the resort. There was a huge green umbrella that provided enough shade for me. I set my beach bag down in the sand beside my feet.

"Miss, would you like something to drink?" A waiter named Javi asked. His voice was heavily layered with a thick Spanish accent. He was an older man. I concluded that he had to be in his mid to late forties from the prominent wrinkles around his eyes. He had brown, curly hair that was tapered on the sides and longer on the top. Mesmerizing green eyes that contrasted beautifully with his tan skin. Unnatural white teeth that were on full display every single time he smiled at me. I'd been here for three whole days, and I have only seen him wait on me when I was not at a restaurant. It was like he had became my personal waiter. I didn't mind though. He was good company and funny too.

"Yes. What would you recommend today, Javi?" I sat up ready to hear what he would recommend. So far he hasn't let me down with his choices.

Javi put his finger to his chin as he thought. "A liquid Marijuana."

"A liquid what now? I don't do drugs, Javi." I deadpanned. I knew what a liquid Marijuana was, but Javi didn't know that. I wanted to mess with him, but Javi being the way that he is didn't miss a beat.

Javi smiled, biting back his laughter. "No Miss. You misunderstand. There's no drugs in it."

"Okay. I'll take it, but if one drink has me feeling funny, it's your head." I playfully threatened him.

Javi held his hands up. "Yes ma'am. I will be right back."

Moments later Javi arrived with my drink. It was green like his eyes.

I took my drink from him. "Thank you, Javi." I gave him his tip. I took a sip of the beverage, and it was super sweet and delicious. I could barely taste the tequila. "Javi! This is really good." I took a large gulp of the green liquid this time.

"No problem." Javi smiled. He turned to leave but then turned back around. I raised my eyebrow at him as he stood there awkwardly hovering. "Miss, if you don't mind me asking, why are you traveling alone? Is there not a man in your life to protect you?"

Boom, there it was. The question that I have heard everytime I went somewhere new. It was always about a man. "First of all, I like women. Second, My girlfriend and I ended on bad terms. I took this trip to find out who I am without her?"

Javi nodded, taking in this new information. "Have you figured that out yet?"

Yeah. I'm fucking miserable and lonely. I should have never left. "No, not yet." I smiled wryly. "But I think that I am close to figuring it out. I do miss her a lot."

"I hope you figure it out." He gave me a wry smile. "You're young. You have time."

"Thank you, Javi. Can you bring me another one in about ten minutes?" I took another sip of the drink.

"Of course, miss." He nodded and turned away.

I stayed at the beach for a couple of hours. I even got into the water and swam for a little bit. The crystal blue sky was replaced by gray, rain clouds. I knew that I should have left thirty minutes ago. I quickly packed my stuff and left.

As I was running back towards my room, the bottom decided to fall out. The rain made it nearly impossible to see what was ahead of me. That is how hard it was falling from the sky. It was raining cats and dogs. I quickly ducked into one of the outdoor bars. There were stools and just enough roof to protect me from having rain fall directly onto my head. Huh. I can't really do anything else. I may as well drink while I was here. The bartender had their back turned to me, so I couldn't see their face. They were really short. Probably around five feet, wearing a white collar shirt and khaki shorts with white crocs just like Javi was. They had this huge Sombrero on that looked way too big for their head. They reminded me of Speedy Gonzalez with how ridiculously large it was. I bit my lip to keep myself from bursting out into a laughing fit. I cleared my throat. "Excuse me, Sir? Or Miss?" I asked to get their attention.