A Beauteous Flower

Chapter 22 - The Tempest in Paradise

The next day, a gentle sea breeze stole through the open sliding glass doors and tickled Madison's naked body. She stretched to the sumptuous memories of the previous night of tropical love-making. In her mind the first night had been an absolute "A +" with the perfect balance of romance and sex. Madison sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. Her body felt invigorated and satisfied and she giggled expectantly. Surely Daniel would propose any time now. It seemed inevitable and she could hardly wait.

For nearly six months Madison had subtly and not so subtly informed Daniel of just what she expected when it came to an engagement ring. She held up her left hand, which was deliberately devoid of jewelry this trip, and visualized a massive three carat emerald cut diamond on her left ring finger. The thought of the jealous stares of her girlfriends caused her another bout of giggles. Madison enjoyed the thought of her new ring for a few more minutes, and then she got up and wrapped herself in a sheet to go out onto the private patio and greet the day.

Apparently, Daniel had left to go on his morning run. She had thought he would not exercise on their vacation, but Daniel said it helped him start his day right. Before he left the bed though, Madison ensnared him with her legs and drew him to her for a bout of morning sex. Madison felt a little shiver as she recalled the sensations she experience each time Daniel merged into her. She said a "quick thank you" to whomever had invented the birth control pill and as she walked to the patio their stickiness warmed the area between her thighs.

Once on the patio, Madison lounged under the sun in a chair with her bare legs over one arm. At any moment now she would be Daniel's fiancé and their wedded life could start together. Madison couldn't remember this kind of happiness. It was all so perfect. Absently she looked at the clock and saw it was just a few minutes past seven. Daniel would be at breakfast by the pool with that boy. What was his name?

Suddenly Madison had a twist of jealousy in her stomach, and she sat up as a frown knit her brow. This wasn't right. Daniel should be here with her and the fact that some urchin boy had distracted his attention irked her. Quickly she dressed and headed downstairs to the dining area. She wasn't about to allow this to happen when she was so close to her goal of engagement to Daniel. She'd waited too long for this moment to have some pock faced kid steal Daniel's attentions from her as the magic moment literally hovered in the tropical air.

A motivated Madison hustled down to the pool area and looked around.  Daniel and Michael sat off to one side, well away from the pool. Daniel, still wet with perspiration from his run and, with a white towel draped around his neck, gestured to the red notebook on the table and nodded with approval. Michael was dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of tan cargo shorts, but his hair was still a rat's nest, and his face was still pocked with acne. The outfit looked ridiculously out of place on the boy, but his face showed gratitude and amazement. Boss bitch Madison's ire flared, and she resolved to put a quick stop to this before the little monster latched on to Daniel and spoiled the whole romantic vacation. She swept towards their table ready to see the young interloper off with an icy cold shoulder, however, just as she arrived, Daniel spoke.

"It's really good. I'm flattered by your work, really. But it's not the story you meant to write. Is it?"

"Well ... I mean ...."

Daniel put a hand on Michael's shoulder.

"It's OK. I know it's scary. Neil Gaiman said that for an author writing is like standing naked on the street corner. You must let yourself show through your art or you'll never reach anyone with it."

Madison paused. She had never heard Daniel talk about work before. Something about it fascinated her and stilled her irritation. Meanwhile, Michael looked at the red notebook. His shoulders slumped, and his face fell.