The Secret Island

bed. I will change the bed sheet for you. I can sleep on th

ith him. It was difficult to comprehend what was on his mind

ng we had forgotten. And it might sound funny, but before she goes to live

Hm

line.” And that was the first official introduction bet

ed at her and blinked exactly three times. A light flickered in his

he s

d to be f

erhaps only a few seconds, and that smile was n

flex. She must be hallucinated, or she had to admit that she was se

u will move in to live with me in a few minutes, and I forgot to ask for

curious interest in the floor. Perhaps it was to avoid his gaze. She tri

y that opened to the sea. The decor combines traditional and modern Italian style with exposed brick wall

kitchen. If you are hungry, there are fruits and some

really can’t th

ave you told your parents abo

ent and should be considered independent, no? I don’t

re you sure that being fresh out of college, you don’t

till not looking at him. That smile was still br

s question reminded her that she hadn’t eaten anything since brunch. The sky outside was turning dark. Th

e hungry.” He gave a

taurant, you had a rough day

money…” and she thanked him again

felt that the price was probably the most expensive on the island as well. That explained why before they came here, he stopped at a clothing store and brough

” He asked her after getting the menu from a waiter. This evening, he wore a long sleev

ce was high, and she didn’t want to

s rude had an incredibly good table manner and was attentive to her every word. He ordered dishes he mentioned were his favorites; antipasto

an appetite

f playing with her phone, and she did exactly that. Her

serious face once again. But she challenged him; feeling playful, she looked at him for a long w

ures.” She didn't know if it was a suggestion or an orde

descending to the point w

y the gods. It was so beau

oring it. Because this was the first time... It was the first time

ime, please don't play with your phone when you're having a meal with me.” She didn’t know how many minutes ha

trange that she didn’t feel unease around him, maybe because

m so

e sunset beautiful?” See? That smile again. It mad

t accused as someone rude and had no intention to ever meet again, but now he

our responsibility or anything. We don’t even know each oth

wine. He was quiet a lon

could do just that.” H

t know each

like a normal tourist to me. Or actually, did you escape any crime or what?” Martin leaned over to talk and asked t

re you cr

he returned to sip his wine. Is this guy joking? She could

I do for a living? You are not asking me those things?” What a strange man. He accepted her into his room, i

” Martin turned to admire the vie

do you

l business since they can leverage the Asian networks. At the age of 23, you just told me you had just graduated, most likely from a university in Italy. I heard you spoke Italian. You did we

died fashion.” The look on her face should let him know t

whoever was the cause of that frowning face I saw yesterday while you were on y

n as he finished speaking, the man, who had guessed her life correctly, raised one eyebrow at her as some act of defiance and returned to eat the food that had jus

*

im to sleep on his bed, and she could sleep on the couch. But he insisted

“You stay with me. You have to live under my rules. Just go to bed. Good night.” And he pointed to the bedroom. She even

at around 2 AM. She was awakened

g to? From the angle, she saw Martin sitting on the sofa with one hand massaging his temple. He spoke in both Spanish and English on his phone. The

a month. I will