"I dare you to get that girl's number," Sophie says while sipping on her tropical punch.
We are enjoying the sun at our resort's private beach. She has her shades on, with a smirk on her face. The mentioned girl is admittedly hot as hell. She wears black bikini, which are barely covered her generous important parts. Her toned body is visibly wet from her recent swimming at the beach. She glances occasionally at me, making her interest in me clearly stated. I smile lazily at the sexy brunette, only just to be polite. Because I have my eyes on somebody else, who is currently sitting next to me right now.
"Oh, please. She isn't even my type." Which is a lie, of course. But sure as hell I won't hit on somebody else while I'm with Sophie. I'm not that kind of girl.
"Are you kidding me?" Sophie tilts her head at me. "Look at that body! Who doesn't want her?"
"Not me," I shrug. "At least not right now."
"Fine," she snorts. "Then who's you interested at here? Come on, at least pick someone."
"You're really want me to hit on someone I like here?" I tilt my head at her, squinting from the intense sunlight coming from behind her.
"Yes, I want to see your moves," she grins mischievously. "Come on," she nudges me with her elbow playfully. "Loosen up, we're on a vacation, baby!"
"Fine. I'll do it."
I get up and go to the beach side bar. I order two drinks for Sophie and myself, then walk back to our seats. She looks a bit confused when I come back with drinks in both hands. I smile confidently at her and offer her the drink. She takes it hesitantly, still confused. She arches her eyebrow.
"Didn't find what you like?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I did," I sip at my drink coolly.
"Then why didn't you approach her?"
"Well," I give her my best flirtatious glance and lean closer to her, "she beat me into it. Found me at the beach last night, you know. Charmed the hell out of me with that amazing smile of hers."
"Ah, smooth. I'm impressed." She pats me lightly on the cheek, then gives it one last long caress before she moves her hand away.
"Well," I touch my cheek happily where she just touched me, "do you think that she likes me too?"
"Oh, I don't know." She diverts her gaze away from me, but I still can see the wicked smile that is playing on her lips. "I think she likes to play hard to get."
"Then it's a good thing that I like to chase."
*
"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Sophie calls my room when I just got out of the shower.
We spent the whole day scuba diving on an island near Labuan Bajo, Flores, which is located on the east of Bali island. The tourism in there is still developing, so there are still many remote and secluded beaches and island to explore. The water there is crystal clear and the sea ecosystems are still thriving, for being away from the pollutions of developed cities. It is a heaven on earth, I must say. What made today more perfect was having Sophie as a company. She is so much fun to be around with. She made me laugh. She excitedly pointed out every colorful school of fish we passed by. Fully aware of my slight paranoia of jellyfish, she always grabbed the chance of scaring me with seaweeds, by tangling it to my ankle. Our silly faces battle. Her lazy glances at me, completed with a half grin on her lips. She made me feel more alive than I've ever felt since Cara left me. She is the perfect remedy for my broken heart.
"Nope. What do you have in mind?" I turned on the loudspeaker before I walk to my suitcase. What should I wear tonight?
"Want to check this beachside party near our villas?" I can tell that she's grinning playfully while she speaks.
"Sure. It won't start until late, right? Want to have dinner together before?" I pull out my clothes from my suitcase and carefully lay it all on my bed. A loose sleeveless black blouse catches my eye.
"Yeah. Pick me up at seven, okay?"
I said good bye to Sophie with a smile playing on my lips. I've never thought that my brief getaway would turned out like this. Although I did some soul searching on the good part of it, I would've never guessed that I would found someone like Sophie. I press my palm to my chest, feeling the beatings of my heart. I almost didn't think of you at all today, Cara. I brave myself to touch the tenderest part of my aching heart, right where Cara was in it. I remember her, those bright blue eyes of hers. Ouch, too soon. Even with Sophie's helps, my heart is still not fully healed. Remember, baby steps, I scold myself.
I pick Sophie at her private villa, which is one hundred meters away from me, exactly at seven o'clock. She's already sitting comfortably at the wooden chair at the terrace. She wears more or less the same outfits as I do, a sleeveless shirt and tight ripped jeans. She lets her hair down, in a messy but sext hairdo that makes me crazy. An ever present half grin on her face welcomes me. Without a word she gets up and takes my hand hand, dragging us toward the beach. There are a couple of seaside restaurant along the beach, which offer a wide range of delicious seafood dishes. The best part of it is the dining area, which takes place right on the beach. Arrays of candlelit dining tables placed directly on the white sand. A group of local musicians playing romantic songs to enchance the ambience. Faint beats of latests electropop songs and whoopings are hinting the beach party, that we are going to attend later, taking place on the other side of the beach.
"Why did you sit on the beach that night?" Sophie asks me. By the tone of her voice, I know that she's referring to the night where we met.
I hesitate for a while, unsure about my answer. Should I be honest with her or just evade the question?
"I was thinking of someone who broke my heart months ago," I swallow the bitter taste of heartbreak and smile sadly at Sophie. She is listening at me intently, looking more serious than I've ever seen her.
"From the way you look now, I assume that it was bad," she reaches my hand from across the table and strokes it reassuringly with her thumb. "I'm sorry that it happened to you."
"Well, I loved her. I thought she loved me too. Maybe she did, but apparently she loved her one nightstands more."
"So, here you are. Licking your wounds."
"Yes. And I have made so much progress. Especially after I met you." I look straight at Sophie's blue eyes, wondering if she feels it too. This growing attraction between us.
"Well, if you need more bandages, I have plently." She squeezes my hand before she lets go.
We walk hand in hand from the restaurant toward the beach party venue, feeling the ocean cool breeze passing us by. The night sky above us is donned with dazzling stars. I look up and throughly mesmerized by the beauty of it. When I glance at Sophie, she is doing the same thing, with a childlike smile on her face. She senses my gaze and look back at me, still smiling. It's really hard to not fall a little bit for her that time. The stars, the sound of waves and her smile. They are the ultimate recipe of romance. I do not take my eyes off her for a long moment. Then she tugs my hand and starting to run like an excited child toward the beach. I go along with her excitement and running right behind her, while still keeping our hands linked. A waves catches us when we arrive at the beach, spraying us with the cold ocean water. She yelps happily and kicks more cold water toward me.
"Sophie!" I stare in disbelief at her childish action, but a happy grin is dancing on my lips. "Why did you do that? It's so freaking cold!"
"The sea is calling for us, Jess." She spreads her arms and yells at me. "Can't you hear it?"
"And what does it say?" I yell back.
She moves closer toward me until she's right in front of me. She gives me one of her seductive smile, her blue eyes are brighter than ever. "She wants us to let go. Just like what she told you at the night we met."
"And what's the thing that I should let go exactly?"
"All of it." She grabs my face with both of her hands. "Live for today. No more ghosts of the past." Then she kisses me right on the lips.
