A SINFUL PROPOSAL

With a tumbler of alcohol in his hand, he reclines down next to me. Again? This early in the morning? Let it not be that he is planning on getting wasted like yesterday. I swear, I won't spare him a glance today. I will leave his wasted self to soak and die here alone. I swear!


"You are drinking again? This early?"

He shakes his glass, emitting a slight smirk. "Don't worry. It's just a glass to get rid of the hangover. No more for today," he says, looking at me as if making a vow. 'I promise. And I don't usually drink that much."

Yeah, right! The way you drowned those bottles, boy, I'm not dumb! Anyway, supposing I buy his lie, why then would he drink that much?


"Why, then, would you drink that much?" I query as he rests the empty glass on the table, shifting in the seat to face his bewitching face at me again.

"It was just one of those moments when you wish to forget everything. Everything."


He looks away. That is quite deep. He is a troubled soul. Something is bothering him. And for someone of his pedigree to be bothered to the extent of drinking himself to death, the matter ought to be dire.

"Matters of the heart?" I query, earning his stare back. He was about to get engrossed in his thoughts.

"It's complicated," he states.

Complicated, huh? The real meaning of complication is perched right in front of him. Me! I am a walking tangle. Engaged to one man yet betrothed to another, and now in the hands of a total stranger. I am running for freedom when I know that my father will never let that happen. Acting all bold and cool while, in reality, I should be shaking to my bones because I don't want to imagine what my father has in store for me for defying him. And that ghost betrothed of mine, if we ever cross paths, I bet he will take out all his anger and frustrations on me for humiliating him by failing to come to our engagement party. I am in a deep, hot sh*t!

"You want to talk about it?" I implore out of the blue, perhaps looking for something to keep my mind busy. I should stop thinking about my father and what awaits me once he finds me.

He shakes his head, a small smile on his lips. It is as if he appreciates my concerns, but he is not just about to open up to a stranger. "Naah! It's unnecessary baggage. I am over that sh*t now. I am free!"

Whoa! Huh? I narrowed my eyes in bewilderment.

You mean, alcohol helps you forget that quickly? Like, it wipes out the pain and burdens that fast? Fantastic! Then I think I have just found the perfect remedy to all of my problems.

"So, what brought you to this city?"

Damn!

Does he have to ask? I am harmless, unlike him. No, more unlike him.

"Aah... Nothing. Vacation. I just wanted to have some time away from work, home, and all," I lie. A very beautiful and, hopefully, convincing lie.

"Then you came to the right place. There are a lot of beautiful sites here. I can be your tour guide if you want. But my services are not for free."

I perfectly get his point regarding the beautiful scenery. A few examples include the Bombolulu, the Fort Jesus, the Vasco da Gama pillar, and the picturesque coastline. There is no doubt—Mombasa is indeed a lovely city. It should have been made the capital, according to me. I should overcome my worries and begin my tour around it. And regarding his joke about his services, I have a sizable balance on my credit cards. Money should not worry him. But I understand him because he does not have even a slight idea of who I am.

"Name your price," I boldly state, and at my words, his right eyebrow forms an alluring curl above his eye.

"What are you offering?" He challenges.

"Whatever you want," I brag proudly like the stinking filthy rich babe that I am. He doesn't know that, of course. He would be surprised to know. Too bad! He will never have a chance to know me that deeply. Perhaps.

Then again, there is a saying, Never say never. And as annoying as he is, he is giving me homey vibes. I don't know why or how to explain it clearly. He is just the environment that I need. Annoying, but still homey and cool.

"Whatever I want? Be very careful with your choice of words, Ellie!" He warns.

I roll my eyes! What can he ask? A million? Two? Ten million? Not even a billion can make a difference in my account, dah! "Name it," I dare him, and he cocks his head deeper.

What does he think I am? A joker? Naah! I have decided to enjoy to the fullest the little freedom that I have during this unknown period of time. It is time to freaking enjoy, and I am going to spend and have a blast! I have never done this, so get ready for me, Mombasa!

I gawk at him as he opens the beautiful curve between his lips and reads every single letter that leaves through the opening. "A night on my bed every single time I get to show you around."

In a split second, my face instantly turns blue and wrinkly. Before I completely lose all my ability to breathe, I snap at him.

"Ee...exc..." Ahem! Ahem! Why did my breath go? I inhale and exhale, calming my adrenaline. "Pardon me?" I mutter, experiencing a confusing, weird combo of both hot and cold chills.

"You heard me right, and you said I can name whatever I want?"

His facial idioms are raw. There is no tinge of smirk, and his daring eyes are not leaving mine. He is serious.

But he can't be!

'But I didn't mean..."

'I warned you to be mindful of what you say. You did not restrict my wishes either. And so, Damian Almeda wants you, Ellie Marie, submisively on my bed after every site visit! Deal?"