Putting the glass down, he raked his hand through his hair and decided he was too tired to eat. After a hot shower, he slipped into his pajamas, fatigue pulling him into a deep sleep.
The sun peeking through his sheer curtains made Alex squint. The smell of jasmine floated in from the bedroom window he’d left ajar. He sighed contentedly as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he suddenly wanted to be near the sea. He had missed the smells, the sounds while he was away. Pushing himself up to stand and stretch, he threw on a long-sleeved shirt, not bothering with shoes as he headed out of his room.
As he opened his sliding back door, he could hear the seagulls squawking overhead, and the waves lapping at the beach. The sky was blue as a sapphire. He had slept in longer than expected and the sun was high.
Alex walked barefoot to the water’s edge. Behind him at the house, the leaves of the orange trees blowing in the wind brought with them the glorious fragrance of their blooms once more.
For a moment, he let his mind drift to the dream of what he wanted with Aria. Barefoot cooking sessions and breathless kisses that led to more.
It all felt like a dream.
And yet as he sat down on the sand, turning back to the water, he could see it all clearly as if watching a movie playing before him. One that felt so real he could touch it.
As he closed his eyes, reveling in these thoughts, something touched his foot, startling him. Shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun, Alex looked down, surprised to see a small blue bottle rolling back and forth in the sand as the waves came in and out. He grabbed it before it was taken back out.
What in the world?
Bringing it closer and turning it between his fingers, he saw a rolled-up piece of paper inside, spinning inside with the motion.
Where have I seen a bottle like this before?
Curious, he pulled off the cork top with a pop. He wiped the sand off his hands onto his pants and worked the paper out of its confines.
After a bit of effort, he freed it. Carefully placing the bottle down behind him, he looked at the paper.
Gently unrolling it, his head tilted and his eyes squinted as he tried to read the calligraphic writing. He felt a bit uneasy reading something that might be private, but curiosity wouldn’t let him put it back in.
My albatross, you inspired me to write again
You believed in me even when I didn't
You encouraged me to share my words with the world
But I write this letter for you only
If this is true love, fly back to me. Fly back home, my albatross
I’m waiting for you
He sat there, stunned, his hands trembling.
It's not possible. Is this from Aria? When did she write it?
The memory of her bottle collection slid into his memory, causing him to jump up, looking around as if she would appear before him.
He stumbled as he spun around, looking down the beach then back at the house. His mind was racing. With a prayer on his lips, he begged God to give him another chance.
Running back to the house with the bottle in hand, he changed his clothes, grabbed his shoes, and he checked his watch. 2:00pm. She should still be at work. He raced to his car, and he sped off toward Libri Stellari.
Pulling into the parking garage, he tried unsuccessfully to look normal as he raced to the elevators. Waving at the guard in the lobby, he pushed the up button repeatedly until he heard the loud ping as the elevator arrived.
When the doors opened, he strode toward the publishing house, adrenaline coursing through him. Pulling the bottle from his pocket, he pressed it into his hand like a talisman, willing his heart to slow down.
Thinking he had sufficiently accomplished this goal, he put his hand on the doorknob and stepped inside. The receptionist wasn’t at her desk, and strangely, neither was Luna.
Not sure if he should just continue walking to Aria’s office unannounced, he stood on the spot, tilting his head in that direction.
