"Hello love"
Athena turned towards the voice to see Yehezkel walking in from the entrance door.
"What if I was naked?"
"Why would you be walking about in your home, naked?"
"Because it's my home" she shook her head with a little shrug, like it was an obvious thing.
He sighed, "Get ready, let's go together"
She smiled, "I just got back to change" turning to him with a smug smile, "Aren't you ecstatic today?"
He nodded nonchalantly, "Just get ready quickly"
Well, he was indeed excited for the game but golfing wasn't new, what was instead odd, was the discussion he was going to address with Cathalina.
Athena walked out in basic pastels, a duffle bag and her golf bag in hand.
Bright beige, knitted cashmere slipover cardigan sitting atop a plain white, collared, short sleeve shirt blouse. The basic short, white pleated skirt, a glove, classic sports cap in warm brown and the low heeled, Adidas Sampha's on white socks.
"The duffle bag is for?"
"Maintenance" she said and tossed the bags carefully to the side, while Yehezkel watched with furrowed brows of perplexity "I'll need some help with these before we go"
"Maintenance of what exactly"
She stood, folded her arms and stared at him, "Maybe you haven't noticed" she began, "But I'm a woman"
He nodded, expectant for an explanation.
"When I sweat, I must take care of it" she paused, "When I get dehydrated, I take care of it. And plus," she paused again like she was making points, "I will and must, take a shower before I leave to get on about my business"
Yehezkel gaped, "Athena" he called in subtle shock, "We're barely spending an hour, just a few minutes" he stared at her, somewhat speechless.
"-It doesn't stop my shower" she added, "I sweat very often, you know that" she paused before flipping the small of her hair, "Can we get going please, we're done here" she walked out.
'Wow'.
Everything sat ready as they journeyed to the country club.
They had all chosen a venue familiar to them and their families. Their parents had played, they had been taught there, their aunties and uncles, the family members who were interested had all played there.
Heading out into the open field, Cathalina and Nick walked steadily behind he and Athena.
Soon, Yehezkel caught sight of the grouping similar to his friends, a little far off at a distance.
As soon as Julio met his gaze, he turned and ran with the speed of a mad man towards Yehezkel.
Cathalina watched carefully but doubtfully.
That could be just an ecstatic friend or relative but she wasn't so sure. Glancing over at Yehezkel, she came to see the warmest smile she had ever seen, smudged across his lips.
Around the lower corners of his eyes creased and Cathalina came to understand what she had just witnessed.
He loved, -and missed them.
In that moment, she looked away, gulping down a certain sense of distaste, she couldn't fathom. 'Why do I feel this way?' she pondered but remembered that she still had a mission on her hands.
Nick watched carefully how concerned Cathalina seemed. Uneasy, On edge. He could tell. They had worked together for quite a while and both knew each other a bit more than the rest of the team.
"YEZ!" Julio screamed before jumping unto him for a hug.
With a soft chuckle, Yehezkel held unto him, "You're heavy young man"
He nodded and stood on his own, patting him on the small of his upper arm.
The rest came along with warm smiles. Damien gave him a firm handshake while Duke grasped him into a rigorous hug.
"Afternoon Athena" Julio smiled over to her.
She nodded before looking at him with a feigned smile, "Afternoon, Julio", suddenly, her gaze turned towards Damien who shot her a small smile and a wave. She waved shyly.
"Oh, what's this" Julio looked at them both, "Something fishy's going- "
"Alright" Yehezkel pulled Julio into a hug, away from Athena, "Let's game". They walked away together, Duke beside.
Cathalina and Nick split with her behind Yehezkel while he stayed over with Athena.
"How've you been?" Damien began, walking forward towards her.
She nodded, unable to look him in the eye, "I'm alright", "A bit here and there"
"I heard you oversee your own company, that must be a bit hectic"
She shrugged, "Nothing I can't handle" tucking some strands of air behind her hair, "Sorry", "I couldn't make it to your wedding"
He chuckled lightly, "It's alright, the baby shower's coming" he paused, "If you're free, you can come with Yez"
She nodded, her gaze at the grass as she kicked her feet.
He leaned forward, bending over to meet her eyes and as soon as he did, she blinked speechlessly.
He smiled, "Let's go play" heading at the golf course.
Nick watched with a sigh.
'What in the romance was going on in front of him'