The Assistant (english)

14.

"Do we have everything?" I ask as we sit in the car that is taking us to the airport.

"Yeeees!" Nell and Billy shout simultaneously. Helena smiles at the two of them through the rearview mirror. We have about 25 minutes left until we reach our jet. I have the tickets in my bag since Hellie was afraid of losing them. This way, she can blame it on me.

Arriving at the airport, we hand the car keys to an employee who will park our car in a designated spot. We're instructed to call him when we return, and he'll bring it to us.

"Miss Carter? Please follow me. I'll take you to your plane." An employee leads us through all the security checks, away from the fans, and then drives us to our aircraft. I help the children carry their carry-on luggage and go inside with them. Meanwhile, Helena chats briefly with our pilot.

After everyone has temporarily taken their seats, a brief instruction follows. After another 15 minutes of waiting due to another aircraft's delay, we take off.

"If you want, you can get up now and get your things for play. And if you're tired, there's a double bed in the back of the jet, and you can also recline the seats," the pilot explains. Billy takes out his iPad and watches a movie. However, Nell grabs her stuffed animal and heads to the sleeping area in the back. Hellie takes out a book and starts reading. Personally, I would feel sick, but oh well. I take out my headphones and listen to some music. Meanwhile, I simply gaze out the window and enjoy the view.

"Wake up, darling. We've arrived," Hellie whispers. I slowly open my eyes and look out the window. The sun is shining, and the sky is a radiant blue, unlike London. We pack up our backpacks again and then exit the jet into a car that takes us to our hotel. Hellie sits in the back with the children since I planned the trip and can therefore better converse with the driver. Of course, Nell and Billy sit by the windows, eagerly looking outside.

"Nell, Billy, there's our hotel," I tell them, pointing to the entrance.

"Are we alone there?" Nell asks.

"In this house, yes, but there are more of them scattered along the rest of the beach."

"And where do we have breakfast or where's the kids' club?" Billy asks.

"There's no restaurant or anything like that. This isn't a normal hotel but more like a vacation home. So we have our own house with a slide leading into the water and even a pool," Helena explains.

"Just like in the Maldives, where you were with your father. Here, the houses aren't directly on the water, and they're not as close together," she adds. The car has already been loaded, and I'm ready to get out to retrieve our suitcases. The driver helps me unload, while Hellie goes inside with the children to get the keys since the landlord is already there.

Once I have the suitcases, I bid farewell to the driver and follow my family.

"We already have our rooms and beds! I have a mega view!" Nell excitedly calls out to me. We settle the last few details about the return flight and receive a brief orientation.

In the evening, I lie by the pool with Hellie, listening to the sound of the sea while gazing at the sky. My thoughts drift back to the conversation with Mia. She's right; I'm being unfaithful, and sooner or later, Hellie will notice. But when is the right time? Now, to put an end to the topic, or in a few days, so as not to disturb the vacation?

"What's wrong, darling, hmm?" She turns onto her side to look at me and pulls my lounge chair closer to hers.

"What should be? I'm just listening to the sea and watching the sky. The sky looks so different from here..."

"Yes, that's true... but still, something changed in your expression in the last 10 minutes. You look troubled. So, what's going on in your little, sweet head?"

"I can't tell you, Hels... I would ruin the vacation or, better said, its effect, which is to relax." I avoid eye contact. I know I would cry if I look into her eyes. Her gaze breaks all dams and walls within me. Unfortunately, this also means that she quickly notices that something is wrong.

"You regret it, don't you?" Her voice sounds sad. I see her turning her gaze away, and I also turn around, but away from her, as I feel my eyes starting to burn.

"Yes... No... Maybe...? I don't know..."