MALIA
In the distance, I hear an annoying noise that seems to grow louder with every passing second.
— Eduardo, I think your alarm is going off — I say, snuggling in closer since I am so comfortable. I barely open my eyes; I just warn him because I know he has to get up early.
— Malia... — I hear him calling me and I just grumble. This bed feels so good. — Malia... I need to move. — He speaks with a laugh, and I slowly open one eye to see his face close to mine.
I look at my body and see my leg entangled with his, while I was sleeping on his bare chest with his arm under my head.
— I'm sorry — I say, still sleepy and embarrassed.
— It seems we found a comfortable way to share the bed — he says laughing as he gets up. — Do you want to have breakfast now or sleep a little longer?
— I'll get up — I say; it's not like I could stay unconscious and manage to sleep after that.
Eduardo picks up his phone, turning off the alarm, and I head toward the bathroom to brush my teeth and use the toilet.
I clear the bathroom for Eduardo to get ready and head toward the living room. The doors and side walls are all glass; you can see the sunrise and sunset in a magnificent way.
— Good morning, ma'am, I've just set the table — Alfredo says, appearing beside me, and I smile in gratitude.
I walk to the round glass table near the windows and sit in the chair, putting my feet up. I take a cup of coffee while I wait for Eduardo and go back to admiring the view.
I hear my phone ringing in the bedroom and get up, taking my coffee with me. I walk slowly to the room because I know I won't have time to answer the call, and as expected, by the time I reach the room, the phone had already stopped ringing.
I pick it up just as a message arrives from my mother asking how I am and what I think of the honeymoon. I answer her immediately; she asks me to take plenty of photos and post them, as everyone will want to follow along. I reply that I will do so.
Concentrated on the phone, I turn toward the door to leave the room, but I jump when Eduardo comes out of the closet instead of the bathroom where I thought he'd be. Startled, I spill the hot coffee on myself.
— Ow, hot, hot, hot... — I say, dropping the phone on the bed and trying to pull the pajama top away from me.
— Take it off, you're burning yourself — Eduardo says, approaching me quickly and pulling the top over my head before I can even react.
He pulls his towel from his waist, and luckily, the man is already wearing underwear beneath it. As soon as he presses the damp towel against my breasts, messy with coffee, it is a relief.
— You're red. Did you burn yourself? — he says, still dabbing with the towel.
— It wasn't that hot; it was just the shock when it touched the skin. It's okay — I say, taking his hand and then taking the towel. — I just got startled.
— I'm sorry, it was my fault — he says, looking at me guiltily.
— Not at all, don't worry. I was the one who got distracted. Let's have breakfast, okay? — I ask, and he agrees.
— I'll just change — he says, and I head toward the bathroom.
Better to take a shower so I don't feel sticky. I take off my clothes and step under the shower. I take a relaxing bath and take the opportunity to wash my hair, as it's a bit hot here, even though there is air conditioning inside the house.
As soon as I finish my bath, I comb my hair quickly in front of the mirror, put on a robe, and head to the closet. Eduardo is no longer in the room, so I go in and change quickly, putting on a light white dress to match the scenery.
I leave the room and return to the breakfast table where Eduardo is already sitting, wearing an elegant suit.
— Are you okay? — he asks me, and I just nod.
— Yes, I took the opportunity to take a shower — I say, and he nods.
We eat breakfast peacefully until Alfredo comes to us.
— Sir, the helicopter is ready and waiting for you — he says, and Eduardo dismisses him.
— I'm going. Here is your card. The password is your birthday. Do whatever you want, Malia; enjoy yourself. Tonight the driver will pick you up so we can have dinner. — He tells me, handing the black card into my hands. — I'm leaving now.
He says goodbye with a kiss on my forehead and looks into my eyes for a moment before walking away.
I watch him leave the house and I know it won't take much from him for me to fall in love.
I finish my coffee, and when I get up, Alfredo appears by my side.
— What would you like to do today, ma'am? — He asks me and I smile at him.
— Call me Malia, please — I ask; I'm not used to this. — And what do you recommend?
— Of course, Malia. We can go to Fira; it's an incredible village, just like this one. Or we can start right here; there are good shops here, but most are in Fira where there is more commerce. — He says, and I think for a moment.
— Let's start slowly; I'll be here for a few days, so I'll have time. Let's stay around here. — I say, and he agrees.
— Do you want to see the village alone or would you like me to accompany you?
— Come with me, please. I don't even know if I would know how to communicate here. That way, next time I can try to go alone — I say.
— As it is a tourist island, everyone here speaks English. You won't have any problems communicating — he says, reassuring me.
I agree with him, and it isn't long before I have my shoes on and am walking through the quiet streets of this small village. Alfredo walks beside me, wearing a very fine morning coat and surprising me by not dying of heat.
— Ma'am, if it is your wish, I can show you a café that is very popular in this small village — Alfredo says, and I agree with a smile. — This village is beautiful, but it doesn't have many tourist spots; most of the houses here are luxury mansions. The people who live here have the ability to go back and forth to Fira or Oia whenever they want — he explains as we walk.
— What is the most beautiful place here? — I ask, interested as I look at the landscape.
— Even though Fira is the capital, Oia is considered a paradise. It is charming, beautiful, and very touristy.
Alfredo keeps talking about Fira and Oia, their strengths and what each city offers, until we arrive at a beautiful bakery with several pastries in the glass window.
— Wow — I say, admiring those various sweets I had never seen before.
— Let's go in; I'm sure you will like it — Alfredo says, and I walk excitedly into the bakery behind him.
As soon as we pass through the door, an amazing smell of chocolate hits my nose, making me feel like I'm in paradise.
— Hello, how can I help you? — a girl who doesn't look more than 16 years old approaches us with a bright and cordial smile, speaking English fluently.
— Hello, what are these sweets in your window? — I ask her, moving closer and looking at each one.
— On the top shelves are our Greek specialties; on the others are sweets known worldwide, something simpler found in almost all bakeries — she says.
— What is this? — I ask, pointing to one that catches my attention.
— That is Bougatsa, very famous — Alfredo answers this time.
— Is it good? — I ask him.
— It is, ma'am — he says.
— I want two, please.
— Sweet or savory? We have two sweet flavors and three savory ones — the girl says.
— Which one do I choose? — I ask Alfredo.
— I don't know, every person has a preference — he says.
— Then pack me two of each; I'm going to take them home and eat them with my husband — I say.
— Here, I've packed them all and separated each flavor; I wrote the names on the package. I recommend heating up the cheese one before eating so it melts — the attendant says.
— What would you like to do now, ma'am? — Alfredo asks me.
— Is there a shop? I want to buy a bikini and go back. I want to get in that pool and put these sweets away — I say.
— Alfredo, I thought you had gone to Oia — the woman says, greeting him.
— I've finished my work there, Aretha; this is Madame Lecler — Alfredo says.
— Madame?
— Aretha... She is looking for bikinis; give her the best in your shop.
— Of course, immediately. This way, dear.
— Can I try them on? — I ask.
— Is everything okay in there?
— Yes.
— Malia? Is everything okay? — Eduardo answers.
— Yes, sorry to bother you.
— Don't apologize. You can call me whenever you want. Did something happen? Do you need something?
— It's just that you didn't tell me how much I should spend when you gave me the card.
— As much as you want, little one.
— It's just that things here are expensive; I don't want to overdo it and spend everything you gave me.
— Malia, to spend everything, you would at the very least have to buy about two houses in this area. — He says. — We are married now—me with you, and you with me and all my millions.