Broken French

Chapter 4: Overboard

"Taja, it's not safe!" Micheal leans over the railing, a horrified look on his face. "But Papa, she must save Monsieur Bear!" I tread water, scanning the area for any sign of Zoe's precious stuffed animal. "Don't worry about me! I'll find him and get right back on the yacht!" (Speak of the devil- there he is!) Monsieur Bear floats a few yards farther away from the yacht. I reach out for him... but a wave hits me in the face, knocking the air out of my lungs. Above the rushing waves, I hear a splash. "Taja- Taja!" Micheal cuts through the water towards me with powerful, confident strokes. I turn around on the water and swim away from Micheal, trying to see where Monsieur Bear went. "What are you doing? You need to get out now!" Another, bigger wave pushes me under the surface and fills my mouth with salt water. I start to panic and thrash... but then a strong arm wraps around my waist and pulls me towards the surface.

"I've got you, Taja. I've got you." Everything gets blurry after that. I feel a lingering warmth on my lips, like a phantom kiss. The next thing I know, i'm coughing up water on the back deck of La Sirène, staring up at a sunny sky. "Oh, thank the lord, you're awake. Zoe, get my phone, and call Elijah, please." "Right away, Papa!" Micheal's hand, rubs my back in soothing circles as I wipe my mouth. "Ugh... Did you get Monsieur Bear? Please tell me you found him." Micheal chuckles. "That's what's on your mind after what just happened?! I think you just swallowed half of the Mediterranean!" "Feels like it. But I'll live. Thanks to you." I tried to stand up and immediately sway with dizziness. Micheal embraces me, catches me before I hit my head on the deck. "Careful there. Give yourself some time to recover."

I expected Micheal to let go once I was stable, but he holds me even tighter than before. "Are you... hugging me?" "I'd say this is, by definition, a hug, yes." I feel the heat rise to my cheeks, even though I'm soaked to the bone. "Maybe I should get up-" "Nonsense. You nearly died." His arm tightens around me. I nervously wrap my arms around Micheal. His shirt is soaked through, sticking to the muscles of his back. But his skin feels as hot as a furnace, and I press closer as my teeth begin to chatter. "I don't know why I'm sh-shaking. I'm not c-c-cold." "You are having an adrenaline response. You nearly died, Taja! When I saw you go underwater down there... I thought the worst." My hands instinctively clench at the fear in his voice, grabbing a fistfuls of his shirt. "It's okay... you s-saved me. It's okay." He laughs disbelievingly, his warm breath puffing against my neck and raising goosebumps. "I cannot believe you are trying to comfort me when you just nearly drowned."

"I was never worried. I knew you would come for me." Micheal pulls back from my hug, a skeptical look on his face. "Never worried? But I had stepped away! If Zoe hadn't run to get me..." He stalks away and grabs a towel, tossing it at me. "What on earth possessed you to jump in the water when I wasn't there? In those conditions, too? Were you trying to get yourself killed?" I gape up at him, baffled by the sudden change in his mood. "Micheal... why does it matter? It's over and done with. I'm fine." "Well, forgive me if I don't take such a carefree attitude towards you nearly dying." "It's my fault, Papa." Me and Micheal whip around to see Zoe standing there. She stares at the ground, lip trembling. "Monsieur Bear fell in the water, and I told Ms. Wilson I couldn't lose him. But now he's gone, and Taja- she almost-" Zoe bursts into tears and throws her arms around me, sobbing into my neck. "Hey... hey... it's okay, sweetheart." "Zoe, I am very disappointed in you. You don't ask others to do risky things like that, comprenez?" "I know. I am very sorry to both of you."

"Hey... it's not your fault. I'm the adult here. She didn't make me do anything." Micheal sighs. "Trust me, I know. You should be old enough to know better, but I am going to tell you anyway. As long as you are in my employ, you will never put yourself at risk like that again, understand?" The ferocious intensity of Micheal's gaze makes me want to squirm. "Promise me, Taja." "Micheal... I'll try my best. But I can't foresee every situation that might occur." "Can you at least promise me that you'll look before you leap next time? Metaphorically, that is." I sigh. "I suppose I could do that much." Micheal's phone rings on a nearby table, and he swears quietly in French. "I have to get back to my call. Elijah will be here in a moment." In my arms, Zoe sniffles. "Even though we got in trouble... I think you are a good nanny. I'm glad you're here." "I'm glad you're here too, Zoe." Back in my room, I just showered the seawater and guilt off of me when I hear a small knock.