The Secret Island

Martin made a note of her silence. She stole a glance at him after ta

was intensive in his sport as if doing an Olympic practice, leaving her al

nside her heart. She didn’t know what it was. The feeling

ven her type. He was not a charming speaker. He lectured

, and he smiled at her causing

he wa

but quickly turned away after catching only a

to control, and she didn’t want t

” She wanted to shower, get change, a

sun is getting strong. I guess you might w

ared at that hand and hesitated for a second before

d her feeling needed to wait. She sneaked a glance at him from time to time. She didn’t re

or a while?” He pointed his on

y handholding shouldn’t be much of a concern. Still

hinking of buying new books, maybe som

after the swim and now even joyf

ver you like.” Sh

tin? What the hell? No! And what did I say? Oh, my! I’ve

oks, not seeing her—a woman lost in her confusion, puzzling over her reactions—h

ng her to fight off her confusion for some ten minutes, Marti

shion Busine

ooked at Martin. He wa

onsider this a gift from me. You really help me feel like I’m on a real holiday, not stressing at home alone.” He explained.

book but to the man who was so thought

al habit, or simply a display of gratitude—Celine walk

you,

ning, and she loo

s cheeks turning red. An adora

he might feel embarrassed by this gesture in

…

d. Thank you, r

worry too m

thing about Martin—he was r

**

use he was a regular customer. There was a bookstore owner, Roberto, who gave a discount as soon as he saw Martin. There was also Carl

ous waitress at a traditional cuisine in town that wa

rprising that he had made some friends on the island. Celine

o knowledge of. There were people who knew Martin more than she did. There were people who had more fun chattin

ed. She was usually the center of everyone's attention, so having to sit qu

every word. And today, she found out he could

drive her crazy. She decided to speak to him more tomorrow and asked about the reason f

he noises from the living room. Dazed, she got out of

oser to the tall figure lying on the sofa and murm

ong? Wake up! It’s

in remained asleep. In the darkness, she saw h

ly happened to you

man. She hugged him tightly and spoke consoling words into hi

Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry.

ggle him close and repeat the

. Her voice was the only sound in the darkness except t

not limited to just this island. But what she suspected was what kind of world; what kind o

hat answered

my soul to