Awakening (4 page)

“
That sounds like a good idea. I’m pretty tired from my day on the slopes anyway. Do you really want to walk her back? She could stay in our extra bedroom.” Arie sounded so excited, but I then detected a slight edge of worry in her voice. I didn’t want to offend her, but the thought completely terrified me - plus I had Matilda to get back to. Thankfully, Athen must have picked up on it.

“
I don’t mind walking her home. It will give us time to talk about things more privately.” Once his words reached me I was enthralled and invigorated for a whole new set of conversations. He smiled and grabbed my hand to help me up from our comfortable seats. As I sprung to my feet, I noticed Arie gazing at a guy two tables away who almost seemed to be glaring at me, though I knew that was ridiculous and brushed it off.

“
Not to worry, man. We’ll get the check.” Cyrus ribbed Athen once more bringing me back to reality.

“
Thanks. See ya in the morning. I’m sure you two will be sound asleep by the time I get in.”

I could only hope I thought to myself. I saw Athen nod his head at Cyril towards the direction of the glaring man, but I shrugged it off. I said my goodbyes to my new friends as Athen and I walked out of the lounge. My heart started beating a little faster again. The thought of being alone with him filled me with happiness. I looked over at him, and he was adjusting his grey knit cap. He looked sensational with his black wool coat on, worn blue jeans, and the shiniest black shoes that seemed to work on him.

As we were headed to the door, I caught the evil stare of the man lurking a few feet away from me and it hit me. He had made an appearance in one of my dreams. It wasn’t a good one either. I was avoiding his eyes, afraid of what I might see. I could feel myself begin to get clammy and hoped that I wasn’t starting down the slippery slope of paranoia, especially at a time like this. I tried to bring myself back to reality, turning my attention to Athen hoping for something to pop in my head to start a conversation. As Athen’s eyes caught mine, I saw a look of concern. I was sure it had to do with the stranger. I noticed him give the creep one last glance before he took hold of my hand letting a calming sense of security wash through my body. I wasn’t going to ruin tonight. I was going to stay in the moment, which when looking into Athen’s eyes was not a hard thing to do. The butterflies returned and I was eternally grateful. I was safe in his presence.

I couldn’t believe that for whatever reason I was the lucky one to spend time with him tonight. He looked over at me with his dazzling, green eyes and half-smirk, shaking his head while opening the door that led out to the village. It really seemed like he was reading my mind when he did that. The blast of cold air reminded me to move as I floated through the door out to the village pathway. We walked at a nice pace. I tried to stop as many times as I could justify adjusting my shoes or whatever else I could think of to make the night go on for that much longer. I was hoping he hadn’t caught on. I’m sure he did, which would be one more reason why he would never call me again, too desperate. The snow had pretty much stopped by the time we got back to my condo. I hoped it would start again for the ski season’s sake. We approached the automatic doors in the lobby leaving my heart to sink as I realized that this was the end to the night.

Athen grabbed my hand as I tried to dodge out of the sensors way that kept opening and closing the door to the lobby. He pulled me towards him swiftly making me fall right into his arms. A wave of embarrassment began to hit, realizing he probably never meant for that to happen. But as I tried to release myself, his arms wrapped around me tighter. It was such a firm embrace, and he didn’t let go. I looked up at him, as he moved his lips closer to my ear, which sent shivers through me.

“
Make sure you get a good amount of sleep,” Athen murmured, “We’ll meet in the center of the village at 9:00 am.” His breath gently grazed my hair as he backed away and turned quietly towards his walk home. I stood staring at him for as long as I could justify. Taking a deep breath in and mustering the strength to head in, I spun on my heels and glided through the doors daydreaming about his fingers touching mine and his lips so near my own. This would be a hard night.

    
I
woke up from what seemed like the best dream ever. A wave of sadness crept over me at the thought of it being over. For once, in a very long time, I slept through the entire night with no nightmares gnawing at my every thought. As I rolled over to pet Matilda, my alarm clock went off. That’s weird for a Saturday I thought to myself. Then bolted upright as all the memories from the night before came flooding in. It wasn’t a dream last night. I truly had gone out with Athen and his family and was expected to meet him in the center of the village this morning. I shot out of the bed and straightened out my goose-down comforter around Matilda and slapped the alarm clock off on my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I got Matilda all set for the day, I did my best to remain calm and not get too excited for my meeting with Athen and his family. I was sure I was reading far too much into our encounter, but I couldn’t wait to see him again. His image was blazed across everything I looked at. I saw his presence everywhere, and that feeling helped to calm my nerves.

“
The thing a good night’s sleep does for a person is incredible.” I announced to Matilda.

Matilda gobbled down her kibbles, and I decided I had better call Karen as I had promised even though she wouldn’t be approving of my day’s plans. I reached for the phone as it started to vibrate and began to flash Athen’s number. A charge ran right through me, and I picked it up as fast as I could.

“
Hey, Athen. Have the plans changed?” I asked, wishing I hadn’t. It was as if any minute I expected this whole situation to implode.

“
No, did you want them to?”

“
No, not at all,” I started to stammer, “I was only checking.”

“
Ana, I’m kidding. I wanted to see if you wanted to meet me for breakfast before we met up with my sister and Cyril?”

“
Oh, sure. That sounds great. I need a few minutes to let Matilda out and finish getting dressed.” My heart started beating a little faster, and as if on cue he chuckled.

“
What’s so funny Mister?”

“
Well, if you want you can swing open your front door, and I will take her downstairs.”

“
Of course, I should’ve known. I’ll be right there.”

I put the leash on Matilda, and she excitedly pulled me to the front door. When I opened the door, there he stood - jaw dropping as ever. Unfortunately, it only highlighted the fact that I hadn’t even run a brush through my hair yet, let alone had a shower for the day.

“
Wow, you look amazing.” The kindness radiated in his voice, catching me off guard.

“
Thanks, but I’m still in my flannels. It can’t be that impressive.” I smiled at him. His return smile melting me where I stood. Thankfully Matilda had other things on her mind to distract me.

“
I appreciate you taking her out, but you don’t have to do this.”

“
I don’t mind at all. We will be back soon so you better be ready.”

I closed the door as he waited for the elevator but not without noticing how well dressed he was in his dark jeans and green sweater. I took one more peek through the peephole, ran to the bathroom, and turned on the shower. I picked out a similar outfit to his and attempted to contain my building excitement. I was about ready to step in the shower when my phone rang. I instantly remembered that I had forgotten to call Karen after all. I decided to let it go to voicemail, hopping in the shower.

We were at one of my favorite places in the village eating crepes when I saw Karen walk in with her boyfriend. What are the odds? I thought to myself. That is one thing about the village – everything and everyone is connected. The places are all so small; it’s hard to be missed. Athen sensed something and immediately followed my eyes to the door.

“
What’s up?” He asked, rather confused sounding, “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“
No, it’s my friend who I forgot to call back this morning.”

“
Okay, well I doubt she’ll be that upset. Why are you acting like it’s that big of a deal?”

“
Well, she wasn’t thrilled that I was going out with you last night. It is so unlike me. Plus, we made a pact not to date tourists because it never leads to anything good.”

“
Oh, is that all? Well, maybe we should flag her over and let her know the good news.” He pretended to wave his hand in the air.

“
What is that?”

“
That I’m a resident, not a tourist.” He smiled and laughed so loudly that Karen and her boyfriend looked over, and I gave her a sheepish smile as our eyes locked.

“
Nice one, Athen.” I said under my breath.

Karen started walking over, and I kicked Athen under the table to thank him. He looked at me with a smile wider than the Cheshire cat.

“
Hey, Ana,” Karen chided, “You didn’t call me back. I was worried.” She looked Athen up and down like he was an alien. “But I can see that you are alright.”

“
I think she is more than alright.” Athen said beaming and grabbed my hand across the table. I blushed and looked up at Karen, whose eyes were as big as saucers.

“
It is not like that Karen. I’m so sorry for not calling. I meant to. Then Athen picked me up early this morning and I hurried out the door. I’m so sorry. I appreciate you worrying though. It looks like you are feeling better at least.” Karen’s boyfriend came up behind her as I was rambling my apology when it hit me that I hadn’t introduced anybody.

“
Sorry for not introducing everyone. Athen, this is my friend Karen and her boyfriend Justin.”

“
Hey man, nice to meet you.” Athen stuck out his hand to Justin’s for the typical guy handshake. Karen looked over and mouthed something to me. Like usual, I couldn’t understand what she tried to say so I mouthed back, “What?” and at the same time Athen turned back to me. This time I caught what she was saying at the same time her boyfriend did.

“
Well, I guess you’re hot, Athen,” Justin laughed as he squeezed Karen. I couldn’t help but smile, laughing as Karen’s cheeks turned more scarlet than mine ever did.

The hostess came over to seat Karen and Justin at their table, and we said our goodbyes. I looked over at Athen. He was staring at me intently. I couldn’t figure out why so I looked down to make sure I didn’t have crepe in my hair or syrup stuck to my sweater. It all looked clear.

“
Do you know what I find most amazing about you, Ana?”

“
No, can’t say that I can figure that out.”

“
You are so stunning and have no idea. When people look at you to admire your beauty, you take it as if something must be wrong with you. You start to fidget, get uncomfortable, and stare back with the roundest eyes. I swear I can almost catch a glimpse of fear in them for what you might find out.”

“
Well, if you knew me better you would know that nine times out of ten I have spilled something down the front of me or stuck my hair in frosting or a latte so there is usually something wrong with me so- ha.”

“
You are a bit feisty aren’t you?”

“
Maybe a tad.” I looked at him, fear starting to build thinking that I could lose this feeling. I had never experienced this comfort level with someone before in all my life, or at least the life that I could remember. Even with my closest friend, Karen, I kept a distance. I had tried to knock it down, but I never could completely get that feeling to go away. Yet here within one day of meeting Athen and his family, I could be me. I hoped that feeling would last.

“
Do you like your ham crepe? It is probably in my top two favorites.” I asked trying to distract him from looking at me so intently. I didn’t know how much longer I could stand having his enticing green eyes penetrate me that way.

“
Yeah, it’s pretty great. This was a good idea. Hopefully it will give us the stamina for today.”

“
Speaking of that, what do you have planned? You haven’t told me one detail.”

“
It’s a total surprise. I don’t want to give you any chance to back out on me so no details.”

“
God, that is unfair!”

I noticed Athen briefly look behind me, and in that instant, his posture changed. I turned around and didn’t see anything except a guy waiting for his meal to arrive.

“
What are you doing? What’s up?” I asked him.

He looked at me. His eyes showing a bit of disgust lodged behind them. He didn’t express it. He shook his head and gathered more crepe on his fork.

I looked back at the guy again and thought he looked vaguely familiar. Then it occurred to me that he was the same guy in the lounge last night. The same guy who I’ve seen in a few of my nightmares. He had a real creepy vibe about him in the daylight too. That’s a bit weird I thought to myself, dismissing the thought as quickly as it came. Must be a local who got caught up in my dream sequences. I couldn’t let my imagination run anymore wild than it already had. Sure my subconscious had only seen him in the village, leaving my brain to enter him into one of my nightmares. There, now I’m sounding like a normal person again.

******

Arie and Cyril were waiting for us at the coffee shop in the middle of the village. It was bustling pretty mightily, but I managed to squeeze in, hoping I could slip in my favorite caramel flan latte before heading out for the day’s unknown adventures.