A Vida Barco

【Prologue】

【Prologue】

I woke up to the sound of the waves, a regular sound, nice and quiet but loud enough to be heard.

I slowly sat up. My view wandered to the french window, which was opened. The white curtains were blown up by the slight and warm wind. I could see the sea already, and the all-white sand.

Smiling, I laid back again, looking to the left. The girl next to me was the most beautiful I'd ever seen. I got to know her in one of the cafes. I'd met her several times already, but that was the first time she'd slept at my house. The white blankets looked beautiful on her tanned skin. I looked back at the window, enjoying the view and the relaxing sounds coming with it.

The sun was shining already, lightening up the room, which was pretty bright itself already. The walls were white, so was the carpet floor. It wasn't full really, it had two paintings on the wall, in a golden frame, and a few bureaus in it.

My sight fell on the nightstand made of glass and the alarm clock on it. It was nine AM already, so I sat up again and crawled out of the comfortable blankets.

I saw the photo behind the alarm clock. It showed me and my parents. It made my heart drop every day, and even though I'd probably feel better without seeing it every day, I couldn't remove it. I wanted it there.

I looked back at Lelani next to me in my bed and sighed. Quietly, I stood up. As I walked by the open window, I felt the warm air on my skin. I walked into the kitchen. I could hear my own footsteps on the marble floor as I left the bedroom. I started the coffee machine.

While I was waiting for it, I leaned against the counter of the open kitchen area, looking around me. This place was so quiet and peaceful. It was all I needed. I looked at the little calendar at the wall. Today was the first. I felt a little lump in my throat, even though I tried to get over it every day.

The beep of the coffee machine brought me back to reality. I took the mug and went back to my room. Lelani still laid in bed, and I walked straight onto the terrace, balancing the mug on the white glass railing before leaning against it, looking down at the beach and the beautiful sea, nice light blue, the clearest sea I'd ever seen. The air was nice and warm. I just kept listening to the waves and the birds for a while and looked at the horizon.

That made me think of my family again. They were still out there, somewhere in Georgia. I was wondering whether they were still searching for me. I was wondering what they were doing right now. What were my friends doing? Were they missing me? Did they care?
Did they suspect anything? Today was the first, meaning it was ten months now since I left. I knew what I was doing when I'd been planning it, and I knew that this would happen, but I'd never imagined it to be so hard.

Most of all, I feared that I did something wrong. Still, I got nervous when I saw police, and I tried to remind myself of whether I forgot anything. But I didn't. They probably weren't investigating anymore. If they ever did. Actually, there wasn't anything to investigate.

I felt two hands being placed on my shoulder and turned around. Lelani stood behind me. Her blond hair fell messily into her face, and all she was wearing was a grey tank top and her panties. She placed her chin on my shoulder, looking at the sea. I leaned my head against hers.
For a moment, I forgot about everything, it was just me and her. It felt like it had always been like that. It felt like it should be like that.

"The view is amazing, Clyde", she said after a while.
It reminded me of what I had done. Not being called Chase was weird. But I never introduced myself as Chase to her. I didn't want her to know that name. The less she knew, the better.
I nodded.
"It is", I said.
"Coffee?", I asked and held up my mug. She smiled and took a sip.
She looked beautiful. I felt better when she was around. It made me feel like everything was pretty normal.
"You look beautiful", I said.

She blushed but smiled. I'd never met someone so natural and positive. She made me feel better, and usually, she helped me to forget what I had done. Sometimes, there were these little moments like before, that reminded me of my past, but they got less.

I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Her green eyes glared at me, full of life.
"Let's get in", I said quietly.
Lelani followed me inside. The carpet floor felt nice beneath me, and as I got into the bathroom, the marble floor under me felt cold.

I had a look in the mirror.
I indeed looked better than I did before. Probably because I was relaxed. And not that stressed. I felt better, though. It was strange since my feelings were mixed. Every morning, I woke up in the paradise itself. It made me feel great. I finally felt like I was home. But on the other hand, there was a home I got reminded of every day. A home I'd left. Then, I felt a slight melancholia washing over me. And in the next moment, I forgot everything and looked into the eyes of this beautiful girl.

"Why are you always so quiet?"
Lelani leaned against the doorframe. She'd crossed her arms but didn't seem to judge. She was just smiling at me.
"Am I?", I asked back.
"Yes, you are", she said as she stepped towards me, placing her hands on my chest, looking up at me.
"You still didn't tell me how you got here. Or what you're doing to afford this amazing home", she said, her voice low.

I locked eyes with her. I'd prepared this.
But instead, I just kissed her forehead.
"I'll tell you another time", I said.

She stepped back from me, pulling off her top and opened the door to the shower.
"I'll go make some breakfast", I said and turned around.
Just as I'd reached the door, she said my name.
"Clyde?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you made it to Koh Lipe, no matter how", she smiled before the water started running.

I gave her a weak smile.
"I'm glad, too", I answered, rather to myself.

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Finally I was able to upload. I hope you enjoyed it. If so, please consider to leave behind a comment or a vote. If not, let me know why! Thanks for taking your time and reading my story! I really appreciate it! I hope you guys stick with me.