The Secret Island

After last night's date, Martin woke up feeling refreshed, like he hadn't felt in a long time. Last night was the first night Martin didn't have a nightmare. He remembered he even had a good dream; what a strange blessing. For many months, even if there was nothing under his control, but at least for now, for just this short moment, Martin didn't care about anything else. How could he think of anything else when her soft kiss on his lips still occupies his every thought?

While humming and tying his shoes before heading out for a morning run, the door to Celine's bedroom opened, and he was surprised to see a sleepy Celine woke up unusually early. Normally, it would be at least another two hours until she wakes up.

"Martin..." Her eyes opened wide. She must have been flabbergasted by meeting his eyes the instant she opened the door.

"Good morning. You woke up early today. Are you interested in going for a run with me?" He gave her a broad smile, but she only looked at her hands.

"I could barely sleep. I will faint if I go for a run. No, I need rest." She mumbled inaudibly to herself.

"What were you saying?" Martin walked closer to her. She frowned and abruptly raised her voice.

"Oh, gosh! It was your fault! You kissed me before going to bed. Of course, I couldn't sleep! You are such an unpredictable man!" She gave him a few blows to his back. He saw it as a playful type of smacking, and he laughed while trying to get hold of her hands, so she couldn't hit him anymore.

"After kissing me a few more times, you will get used to it. And by then, I bet you will have a good night's sleep as I did."

"Martin, you can't joke around about this! Didn't you say you are about to go running? Then, go. I need to shower!" She took her hands out of his grasp and literally ran away from him to the bathroom.

Martin smiled at the closed door. He changed his mind. He broke his morning routine by taking off his running shoes. Since she was already awakened, he decided to instead make breakfast for her. Celine was changing him, and he liked all the new changes.

Celine was surprised to see him after she opened the bathroom door. She had already showered and dressed up for the new day. He finished cooking breakfast and waited for her at the dining table. "Why are you smiling? And didn't you go run?" She complained at him, but he kept his smile anyway.

"No, I changed my mind. I want to have breakfast with you." He saw her roll her eyes before sitting across from him. She didn't seem pleased to see him, but she seemed to like the breakfast he cooked. After the meal, Martin asked.

"What do you want to do for our second date?" Celine almost choked on the orange juice as soon as she heard him say it.

"I don't know!" She whined. Being so irked by his question, she turned away.

"I think you must be tired today. We can just stay at home and watch a movie if that's alright with you." He asked politely. To think about it, after we met, we went out every day, so staying home and doing simple activities such as watching a movie sounded like a good rest to him.

"Fine..." She looked down again and grabbed the glass of orange juice. Still, she wouldn't cease complaining about him.

"And stop smiling. There was nothing much to smile about. It's not like you are winning, you know."

"What do you mean?" He asked honestly.

"I don't know, and I don't care. I'm going back to sleep." She declared and stood up and walked to the bedroom. He could only sip his morning coffee and watched her walk away.

She was such a bold and courageous kid, almost to the point of obnoxious at first, and now she became so shy that he found her endearing.

*****

Once Martin was alone, he reflected on his life in the past few months and everything that was happening, everything that he needed to deal with. The smile on his face dissipated when he had to reminisce old memories.

He had to go back to the states in less than a month. He had to continue working for that vile company, the company that forged him to become an immoral fool. If he could redeem for all his actions, he would. He hoped there was still time. He laid down on the sofa and stared at the ceiling for a long time until he heard his phone ringing. He sighed once he saw the caller.

"Hello, Carlo."

"You don't have to be so cold when you talk to me, you know. I'm a nice guy." His teasing voice made him roll his eyes.

"What do you want?"

"I'm calling to let you know you have only a week left on your holiday. My boss, who is also your boss, wants the work to be dealt with as soon as possible."

"I know. I have the calendar. You don't have to keep reminding me."

"We did everything you requested. Everything to keep you comfortable. When you were ill, we brought you to this wonderful island. The doctor said the change of environment would help. And recently, you requested a holiday and a break from work; we let you. I hope you will accomplish the task as we requested as well."

"They sent you to monitor me to ensure I finish it anyway, am I right?" Carlo didn't answer his question. He continued talking.

"I will let you enjoy your holiday. And I will be in touch. Goodbye."

He hung up. That short conversation was enough to make him feel the migraine on his forehead. In fact, life here was no different from being a prisoner, just a change from a cage to a paradise island.