Chapter 3 A Mystery Pretty Boy

• "I can't believe you actually listened to me," Tsuyoshi said to his daughter as he drew a trolley. He only found out this morning that Ida had agreed to go on this getaway, and he couldn't have been happier. As a father, he only wanted what was best for Ida, and perhaps this is it.
• "Don't say a word and help me with these two as well," Ida complained as she handed her carry-on bag to her father. It wasn't too hefty, but she was a spoiled child who usually whined about everything.
• For some, Ida's audacity is what makes her irresistible. Tsuyoshi and his wife are to blame for this. They treated Ida like a princess because she was an only child. They fulfilled all of her desires with no question.
• "I was just surprised that you thought of it," Tsuyoshi said as he adjusted the bag strap to fit more comfortably on his shoulder. "I am delighted that you are putting yourself first by going on this trip, Ida," he continued. "I can assure you that the sea waves will wash away all your sorrow."
• "What are you..." Ida muttered, clutching her forehead in disbelief. "You sound like you work for them," she mumbled.
• "Do I?" the man laughed heartily, a little embarrassed as he might have sounded that way just now.
• Ida remained silent, thinking to herself, "I just know I'll regret this soon enough."
• ******
• Avery finally got on the airplane to Kenya at 4 p.m. in Paris. Being highly sensitive to people and noise, he simply obtained a first-class seat. Well, there was also no way Avery would sit with anyone else who was clearly lower in status than him.
• He wasn't exactly someone who complained loudly and behaved badly; well, he would if he wasn't protecting his image as the heir to a large corporation. But that's not the case, so he would instead pass judgment quietly with a single glance.
• To add to the things that have already been stated, Avery is obsessed with hygiene practices. He had always suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, which made it difficult for him to deal with unfamiliar places, especially when everything in that place was disorderly.
• This is also one of the reasons why his personal assistant, Francis, worked so well with the getaway trip organizers. He had to inform them of Avery's preferences, such as modifying the color scheme of his room to a grey and white scale and getting rid of anything bright and flashy as that would displease the young billionaire.
• "Good afternoon, Mr. Jacques," a flight attendant stated cordially, bowing down her head slightly after greeting him. She moved in closer, fully facing Avery before bending her body forward. She seemed to be making an effort to entice the man to look inside her blouse, intent on showing her cleavage.
• "Do you need anything? Are you comfortable?" she inquired, a suggestive smile on her face.
• Avery recognized what the woman was doing, so he returned his gaze to his laptop's screen, where he continued scrolling along an article page. "I don't need anything, thank you," he answered quietly, still unwilling to turn his head and give in to temptation.
• "If you need anything," the woman seductively whispered close to his ear. "...I'll be here for whatever," she continued.
• Avery tightened his jaws and remained silent. Perhaps this was one of the qualities that women admired about him. He always seemed uninterested in physical intimacy, in contrast to other men. Avery would probably never lay his hands on anyone's body if he wasn't set on marrying Vanna. Another thing about him is that he is a narcissist who just loves himself.
• ************
• Ida flew from New York to Nairobi, Kenya, for around thirteen hours. Of course, she'd whine about it. Sitting for that long is exhausting, especially for the lower half of the body.
• "My buttocks are all numb," Ida moaned, patting her hips side to side to encourage her blood to flow back down to her lower back and leg muscles. "I should've brought my dad so someone could help me with these," she mumbled, struggling to pull the trolley and hoist the carry-on bag on one shoulder, unassisted.
• It was nearly 12 a.m., and her entire body was restless. She is scared she is about to pass out from exhaustion. And to think that the journey did not end there, Ida could only close her eyes in anguish. Later that evening, at 8 p.m., she'd have to catch another flight from Nairobi to Lamu, where Kiwayu Island was located. Love-Free Yacht Services will be waiting there to welcome her.
• "Ms. Mitsuko," a man's voice could be heard a little further away from Ida.
• "Who..." Ida murmured, her eyes narrowing as she tried to figure out if she knew that man. That's when she realized she'd forgotten something. "Oh, it must be them," she mused as she watched the man approach her.
• "My name is Jaali from Love-Free Yacht Services," the man said, smiling warmly. "I will pick you up and take you to Hemingways Hotel, where you will be staying," he continued.
• Ida didn't say anything, just stared at Jaali from head to toe, confusing him. "The package covers your stay at that hotel," he added discreetly.
• "Yes, I know," Ida replied, nodding her head. "If I'm not mistaken, I'd be flying in a jet to Lamu," she added, seeking clarification.
• "That's right, madame," Jaali responded pleasantly.
• "Wonderful," Ida responded brightly. Without saying anything further, she handed Jaali the carry-on bag, which the latter eagerly accepted.
• Ida began to walk, but she soon stopped and turned back to the man, asking, "Which way to the car?" with both eyebrows raised.
• *******
• Avery, on the other hand, had just finished a late-night dinner at Hemingways. He sat alone in an exclusive area, overwhelmed by different recipes that he couldn't finish on his own.
• Nonetheless, sitting alone at a long table with no one else didn't make him lonesome. Nothing else matters to him at the moment except peace and quiet, which he hasn't had since he got engaged to Vanna and was asked to live under one roof as a way of getting to know each other better.
• Following a brief period of contemplation over whether to order another drink of whiskey or return to his suite to rest, Avery made his decision. He moved the chair back slightly, making a tiny scraping sound.
• "I'd love a quick shower," he mumbled to himself before standing up.
• Avery gave his wristwatch a short check before smoothing the front of his blazer with his palm. He buttoned it up tight, ready to find his way back to the room.
• On his way, Avery's gaze landed on the other side of the hallway, where a woman in a formal and classy rose-colored jumpsuit was walking. She was eye-catching, especially since her long neck was exposed and her hair was beautifully done up.
• It was Ida.
• And for some reason, as they got closer, Avery couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He was wondering if it was Ida's wonderfully proportioned facial features or her slim, small, enticing physique that continued to enchant him.
• He had no idea that Ida was thinking the same way about him. She was trying to figure out if it was those deep blue eyes or Avery's nicely shaped body and tall stature that pulled her in.
• They stopped right in front of one other, their gaze locked, but neither of them said anything. It was as if their eyes communicated things that, when spoken, would never create meaning.
• Avery casually broke eye contact, as he turned to face the door to his room. Without further ado, he grabbed the hotel card key from his pocket and slid it into the door's lock.
• Ida continued to watch Avery until he entered his room and delicately closed the door behind him. Ida could only mutter, "A mystery pretty boy," at that precise moment.
• Right then, one side of her lips curled up into a suggestive smirk. Ida definitely desired him — everything about him, Avery.