May 10th

Journal Entry of Serena Ali

I saw the cutest couple today on the shuttle over from America, I first noticed them in the lounge.

I saw the young man first, he has black hair and fair skin with the most interesting eyes, and they were grey then blue then a mix of both, the colour could not be pinned down. He was always watching everything around him, even when he was reading the paper.

He is security; I would eat my journal if I were wrong, and takes one to know one I guess. The training never dies or fades no matter how old you get. Even with his training I could tell he was taken completely by surprise when the young Asian woman came into the lounge.

I can understand why he was speechless, even as a woman I could appreciate the sensual beauty as she crossed the lounge to where he was sitting. She dropped a quick kiss on his cheek as she sat down; the look of utter astonishment was very entertaining. The young woman started laughing as she took in the expression on his face.

Though I could not hear what was being said, I could extrapolate the conversation from their body language, he was shocked at her appearance and her being there. The young woman was apparently joining him on some sort of excursion, which obviously had not originally included her.

The young mans body language said that there was nothing more in the world he wanted, but the look on his face stated otherwise.

I must admit it was very rude of me to move closer, under the guise of getting a drink of water. I sat near enough to hear most of what they were saying but not close enough to arouse too much suspicion. The young man did check me out, but who is going to suspect a little old Balinese woman? Hmmmmm

The young woman's name is Hochee (spelling I am not sure about), the man's turned out to be Malcolm Reed. Actually I think the whole complex now knows that is his name and that Hochee also thinks he is at times a conceited ass.

I did have a small chuckle over that one, definitely not a good ploy, Malcolm had accused Hochee of only going to the conference because he was going. I silently clapped when Hochee coolly informed him that she was an expert in her own field and that she had also been asked to speak.

Malcolm spent quite sometime apologizing, he finally won the young lady over by complimenting her on her appearance, well at least the young lady took it as a compliment. I am not sure exactly though where the phrasing, "You cleaned up really nice" would be considered a compliment. Though the young man, Malcolm, did blush most charmingly at his faux pas.

I noticed them again on the flight over, the young woman was complaining of how this "Pierre" was an absolute fiend, and she didn't know what her sister saw in him. She appeared to be having some difficulty with her foot wear, which I must admit, caused me to wince in sympathy, even though they were beautiful works of art.

The next time I glanced over, Malcolm had her feet in his lap and he was massaging them, with the utmost look of concentration on his face. As if he was imprinting this moment in his memory, almost as if somebody would come along and chase him away from giving his young lady this small pleasure.

The rest of the trip was quiet, though I did notice that the young couple seemed to have heightened colour when they disembarked. I do so hope they were off to celebrate their union.

I must say I do hope Archie comes home soon, I just may have to start without him.