The Secret Island

Celine came back to Martin's place around 7 PM. Once she arrived, the first thing she asked of him was for him to shower and dress well because she was taking him outside. She told him that she wanted to take him somewhere. She didn't tell him where no matter how many times he asked. Celine smiled at him tiredly. She must have a lot of work and responsibility to handle. He felt guilty for making her worried this morning, and the whole incident took some time out of her days. He really wanted her to rest a bit more.

Once Martin got in the car, he saw several bags in the backseat. He was a bit curious about its content but thought to pass it. His curiosity didn't matter. He kept quiet and asked about other things.

"How's your day? A lot of work to handle? Are you tired?" He turned to see that the woman in the driver's seat was smiling in answer.

"Seeing you are looking so contented today, I am not the least bit tired," Celine answered him. That smile he gave him was so cute, but he couldn't stop being worried about her. "But you had a lot of work today, I guess. Please take some time off." He suggested anxiously.

"I know, I know, but I haven't slept well for the past few days. I hope it will get better soon, though. I think I still have to work on my time management skill. I'm working on it."

We had small talks here and there, but nothing significant. Celine kept on driving, and his job seemed like just keeping the conversation going. Although a hurricane of emotions took place this morning, and both of us were crying and shaking just a few hours ago, today went on like any other day. Nothing was yet mentioned referring to what happened this morning. He liked it this way, though. What was necessary to be said was said. We accepted each other as is, she accepted him. as is, and our day went on like normal. He really liked it. To be a part of someone's normal is special to him.

Time passed as he talked about his observation of what he saw through the windows, and Celine smiled to laugh at some of his jokes. He was not usually familiar with the roads in London, but he remembered this path well.

"This is the way to your house, isn't it?"

"Yes...I'm starving." She gave him a cheeky smile and turned to look at the road.

"Aren't we usually going out for dinner at this time?"

"Martin, can you please look inside the bags in the backseat?"

Her voice was cheerful, and he did as he was told. When he opened the bags, he saw vegetables, fruits, some meats, pasta, and sauce.

Just like the old time... "Celine..."

"Let's go cook at my place. You don't have anything other than a microwave at your place. Not really a suitable place to cook, I think. Let's just cook something together, just like when we were on the island." ".... but I haven't cooked for years. I don't think I can cook well anyway. Can you just help do the cooking instead? I really don't think the food I make will be any good."

"Ohhh, no, no. We can just help each other cook. I'm not going to do it alone. If it is not delicious, then we can both take responsibility together. And besides, it's just the two of us having supper together. I don't think it will be a big deal. I always cook with some random ingredients, and it came out fine."

He lost confidence in his cooking skill, but at last, he thought he would try. She had her trust in him, even in this small issue.

Once we both got back to Celine's house, where she was living with her parents, he helped with taking all the bags inside. He looked around the large house and all its facilities. He still couldn't get used to feeling small when he walked around this place. He knew Celine was a billionaire's daughter, but she didn't really act like it, and he was proud of her for that. Her parents were also quite too humble and friendly for their accomplishments. They came to greet him as soon as he walked by before walking away. But when Martin was wearing an apron, he saw from the corner of his eyes that they were still looking at him from the living room. And that made him quite nervous. He bet Celine felt it, too. "You don't have to be worried about them, Martin. They are always interested in you and my romantic life. I bet they will walk here once they are bored with the TV program they are watching. Oh, they will tease me relentlessly. I also bet that they are thinking about what to tease me about." She said jokingly and hugged him from behind, not caring if her parents were looking. He felt like this was a flashback from the time we were on the island. And it was like the old time when he didn't know what to do with her advances. He didn't know where to put his hands. He kept thinking that her parents were looking at and seeing this scene. Oh, my...

Celine seemed to like her effect on him. She laughed and hugged him tighter.

"Your ears are turning red. That is cute."

"Celine...hmm...I don't think this is the time and place. I mean..." He didn't know how to explain that he didn't want her parents to see her hugging him in the kitchen like this.

Also, he didn't know how he could cook when his hands were shaking, and his face was hot. And how could he move around when she was hugging him this tight?

"No, I'm not going to get you to go easily. It took me years waiting until I have you here to hold like this, don't you know? I'm so not going to let you go easily. I've never felt this relief in a long time. It's been a long wait...." Celine said softly. Those words stunned him. That was unexpected.

"...."

"I just felt finally things have fallen into place."