C6 Day Two

Later that day, Martin brought her to buy new clothes despite her insistence to go alone. He said he had all the time to spare anyway. It didn’t hurt to walk around and do some sightseeing.

From our conversation, she found that he had been staying on the island for two months already and intended to enjoy this ‘long holiday’ and rest from work. He told her he hadn’t taken a break for many years after postgrad. Celine didn’t ask him questions; she didn’t know what to say.

We walked around the bay where the yachts were lined up, and there were a lot of shops there. Old buildings are painted in bright orange and yellow colors, typical of the city's art. She felt that this area was the most active tourist destination on the island. Otherwise, she could easily mistake the island for being deserted.

With little cash left, she had to borrow Martin. She promised that as soon as the money was transferred in two days (the poor girl finally gave in to talking to her papa’s secretary, but only telling him she ran out of money; something typical she did and asked him for more), she would return him. Her papa transferred her monthly allowance as well, which is also scheduled to be due soon. She probably won’t use it up again this time...and hopefully, she doesn’t have to swipe more credit cards like she always does every month. This was a matter of habit, really.

“Martin! Do you think this blouse is pretty?” She picked up one cute blouse and asked him; the response was the same dull tone.

“That one’s alright.”

It was an answer without an answer, and it annoyed her.

“And this one?” She kept trying to get a response, and this time Martin, who was sitting peacefully reading a book at one corner of the shop, simply nodded as if he was so bothered and lazy to answer.

“Hey, help me choose, pleaseeee.” Although she had known him only a few days, she felt comfortable and safe around him, and he seemed like someone she could talk to or joke around with.

Martin closed his book. He could kind of guess that she would do this, letting him wait while shopping.

“One hour here, and you asked me for my opinion of every piece of clothing in the store. I think I have answered everything.”

“You only said okay, not okay, alright, something of that sort, and how should I supposed to know whether it’s something I should buy?”

“The outcome is the same with more lengthy comments—you will either buy or leave it where you found it.”

What he said was correct, but she could never get used to his silence. No one who ever went shopping with her could be this quiet. When her friends joined her, they gave her many fun comments, and she felt alive. Unlike Martin, he only cared about his book.

She pouted her lips and avoided his gaze.

“Let’s just pay. But anyways, you are only staying here for two weeks. You can’t really buy all these.”

This was the first time in her life she was clearly dissatisfied, and no one cared.

This was the first time in her life she was clearly dissatisfied, and someone exacerbated the anger…

“Celine, whatever you have picked, I will pay for only half of them.”

She gasped. Celine couldn’t believe what she heard. She was stunned for a good while, but she knew that eventually, she needed to do what he told her to. He was the one who paid the bills, after all. She could only follow what he said.

Without saying a word, she turned to give him an angry look and carefully selected the clothes she really wanted.

“We need fewer than that.” The dictator ordered again.

There! He doesn’t stop, can’t he? He really wanted to make her angry, but she couldn’t do anything. Hell!

She kept silent. She couldn’t talk to him in this mood, although he just paid for her clothes and helped her carry those two large shopping bags. Still, she didn’t want to talk to him.

However, Martin was the kind of man who felt completely at ease in silence. We didn’t say a word to each other during lunch at a café in the middle of town. He ordered his dish, and she ordered hers.

“Do you know I’m angry with you? You realize that, do you?” She said bluntly. It was her who felt uncomfortable with the silence and broke it. She hoped he could say something that would make her feel better.

“Hmm?” He appeared totally surprised as if that was a piece of new information he didn’t think of before.

“I don’t like it that you asked for half my clothing selections.” She explained—to think about it, he probably couldn’t realize this on his own even after two weeks.

“Oh…” He didn’t respond much and sipped his coffee. What is this? He really doesn’t get it. She was losing patience.

“Can you say something more than Oh?”

“How many credit cards do you have?”

“Huh?” This question caught her off-guard, and it came totally out of context. She suddenly forgot she was mad at him and answered truthfully—she told him about the five credit cards and the banks they were from.

“After this trip, you should keep only two; cancel the rest. One card’s purpose is for usual expenses, it should be good for collecting points for more discounts, and another could help you collect miles as rewards for flights. Being mindful about it, so the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.” He took time explaining this like a salesman.

“Wait, what? What do you mean?” She was confused.

“I didn’t know if anyone ever taught you this. I didn’t want to meddle in your business and how you manage your life, but money management skill is really my thing, and I want to let you understand the basics. People should control their spending, you know, really know how to use money.” He sighed and went back to eating without realizing that she was fuming.

He didn’t care about my feelings but blamed me more.

No one had said such a thing to her before, and she was furious. She felt numb. But what made this situation even more infuriating was the fact that she needed to depend on him even though she didn’t even want to see his face. What a cold, arrogant person. She couldn’t do anything right. Everything she did must seem wrong in his eyes.

She was angry and humiliated. Worse yet, he didn’t even look up at her. Suddenly, one thought emerged.

What if she could just disappear? If she just disappeared from his life, things might be better. Her presence could only bother him, and he will just lecture her day after day. What is the point of staying?

She frowned, stood up, and started to walk away. She didn’t know where the destination was. She just had to get out of there.

“I will repay you once I have the money for the expenses for the clothes, food, and accommodation. Thank you very much.” She said with a shaky voice before walking out, leaving everything there, and walking out with only one phone and a wallet with very little money left.

“Celine, where are you going?” She heard him yell out behind her. But that only made her walk faster and faster until it became a run. She just wanted to get out of there. She didn't want to be lectured again.

She, who essentially had nowhere to go, sat on a bench on the beach. Tears from feeling indignified slowly flowed down her cheeks. She had to wipe them out over and over again. Still, it still wouldn't stop.

This didn’t feel right. She shouldn’t cry for someone who she had known for only three days.

She could only sit and watch the blue ocean waves crashing against the shore. Her head was busy thinking about where else to go if she didn't have to rely on Martin... Should she go to the police? Or call her father’s secretary again to wire the money within the day. The fact that she hadn't told her parents earlier about the robbery was because she didn't want them to worry. They could be overprotective sometimes; both of her parents would definitely book the next flight ticket to come to see her.

She was lost in her thoughts for a long while until she heard his voice.

“Celine!” For the first time, she heard a voice that wasn't in his usual calm tone or his scolding. This time, Martin seemed shaken, and... was he glad to see her?

She stared at Martin as he carried the bags of clothes we bought and laid them in front of her. He was exhausted and sweating, and as soon as he put the bags down, he wiped out the sweat with his sleeves.

“Why did you walk away?” He asked, genuinely not knowing anything about how she felt. Her anger resurfaced once more. She just sat with her arms crossed and turned away from him.

“What did I do wrong again? Can’t you just tell me?” He bent down to the same eye level as hers. But she wouldn't look at him. She wouldn’t look, not at all, no way.

“........”

“Sigh…” She glanced in his direction from the corner of her eyes. She saw that Martin looked around for a while and simply walked away.

What? Will he just leave me here?

He walked away, leaving her alone with the bags of clothes.

The tears that she thought were all gone welled up again. Tears began to blur the view of the vast ocean. Celine didn’t know why she was so sensitive to these small insignificant matters. Maybe because she always thought that he could be someone she could depend on. She didn't think that she was to be lectured and pointed out all her flaws.

But before she could dwell deeper in her thoughts, something was extended in front of her.

“I don't know what flavor you like. So, I ordered vanilla.” A cone of gelato was placed in front of her with a handkerchief.

“I’m really sorry if what I’ve said hurt your feelings. It’s a bad habit. Please don’t be too angry at me.” His gentle voice made her cry even harder. She didn't know why.

“……..”

“Hey, don’t cry, please don’t cry. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” He apologized over and over and wiped her tears with his handkerchief. While his other hand was holding two cones of vanilla gelato in that one hand... How could she still hold a grudge after seeing that?

“Okay…” That was all she could say.

“Let’s eat ice cream. It’s melting.”

“Okay…” She took the ice cream, and its coldness and sweet taste gradually improved her mood.

“Please don’t be angry at me….” He mentioned this after we sat side by side on the bench.

“Fine!”

She didn’t know him much nor his character. He can be cold and too straightforward at times, even though some of the hurtful words he said were from naïve intentions. Even though he appeared as if he didn’t care, once he recognized that she was upset, he apologized, and she would be a heartless person without accepting his apologies.

…for that, he was so tender with his words.