Ayshe.
~
We bought enough stuff to feed the whole of Konore and their plus ones.
It was a ludicrous amount, but Marie's card never failed to clear it.
She even left a large tip for the department workers carrying our bags to the cars.
I bet she just wanted Lilly and Henny impressed, but then I remembered my own balance.. and the amount of stuff she technically paid and quickly forgive her vanity.
Asin and Oliver were walking inside when the car came through the gates.
" Oh .. isn't that your husband's best man? Oliver, something? "
I didn't like Henny's question or interest.
" He is like a brother to him. Oliver Aster, aspiring lawyer. " Marie explained.
The boys noticed us and walked back towards the cars slowly.
" Well, well, well.. " Henny shared a smile with Lilly.
I felt my stomach rumbling, and it was as if I was attacked..
" Welcome, beautiful.. Good day? "
Marie thrown herself at Asin, almost taking him down.
Oliver walked forward and gave me a small nod and introduced himself to the girls.
I was watching their interactions, but he showed no lick of interest towards the two.
We walked after the couple since they didn't wait for no man. Oliver was politely answering their questions.
" You and Asin go way back, huh? "
" Yes .. 14 years almost. "
" So you pretty much inseparable. "
" In a healthy way.. sure. "
I smiled from the side, seeing his hidden frustration mount.
" Being a lawyer must be fascinating. "
Bingo!
Henny took the first steps, complimenting known boring work and .. she started playing with her hair..
Cliché.
Asin lifted Marie up like a princess and ran ahead, her screams echoed through the estate.
" This place is something, huh? "
Lilly walked beside me .. I see you leave Oliver to Henny. What a friend I snorted on the inside.
" Yes .. they own all that as well? " I pointed over the horizon.
" As in .. the houses and even the beach? " She asked, looking stunned.
" Yeah .. so .. them. What's up with that? "
I asked, nodding towards Henny and Oliver.
" She kinda liked him .. but you two seemed like you were getting close .. but since nothing happened.."
She ended there.
" Right ."
" You mad? "
I was.
" No .. Good luck with that. "
Henny was as compatible with him as a used pair of garden gloves, so I wasn't really worried.
~
As the girls were taken by assigned maids to their respective rooms, we all settled at my sisters.
" Did you get something nice? "
" .. maybe."
I wish I had headphones. They were more syrupy than ever, and my gut told me they were talking about something indecent.
Oliver was on his laptop out on the balcony. How easy it would be if we didn't have that fight? Just beside him, ask about his problems and help ..
Henny would've been crying by now, not choosing outfits with him in mind.
Asin words kept ringing in my head. As if he foresaw something like that.
" .. Let's get rid of them! " Asin spoke up
Marie put her hand to shut him up their routine was now as natural as the air we were breathing.
By the time the maids showed Henny and Lilly their room, I was happy someone else was here to share this.
" Brother Asin? "
Lilly was trying to gain his attention.
" Hmm .." He looked up
They both stopped in front of their chair.
" We just wanted to thank you.. for the first class tickets and .. you know a career. Seriously.. thanks. "
Henny did a little nod following Lilly words.
" Oh .. yeah, don't worry. I mean, you can just pay it back in instalments or something. " He shrugged.
Seeing the colour leaving their faces was pretty funny.
" Stop .. girls, he just thinks he is funny. You are welcome. Right, babe? "
" What is it with you? I just said ..ouch! "
She reached inside his shirt and pulled the skin on his stomach until he gave in.
" Glad to have you girls, I hope we can get along. "
Marie smiled proudly and looked at her girlfriends, who had a renewed respect in their eyes for her.
Asin took the momentarily silence and caused some chaos.
" Ohh, Oliver! .. come inside and join us. Have you met my friend? "
He asked them as if he didn't know.
The girls introduced themselves again .. Oliver shook their hands a little confused.
He took a seat next to me on the couch, and girls sat down as well.
There were a few seconds of silence.
" This is nice! .. isn't this nice? Oliver? " Asin asked.
" .. it's nice. " He nodded.
I caught an evil glint in my brother in laws eyes.
I know what you are doing!
He whispered something to Marie.. she rolled her eyes in response and whispered something back.
" Henny dear.. you mentioned an interest in marketing? "
" Umm .. yes. " She agreed.
" Well, my brother here just happens to be looking for someone in your field. " He pointed at Oliver. " .. what are the odds? "
Henny sly as she took the opportunity and globed on him.
Marie shot me an apologetic look .. but her loyalty was long lost.
Seeing them talk about some recruitment projects they worked on, I saw a real danger there.
Asin was watching me like a hawk.
Damn you and your antics.
As Lilly and Asin joined them .. like they were interested.
Marie and I went to the balcony.
" You okay? " She asked after closing the door.
" I'm.. seriously considering that your husband is setting our entire life up for us. "
" Well .. " Marie shrugged.
She accepted already from the looks of it.
I took a few calming breaths. The ocean air was the same as back home.
" I'm fine.. he was right. " I admitted.
" Yeah .. so what now? "
I was at a loss .. a simple apology wouldn't fix this.
" Maybe I can ask him out on our next date? "
" No! "
Marie's shout even alerted the people inside.
" I mean .. it's a bad idea. I'm not sure if he was joking, but Asin told me something. "
" Told what? " I asked.
" Please .. not everything he says will be shared, dear one. " She patted my head. " Let it be enough. That is a bad idea. Also .. were you ever thought about asking a guy to marry you? "
" Why would I think that!? That's his job .. "
" No reason.. but good and don't. "
" I hate that you will know more about him than me! "
She shrugged and showed her iceberg size ring. " Sweetheart.. he is my brother in law. "
Asin.
I took a look and contemplated dropping my pride completely and asking him for help.
I mean.. he is his brother.
——
Asin.
~
Lord God marketing is as boring as law was.
I kept cheking on that girl Lilly, but she seemed genuinely interested.. or top-class actress.
Oh dear, Ayshe.. you thought I'm just going to leave my brother in some limbo while you waited for something. I know it won't happen?
Oliver was as interested in her as I was, but it worked triggering Ayshe's jealousy.
I long checked out of their conversation just sometimes, made some audibles so as not to look like I had died already.
I called down and found out Dede will be missing dinner, meaning we can as well.
" Dinner is cancelled. Let eat out tonight. "
Those inside were on board, so I knocked and told my wife as well.
" Can we go sail out? You owe me a dinner on the water. "
She walked into my arms.
" Of course we can. This time, I won't pull a James Bond and finish dinner first. "
She grabbed my face, smushing it.
" Leave and forget about any kind of fishes understand."
She riled me up earlier teasing with colours and such.. I wasn't going ruin tonight even if I could nail myself on that boat.
" Yes, captain. "
~
" This is wild! Hello! Hii .. "
Her girlfriends loved the yacht and even initiated some communications with others on the waters.
Marie made us all change and wear something elegant tonight.
I .. I don't know why she does things.
The deck was designed with dinners in mind, and I even had live music.
So far, Marie spent every other minute pointing out the violinist faults .. improper technique and such.
That was money well spent.
Ayshe and Oliver .. were as neutral as any two human beings ever were in history.
Talked to like to ambassadors with each other.
I played with the outline of my wife's dress to see if I could feel .. my present.
She noticed my strategic touches and shaped my hand away.
The girls came back and took their seat back.
" Sorry about this, brother Asin, this yacht is like a dream. What's her name? "
" Thanks, Lilly.. she doesn't have one."
The girls all stopped and looked at me.
" Why not? " asked Marie.
" ..It doesn't need one to function. "
She rolled her eyes. The nerve.
" So what? People name their boats.. look. "
She stood up and walked to the side and soon pointed out one that was visible.
" See.. the BetyLou.. it's not rocket science. "
I almost said something that could ruin my chances for tonight, but luckily, I caught myself.
" Why don't you name it dear. "
I honestly didn't care.
" Can I actually name it .. can you name it? "
" He can .. that's why it doesn't have one. "
Oliver answered her.
They were all waiting for an explanation.
" Oh, I don't name things .. because I'm not a douche bag. "
I received a plethora of noises from them all trying to explain the reason why people named things.
" May I remind you, dear, that you already have the right? Go name it whatever you want. "
At least this stopped the momentum of the girls and let me eat.
Maybe bringing her girlfriends here was a mistake, tripled the number of questions coming at me.
" I decided to name it later. This is a big task. "
" Huge .. " I agreed.
" Okay, we done. How's the food? " She asked.
" How's soup? Babe, we can't waste our golden topics like what soup is like.. what are we going to talk about when we are old? "
Realised if I teased her enough, she usually becomes silent for a while.. it seems like she has done it as punishment.
But she didn't understand her audience yet.
" .. Asin was there at school. "
I heard my name and paid attention.
" I know .. his online information is extensive.. so is yours. " Henny smiled.
" Is that so? I'm not as interesting. " Oliver shrugged.
Seemed like she was a fighter.
Not as if I wanted them to end up together, just wanted to drag him out of his lonely mindset and have some fun.. and there wasn't many historical rocks we can draw dicks on for fun.
" Are there .. rooms on this yacht? "
I almost chocked on my food but did manage to nod hearing Marie's question.
She gave me a nice smile and went back to her plate and conversation with Lilly.
Oh great ancestors..
~
I finished my food like I was starving and listened and even pretended to be interested in their stories.
Until it was too late.
" We might as well spend the night out. We sailed out quite a bit. "
It was the truth, I texted the captain to head towards Fiji until we stopped seeing our own shores.
" Marie how many can say they slept on the ocean? And not shipwrecked? " asked Henny.
The girls had a few cocktails and been dancing for a while.
Oliver and Ayshe disappeared as well. I hope they won't burn the yacht down on us.
I asked some deckhand to them to the rooms and took Marie towards ours.
" Are you trying to .. seduce me Mr Martell? "
Boy .. she had a nice pungent smell.
" Who wouldn't.. you sure enjoyed your self. "
I put her down the bed.
" Hmm .. what a night my husband..and we only just..we only..
ZzZzZz
I had to stop myself from tearing my own hair out.
" Oh Marie .. oh my luck. "
I saw her on the bed .. maybe I can take a peak? Just to see ..
No.. can't turn into some creep.
I took off her uncomfortable high heels and covered her shoulders with the blanket.
" You shouldn't drink sweetheart.. maybe you have narcolepsy? Hmm ? "
She groaned a little and put her arm around my stomach.
Great ..
I made myself comfortable as much as this awkward position allowed me and watched her sleep.
As she unconsciously pulled me closer I couldn't help but smile..
You have fallen in love like an idiot .. haven't you Asin?
——
Oliver.
~
The idea was good.
Falling in love with the little sister of my best friend wife.
When we go to places we would go together, having an ally who saw my real self and accepted it.
It didn't happen.
Now all the sounds of happiness from behind me might as came from a different country.
" She couldn't accept you .. "
The ocean was a good listener.
I heard footsteps and I thought Asin found me or worst that chick Henny and her unending flattery.
Seeing Ayshe coming down the stairs was mesmerising.
The moonlight behind her blinded me.
" You have space for one more? "
" Always. "
I turned around and rubbed my eyes seeing stars for a while.
She arrived next to me and leaned over the rail.
" .. No ninjas. "
The memory resurfaced and I couldn't hold back a laugh.
Ayshe looked most beautiful when smiling.
" Kol is a character from a cartoon. The janitor. "
" The what? "
I told her about today, couldn't help myself and told her everything that happened since I woke up.
" .. you have some chip inside you? "
I pointed at my left arm. " Right here.. you can feel the it. "
My heart skipped a beat when she reached out and touched where my finger pointed.
" ..Oh my God. I can feel it. You guys are insane.. James Bond insane. " She laughed.
Well today proved.. everyone is insane. Not one person objected but all cried and required quality pain killers.
" .. We have to get ahead of that traitor. "
" What will happen to him? "
I froze hearing the shadows of her voice that lead us here. Apart.
" Ayshe.. please don't ask questions you don't want the answer too. "
I looked out into the dark water and felt as if I was pulled inside. How can you aspect anyone to be okay with such thing?
But what else .. we pull the bastard apart and burn the remains.
We didn't have the luxury to allow such people walk around this planet knowing what they do .. and ..
I felt a soft hand on arm. " I'm sorry .. for what I said .. how I said it. Forgive me. "
Those words were sweet .. and it reached my very heart but ..
" Even if I erase every single memory of that night, it won't change.. me .. you or the very life I choose to live. You know that right? "
" Oliver .. you do know I worry about your future because I plan to be a part of it, right? "
I turned to her and took her hand.
" It's not enough.. Ayshe.. I am who am .. the real question is, can you accept me as is? "
She had tears in her eyes, I hated that I caused them.
" I came because I want to. You .. I want you."
She touched my face and I never felt anything more intense or exhilarating in my entire life.
No feeling equalled it .. until our lips touched.
Turns out the moon came out just for us that night.
——
Marie.
~
Waking to the sounds of seagulls wasn't as annoying as chirping birds.
The sounds of waves mixed with it actually made it somewhat pleasant.
I opened my eyes and saw the mid section of my husband.
He feel asleep with his back towards the wall of our room.
I locked him place all night? Why didn't he moved me?
I got up carefully and the memories from last night came rushing back.
" Oh Marie .. Oh! "
I wanted to do something special for him and ended up driking to much like some idiot who never touched a drop.
I pulled the blanket over him and left the room. Couldn't face him immediately after last night shame still fresh in my memories.
I walked up the stairs onto the deck.
The ocean was covered with a thin layer of fog. It was super cool.
The crew was already up and working on breakfast preparations.
" Pardon .. have you seen my sister? "
I asked the closest to me since I haven't seen her .. I don't even know how long.
The girl not much older than me turned red as tomato.
" Lady Ayshe is .. with Mr Aster. "
She walked away quickly and I stood there .. God knows how long.
With a mixture of shock and happiness I took a seat and took the tea offered to me.
Ayshe.. you are sure something.
Just as I turned my head she appeared wearing a long shirt .. Olivers.
" Oh my God.. "
She saw me and sat down without shame.
" Any toast? "
Oh my God..
——
Asin.
~
My back was blaming me for ever single bad thing that ever happened to humanity.
That's my first thought waking up?
Rich people should be happy.. what a load of crap.
I got out of the otherwise comfortable bed and did some morning stretching.
Checked phone, took a shower, changed, checked phone again, used phone to ask captain where are we.
We were actually close. Less than hour from the mainland.
Found everyone at the breakfast table.
Before I could even say good morning, Oliver came over and hugged me.
" Thank you brother. " He squeezed me.
" Yes. Your welcome. " I patted his back.
Why turn away a perfect fine thanks?
He separated and I saw the rest of the table.
Marie was red as a beet. Lilly waving, Henny sour ..
Ayshe was wearing an ill fitting shirt ..
I turned back to his furious nodding.
We embraces again now with full understanding.
" I'm happy for you. "
I knew how much this particular issue has been plaguing him since years ago.
Glad he found someone who accepted him.
I walked over and gave a hug to my sister in law.
" You can thank me later. "
" I suppose .. " She sighed.
With new and improved mood I sat down to my mute of wife.
She was unresponsive.
" What is this, what's happening? " I pointed at her.
Not until the other two started giggling and Ayshe trying her best to disappear.. when I understood.
Well at least someone got lucky last night.
~
It was a mixed bag of a feeling.
On the one hand my brother was over the moon happy and it showed.
Good feelings.
Ayshe and him were inseparable, constantly bombarded with questions by Lilly .. Henny did her best to show pride, all in all she handled a difficult situation with grace.
On the other ..
I looked at my sad lump of a wife.
Left me with this..
Bad feelings.
She sometimes looked at me only to turn away embarrassed and awkward.
The way things were going I'm gonna have to apologise for not having sex.
" Let us celebrate our anniversary on the ocean. " Ayshe turned to her new boyfriend.
" Let's.. "
He was a simp in love.
Seeing them happy did make me smile.
I felt someone poking me.
Marie was child disguised as an adult woman.
" Yes dear? "
She changed her mind and turned away.
I looked up and accepted reality. My wife is nut bag who I fell in love with.
What are the chances I actually marry a crazy girl? The numbers gotta be low.
We docked and left the still unnamed vessel.
I walked ahead only to be bumped.
Went to check in with security.. and I got bumped.
Maids letting me know where everyone is..
Yeah I got bumped from behind AGAIN.
Marie was clinging to me like a bad smell since we got off that damn yacht.
I need to fix this.