Work today also went by with ease, with also quite a few people commenting on how they're enjoying the change from watching someone else bond with water to they themselves feeling and learning how to sense it. I did, however, get spoken to for being in the children's section in the morning and ruining the peace. But that didn't bother me much knowing what I know now, it's true, I shouldn't have jumped in and wrapped myself around all those children like that, it would've looked terrifying to every parent involved, and for the kids too.
But now that I've finished work, I have to deal with Gene, who I can actively see waiting for me outside the building as I peek through a crack in the door. I've completed my cleaning duties and the Guide has since left me to lock up.
There's no way out of this unless I leap out the back window, which is placed right above the ocean.
If there are cameras back there then that's definitely not 'laying low' and since Gene is related to the owner, he'll easily be able to find out that I was avoiding him.
Why the hell would they have cameras overlooking the ocean? There's no way for someone to climb in through the window, only out.
Fuck it, I'm risking it.
I unbolt the back window, tying the back of my uniform tight so as not to get knotted within the fabric and drown, push out the pane, and climb through with a soft grunt and a much heavier splash. A belly flop if you would.
I twist and turn in the water, writhing in pain until it makes me numb and I begin to float.
The stars are glistening tonight and are plentiful. They sparkle and shine, like the spirits are conversing with one another and I'm just another lucky witness. Immersed in their beauty, I begin kicking slowly around the back, keeping close to the walls, floating all the way to the nearest beach.
Where Gene is waiting for me.
Smoothie in hand, still smiling down at me, like my escape was adorable.
"How'd you know I was here?" I ask, voice low, sitting within the gentle waves as he remains on the dry land.
"Well, when you hear a massive splash coming from behind a building that you know sits over an ocean, and you're aware there's only one person in said building, you tend to connect the dots." He kneels down and hands me the smoothie in a cardboard cup, I take a sip, strawberry banana. "Were you that nervous to go on a little walk? Or were you just that eager to swim?"
I sigh, keeping the smoothie away from the water, "I just wanted to lay low for the first little while, learn to blend in, feel like I'm just one of the locals, and, well-" I take another sip, it's really good, though extremely sweet. "When you said your brother owns the resort and your grandfather founded the town, I just didn't know how to get out of the situation without being rude. I wouldn't really say spending time around someone so important is 'laying low.'"
He once again lets out a chuckle, this one softer, more gentle. He sits in the sand, groaning as he crosses his legs, getting his nice-looking pants dirty yet managing to not have a care in the world. "I'm really not that important. Compared to the others in my family, I'm just some dad."
"What's your wife like?"
"I don't have one; my son, you see, he's adopted."
"Oh I understand, he's a good kid though?"
"A little spoiled, you know, being able to go to a resort everyday and all. But he keeps up with his studies and doesn't bully the other children, so I'd say that's a win in my books."
We sit in blissful silence for a short while, enjoying our smoothies and admiring the stars. The air, though humid, is quite relaxing when one is halfway submerged in an open ocean. Crickets chirp in the distance, melodical as it fuses with the singing winds, the sands twisting into mini tornadoes. I breathe in the ocean air, the smell of algae, fish, and campfire ash returning to me like an untold story. After a couple of minutes, and finishing my smoothie, I rub my fingertips together, the wrinkles scratching against one another.
"Shall we begin walking around?"
I gaze up to Gene, finally seeing him for the first time, he has long, healthy brown hair tied into a bun, soft tanned skin with a neatly trimmed goatee. A few tattoos depicting various animals. And is dressed nicely in a breathable, black and white suit. His brown eyes meet mine, and his thin lips spread into a soft grin as he reaches out his hand to help me up.
"Come on, let's go."
He starts off with showing me the map of the resort and I work to hide my astonishment at the sheer size of it all. I thought I was marching through a more wealthy town, no, it turns out that all the areas selling food, having pools, picnics, even people dressed up, weren't rich people celebrating something but were instead the entire resort, which would take around a day just to walk the perimeter without stopping.
He's shown me all his favourite spots as well, the crowded and the barren, one of which is a little tavern that serves coffees made with sand, honestly cool to watch. Granted, I already knew of Qoroon coffee, but it's like magic with how it rises, and tastes so good too. There weren't very many people there, seeing as we had to squeeze through a thin alley way just to access it.
He stops me just outside of a castle, the center of the entire resort and closed after hours, and brandishes a key. Smiling, he unlocks the front gate for us while commenting, "This is by far my favourite spot. Pretty much always empty due to all the stairs, high up enough to avoid any light pollution, and just a fantastic place in general to sit back and relax."
For half an hour we are marching up thousands of steps in a dimly lit castle, the only sound being the echoing of our steps and the bits of gravel getting kicked every which way. By the time we reach the top, a light has already begun to glow in the horizon. We sit by the largest window at the top of the castle and gaze off into the distance. The birds begin to chirp, drowning out and silencing the crickets, and my heart meets their rhythm.
"You know," Gene speaks softly after a long while, our bodies placed close together, his scent and warmth radiating towards me. "Places like these are known to make you forget the outside world, make you just want to remain here for the rest of your life."
I laugh lightly, leaning closer to him, "I mean, I can't imagine why not. All the comfort and luxuries, and pretty amazing prices for outsiders. If someone were given the choice, I'm sure they'd never return to whatever dead end job they have waiting for them back at home."
His chuckle is like butter to my ears, smooth and creamy, desirable. His fingertips glaze over my own, and I turn to find him gazing lovingly at the wide ocean, like he's at peace with nature and truly loves being so close to the water. "What are your thoughts on magic?"
I shrug, not sure what to make of his question, "I mean, the Guide has been teaching people quite a lot-"
"No, not that dumb kid," He laughs. "Sure, he's a good kid, but we know he's overqualified, but the people love him and his little mistakes, good for the children." He turns to face me, our noses almost touching. "I mean, do you think it truly exists? Think it's actually possible for people to control the elements and connect with spirits?"
"I'm sure some people might get the sense that they feel more connected with all that, but there hasn't been much proof of it."
"Ah you're one of those 'see it to believe it' people."
I giggle, nudging closer to him, "Yeah, I guess. What about you? Do you believe it's possible?"
He sighs, overlooking all that his family has built. "My grandfather founded this town and well-"
Bells begin to blare all throughout the park, the clanging like a battle cry from all the way up here. Gene taps my leg twice and begins climbing out the window, headed back for the stairs. "Work day is about to start up, gotta head out now before security finds us, and I don't want you getting into any more trouble. Okay?"
"Okay."
He reaches for my hand, taking it before I can fully process, grins softly, gazing into my eyes, his voice is sweet, enthralling, "Are you hungry?"