CHAPTER 12
At the Coron Azure Resort…
“Madge, what’s this? I thought you’d be here?”
“Something came up Dex. Don’t worry, the manager will take care of you.”
“Something special? There’s no one here! I think I’m the only guest. I’m very busy you know. It’s late so I’ll just fly out tomorrow. I made the trip for nothing. At the very least, I don’t owe you anymore favors.”
“Sure. Sure. Good luck Dex!”
“Luck for what? Aissh! I’m still taking and this girl cuts me off.”
He said to the staff, “Where’s your manager? I believe she has something interesting prepared for me.”
“Yes sir. This way please.”
Looking around he conversed with the staff, “Not bad. I should have listened to Madge. I can definitely recharge here. Maybe I’ll go back in a couple of days.”
“We’ll do our best to address your needs, sir. We have chefs on standby at all hours. Please enjoy your stay. Here’s our manager…“
Dexter was walking briskly so he was quite ahead and was looking forward. “Good. Mr. Manager, what have you prepared for me? Madge was boasting about it. I doubt you can give me what I really want. But surprise me. Hmm?”
Getting no reply, he turned around to face the manager. Blood drained off his face.
“Alex?”
“Hello Dex. It’s good to see you.”
“Is it really you? You’re not an imagination, right?” he reached out to Alex and fainted dead away.
When he opened his eyes, he was back in his villa. He called out “Alex!!!”
“I’m here Dex. How are you feeling now?”
“I’m fine. Why are you here? Where have you been? I looked everywhere and I couldn’t find you!”
“I’m the resort manager for two years now. You finally came. I’m glad.”
Dex hugged her tightly. ”Don’t leave please. Stay. Let’s talk.”
But he did nothing but embrace her. When it seemed that he won’t let go anytime soon, Alex cleared her throat and gently said, “I won’t leave. Let’s talk as much as you want.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I missed you so much and I’m afraid that this is nothing but a dream.”
“Let’s take it slow. How’s work? You seem very busy. Madge has been nagging you to visit for ages. It’s only now that you’re able to make the time.”
“I swear, if I’d have known you were here…”
“It’s okay. Time apart has set things in their proper perspective for me. Hopefully for you too.”
“Perspective? I knew that life without you is a life without joy. I can still eat, work, sleep or do the things that I used to do. It was empty and meaningless. I was on autopilot the whole time. So if you are going to leave me again this time, I won’t let you.
“Have you not understood anything this two years? I am my own person. If I don’t allow it no man can keep me. I’m sure babe exerted as much effort and resources as you in looking for me.
“But I love you! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
I needed time to heal myself first. I didn’t give you a chance before. If you truly love me, I am asking you to trust me. Set me free so I can come back to you.”
“NO! I don’t understand. I just found you and now I’m supposed to let you go?”
“You believe in your heart that I love you, isn’t it?”
“Yes! That’s why it doesn’t make sense for us to separate again. Give me just one good reason why we need to do this?”
“Babe.”
“NO! As soon as he sees you. He’ll take you away to somewhere I can’t ever reach you. He’ll make sure of it.”
“If you don’t trust him, then trust me.” I kissed him long and hard. All the things I wanted to say but couldn’t, I put in that kiss. The love. The desperate yearning. The flickering hope. He responded, took what was offered and more. As if he understood, he claimed it and took full possession.
He savagely ended the kiss and said “Go! Please. Before I change my mind.”
Strangely, I walked away from that villa empowered and loved. I stayed in my quarters. An hour later, I heard the rotors of a private chopper landing and taking off.
