Chapter 29

"It is amazing." I tilt my phone so that Kelly can also have a look at the largest lake in the continent. When Quinn suggested booking a hotel I thought he meant just the ordinary hotel. He chooses quite unexpected 'hotel'. It is a village with unorthodox huts that are perfectly thatched with papyrus reeds. "Oh my, it is crazy. Now I regret not tagging along." Kelly laments. "It is." I agree as I marvel at the beauty. I am a nature freak. I can choose to live in an isolated forest to living in crowded cities. "Move your big head, I want to see what is behind you," Kelly says and I smile. I tilt my head to the side and hold my phone properly. "My, my, my...." I hear her say and I swivel my head to see what has made her so excited. Andre. My mood automatically dampen. I still feel betrayed. He stops in front of me. "Hi, Kelly. "He waves to my phone. " He knows my name?" She shrills. "Hi, sugar?" She answers seductively. "Can we talk?" He is forward. I turn to my phone, "I will call you later." Kelly starts to protest but I am quick to end the call. "I know you feel betrayed, nothing can justify why I wasn't honest with you. I am sorry. I don't know how to redeem myself but I will try." He acknowledges his mistake. His apology softens my hurt but my ego remains with a sting of bitterness. Apart of me wants to hold on to the resentment, it is easy, it motivates, it is an excuse and it will justify my future actions towards him. "It is okay." I choose the hard way. I forgive. He is about to walk away before I can make my request. " I forgive you. You were a kid just like me however there must have been a good reason why your mother kept that information hidden, I know she hasn't fully recovered and she can't see visitors. I want to talk to her." I say. He swallows nervously as he studies me. We are alike, we don't easily trust. For someone who has lived manipulating people to survive we both know there is no compromise on trust. You breach even with the best of intentions. You turn into a foe. If they can betrayal you, they will do it again for the same reason. I turn to find Andre intensely staring at me. I know he is trying to evaluate my motive. I remain indifferent. He finally breaths, "I'll do that." Internally I feel like a winner. I try not to show it on my face. "Your boyfriend is walking towards. I still don't know why you brought him. Can you trust him?" He asks. I shake my head, "Not one bit. People don't just forgive that easily after everything I have done to him." I confess. I hear Quinn's footsteps get closer. "Talking about me?" He asks as he draws in more closely. I roll my eyes, "You wish." I say. "Nickel," Andre mutters irritably. "Wayne," Quinn says with the same attitude. "I'll see you later," Andre tells me. "I just ordered the chef to prepare fish and some stake for us," Quinn says, though I can tell he doesn't care if Andre agrees or not. "I don't eat food paid by a fellow man." He changes his attention to me, "I'm going for a walk along the beach." It is getting darker. "Be careful, I have heard the crocodiles have been attacking people recently, we wouldn't want to miss you." He sarcastically replies. Andre ignores him and squeezes his way between us. "This way, my lady." Quinn attempts to be funny. I don't say anything I allow him to lead. I walk behind him checking him out. "like what you see?" He asks without turning. "I have already a share of it." I try to sound uninterested. "It is not a piece of the pie, it can't be finished. It gets more juicy and delicious the more it is used." He tries to make a sexual joke which he fails. The guy has no sense of humour. As we get closer I see a table set for two, it is near the beach. There are flowers on the table... Wait, Candles? Why are there candles? "Is this a date?" I ask Quinn. He almost trips and turns to me. "What? No! I just hate having to eat on a plain table. That will be a wasted view of such beautiful scenery." "So the solution is set up a table in a romantic way?" I ask. "Romantic? I am not delusional, I'm pragmatic." He emphasizes each word. He must hate romance. On my part, I am not sure I like it or hate. Never experienced it. I lift my hands, "Okay Mr arrogant." He starts to walk and I follow. "I am not arrogant or egotistical. I am practical. Romance is for beta men. You romance a woman and she will be screwing another dude behind your back." He pushes a seat when I think it was meant for me I am quickly disappointed as he seats on it. I move to the other end and sit. "That is not always the case, people are going to be who they want to be whether you bring heaven to them or not. It has nothing to do with romance." He tips his nose with disregard, "Those are all sediments and then there is the fact." He declares. The chef arrives with three waiters, one lady and two men. They are carrying our orders. As the chef talks to Quinn, I take my eyes for a tour. I have been told that there are two Islands nearby which I would love to visit before we leave the place. I am drawn back by Quinn's complain. The stake wasn't prepared to his satisfaction. "Sorry for the mix-up sir, your stake will be cooked to your desire." The chef apologizes. The stake was prepared to medium rear which Quinn termed it as raw and poisonous. I agree with him, meat should be cooked until there's no blood on it. The chef leaves with the waiters. The fish is ready and it looks delicious although I am dying to revive our earlier conversation. It is a controversial issue and I love to listen to all of his opinions. I lift my head to Quinn and I can see there is no chance of going back to that. It was a small talk to him and the opportunity is gone. "How did you know of this place?" I ask. "I once tried to elope with Misha and we landed here." If I knew the answer I would not have asked. However, he rarely talks about Misha and today seems like he is ready to talk about anything. "Can you tell me more about her?" I ask. "What exactly do you want to know?" He asks. "Everything," I say.