Meanwhile, back the home they shared, Lisa had made pancakes. The meal was nothing more than flour and eggs, shared with Ben. After dinner, the two of them played games together. She picked out a book and began teaching him how to read at a more advanced level. By the time Angelica and Marc returned home from their evening out, Lisa was exhausted. Angelica didn't ask any questions about the evening, instead addressing Lisa.
“Thank you Lisa, you are free for today. You may head to bed.” She dismissed. Lisa nodded.
“Thank you. Have a good night.” She departed, heading downstairs to where her bedroom was. Through the floorboards, she could hear Angelica and Marc discussing their evening.
“Did you see those truffles? I certainly didn't!” Marc complained. Angelica laughed.
“For that high price, I would have expected at least three truffles on my plate. Not one so small I could barely even see it. Let alone taste it.” Angelica returned the complaint. Lisa could smell cigarette smoke. Having seen Angelica in these moods, she knew Angelica was sitting in the living room, smoking cigarettes and drinking wine.
“I know the cuisine is called “molecular”, but the prices are gigantic.” She continued complaining.
“I know. Honestly, I didn't even enjoy the food that much.” Marc added. Lisa could hear Angelica humming along in agreement with her husband.
“I know we ate 5 dishes, but the portions were so small I could hardly count that as more than two small dishes. I was no where near full by the time the meal ended.” Marc continued.
“Thank God we passed that fast food restaurant on our way home.” Angelica added.
“I know! I was finally able to get a nice, juicy burger.” Marc cheered.
38
The next morning, Lisa took Ben to kindergarten and sat in the library on the third floor of the glasshouse, expanding her vocabulary by listening to the news. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Alexander. She stepped outside to answer his call.
“Hello?” she said.
“Lisa? Lisa, how are you?” he said in his deep voice.
“I’m fine, thanks,” she said. “How are you?”
“I’m fine as well, thanks. You know, I have some free time from work during lunch. Maybe we could meet and ride our bicycles together?”
“Hmm, I think that’s a good idea.”
I need to wear something decent, she thought to herself when she finally arrived home. She got up and checked her closet where she found a cream white dress. As she walked past the mirror, she saw a very pretty girl with magnificent, wavy brown hair and eyes as blue as the sea.
She touched up her eyelashes, lips, and hair. She smiled to herself and was for the first time glad for her beauty.
She headed out the door toward the river. When she arrived, she began reading an interesting book on her little white laptop.
The sun’s heat on her bare arms, caressing breeze around her legs and soft cream dress, and sweet fresh air made the environment cool.
Alexander was now coming out of the water and drying his body with a towel. Then he laid on the beach next to her and enjoyed the sun.
Certainly attracted by a romantic image of Lisa with long hair in a cream dress and a white computer, Alexander approached her.
“You have so much work. Even on the beach you cannot relax at all,” he said.
Lisa turned to him and saw a handsome man in a white shirt with wavy hair. Her eyes met with his gentle hazel eyes.
Lisa laughed. “I’m just reading a book, Alexander.”
The two beautiful people wore sunglasses. Today, he had brought radishes and hot tea in a thermos.
“Do you want to feed me again?” Lisa said and giggled.
“Yes. Your family does not feed you,” he said.
“Thank you,” was all Lisa could say.
“Today we will visit Switzerland,” he said as he took out two cups of coffee and some Swiss cheese.
“Do you tempt women with this? Radishes? How many women have you already tempted?” Lisa said and giggled again.
They sat there at the shore and the sun lit up his eyes.
Lisa was embracing a hot cup of tea in her arms and smiling, looking at the soft glare of the sun reflected in the water.
“I wish to visit Paris,” she said. “That is my dream,” she said.
“Imagine that, we could travel together,” he said.
Lisa sighed.
“With our children...” he continued.
Upon hearing this, Lisa choked and all the tea landed on her clothes. “Why do you want children with me?”
“Because you’re beautiful and interesting... The weather is so nice, let’s ride our bicycles or take a walk,” Alexander suggested.
“Yes, that would be nice,” Lisa agreed.
At last, they reached her stop. Lisa always hated saying goodbye. She looked at the house and then at Alexander.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said politely.
Alexander made her feel better by taking her in his arms.
“Let me take you out again,” he said quietly in a shrunken voice.
“Yes, please,” she said, completely stunned by his hazel eyes. He kissed her once again. Riding away on his bike, she saw his white shirt disappear among the trees. She still could not forget his hazel eyes.
39
Next time they met on Wednesday.
He cleared his throats like he forgot about it and she turned back to look at him. “Today I would like to offer you to drive a boat,” he said, proudly.
She frowned. Boat? What kind of boat…a dinghy? Her inner thoughts took over. She didn't have to wonder for long because after a half an hour they arrived at their destination.
Alexander got out of the car and opened the door for her, as only a true gentleman would do. “Come with me, my Lady,” he said. He bowed and stretched her his hand.
“Don’t mind if I do,” she replied with a smile, stepping out of the car and taking his offered arm.
The further they got, the more concerned she became. It was some kind of abandoned, godforsaken quiet place. After opening a gate, she finally saw the river and a boat.
To her surprise, it wasn’t a small boat like a dinghy. It was a little yacht. Oh my God, she thought.
He stepped up onto the board and held out his hand.
“Welcome aboard, my Lady”, he said.
“Thank you ever so much,” Captain Alexander. She reached for his hand and he pulled her up. He seemed genuine and she loved that part of him.
Lisa beamed:
“Can we really sail? It will be so nice!”
He smiled:
“My dear, you know, I cannot deny anything to you.”