Marie.
~
" They look so cute .. my sister looks great in yellow. "
I caught his sour expression and decided to stop obsessing over them.
" Sorry .. I know I'm preoccupied with .
" Marie .. " He interrupted. " .. sometimes, just stopping talking is an option as well. Take in the scenery for one .. "
He looked tired already, and the night only began.
I had to press my lips shut and let his advice at least seem like sinking in.
The place was like a dream. We used to watch videos online as others seldom shared their experiences. Even now .. not a single phone out.
Today, that was the rarest of sightings.
The people mostly in bikinis were swimming inside the circular bay illuminated light blue by a special kind of coral surrounding the walls all around.
I looked at Asin, who smiled, taking in the scene. Must've had a lot of happy memories.
" What are you thinking? " I asked.
" Remembering the year we found out about the price of this place. "
" What? You wanted yo buy Mardin Island? "
He shook his head and led me further down towards the water.
" I wanted to find out how much .. It turns out it's so much it makes your head spin. Those old men know exactly what they owning. "
He looked grumpy just thinking about it.
Hearing his stories made me think.. how much I would believe what I heard if not him telling me?
He lived quite a life. Survived quite a lot. What about my stories?
Normal.
I wondered if Ayshe ran into such problems.. or soon will. Our stories just didn't stack up.
Everything they did .. even things that they themselves think are mundane.. would be the story of a lifetime for a regular person.
Asin and Oliver did things only allowed to the super rich. Compared to them ..
" Marie, are you sleeping? "
I looked up, getting lost in my thoughts again, and saw that we had arrived.
In fact, the people around us immediately started stripping down and walking in the shallow water.
Now .. I have been working on this for all day.
Instead of waiting for them, I confidently stepped forward and took my dress off, unveiling my two piece I bought today.
Asin was very pleased.
For one, he stepped up so close to me our noses touched.
" Women, you want me to kill these people? "
He put his hands around my waist.
" You like it then? "
Instead of an answer, he kissed me. Our first real one since we arrived here.
We let the others do their best around us to get inside the water, and by the time we woke up, Ayshe and Oliver were walking in as well.
" How about we go and take a leisurely swim .. and do some honeymooning.. "
I liked his smile.
Our first night was off to a steamy start.
——
Ayshe.
~
The change in a man doesn't need to be substantial to affect the world. .. some man said that, I'm sure.
But Oliver was proving that saying single-handedly.
Since he cleared everything up with a single sentence, he continued to lead, and I felt com letting him.
We joined the hundreds of others in the bay. Thanks to its size, I didn't feel like being in a public swimming pool.
" They clean the water daily. Using tablets that dissolve. "
He read my mind and answered my question.
" You sure showing off this night. "
We stopped a little away from the other people, and I couldn't even see my sister and Asin.
" I felt like .. you were willing to take the lead if I was indecisive.. "
He smiled, pushing his wet hair out of his eyes, and his words made me think of poor Jenk.
With him, I got used to being the problem solver, the decision maker.
It was nice to let someone capable of taking the lead.
We were talking about everything. Managed to learn more about him, closing the gap I felt was between us.
I felt Asin can open up easily about .. what they been doing in shadows with Marie.
Being modern nobles by day, criminal masterminds at night.
" .. tell me something. Past loves. "
We were a few cocktails on and sat with our feet in the water.
" You first .. "
He finished his glass and signalled for another.
" Come on.. you know mine. Jenk.. he is the son of a Baker.. Good kid, I thought we were something. " I was honest. " .. until you arrive. "
His smile spread.
" No one else? "
" Don't be too surprised.. I was looked after by dad a lot .. town was afraid to talk to me. Plus .. I wanted to stay away from such silliness and concentrate on school. "
School.. haven't picked up a book since we arrived here. I suppose .. living in the Martell mansion did steal my focus.
" Anyway .. " I shook my head. " .. I told you all that unless you are interested in kindergarten and right after. "
He lifted his glass as if to toast me.
" Very well.. my list is similarly unimpressive.. " He looked at the water, and his smile died. " .. Just one, really. Desiree. We been together when we were kids .. ended bad. The end. "
He seemed to be finished.. and I felt an annoying feeling creeping up my spine.
She was significant. He might say kids .. but it left a mark on him.
Well, I suppose the previous ex 's talk was a little early.
The appearance of Asin and Marie saved us from any awkward silence.
" I had enough magic water .. and Marie is getting tired. " He pointed at my sister.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
" W-what are you..
He pulled her closer and shut her up with a kiss.
As usual, we turned away.. lately, they have been caring less about privacy. Maybe love should be like that.
" You are tired.. and so am I. "
" .. As you say. "
Their smiles told me they had a thing .. probably some indecent role-playing or something.
Their romantic, bright pink atmosphere made my earlier blunder with the question stand out even more.
Felt a little better thinking the day Marie will ask him ..
~
On our way home, my fears slowly melted away when he intertwined his hand with mine.
" Sorry about earlier.. I got some bad memories.. Drinking didn't help. " He smiled apologetically.
Desiree .. I only knew the bitch first name. Probably won't be that hard to find her with social media and them having a well documented one.
" Don't worry. I just didn't know you had such a .. relationship. "
" Well we look more wild, plus all the nonsense circling online.. but as far as anything real? Not a lot. "
I squeezed his hand letting him know it was all in the past. We got to the walkway toward the house.
" I'm starving.. " He spoke up suddenly.
I felt my stomach rumbling soon as he said it but then his phone rang.
" Sorry .. it's Leyla. "
He walked a little away and I joined the couple ahead.
They had a few drinks as well.
" ..Asin..Asin!. " my sister noticed me first and stopped his slobbering husband. " .. Ayshe. Hello. "
" Hello Marie .. you guys can barely walk. "
" Where did ..
" Oliver got a call, from his assistant Leyla. "
Still we envied her just a few weeks ago, even though she turned out to be so much cooler than we originally thought.
" Have you ever did volunteering dear sister in law? "
Where did that come from?
Before I could answer Oliver returned he looked concerned.
" Asin .. Old Ivan wants to reach you. "
His goofy personality disappeared hearing that and checked his phone.
" He didn't call me .. " He looked up.
" He wouldn't.. the 9th burned. No lines, it's some police lock down. He at a safe .. "
Asin walked away and Oliver followed.
" What happened? " Marie turned to me.
I was lost as she was but I was certain it was something bad.
——
Oliver.
~
" ..are you sure? " I asked.
" Just let Leyla know I'm coming in a few hours. Talk to the crew to abandon ship and into hiding.. someone might talked or ..
" I know .. calm down. He and Aunt Krista are fine, they all are, at the sanctuary.. the plan worked fine. We be there ..
He shook his head. " Not we, brother.. you need to stay with Ayshe, talk to the staff and cover for me to my parents .. We be back tomorrow morning. "
" You mean .. "
He smiled dispite the circumstances.
" Yeah.. I take Marie to meet her other family. "
That held more meaning that she will understand.
We walked back to the girls huddle together.
" Alright don't worry .. I keep in touch if anything changes and have people waiting when you land, scrape the flight records etc. "
" Thank you.. Marie? "
She came up to him and they walked away.
" W-what is happening? The police caught you, what part is burning? "
Ayshe was on edge.
" Calm down.. " I lead her inside the house.
" No seriously! You guys okay? "
We walked inside the dinning room and took a seat.
" It's fine. I mean the 9th is raided .. but we anticipated this ages ago and made plans to save our people. Asin need to see Old Ivan and will take Marie ..
" We should go as well if you need to be ..
" Calm down .. " I pushed her back down the chair. " They be back by tomorrow morning. But we need to stay for the staff.. so they don't call his parents. "
She listened and her mood gradually improved. I guess in her tipsy state coupled with fantasies she had since .. got involved in our business made her worry.
Soon Asin and Marie came in new clothes and a small handbag in his hand.
" I go and talk to Henry tell him we spend the night at the lagoon, and be have breakfast here .. you guys good? "
Ayshe nodded and went to her sister.
" You going as well. Had a lot to drink ..
She smiled looking sober as they come, stopping her sister worries.
" We sleep on the plane there and back as well.. this is important. "
Her summary made Asin happy.
With Asyhe convinced they left.
We were left alone .. and I was busy.
" Want to help me? .. with the business? "
She was shocked but nodded immediately.
I wasn't going to involve her deeply in anything but .. didn't wanna leave her alone.
Neither of us will sleep until they come back.
——
Asin.
~
We were on the plane and in the air in an hour.
Looking at the clouds I remembered fondly how quickly Marie understood my jumbled up mess of a words and somehow made sense of it.
How smoothly she transitioned from confused young women to a dutiful wife in a matter of minutes.
" I'm little nervous.. meeting them. "
" They will love you. Can you cook? " I asked.
She was pacing around our seat.
" Where did that came from? " She narrowed her eyes.
" My Aunt Krista will make sure you learn. "
She sat down grabbing my knee.
" Why assume I'm a bad cook? Maybe I'm natural talent. "
I ripped my flesh away. " God .. you know, this violence streak got to end sometime .. "
She made a face at me but did rub it gently where she hurt earlier.
" You told me they're important .. and I bet they're just as fanatic about you .. probably scrutinise the women you marry. "
" Stop .. all people love me. "
I teased looking ahead dead eyed. She tried to attack.. clumsy but tenacious.
After she lost steam I took her hand.
" Come .. we have almost 3 hours. Get some sleep over there. "
I pointed at the room behind us.
" But I have so many questions.. "
Lord no ..
I pulled and dragged her to the bed.
" It's surreal.. a bed among the clouds. " She whispered giggling.
" You such a dork. "
I pulled her close enough to feel her breathing on my face, slept better like this ..
" You feel okay? .. worried? "
I did. But Oliver was right, he was paranoid about safety and made several plans of escape in case the police caught on Old Ivan's trail.
" You always worry. Not just for them, we responsible for a lot of people's well being.. have a lot to live up to. "
Old Ivan trusted us with his family and prestige he built over 40 years. He done his job for those looking for his protection twice as long I've been alive.
Pressure.
" You doing fine.. I see how much you care, those people you worry about love you, look at he lengths you willing to go. "
I enjoyed her smell and warmth. Her word were like that cold cream the doctors used on burns.
Relief.
" Thanks for coming with me. "
She kissed my lips so soft as if she was afraid to break it.
" You're welcome. "
We got comfortable and the sounds the aircraft made 10 km in the air lulled us to a short but satisfying sleep.
~
Oliver called the second we landed and told me about what he found out.
They called it a random raid on the slumps called the 9th ward surrounding the city.
More and more people called for them to be eradicated, never mind the 300 Thousand people living there.
To my surprise Kol was the head of the team sent to take us to the sanctuary.
" Kol how are our people? "
I asked getting inside the bus.
" Hunkered down, most won't even move for a couple of days. Oliver informed me about everything, don't worry.. sister in law. "
He closed the door and told everyone what frequency to use.
I was surprised. The idiot art destroyer was nowhere to be seen. I guess Oliver did us a favour that night..
" Is that the ninja from the boat? " asked Maire.
" The what? "
She retold the night they captured Oliver like a small trapped animal.
" .. Oh yes. But that's personal preference we not ninjas..
" I seen an awful lot of your people that night .. you guys sure like the colour black. " She looked sideways.
" Who doesn't.. ninjas got nothing.. w-what am I doing. Getting into silly arguments with you all day. "
It was true and was ironic how my wife, 4 years my senior was making me more of a child with each passing day.
We landed at the closest airport but we still needed an hour to get there.
" What kind of place this sanctuary is? " asked Marie
" Oliver saw the idea in an old movie. Bought a plot of land .. way outside the city. Built a lot of low cost houses, playground for the children.. planned more but my wedding happened. "
" Sounds like a nice place .. have many made there safely? "
" I don't know .. " I looked outside. " Those like Old Ivan, who they wouldn't let go if caught .. whoever they could save. "
She squeezed my hand.
" They're lucky to have you. "
I smiled thinking, I'm the lucky one.
——
Marie.
~
I felt more nervous when meeting his parents.
He told me little about them .. but the way he told it, I could tell how much he cared.
The sanctuary was placed on inside a forest on the outskirts of town.
I asked Asin but he said the forest just happened to came with the land.
The houses were built on a large clearing, it was more like a cartoon hideaway for a princess than a hideout for refugees.
Asin was immediately let out a nervous breath his been holding probably since he heard the news, seeing the people running out of the houses.
We arrived in the middle of the night but considering what these people been through recently it was understandable they were wide awake.
They're were quite a few children amongst them, a bunch of people with distrust in their eyes seeing me but more importantly looked extremely happy seeing Asin.
The people immediately surrounded him asking all kind of questions, others were upset about what happened and wanted revenge, many just wanted to thank him since he was here.
It was all very overwhelming, made me remember the pressure he spoke off on the plane.. how can keep smiling in such situations?
" Enough! .. Let us pass. "
A set of dark brown twin brothers made way for an elderly couple.
They must be ..
" Old man! "
Asin saw them coming and ran to close the distance. They embraced him as their own son.
" Alright already.. " the man was patting his back. " .. everybody's fine kid. "
He let him go only for him to lift the woman .. but quickly put her down when she sounded hurt.
I made my way beside him.
" Auntie Krista.. w-what's wrong? "
The woman was tiny .. but with an adorable smile.
One of the twins stepped forward to answer for her.
" Boss she was injured during the gateway .. it was my ..
( SLAP! )
Asin stepped forward and landed full palm slap on the man's face who took the hit and landed with whimper on the ground.
The lady in front of me walked forward.
" Son listen..
" Auntie please! .. "
Asin lifted his hand and she was taken away by her husband who shook his head.
The man in the meantime got up on his feet but didn't meet Asin's eyes.
He was so mad, he was frozen in decision between keep swinging or not.
" Listen I'm sorry I hit you brother obviously you done your best but .. NEVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN! "
" Boss ..
" SHUT UP! "
He grabbed him and I before I thought about it I was holding his arm. " Please my love, let's not .. "
He was shocked as if forgot I was here but did let the man go, who scurried back to his brother.
Aunt Krista came as well.
" Oyy.. come on .. let's go inside. I'm fine as you can see it.. albeit slower. "
He smiled and let himself be led inside one of the two storey house.
" I don't think that was needed dear .. " The Auntie lamented.
" Please .. I bury them in the ocean at the next mistake God be my witness.. Ouch! "
She didn't hold back and managed to grab his earlobe. She was much more agile than she looked.
" Here you! .. who taught you to take the Lord name in vain? Look at you .. "
It was the first time I saw him without a clever comeback or snappy one liner. Just kept looking at the ground.
He looked like an actual real boy.
This lady here was the answer. I wanted to introduce myself immediately.
" My name is Marie Auntie.. Marie Martell. "
She looked up and down on me.
" Hmm .. yes. Welcome. "
She was colder than an ice shower.
Asin woke up and cleared his throat while the older man watched us smiling.
Aunt Krista changed her demeanour on a dime.
" Welcome here, daughter.. come in. "
I had a feeling his second family won't be as easy to win over as the first one was.