Becoming His Woman

Chapter 15: The Labyrinth Man

As the clock strikes at exactly six thirty in the evening, my phone alarm rings making me open my eyes to wake up. Seven was the exact time for the room catering service as per the instructions of Costantino. Surely, I don’t want the caterer enter my room with my eyes still tightly shut in the euphoric pleasure of sleep…on deep slumber and unconscious state.

I quickly took a shower and clad myself in a decent tulips yellow flowy dress reaching the heels of my feet. Tempted to join the partying waves of people outside, I pull out my phone inside my bag to divert my attention.

Ten minutes more to go and my belly will get it’s fair share of the famed unearthly delicacies of Amonterino Beach Hotel. Then, I can be off my way to the white sand. It would be so nice if Mr. Dexigrous happens to go there himself and reunites with me under the purple ribbon of moonlight.

Ugh! I nearly smack myself up for being so damn cheesy just now!

Ding dong!

The front door sounded reminding me of the room service awaiting outside my door. I quickly sauntered towards it and open it.

“Greetings of fun-filled stay! Crisp d’ Melbourne’s Tuna Specialty for you Miss Fernatto! If you may please let us in,” the brunette woman in her mid-forty’s politely ask permission. I just plastered a sweet smile on my face in response.

‘Sure! Come in.’

Before the caterer leaves the room, I handed a hundred dollar bill as a personal tip. The brunette woman seems so nice and kind.

It took me at least half an hour to finish up all the dishes set for me. And wow was only thing I can say about it. The taste was undeniable ‘unearthly' as the rumors say. Now it wasn’t just a rumor, but a proven fact according to my firsthand experience.

Picking up my handheld shoulder bag on my bed, I proceeded to the door to leave. Now that my hunger for physical food was satisfied, it was now time to also satisfy my cravings for the beautiful Australian beach.

As I step outside my room, a sudden bold idea sparks in my mind as I came face to face with room 319 where my boss was currently staying. It was actually just in front of the room I am in.

Gulping for three times and taking a deep breathe, I boldly push the silver button just beside this black colored door making it create a sound inside the room.

Gosh! Did I just ring my boss' room without any legal reason? I mean business related matters to discuss?!

Err I feel like running back to my room or perhaps to the nearest elevator booth. I can feel how my cheeks flustered in so much nervousness as well as embarrassment of suddenly barking in.

I was about to take my first step of escape when the door in front me slides open…revealing an epitome of a perfect Greek god physique…

…

…

…

Water dripping from the ends of his hair down to his barely covered well-chiseled chest, hardcore six packs abs and God knows what follows after... was kept hidden behind the black towel wrapped around his waist.

“What is it Miss Fernatto that concerns me so much that you came barking in my door at this late hours of the day?” He said highlighting the latter part. Even without actually paying attention on his facial expressions, I know how he is playing the coy in here.

I don’t know how much time did it take me to finally open my mouth and respond. I am so much stuck and distracted on his sexy Adonis-like sinful body.

“I-I…I…I was j-ust d-ropping by…” Gosh self cooperate! Speak straight! You’re ain’t a preschooler already!

Swallowing hard I continued, “Maybe you wanna stroll somewhere in the beach. And it happens that I am going so you why not invite you right?” I managed to find composure amidst the succumbing tension pressing against me.

Calix just raise me an eyebrow in disbelief while shrugging his shoulders as if he was throwing a questioning look of ‘so-what-now?’

Having nothing to answer in mind, I just shyly smile and tighten my grip on the hanging shoulder bag in my side.

“I told you already Miss Fernatto. This trip’s subject concerns none of your personal interest, rather it’s purely business. So no…I’m not coming with you,” he said. Now wearing his usual blank expression.

“Besides, my real motif of coming here wasn’t settled yet. It’s no perfect time to have fun. Good night Bliss.” With that said, he slowly slides the door back to its close state. I automatically looks around to see if someone happened to witness my embarrassing proposal rejection. With a hundred percent of luck, no one was around.

Why does he has to be so rude and straightforward this time? The last time I got a conversation with him on the plane, he was even toying up with me and my little so called interest on him. Could it be that Mr. Chilagan’s health excuses pisses him off and changes his mood that he can’t have his playful side of him appears?

One way or another, I must find a solution to his cause of despair and stress. The last time I heard about the labyrinth Mr. Chilagan is that he just had his mountain climbing activity in Japan together with his wife. He was so lively and healthy on the video footage I watched. Isn’t it so suspicious that he is suddenly sick when he was all so well these past days that he even manage to approved Dexigrous Empire’s proposed face to face meeting via video interference?

I had a bad feeling about this…

…but for now, I think all I need is a refreshing scent of the Australian crystal clear blueish green water and refined white sands.

I walk towards the elevator booth and push the location of the lobby leading to the main entrance of this hotel. I’m so much ready for a serenading experience between me and the sea.

Memories of the buried past starts flashing on my minds once I start strolling in the less populated area of the beach. Yeah, you are right. This is the kind of beach party I imagine…not the usual rock n' roll style you might be expecting!

I remember how much I negatively perceived the sea back then when I was younger…and who I am with during those times.

***

“You know what…the ocean is blue.” I said as I follow where his eyes go. It is a mainstream of sadness for me.

“While everyone seems to love it, I just found it very depressing...

“It’s very vast and outstretched making me feel lost in the middle.”

It reminds me of how far I am from my hometown in New York City; and how a stranger I am to the Miami sea.

***

“Calix…” His name unconsciously slips on my lips. I grew up with him for almost two years of being left alone in Miami in a dorm based school which looks after all the kids left under their care. It was only when I was finally entering junior high that I was allowed to have my own condo unit and live in my own.

Calix used to drop by at times and we use to play PSP together. Until such time that I grew so much fond of him as he did for me. We entered the next level of being friends in a very young age without our parents knowing. I was fourteen back then and he was sixteen.

It was so nice reminiscing the past, but it was painful at the same time. His very last words still sting as if it was just freshly said yesterday.

***

“Herena it’s not working for us!”

“I love you goodbye…”

***

I was in a brink of losing my mind in the nostalgic effect of past memories when my eyes catch a very familiar figurine swiftly moving through the tall standing coconut trees. I would definitely wouldn’t give a s**t if not only with the seemingly secretive way of walking the head manger is doing. It was Constino, the manager.

Weird! He was like trying to avoid any lit area, rather he prefers the deem part. Upon realizing something is up, I safely hid myself on one of the coconut trees nearby. Only now that I realize, I was actually a little bit far from the partying crowd here in the beach. I manage to walk this far absentmindedly while reminiscing the past.

But guess what? I am about to find interesting I guess. Maybe this was the perks of loving secluded place.

I don’t know what has gotten me that I secretly tailed behind Constantino. I really don’t feel right about this. Something is up…and my intrigue cells couldn’t seem to just let it slip.

Cautiously, I step out of the coconut tree I am hiding and silently run towards the next tree, still holding my breaths. I don’t wanna create sound as much as possible.

I don’t know how many trees did I have to stop by before finally seeing the end of this secret hide and seek tailing activity with the manager.

I didn’t know about the existence of this, but there is a small house surrounded by different ornamental flowers. And there is a big postcard in front saying:

‘NO ENTRY!’

Okay…

I think this was how far I can go. I am about to turn my heel around to leave when I heard a very familiar name from my behind.

“Oh! My Dawson! I’ve been longing for you for days,” Constantino acting weird said to the man Calix was desperately after.

“Come on Constantino! We just saw each other this. How can you miss me so fast?” the man whom I assume is Dawson Chilagan sweetly exclaimed.

And the next thing happened sends a thousand volts of electricity inside my body…

*Smack

Mr. Chilagan just kissed the manager in his lips! It was like O-M-G! I thought he got a wife and children in his back already. What is he doing just now?!

…

…

…

Only then everything starts to sink in my very shock and confused mind….

They are bisexual! By the looks of it, it was Mr. Chilagan who acts masculine while Constantino reflects feminine attributes. I never heard any articles about this.

Gosh! Am I just witnessing an unfaithful and unrecruited rendezvous of a married yet bisexual men? Not that I have something against LGBT+ ideals…its just that I find it so inappropriate for a married man like Mr. Chilagan to have any further s****l relations outside his marriage.

I immediately fishes my phone inside my shoulder bag. Perhaps, this must have been the perfect time to take selfies and secure evidences for future use.

Click!

‘Damn it!’ I silently cussed at myself for being so reckless! I forgot to turn off the flash! Now I am all caught red handed.

“There is someone in the tree over there!” I heard Constantino exclaimed. I can clearly see a big guy in black uniform making its way in my direction. With the sudden rush of adrenaline, I started running back to the populated area of this beach! There’s no need to hide already as I am busted.

I just run and run silently swearing to myself how recklessly careless I am stepping to danger without any weapon on hand! Not that I expect this really!

*Stops

I was automatically halted on my track with a hard chest bumping in my face…

The nervousness I was feeling earlier doubles as I came to be face to face with the big guy I just saw approaching earlier with his two arms crossed in his chest. He’s height was way out of question as I am only reaching about his chest when in fact I am already tall in my own. Hell! How did he manage to come this fast by the way?!

“Time to stop the race little girl,” he said smirking. I couldn’t help but to feel belittled with his chosen words to address me.

I’m no little girl big guy! With all the strength I can muster, I blew a hard punch in his stomach! But to my surprise, he didn’t show any reaction as if it was all nothing. This frustrates me more! If only I had a gun or perhaps a sword with me, then maybe I can stand a chance.

My thoughts are cut short with the sudden covering of my breathing senses, mouth and nose, using his bare calloused palms! I can also feel his other free arm holding my arms to stop it from resisting.

I shouldn’t just stay still! I don’t know what would happen to me if I lose consciousness. I shouldn’t close my eyes!

With my both arms tied up, I desperately use my feet to free myself. I tried stomping it to anywhere I can until I finally got his balls.

“Argh!” the big guy shortly groans in pain making his grip lose a little bit. I took advantage of this and freed myself. I was about to shout out for help when I once again felt his dominating palms on my mouth….

This time…

It was way tighter…

More suffocating…

That couldn’t breathe….

‘Calix help!’

‘Help!’

My mind desperately shouts for help despite my lost of words due to this bug guy’s dominating palm.

Slowly…

Slowly…

I felt like any reserve oxygen in my body is starting to run out…

I can feel the struggle of my heart to keep my blood oxygenated…

I know…I know if this continues I would probably lose consciousness and who knows what would happen next…