Characters:(1) Blythe - Yan s.h.i.+"s other name
(2) Nick- Li Jie"s other name / most of the Li Family calls him Nick except his father
(3) Trinette - LJ"s grandmother
(A/N: In the future chaps, it will be explained why most Li kids call him Nick.)
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July 11, 20xx
Kotor, Montenegro
From the study room window, Trinette watched Nick carefully led his wife to the car before taking the driver"s side. He told them early on, they will be driving down to Perast, an old town on the Bay of Kotor. The small seaside town has only a population of less than a thousand but it is frequently visited by tourists for the famed Lady of the Rocks.
"You like her, don"t you?" asked her husband for more than 50 years who was standing next to her.
It seemed that the emotional connection between them is strong that he can tell what she was thinking.
"It"s early to tell." she reacted after a minute of quietness.
Observing Blythe"s interaction with her grandchildren, she had an impression of her being witty and quick. However, she hated the fact that the woman never made an attempt to talk to her. She was very polite and never the one who initiated a conversation. She"s very unlike other women in her social circle.
"Don"t make it difficult for them. " he pleaded with a tender look at her.
When she was quiet, he continued.
"Nick is happy with her. Did you see your grandson"s affectionate eyes on her? He was openly flirting right in front of us. That darling, is love."
He let her sit on his lap when he occupied the singular settee in the room.
Before adding, "That"s how I looked at you in the past." and gave her a peck on the cheek which earned him a glare. His crisp laugh fell to her ears.
Shaking her head, it"s been 56 years since they fell in love and got married yet he still manages to give her b.u.t.terflies in her stomach.
********
There"s was a motorboat thumping across another boat"s wake as it closes the distance between the main land to the islet in the middle of the bay which is called Lady of the Rocks. Salty but cool air was drifting, making the sun"s warmth on the skin tolerable. It was just after three in the afternoon when the husband and wife left the villa.
When the boat anch.o.r.ed, they stepped on the rocky pavement with colorful gravel in shades of gray and white. There were people getting into other boats that lined the walkway as the voice of a tour guide was giving his final speech to the departing guests.
They stood outside the blue domed catholic church that sits on the island. From afar, she basked on the view of the beautiful town of Perast being reflected in the greenish-blue water and the mountains that surrounds the place.
*
"Want to know how this started?"
Her head nodded while her eyes were studying a collection of silver votive tablets left by sailors.
"In the 15th century, two fishermen discovered an image of Virgin Mary on a small crag sticking out of the bay. One of two, was a crippled man who lifted the icon and took it home. The next day, he found that the painted icon of the Virgin Mary and Child was missing. But what shocked that he was no longer crippled. He went to the priest to tell the story but of course with no evidence, n.o.body believed him."
He stopped upon noticing the beads of sweat on her forehead and tried to wipe them off but Yan s.h.i.+ stepped back to avoid the towel, before grabbing it from his hand and doing it by herself.
Heaving a sigh, he proceeded with the story.
"However, a few months later, they saw the icon again on that small rocky crag in the bay. Viewing this as a miracle, they wanted to build something to honor this place. Hence, this island was created by sinking old and seized s.h.i.+ps loaded with rocks. Then, they built this tiny Orthodox chapel on this site. It became a tradition of throwing a rock into the sea whenever people returned safely from a voyage."
In a relaxed pace, he added "Most of the items showcased here were donated by seafarers who had been miraculously saved and dedicated the silver plates in thanks."
"Then, this is the evidence of how dangerous life at sea is." she concluded.
In response, the man pinched her cheek and stated "What a smart student you are."
Her raised hand swatted his, making him yelp a soft "ouch."
The laugh that escaped his mouth few seconds later was still ringing to her ears as they stood on the stone arched window, giving an ample view of St. George Monastery which perches on an adjacent island.
Her wondering gaze made him volunteer the information. "That one is a natural island and it"s not open to the public."
"Does it have a story?" she questioned, while click of camera shutters was heard.
"Hmm--there was a soldier who thought he shot an enemy during a fight but accidentally shot his love. He couldn"t live of the heartbreak and killed themselves. The two were buried on that island."
"What a sad love." she murmured.
After more than an hour of being a tourist, they came out and strolled on the rocky walkway.
Suddenly, he removed his shoes and sat at the edge, dipping his feet into the water. He gestured her and she did the same. The touch of cold water on the skin tempered down the heat that started seeping after walking around inside the church and museum.
Looking at glow of sun on the horizon, she spurted out her observation "Never peg you to be interested in history."
He replied with a chuckle "I"m not. Grandma"s maternal grandparents are from Montenegro. Every three years, usually around July, we come back to visit their graves and pay our respects. Grandma liked to tell us stories like this at bedtime."
When she was quiet, he spoke in a soft voice.
I apologize for grandma"s rudeness today. She appeared to be strict but the truth is, she has the softest heart. I think, she"s just being skeptical after what I did 2 years ago."
The evidence of his love to his grandmother is evident in his voice.
"What did you do?" without pulling her gaze from the water, she asked.
He hesitated.
But eventually opened his mouth to speak "Every year, it"s a family tradition to have reunion which has been pa.s.sed down on my grandma"s side for years. It"s something to look forward for, because most of us were based somewhere around the globe. I used to enjoy them, not until when I was 23. Grandma started inviting women to these events and forced me to date them. Every year after then, it was the same. I was being forced to marry. So, two years ago----"
"And?" she prodded when he kept quiet for awhile, in curiosity on what made a sharp woman like Trinette be suspicious of him now.
He took away his eyes on her and glimpsed at the setting sun.
"Two years ago, I brought home a woman. She was perfect from head to toe. Her character conveyed the impression of being kind. Everyone in the family was enamored by her, including grandma. But no one knew, thinking grandma went with us to check my cousin"s vineyard, she went to their bedroom and tried to seduce grandpa. When she got refusal, she turned to father. But she caught her undressing in front of father. On the spot, she had a heart attack."
"You got fooled." she said with a wry smile.
Instead on commenting on that, he confessed "In the end, we learned she was a club dancer but was looking for a quick rich scheme.
"
He wanted to explain further but closed his mouth. Regardless of the how, it was still a mistake on his part.
"You have quite a record. " she commented after awhile.
Suddenly, his lips brought out a simper as if he was proud of what he did.
"Francine seemed to a good woman." she expressed lazily but there was a tinge of jealousy. Not with her appearance but for getting his grandma"s approval.
"No." he refused and added " I don"t have the habit of dating a friend"s ex."
"Gu Yao Ting"s?"
He nodded.
"Why not?" her brows raised with the question.
"There"s this."
Without missing a beat, he placed an arm on her waist to pull her closer to his side then, his warm breath caught her lips.
She was momentarily surprised but her body betrayed her. One arm dangled on his shoulder for support and met his fervent yet unhurried kiss.
The gentle lap of water hitting the island"s rocky structure, the echoing voices from people at a distant and the beautiful sunset became the background of the two people sitting on the stone made platform kissing tenderly.
*******
Unknown to them, someone was taking a picture of this sight with his phone and a wide grin was plastered on his face.
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Extra:
YS: Stop turning me into a h.o.r.n.y woman!!!
TC: What? I didn"t hear you.
YS: I said stop it. "Unable to betray her body" What"s this?
TC: You are a doctor yet you forgotten the basics.
YS: (puzzled) What basics?
TC: (Dismissive hand like Trinette)(too lazy to explain) Go check your book.
YS: (Reading aloud) Kissing stimulates brain hormones like dopamine and oxytocin which are neurotransmitters a.s.sociated with pleasure. These trigger the s.e.xual urge level to increase.
TC: See? I am just a writer but I"m smarter than you.
YS: ?????