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Twenty: First Day At Work
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2024-10-29 19:42:56They drove about twenty minutes to get to Nathan's villa. There were a lot of motorbikes in Bhorma traffic. Nathan said that people usually go on foot for a shorter distance. He lived alone in his three-bedroom villa. The lower ground was for the garage and household tools. The living space was on the upper ground. A wide living room with cushions around the floor sofa facing the TV.
The pantry was on the other side of the room, along with a six seated dining table which looked like it's rarely used. In between the two parts of the upper floor was a corridor with two doors on each side, three bedrooms, and a bathroom was the last door on the left. Nathan occupies the master bedroom with an internal bath of his own.
The guest room was across the external bathroom, and the bedroom across from Nathan was reserved for his parents whenever they come to visit. A local lady was hired to keep the place clean and organized. A huge balcony can b
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The Boyfriend Twenty One: My Good Boss
Nathan was a good friend, and a good employer, not just to her, but to everyone. He made everyone feel like they're in one big team, each person was equally important. Anybody can contribute their ideas to improve the restaurant, the food, the working environment, and he took everyone's opinion into consideration.He didn't get angry whenever there was a screw-up, he knew everyone was learning as they go just like he was. And that it would take years to build something substantial, Nathan wanted to bring the team to grow with him and the company. He learned to tackle everything that the team was lacking, he has this calmness about him in overcoming problems that made everyone felt secure.Julie was observing strong leadership from Nathan. Whenever they were short on staff, Nathan never hesitated to go down and dirty in the kitchen or serve food to the customers, always with a smile on his face. He chatted with everyone, his extroverted vibe
The Boyfriend Twenty Two: Plans For The New Year's Eve
She worked together with other staff to decorate Ardor for Christmas. Even though it wasn't a popular festivity in Bhorma. Most people go back to their home town to celebrate, those who stayed are people like Julie who doesn't celebrate the holiday with her family."You don't go back for Christmas?" Andy asked."No ... just a phone call would do," she didn't want to explain."When do you go home, then?"She shrugged, "Maybe after graduation ... before I officially start working, what about you?"Andy poured some milk into the fresh cup he just made, "My family lives here, we see each other every day, I actually need an excuse to get away from them."They laughed. He handed her the cup, it smelled better on Christmas."Thank you so much ... oooh I love it," she inhaled the aroma before taking a sip."I noticed you alwa
The Boyfriend Twenty Three: The Rockabillies
They parked the car at a five-minute walking distance parking lot. The streets were filled with parked vehicles and people getting ready for midnight. The Rockabillies entrance can be accessed from the narrow street where rows of bars, cafes, and restaurants lined from end to end. They were playing all kinds of music that were jumbled up as they walked up to The Rockabillies.Some people were too drunk to stand up and just sitting on the pavement or leaning against the street lights still in their party mood. It was a warm night with no breeze. A tropical December night, something she never experienced before.They walked over the long entrance over a wooden bridge. The jungle-themed bar had swimming pools and a large whirl pool filled with visitors in their bathing suits holding their drinks. There were bars in between the pools. They walk past huts for people to sit and gather around tables with their group.At the end
The Boyfriend Twenty Four: The Morning After
She woke up to the sound of her phone ringing, dazed, and tasted the smell of her drinks the night before in her breath. She pierced her eyes to see who was calling, pressed the accept button under Kelsey's beautiful face."Hey girl ... Happy New Year!!" her usual cheerful voice greeted her, then her dazzling morning look was visible on her screen."Hey babe, Happy New Year!" her hoarse voice surprised herself."Whoa ... you looked like you had a pretty good night," Kelsey laughed. She was descending some stairs outside an unfamiliar house."Where are you?" Juliewiped her eyes and yawned."I had to crash at a friend's house last night 'cause ... well ... you know," she pressed her car alarm, Julie heard the tweet."Who?" she was curious.Kelsey entered her car, sat on the driver's seat, and took a deep breath, "Zachary's ... he held
The Boyfriend Twenty Five: Nathan Knows
Later that day, Nathan came back from Ardor and took her out to a seaside restaurant for an early dinner. It was one of his favorite spots on the island where the sunset view was extraordinary and the coffee was excellent.They sat facing each other enjoying a plate of oysters in garlic and lime for appetizers, ordered a grilled red snapper with mash potatoes and salad on the side for the main course. The ocean breeze blew out her hair and her light summer dress. The sunset reflected on her skin. They talked about the night before, all smiles and laughter."I feel like I could stay here for the long run," her eyes gazed at the ocean rolling its waves towards the shores.Nathan turned and looked at where she was looking. "It's beautiful, isn't it? That's why I chose this island for Ardor, I can see myself living here for good too ... it's like, you don't need a vacation to break away from your daily life."
The Boyfriend Twenty Six: The Bookstore
She received her first paycheck from Ardor and knew exactly where she wanted to spend it. Nathan took her to the bookstore where she met Kelsey for the first time. She took a cart, knowing she will be buying more than a few books.She went straight to the Fiction shelves. She studied the covers, picked out the most interesting titles, read the synopsis, and followed her gut instinct whether to put it in the cart or put it back on the shelves. She could do that for hours, while Nathan was in the Business section because that's what he was reading lately.She saw him reading by the store window. The sunlight penetrated the glass and made his skin looked golden. He was looking down at his book, he pouted his lips. The world around him seemed to disappear, he wasn't aware of her watching him. He was like her when he reads, she thought. She could spend hours in that store, and he wouldn't be bothered waiting for her.She turn
The Boyfriend Twenty Seven: Love Another
She closed her book right after they left. Poured some more wine into her glass. The silence was loud. It used to be comforting, that night, she felt alone. She stepped out of the balcony with her book still clutched between her arm and her waist, white wine in her left hand. Once in a while, in these kinds of nights, she felt there's something missing in her life.She didn't feel it very often, that empty space inside. Sometimes she filled it with books, sometimes with music. More often than not, Kelsey made her forget there was even a space to fill. Preston never failed to turn up whenever she needed him, and lately, there was Nathan who started to feel more and more like someone that fits the mold.Spending so much time with Nathan for the past month made her forget that he was Kelsey's boyfriend. The dozens of times their eyes met, she wished she didn't feel that tingle in her stomach, but she did. She looked away every time, but Nathan
The Boyfriend Twenty Eight: Breakfast With Kelsey
They talked until she finished the whole bottle of wine, and then some more. It was almost 3 AM when she fell asleep on her bed and Preston was the one who pressed the red button. She slept through the night, the last memory of the night was Preston's voice talking to her.She felt a little soar in her throat when she woke up. She went out to the pantry to get some water with a mild headache. She jumped and spilled some water when she turned and find Nathan leaning against the corridor wall staring at her."Good morning, did you finish that book last night?" He looked fresh and not the least bit hungover."No ... actually, I was on the phone with Preston 'til late," she replied.He pressed his lips together, "That explains the empty bottles, how is he?" he pretended to care.She lifted her shoulders, "He's okay ... how was your night? Did you guys have fun?"
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She wouldn't let me take her out on a date. She wouldn't let me kiss her, or touch her. Three months after she came back to Ardor, she went island hopping with Kelsey on her 21st birthday. I wasn't invited, obviously. I couldn't sleep that night, wondering if she was going to get wasted and ended up with some strange guy, willingly or unwillingly. There's no other girl that has kept me up all night as often as she did. For all different kinds of reasons.But to end up with a strange guy was not the problem with her, it was only that one guy. I hate him. He calls her much too often for my liking. They would talk for hours, it burned me, and I couldn't do anything about it.The almost-kisses we had was driving me insane, but I've promised her I'd wait however long it takes. I think she was torturing me on purpose.Six months after she was back, she finally let me in. We kissed. Every kiss was better than the last. I love k
The Boyfriend Thirty Nine: Graduation
Her mom and dad came on her graduation day. They took pictures together, a pat on the back, a clumsy hug, a kiss on the cheeks, a congratulations. The three of them again after eight years. She was smiling the whole day.She told them about her plans, they told her how proud they were, shared one last hug and asked her to call them more often. That was pretty much the depth of their relationship.After her parents left, Kelsey was there. They shared a long hug, enough to replace a thousand words they wanted to say to each other.Kelsey tilted her toga hat with a smile, "I hope I'll look good in these next year." They laughed. "I guess this cause for a celebration ... let's go get some coffee, my treat," she added.They went to The Morning Brew, still in her toga and her diploma in her grip."I can't believe you're leaving in a few days ... do you realize we've never been apart si
The Boyfriend Thirty Eight: Your Biggest Mistake
Despite of making up at the end of their argument, Kelsey was distant. She kept to herself. Julie woke up the next morning feeling like a zombie, lost all sense of directions. She had to come up with a new plan for her future. There was no way she could go back to Ardor.She made the report and told the faculty that she had to finish early because of a family emergency. The only time her family was useful for her. She didn't have the courage to contact Nathan, but to her relief, the faculty informed her that he had turned in the assessment sheet for her internship. She passed with flying colors. She texted to thank him, he didn't reply.Two weeks in after she got back to Gastonburry, she started to prepare her final presentation. Finalized her internship report, created slide shows, crunching numbers, drew diagrams, and all the bits and details needed for the final show. She also submitted a new application through the University to find emp
The Boyfriend Thirty Seven: Going After Kelsey
She managed not to cry when she left his hotel room. She told him to take a shower as she left because she didn't want a sappy farewell that will make her weep the entire day. So they left it at that. The memory of their last day together was to be remembered as something extraordinary and beautiful.When she arrived in front of Nathan's villa, she took a long deep breath to ready her for what's waiting. She took long, slow and dragging steps toward the house, expecting to see both Nathan and Kelsey for another awkward social situation. The house was quiet, she opened the sliding door from the balcony and stepped into the kitchen. There was only Nathan."Where's everybody?"Nathan sat on the island stool, not looking his best. "Kelsey ... umm ... she left."She raised her eyebrows, put down her bags on the floor. "Left where?"He looked down on the kitchen counter, played with hi
The Boyfriend Thirty Six: Hostage
Their silence speaks more volume that night. They poured drinks back in the room, browsed through the movie selections they wanted to see. They put on the one they agreed on, not really caring what it was because their minds were wandering to places that don't exist. A place where they would go through life without each other by their sides.She laid her head on his shoulder, stared blankly into the TV. He held her hand and played with her fingers, something he will miss terribly. He took a deep breath.She remembered when she first saw him, his smile, his cheeky comments. His playfulness, his laughs, his annoying ways to get her attention. Those dark blue eyes, and his beautiful face. She glanced over to the tattoo on his chest, and she touched that "J". He looked down and shivered from her gentle touch.He turned to look at her. That was when she pulled himgently and pressed her lips against his. She closed her e
The Boyfriend Thirty Five: One Fine Day
It was a good night's sleep she needed. Her sweet smile was back on her face the next morning. Her mood was lighter, and she couldn't wait to spend the day with Preston. He wanted to explore the island with her and end the day at The Rockabillies. She took him to her favorite beach, favorite hangouts, a cool vintage clothing shop that Preston would love. Nathan Sommers was not in her mind that day.He didn't want to ruin her mood, so he held it for a while longer. The thing he was going to tell her will be hard to hear, as much as it was going to be hard for him to say. She was laughing at his jokes, mocked him as he was trying on funky clothes. Preston loved to shop. He had a wide collection of strange outfits that he can pull off easily. Julie was probably the only girl he knew who had the patience to wait on him while he shopped.She always chose the items for him, he always listened to her. She's the one he goes to for any advice, school
The Boyfriend Thirty Four: Saved By Preston
She hugged Kelsey as she pass, and then lingered her tight embrace on Preston."How's my favorite girl in the world?" he put both arms around her and swayed her."I'm so glad you're here," Julie said.Nathan had his arms around Kelsey but his eyes were on Preston."Trouble in paradise?" he sensed the hostility from the host."Please get me out of here," she whispered."My plan exactly," he said with a naughty grin and kissed her forehead.Preston helped them put their stuff inside before excusing himself. "You have a very lovely home here, Mrs. Sommers, but I need to check-in at my hotel and get some drinks with Julie ... we have a lot of catching up to do.""Oh ... butI hope you'llbe joining us for dinner at Ardor? I've arranged a nice private dinner for all of us there at 7," she said.
The Boyfriend Thirty Three: Surprise?
Neither of them could sleep that night. They laid on their own matrasses in silence, in the dark, pretended to be asleep. She got out of bed just in time to see the sunrise. She thought Nathan was sleeping, just when she inhaled the first-morning breeze, he was already standing behind her."It's the best sunrise I've ever experience anywhere," he said startling her. She smiled. "That's another reason why I brought you here ... an island getaway," he added."It wasn't supposed to be for me, I wish the circumstances was different."Silence.He walked over to her, stood right behind her, he put his hands on the railing. She felt his breath on her hair, on her neck. He didn't touch her, but it felt like he was undressing her.He was having a moment. In his mind, she was the lover that he always wanted to bring to that island. But she was still afraid of him, how she felt about him.
The Boyfriend Thirty Two: Welcome To Uomo
Nathan asked her to pack light but prepared a few outfits just in case they get wet. So she packed a few changes of clothes and a beach towel. It seemed like Nathan wanted to do the video by the water. It's a remote area where not many people know, it's barely touched by tourists.They packed up all the equipment needed in one giant backpack. Nathan stuffed his seasonings in a duffle bag. They made it as light as possible, but it was quite some baggage. They rode on a pick-up truck that came to take them to the beach. Julie chose to ride on the back, Nathan joined her and leaned on their stuff while enjoying the scenery along the way.She filmed their trip across the island when they pass the paddy fields, through narrow roads in villages, sometimes rocky roads by local farms where there were cows and goats fed on the green grass. She turned her camera to Nathan who at some point fell asleep. The trip to the beach took almost four hours only
