CHAPTER 6 – Offended

ARIADNE

It’s Sunday evening, and like every night except Fridays and Saturdays, I have to prepare for the next day. First, the meals for the kids – the babysitter wasn’t paid to cook, of course – and then for Theo and me when we return from work.

It was a long day today. We woke up early and left home before 8 a.m. so that we could find lounges at the most crowded beach on the island. By 9 o’clock, the coast was already packed with tourists, so it was a wise move.

While I was there, Mrs. Pappa, the owner of the most expensive hotel on the island, called me. We had planned an anniversary party for her parents on Saturday, and she wanted to meet me to discuss the last details because she was so stressed about it. I booked an appointment with her first thing on Monday morning.

We arrived home late in the afternoon and after bathing the kids and myself; I rushed to the kitchen to finish my chores. Afterward, Theo would take the kids out for a walk and something to eat.

I was thankful that I managed to go to the supermarket yesterday and shop for everything I wanted for today. I had all the ingredients in front of me, contemplating on what to start, when I remembered my encounter with that tourist, David.

The supermarket wasn’t far from home, so I opted to go on foot. Soon, I cursed myself for taking so much heavy stuff, and my fingers were aching. Just a little before I reached home, David overran me. He noticed me and stopped to help. He was joking and was in better spirits than previously at the beach. We engaged in small talk, and I found it easy to talk to him. I didn’t miss the sadness in his eyes when I told him my age. I didn’t know what was wrong. So, when he proposed to go out for a coffee or a drink, I chose to leave it hanging rather than rejecting him bluntly, as I would do in other circumstances. What is more, he helped me carry my bags, and I didn’t want to seem ungrateful to his politeness. But that sorrowful face of his was making me sad, too. I should have told him a joke or something just to enlighten his mood. I didn’t like seeing him like that.

I shook my head. Why was I thinking of him again? I should stop now.

I finished cooking and took my agenda, revising all the arrangements for the event on Saturday. I was almost ready, and I came up with a surprise that Mrs. Pappa would be thrilled to hear.

I closed my calendar as Theo and the kids returned home.

“You guys had fun with daddy?” I asked.

“Yes, mamá.” Anna-Elisabeth’s sweet and sleepy voice came.

“I think they should head to bed,” Theo mentioned.

“Boys, teeth, pajamas, and to bed,” I told the boys and scooped my princess in my arms to prepare her for the night while Theo went with the boys.

After half an hour, everyone was tucked into bed. Theo closed the door from the boys’ room and came to the living room to join me.

“We had so much fun today.” He said happily.

“Yeah, the kids love that beach. We should go more often.”

“Well, the summer’s not over yet. Did you manage to prepare yourself for tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes. Everything’s ready. I also produced a great idea. Mrs. Pappa would be ecstatic. I hope I will get a bonus for the anniversary. It would help us a lot.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll manage. We’re ok. Will you tell me your idea?” Theo smiled at me widely. He was always so supportive of my initiatives.

“Of course.” I grinned back and started explaining.

~~~

It was Monday morning, and I was heading to my appointment with Mrs. Pappa. I entered the hotel and headed towards the elevator. Once the door started closing, I heard a man yelling, “Hold it!” I pushed the door open, and behind it was no one else but the kind sir himself. David.

“Good morning.” I smiled at him.

“Hey.” He returned my greeting with a wide grin.

He was in gym wear as I saw him two days ago and was a little sweaty. But he didn’t smell bad. On the contrary, he smelled really, really good. I waited a little for him to press his floor button, but he didn’t so I pressed mine. I was going to the third floor where the owner’s office was. He noticed that, and his smile grew even wider.

“So eager to get into my bed, huh?” He rasped, coming closer, crowding me.

“Come again?” I asked, shocked. Pushing him back with my hand. What did he…? Did he just say that I wanted to go into his bed? Is that dude serious?

“Third floor. That’s my room’s floor you’re heading to.” He uttered. “And as far as I know, it’s the only one there.”

“So, you´re occupying the VIP suite, huh? Of course. Because your wallet is as big as your ego! Sorry to burst your bubble, Mr. David, but I’m heading to the owner’s office. Almost hidden door to the end of the hallway.” I responded, obviously offended, raising my right hand in front of my face and showing him my wedding ring with my left index finger.

At that moment, the elevator stopped, and I emerged out of it with him trailing behind me.

“Ariadne, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.” He pleaded guilty.

I headed towards Mrs. Pappa’s office without paying attention to him and thank God she went out of her office to welcome me.

“Good morning, my dear, punctual as always.” She greeted me with a sweet smile.

“Hello, Mrs. Aphrodite.” I smiled back.

I saw her look behind me. She saw David, who had stopped in his tracks the moment he became aware of another presence but mine.

“Good morning, Mr. Williams. How is your stay so far?” She greeted him. He was a prompt payer, so she had to pay her respects to him.

“It’s exceptionally good.” He reassured her. Mrs. Pappa was glancing at him and me all the time. She probably caught the tension between us.

“Well, enjoy your stay. Should you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.” She offered and turned to me, ushering me inside her office.

“Is everything all right, honey?” She asked me, concerned, once we were inside.

“Yes, everything is fine.” I faked a smile. But I was still slightly shaking from my anger.

“Did this person bother you?” She inquired.

“No.” I blurted out fast.

“You know, if he did bother you, I could call the security and throw him out of here. I don’t allow mistreatment at my hotel. I don’t care about his money at all.”

“Don’t worry… Just a lousy remark, but I put him in his place. Can we start with your concerns about Saturday?”

We talked about the event and all the arrangements I have made. She was overjoyed with the plan for the couple’s entrance.

After an hour, I was heading out of the hotel, only to bump into David again.

This guy was really starting to bother me. He had two plastic cups of coffee in his hands, and when he saw me, he approached and offered me one.

“No sugar with a drop of milk. The bartender was kind enough to let me know how you liked it. And I really hope with the coffee to accept my sincere apology. I really didn’t mean to offend you. I was just joking. I’m sorry.” His voice was soft, apologetic.

A joke? Come on. I knew what he meant, and he was not joking at all. But I skipped it completely.

“Thanks. But I don’t accept things from strangers.” I countered. I teach that basic rule to my children as well. Nothing from people we don’t know.

His eyes widened in sorrow, and his posture was heartbreaking. I felt sorry for him, but enough was enough.

“Ariadne, please listen to me. I just want an opportunity to talk to you. Explain the situation, and then you can decide what you want to do.” He pleaded.

“Explain what situation exactly. There is not a situation here. So, I’m asking it once. Stop bothering me!” I said bluntly. I took the cup from him and threw it in the waste bin on my way to my car. I got in it and started driving towards my office.

~~~

The weekdays passed without any occurrences. Although I had an inkling that I was being watched. Whenever I was outside of my workplace or home, I felt an eerie feeling, like someone was spying on me.

I’ve seen David again returning from my yoga classes on Tuesday evening. He was having his usual run. He saw me and waved at me, but I didn’t even acknowledge him.

And then again on Friday afternoon, I met him again outside the supermarket. He said that he would like to talk to me in private, and I refused again. What would a man who knew me less than a week wanted to tell me? I was intrigued, of course, but I was sure as well that he was smitten with me. I could see it in his eyes that he liked me. A lot. I was feeling like prey sometimes.

But which sane woman would accept talking to a foreign man alone? I didn’t like where that situation was heading, anyway.

I told everything to Theo, and he insisted on conforming him, but I assured him that he was just a tourist and that he would eventually leave.

Or so I hoped.

For him to depart and leave me in peace.

Because I was constantly thinking about him, and I didn’t like that.

I didn’t like it at all.