The sound of waves was soothing, and the smell of the sea air was too. I was beginning to see why this isolation had its perks.
I’ve been so cluttered ever since my breakdown hours ago, but the silence helped as well as being alone. Ares hadn’t come to the room, and I was grateful he didn’t because I couldn’t bear the sight of him right now.
The sudden clatter made me sit up quickly. "Ares?"
It had to be him lurking around.
I got off my bed and grabbed my robe. I slid the door open and stepped out, that noise getting louder.
"Quick now, and be quiet with that."
"Okay, mama."
Mama?
"Quiet! Madam may be sleeping and—" The woman paused her words when she saw me.
There was a little girl next to her holding the cutlery. I think they were in the middle of arranging dinner.
"H-Hi..." I waved with a smile on my lips.
"Oh, madam, I’m so sorry. We woke you up! I told you to be quiet."
"I was quiet, Mama!"
"It’s okay, really. I’m glad you did." I came closer.
I was already losing my mind thinking I was trapped here alone with Ares. It was nice to see different faces.
"We will be quick, and then we leave."
"No, no! Really.. just..." I sighed, a sad smile taking over my lips. "I don’t wanna be alone right now."
"Mr. King?"
"He um left for something, and I’m bored so..." I pulled out a chair to sit. "Please."
"We shouldn’t—"
"Please."
The two of them shared a look before they sat down, and the little girl reached for the bread.
"Sandra!"
"It’s alright..." I said, pushing the bread closer, and she smiled at me.
"She has stuffed her stomach, already. There is no space anymore."
I giggled. "Is that so?"
She blushed.
"Ah, where are my manners? Your names?" I asked.
"Oh, sorry, I’m Lily, and this is my daughter Sandra."
"You live here?"
"Yes, just over to the main Isle, but here we don’t. We just work here, cook, and clean whenever Mr. King comes."
"Whenever Mr. King comes?" I blinked.
This wasn’t his first time here? A twisted feeling found me. Did he come here with Naomi?
"Yes... Mr. King always comes here every year for um..."
"Vacation?"
"Yes, yes! Vacation."
I found relief.
"He hired my family personally, and he had taken good care of us ever since. Sandra was still little then. We are forever grateful to him."
I never realized Ares went on a vacation. But now that I think about it, there were times I was given a few weeks off. He must have come here that time.
Was he never not alone?
He wasn’t sociable to begin with, and the only person he associated with was Athena. I can’t believe he comes here to be more alone.
"Although Mr. King has already come for this year, I was surprised when I got his call. He told me to make everything perfect, good meals are my thing," she kissed her fingers like that chef meme I saw once.
I giggled. "I can testify to that. They are really great."
"I could give you recipes. I’m sure Mr. King will be stunned when you give him something different."
"Y-Yeah..."
Except when I first cooked for him, pouring my heart and soul into it, he stood me up.
"I’m sure he will..." I added, drinking from the glass of juice.
"We made changes too. Completely transformed the place. Now I’m sure..."
"Sure about what?"
"Mr. King has a wife!"
I blushed. "R-Right..."
"You are fortunate, and I’m sure he will take good care of you." She leaned forward and took my hands. "I pray for you both to have a long, happy marriage, and a lot of children enough to bring warmth into your home."
I tried my best to fix my smile, but it was a difficult task. It became too heavy.
"T-Thank you..." I stuttered.
We talked for a while, and Sandra was really sweet. She kept calling me pretty and played with my hair a bit.
We had dinner together, and after we finished, I waved them goodbye as they got to their speedboat.
I can’t believe they go by sea just to come work here, but they were indigenes, so I figure they were used to that mode of transportation daily.
I played with the bracelet Sandra gave me; it was handwoven and matched the color of my hair. I’m never taking it off.
I walked back to the room, having no appetite to continue eating.
I eyed the lonely room, already missing Sandra and Lily. We talked for a little while, but their company was far more enjoyable.
I sighed, taking off my robe to reveal my bikini. I decided a swim under the moonlight was needed.
When I got there, I froze when I saw Ares sitting on the lounger, smoking.
He hadn’t seen me yet, so I took a step back in hiding. This was stupid. What was the point of it? Maybe I wasn’t mentally ready to see him.
Screw it.
Ares brought his cigar to his lips when his eyes connected with mine.
"Sandra and Lily are sweet..." I said, breaking the chilly silence before it had the chance to stay longer.
I wasn’t sure I was gonna get a response from him, and I didn’t hope for one.
There goes my swimming in peace.
"Goodnight."
"Stay."
I stopped in my tracks, facing him. "Stay?" I questioned. "Doesn’t the infamous Ares King want to be alone? That’s kinda your strong suit."
"Do you want to be alone?" he threw the question at me.
"Not with you..." I grumbled.
A ghostly smile flashed on his lips. "I wanted you to be alone with me, that’s why I brought you here. Like the glasshouse, this is a special place."
"That’s two times now. Two times, Ares King took me somewhere exclusive only to him. Is that supposed to make me feel special or something?"
"You’re not special, you’re rare."
"Terrifying..." I deadpanned. "Being something rare to the Devil."