Cookout at The Beach
RAFA
The Morning After
Rafawokeupina new place to the scent of his fiancée fermented on his skin from an entire evening of making love.It all seemed both strange and familiar.He kissed her bare back while she slept soundly before he got out of bed to take a shower.Sal had told him the night before, over a late dinner and tight embraces, that Harmon was Claire’s half-brother.They’d talked until there were no more stories to share.After that, Rafa showed the grimoire, securely kept in his luggage.
While in the shower, his knees buckled, and he blushed at the reason behind it; a lot had happened last night.They had spent all night talking, but as soon as they were alone in the villa, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.Rafa felt it was different this time, though.Normally, making love with Sal was gentle and deliberate, but last night, it was as if a dam had ruptured, engulfing them in the heat of the moment—both breathless, desperate, and wanting.
Rafa was towel-drying his hair and tiptoed out of the bathroom when the sight of the rising sun against the ocean caught his eye.It was beautiful here.If St.Stephenshire was a place of perpetual autumn, this entire country was one of eternal summer.For a moment, he entertained the thought of what it would be like living in Sal’s home country.
After the thought, he reverted to his usual routine, starting with coffee.The Airbnb didn’t have a coffee capsule machine.Instead, it had a French press, and some freshly ground coffee beans, which was more than enough.He quickly got to work and brewed a fresh batch of steeped ground Arabica.In case anyone wanted to pour more into the French press, he left the hot water in the kettle on the stove.
Moments later, he heard Willow’s woozy voice.“That smells good…” she said, still looking sleepy and hair messy hair as she emerged from one of the smaller bedrooms.
“I’ll make you a cup,” Rafa offered as he finished his drink.
Then a man came out of Willow’s room.There was a momentary pause when Rafa took sight of the stranger.
“This is Baron.He works for Harmon.”Willow smiled faintly and continued, “…and he wants a cup too.”
Rafa let out a tight grin.“Hi, Baron, I’m Rafa.I’m Sal’s fiancé.”He walked over and offered him a handshake.
Baron nodded with a smile.“You have my thanks, but I’ll have to decline the cup of coffee.I have to get to Mr.Moon.We still have a few more museums to tour,” he said with a noticeable English accent.“Are you joining us?”he asked, looking at Rafa and then Willow.
“We’ll pass.We’re leaving for Manila again tomorrow,” Willow said as she sipped her coffee.
Baron’s brows furrowed.“So you lot won’t be going to Davao?I thought we were all to canvass the potential museums?”he asked, sounding confused.
Willow shrugged and shook her head.“We’re not going to Davao anymore, and we’ve already settled on a place for our art show.Theola will coordinate with you guys, prolly when she wakes up.”She yawned.
Baron nodded.“I see,” he mumbled.
Rafa excused himself for a moment.“I’ll just check if Sal is awake.”He smiled and said goodbye to Baron.He realized he and Willow needed some privacy.
Rafa returned to their bedroom.But Sal wasn’t in bed.He took a few paces forward and saw her on the wooden veranda looking out at the ocean.
The room, like the entire villa, was decorated with neutral colors and a Japandi motif; hence the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors and wrap-around wooden veranda.If you opened the sliding glass doors and stepped off the veranda, the soft embrace of fine white sand would meet your toes with a view of lapping waves on the shoreline just a few feet away.
He opened the sliding door.“Hey, did you sleep well?”he asked, sitting on the wooden platform beside her before taking her hand.
“After last night?Of course I did.”She placed her head gently on his shoulder.“I read the appraiser’s report.The grimoire is really something, Rafa.Thank you.”
“If she can determine exactly how old it is, she estimates it to be worth two million or more.Once the world knows about it, we can use it to attract more people to your art show.The crowd turnout alone would help you win.”
Sal bit her lip, looking apprehensive.“Yes, with the grimoire, we have a shot.We have to win this…” Sal muttered.“There’s no litigating ourselves out of this now that we know Harmon isreallyClaire’s brother.”
“We will win.And even if we don’t, we’ll manage it,” he replied.The time they spent away from each other only made him feel misplaced without her.He felt whole and capable now that she had put her head on his shoulder and was within his reach.This was where he should be.Consoling his love and reminding her that all would be fine.
“Come what may?”she asked, like she always did.
“Come what may,” he responded.
A knock came through, followed by the sound of the sliding door.“Hey.”Willow peeked through the narrow opening, looking as if she was concerned she had interrupted them.“Theola is up.Let’s have some breakfast.We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Is Baron still there?”Rafa asked.
“Harmon’s assistant?”Sal asked, looking over at Willow, sounding confused.
