2-CHRIS

“Mr. Royce? Your plane is ready to board, follow me here please,” said the pretty flight attendant, leading me through a corridor until I reached the entrance of the company plane. “Have an excellent trip, sir.” she finished without taking her eyes off me.

"Thank you," I replied kindly; she was very beautiful to be honest, but I didn’t feel the attraction.

I guess I was stressed.

Yeah, right...

I immediately discarded the thought, it surely was due to work stress, so I soon hoped everything would change for the better with this time of peace; I’d decided that I was going to enjoy my birthday present completely.

I hadn’t brought my phone with me or my computer or anything that would connect me with the rest of the world; I’d find out about things when I returned to the offices, which made me happy since I had a little premonition, tomorrow would be my 33th birthday and no one could congratulate me.

I was ecstatic about that, I wouldn't have to reply hypocritical greetings from people I barely dealt with. It was going to be the best birthday of my life, because I would be alone.

That little mental stumble made me realize something certainly depressing:

I was completely alone.

I had no one to share anything with; Sure, I had Fred, the only person who more or less understood me, but now he had a family to be with and in a few months, he’d be a father for the first time.

There were also Mark, Pierre and Alex, but each of them had their own partners and even children.

And seeing them so open with their women and confident with their lives wouldn't be a good reminder for me to have been such an idiot at one point of mine.

And the idea of ​​me opening up again after living in raw a moment as traumatic as the one I went through thanks to a third person in whom I trusted, certainly didn’t appeal to me.

The fly went smoothly, I arrived at the Honolulu International Airport, where someone picked me up in a late model Ford pickup sent by the resort where I would be staying all week.

A tall, plump man who was in his fifties got out of the truck.

"Good morning, Mr. Royce, my name is Niko," he said approaching to shake my hand. "We will take you to the port where a boat waits for you to take you to Maui," he finished.

“To Maui? I thought it was here on this island," I said puzzled.

“The resort is not here, Mr. Roy,”  Niko said with confidence, they had never called me that but I liked it, it felt... special “This is a beautiful island but it’s the main one and everyone comes directly to it and although it’s the largest and there’s privacy, in Maui there’s more privacy and few people and more in the low season, Mr. Roy,” Niko confided me and continued “the waters are crystal clear and there’s a river that passes a few kilometers from the resort you can walk to or ask for the tour, though you won’t be alone if you choose the latter.”

As Niko spoke, we got into the Ford and while he kept soaking me up about things I could do these days, the truck pulled towards the dock, though it wasn’t far away.

“You can also kayak or use jet skis, or go water skiing, every morning boats go out to the reefs to dive or snorkel, well, you choose what you want to do Mr. Roy. We’re here, let me take your luggage while you get on.” and he went down to do what he said.

Honestly, I was in awe of the views before me, I had traveled to a lot places of the world and had been to different beaches, but this was beautiful, a paradise of Eden and I would only be staying for a week, though maybe if the resort where I was going to stay was equal to or more beautiful than what I was seeing, I could extend my stay...

"Nice view, huh?" Niko murmured, "Your boat is that one, Mr. Roy," he pointed to a small boat where twelve people would enter, but it was completely empty, I suppose Fred had paid exclusivity. “This boat is mine; I’m from Maui, where you’ll be staying,” he said proudly, “Maybe if you dare, I can take you on a tour to several islands, I like you, Mr. Roy, you’re a person who knows how to listen.” Niko confided to me with a smile.  

Which made me smile at the same time.

"Call me Chris, Niko, whoever calls me sir makes me feel older than I am and besides that that’s how I’m called at work,"

"Hmm you know what? From now on I’ll call you Roy, just Roy, and when someone dares to call you that, you’ll remember this place,” Niko explained “and you’ll remember how much fun you had here.”  he finished with a smile.

"Wao, thanks Niko, I... I like it," I replied with a tremulous smile, yes, I had definitely done well to accept this gift from Fred and Sofia. When I saw them, I would thank them again.

"You're welcome, Roy," Niko finished with a big smile.

On the way to the island, Niko gave me a brief overview of Maui.

“Maui it’s part of the Hawaiian Islands, along with the Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokai islands; Maui is the third most populated island. It’s also known by the nickname of Valley Isle for the fertile isthmus between the two volcanoes. Legend has it that the island is named after the demigod Maui. This hero, known in different parts of Polynesia, created the islands by fishing them from the bottom of the sea, uniting them, since it’s an island that is made up of two joined volcanoes, but don't worry, Roy,” Niko calmed me when he saw my face of consternation “these volcanoes have been inactive for years. The oldest is the very eroded Mauna Kahalawai, also known as West Maui Mountain, and to the east is the Haleakala, the youngest and largest volcano and its last eruption was in 1790, so stay calm.”

“Thanks Niko, I'll think about it,” Fuck, I felt like a kid in an amusement park, I don't remember when I was this excited, it was like I belonged here “How long until we arrive?”

"About 5 minutes, Roy, if you turn around, you'll see the island in front of us," said Niko smiling.

“Wow!” In the distance I heard Niko's laugh, but I didn’t care, I felt excited and ecstatic and the view from the boat was spectacular, you could see the lush and imposing mountains “Everything looks beautiful from here.”  I murmured without being able to take my eyes off the island.

“And when you are on the island, you’ll see it’s even more beautiful, Roy, the last mountain on your left is Mauna Kahalawai, and on your right the Haleakala, but it looks like one more mountain until you see it from behind, it does look like a volcano” Niko finished laughing at my excitement.

"I can't wait," I muttered.

A few minutes later, we had docked in the port. There were several fishing boats in the distance and very few people walking, there were young people hanging out with their partners or groups of friends talking, one could easily get used to this lifestyle.

With the boat moored and with luggage in hand, Niko directed us to a golf cart where we started down a slightly sharp path and crossed some wrought iron gates painted in white.

When we did the latter, I couldn't take my eyes off the landscape, everywhere I looked there were gigantic trees, with exuberant vegetation; I could see all kinds of birds, even monkeys!

You didn't see these things in New York... Unless you went to Central Park, the Zoo or a museum, which wasn’t the same as seeing it unexpectedly, here you could breathe peace.

Fuck, that was what I needed to connect with myself, to see what was wrong with my life.

You know what's wrong...

Ugh, I had to work with that stupid inner voice that wanted to drive me crazy, but the next moment I forgot everything when I noticed a flower which made me laugh.

I was actually in Hawaii.

I always saw them in surf movies, where surfers had it printed on their boards or those ridiculous Hawaiian shirts that nobody fit, I almost laughed when I imagined myself wearing one of those shirts, so I asked Niko what was the flower’s name.

“Its name is the hibiscus arnottianus, there are many colors of it, but here in Hawaii the most common is the white. Boyfriends and husbands used to put them in their partner's hair,” he said with a touch of sadness “and we’re now losing those traditions, you no longer see young people holding hands and sharing in a friendly way, they spend their time examining each other's tonsils, they are always holding on to more.”

“You have children, Niko?” I asked amused.

“Yes, I have six,” Niko answered with a smile of a proud father “four men and two women, all married for several years and they have already made me a grandfather,” his smile widened “ I have ten grandchildren, though some of them I don't see frequently since several of my children live in the interior of the country, but in a few months I’ll see them,” he had a blank look “we always meet as family whenever we can and this year it will be in December, you should come on those dates, you know? This is beautiful, a little cold, but beautiful.” he finished.

"And I imagine you are very happy here with your wife, right?" And at the moment I regretted that question when I saw the pained face Niko made.

"I'm happy in my own way on this island, boy," he replied tense, "but yes," he said more calmly, "I was completely happy when I had my Alani, but they say that true happiness comes in small portions Roy, we’ll always be surrounded by happiness and sadness, but what we choose in our lives will depend on us.”

I nodded not quite knowing what to say when I saw his face sadly wrinkled.

“I was happy with Alani for more than thirty years, every day I tried to make her happy too, we always had a detail for each other and we made sure our children received that happiness too, so they could impart it in the future, and so they continue to do it with my grandchildren.” and his smile reappeared.

"If I had a father like you and a family so big and full of love, anyone would feel like your children Niko, at least I would feel that way," I said unable to hide the sadness in my voice.

"You sound unfortunate, son, try not to see the bad things of the past, but the good things... I’ll give you some advice, Roy," he said, changing the subject, "whenever you can, say aloha as a greeting, okay? That make the locals feel great, it’s used to greet and give blessings and at the same time, when they respond to you, you’ll be receiving blessings in your life,” he continued “As well with the word Mahalo, which means thank you. They are cliched words people no longer bother to use when they come; What they learn about our culture is very important to us, that’s why we always do traditional parties or Luaus which means great banquet. It’s a party full of colors and traditional music as well as typical dishes such as kalua pork and many drinks, this hotel follows these traditions,

“Thanks for everything, Niko! Aloha! Mahalo!” I watched as Niko let out a loud laugh as he got into the golf cart.

Immediately a bellboy approached me to help me with my luggage and show me the way to the resort.

"Mr. Royce? Welcome to the Jimbaran resort, sir, my name is Kony, follow me over here, please," he said walking to the entrance to cross the lobby; It was spectacular, luxurious but cozy, the floor was polished granite and the mahogany wood counters, there was furniture that invited you to sit and enjoy it, I hoped there was one in my room.

As an architect, I approved of what I saw.

We went to the counter, where some women with beautiful bodies dressed in typical Hawaiian dress were waiting for me; The were wearing grass skirts and coconut bras with hibiscus necklaces around their necks, they also placed one on me as part of a reception ritual, gave me a fruity drink in a coconut glass carved in the shape of a Tiki sculpture and they danced for a few more minutes leaving me in awe at the movement of their hips.

“Welcome, Mr. Royce, my name is Elian Nonoa, the manager of the Jimbaran,” a short, bald man around his 40’s that looked like a native, presented before me. He had a calm and friendly smile “I hope this place it’s for your like the whole week, Mr. Royce,” he handed me a magnetic card “this is the key to your room sir, a cabin with sea view, Kony will take you right now so you can settle in and enjoy your vacations as soon as possible, happy day, sir," Elian finished with another smile.

"Thank you,” I replied with a somewhat tense smile, honestly, I was overwhelmed by so much attention and kindness from these people.

As we walked through the lobby to the rooms, a group of four women passed us in some kind of white uniform with green details, the colors of the hotel.

“Who are they?” I asked Kony in a whisper, noting the walk of the tallest of the group.

An unfamiliar itch ran down my spine until it became a tingle on my neck as the girl in particular threw her head back and laughed loudly which reached my ears as a loud but beautiful sound, her long brown hair falling down; it moved in gentle ripples when it did.

"The girls from the Spa, sir," he answered smiling, "All together they are terrible, their antics are feared by all employees."

I was disappointed when the girls crossed in the opposite direction from us and the woman with the beautiful laugh and honey-colored hair disappeared from my sight.

A few minutes later, we stopped by a plain mahogany door where I passed myself the magnetic key through the slot, watching the clerk stiffen for not having done that task for me.

"No one is going to find out," I whispered to reassure him, "the client is always right, Kony," I said looking at him with complicity.

"Yes, sir," he answered just as tense, "in a few minutes they will call you to confirm your appointment, excuse me." he said and left without expecting a tip.

That surprised me.

What was Kony referring to? Looking at my watch, I saw it was barely ten o'clock in the morning, it could well be an appointment to dive or some kind of local tourism that Fred would have been in charge to organize.

I should have asked him for an itinerary.

Moving away from the door, I stopped until I was in the center of the room, I noticed the big leather sofa in the living room which faced the terrace, in the other corner there was another individual sofa, in the center there was a coffee table and on the wall in front of the small sofa there was a 40”inch tv, and when I went out to the terrace, it had some very appetizing loungers, I also noticed there were stairs on the wood balcony that took me directly to the beach.

With a satisfied smile, I returned to the room to finish the little tour.

There was also a small but comfortable kitchen stocked with the necessary, and following a short corridor I came across the room.

In the center of it was a king bed with a canopy and mosquito net with white sheets, a light-colored hammock, wicker furniture that I doubted my whole being could be hold, and another coffee table, everything gave a romantic and cozy atmosphere, but I couldn’t do anything because of the curiosity that seized me when I saw the bed, so approaching it, I supported my hand and pushed, feeling how it moved in gentle undulations.

I realized I was laughing like an idiot in the middle of the room, but I didn't care, after all, I was alone.

So, with a childish smile, I threw myself on the bed, falling scattered in the center and realized that I liked it.

The bed moved as if I were floating in the sea. I felt happy, calm and relaxed, but a sound brought me back to reality, making me aware it was the phone on the nightstand ringing so, with difficulty, I sat on the bed and responded with a silly smile on my face.

“Hello?” I said.

"Mr. Royce? Good afternoon, we called you from the Jimbaran spa to inform you that your appointment is scheduled for in twenty minutes," whispered a woman's voice with a velvety and seductive tone that completely intoxicated me.

“Ah, uh, yes, yes, of course, I'll be there,” I replied after a few seconds in silence, that voice had caught me off base “I'll be there.” I said with a slightly hoarse voice.

"Thank you, sir," said that voice. Horrified, I noticed how the front of my pants began to tighten with the voice of that woman “We will be waiting for you...”

"Miss, wait," I said before she hung up. "Who do I have the pleasure of talking with?" I asked desperately needing that information.

“Oh!” There was a startled sound from the other side and then a hoarse laugh that gave me goose bumps. "My name is Helena, Mr. Royce."

"Helena," I repeated savoring that name, liking it instantly, "Well Helena, will you give me the massage?" I asked, surprised when my voice came out in almost a whisper, so it sure sounded like a person with respiratory failure.

Which reminded me that seduction was never good for me.

"Yes, Mr. Royce, each girl is in charge of confirming their own appointments," I heard amusement in her voice.

“And what kind of massage will you give me?” I asked searching in my memory for what the hell to say.

“Well... If you want, get here and I'll explain the options...”

"Well..." I cleared my throat, "I think... I think I'll do that; I'll be over there in a few minutes."

I heard another female voice in the background and suddenly Helena let out another laugh, making me aware that this girl was the same girl who had laughed a few minutes ago in the hall.

That fact horrified me in unsuspected ways, because if with only her voice and her laugh I had my body tense, I didn’t want to imagine what would happen when she touched me.

"Perfect," the woman whispered in my ear pulling me out of my musings, "Then I’ll wait for you."

"I want someone else," I said suddenly.

“Someone else, sir?” She asked confused, "You mean, another date perhaps? I won't be here tomorrow, but the sauna is wonderful and...”

"Another masseur," I said interrupting her, "I want another masseur, if he's a man, then better...”

"I'm sorry, sir," she said, her voice showing she wasn’t. "The other girls are busy and the men are on vacation..."

Wonderful.

“Then I'll be there,” I muttered hyperventilating, and hung up without giving her time to respond.

Good grief, now what?

I had never had a massage, it was something that seemed I could do without, it didn’t exactly drive me crazy when a stranger touched me so intimately.

But now I would receive one from the hands of a woman who put my nerves on edge with just her voice so I didn't want to imagine what would happen to me when she touched me.

Sure, I could just not go, but first of all, Fred had paid for this trip and it didn't seem right to ditch the woman, and second, I had decided I would take advantage of this trip one hundred percent regardless of making a fool of myself to Helena.

Hmm, Helena...