Jane looked at Rafael as he put Mateo down and sat down on the couch.
"You alright"? she asked as she analyzed him.
"Yeah".
"Rafael.. What is it? I know you and I know when something is bothering you".
"It's just hotel stuff, I don't want to bore you with it".
Jane tilted her head to the side. "I know you own the hotel, but you know I never find it a bore when you talk about it. What's going on".
Rafael sighed. "Petra's got this stupid and crazy idea about asking a celebrity we have staying at the hotel to be the face of our new Celebrity Campaign".
Jane held back a laugh. "A celebrity campaign? What the hell is that"?
"Exactly". Agreed Rafael.
"No, I'm being serious. What is a celebrity campaign"?
"It's a way for celebrities to find The Marbella more attractive to stay at".
"Do you need celebrities to make the hotel profitable"?
"No. And on top of that, the celebrity that's here is really here because of the fact were not that kind of hotel and discreet".
"And you're afraid that what Petra wants to put in place will do the exact opposite".
"I don't know, but in regard to the celebrity we have here now… well yeah kind of".
"Who is this celebrity"?
Rafael looked at Jane and hesitated.
"Rafael, I'm technically part of the staff, if I was working, I'd know anyway".
"You're right and it's not like you're going to go crazy, I mean your dad is a celebrity and you act perfectly normally around him".
Jane smiled. "It's nice that you consider my dad a celebrity, but I don't think he's quite there yet".
Rafael nodded in amusement to Jane's remark. "It's Emma Fontaine".
"Emma Fontaine ? As in Emma Fontaine the actress »?
« Yeah, you know her » ?
« Who doesn't »?
Rafael looked hurt.
« Well, in all honesty, until I knew she was staying here, I didn't know who she was".
"You don't get out enough", said Jane as she smirked. "Emma Fontaine is a mega rising star. She's been in some pretty big productions in Europe and in the US. She's everywhere. She's really talented".
"I know that now", said Rafael nudging her jokingly. "I did do my homework you know".
"I don't doubt that for a minute. So what is she doing in Miami"?
"I think she's taking a break, looking for some peace and quiet. That's the impression I got from her this morning".
"You actually talked to her? Oh my god, what is she like"?
"I didn't really speak a lot, but she's different".
"Different how"?
"I don't know. I guess when I saw her acting history, I expected someone egocentric, full of herself, demanding with stupid requirements and she's nothing like that. She seems so simple. Not like the celebrities I'm used to seeing around here".
"I won't tell my dad you said that".
"You know it's not how I see your dad".
"You should, he is all of the above, or at least he was, he's gotten a hold of himself finally. When I said I wouldn't tell my dad you said that, it didn't mean I didn't agree with you".
She looked at him. "But something is still worrying you".
"Yeah, I just don't want Petra to be stalking her or breathing down her neck while she's here".
Jane shrugged. "So, you make sure Petra doesn't get in her way. I'm sure you'll find something, if Petra doesn't seem to back down from her latest mission".
When Jane had left he had played with Mateo and the twins for a while. Then eventually the evening rolled in and after having had dinner with them, he had tucked Mateo in for the night while the nannies did the same with the twins.
He worked a couple of hours from his penthouse and then decided to call it a night. He served himself a glass of scotch and headed out on the balcony. It must have been almost midnight and the nightlife of the hotel had completely died down. Those who would still be in the partying mood, often headed into the city to go to more upbeat bars and clubs. He was almost finished with his drink and was about to go to bed when a silhouette caught his eye. In the moonlight, walking barefoot near the waves, wearing a long flowing dress was Emma. He didn't know if it was the atmosphere or the backdrop, but she looked beautiful.
He returned inside and put his empty glass on the table. He crept into the twin's room and looked at the nannies.
"I'm going to go for a walk, can you keep an ear open for Mateo"? he whispered.
The nannies nodded, and he left the room and the penthouse. When he reached the beach, at first his heart sank thinking he had missed her but as his eyes got used to the darkness of the night, he finally saw her.
He nonchalantly walked over in her direction and made just enough noise as to not startle her. She smiled upon seeing him stop beside her.
"Don't tell me you run at this hour"?
He smiled. "No. I needed some fresh air and some peace and quiet".
She nodded as she turned her attention towards the ocean. "It's nice isn't it".
"Yes, it is". Even though he knew she was talking about the view and the peacefulness that came along with it. In fact, he was referring to being next to her.
"You've had a pleasant day"? he asked.
She shook her head and at first, he panicked that maybe Petra had spoken to her about 'her project'. "Slept most of the day. It was a terrible idea. Now I'm not tired. But I guess, if I look at the silver lining, I get to have this moment, which I wouldn't have if I were asleep".
"You'll get out of the jetlag in a couple of days and then you can spend the days doing exactly what pleases you. And you're right, you always have to look on the bright side of things".
She smiled. "An optimist".
He laughed. "I'd say somewhere in between optimist and realist. You"?
"Even if it's not always easy, I also try a combination of both. My theory is that everything happens for a reason, sometimes you just need to see the bigger picture to see why, but eventually everything makes sense".
"That makes a lot of sense".
"Really"?
"Yes. Why shouldn't it"? he asked wondering if he had made a faux pas.
She shook her head smiling. "I don't know, most people I tell that to, generally think I'm crazy".
"I don't think so. I mean I often ask myself that kind of question".
She looked at him doubtfully.
"I'm being totally serious. I'll give you an example. I had cancer a couple of years back and I couldn't see why, it was only after that I realized that it was so that I could appreciate life more, not take it or others for granted".
He then stopped and realized he had hardly spoken about his cancer to anyone except Petra and Jane and some of his closest friends. He found it odd that he had been able to mention it to a complete stranger.
"I'm sorry you had to go through with that. Are you alright now"?
Her comment and question seemed genuine and sincere and it's true that it had been a long time since someone had asked him if everything was alright.
"Yes, I was very lucky. Your turn".
She looked at him. "My turn? Oh, so we're taking turns confiding something huh"?
He shrugged and smiled. "Well, it's only fair, I've said something quite personal, I'm interested in hearing your side of the motto".
She seemed to think for a moment. She took a few steps back and sat down on the beach, he mirrored her.
"When I was thirteen I started having health problems. It wasn't until when I was almost fifteen that they found out I had a congenital heart malformation. It was very rare. I was on meds for two years, couldn't do anything anymore, no sports, no sleeping over friend's houses, constantly having my parents hovering over me. Then I had surgery, it was quite new, I was the 41st person in the world to have it. For a couple of years after, I would wake up soaking wet from sweating. I kept having nightmares that the surgery hadn't worked and that I was sick again. Ever since then, I've realized how lucky I was to be given a second chance at life and I stopped taking it for granted as well. I revel in the beauty people and this world has to offer. I'll be the one who's going to be crying of joy over a mother and child hugging, smiling at a butterfly flying over a flower or the sunrise or sunset, I watch the stars and just take all its beauty, everything around me is precious and I'm not sure I would look at things the same way, if there hadn't been a risk of me never seeing it again".
"Wow".
She suddenly looked worried. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to try and outrank what happened to you".
He instinctively put his hand on hers to comfort her fear and that's when he felt it.. the surge. He wondered if she had felt it too. "Oh no, don't worry you didn't. It's just nice to talk to someone who has the same view on life. I guess people can't really understand unless they've gotten close to… dying".
"It's like we're part of some private club. It's just a pity that people need to experience those kinds of hardships to live and see things differently".
He thought for a while then looked at her realizing what could have been important about that moment. "I don't recall reading that in your biography".
She looked at him. "Because I've never told any reporters about it and since medical records are private and there's doctor-patient confidentiality, I know they'll never find out. It's one of the only things I can try to keep private".
He suddenly felt touched to know that she had shared something private about her life that no one, no ordinary person, knew. He wanted to thank her for trusting him with it but thought that might be a bit lame. He looked down and realized his hand was till resting on hers. He didn't' know what he was more curious about. The fact that it was still there and seemed to naturally feel like it was meant to be there or the fact that she hadn't removed her hand from underneath his.
Suddenly, the playboy he once had been, wanted to offer her to take a drink at the bar, see where things would go. He didn't really feel like he wanted this moment to end. Yet as they had both said, not so long ago, things happened for a reason and even if he wasn't going to understand there and then what that reason was, it would end up taking their future relationship where it wouldn't have ended up, had it never happened.
Without warning a huge wave, came and crashed on them, even though the tide was not even close to where they were sitting. When it ebbed, they looked at each other. They were both soaked from head to toe. And so, with salt water dripping from their hair and faces, they laughed for a couple of seconds. He was the one who finally stood and helped her up. He looked at her momentarily. The
flowing dress from earlier had become a cling-on and hugged her curves perfectly. Along with the cold of the water, it also highlighted the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra. He discreetly turned his eyes away from her chest.
"I guess that's my cue", she said with a soft smile. "Good night Rafael".
"Goodnight".
He watched her walk away slowly, as she wrung first her hair, then the bottom of her dress. When she was out of sight, he turned and looked at the ocean.
"Thanks a lot"!
And he was being sarcastic. He wasn't thanking them about what had looked like a wet t-shirt contest, but the fact that it had ruined what he had felt to be a great moment. As he walked back towards the hotel, he couldn't help but think that she had only been here technically one day. One day and he was already eager to learn more about her and spend more time with her. If he did end up liking her to the extent he thought he would, what would it be like in a week? And how long was she planning on staying anyway? Was he setting himself up for a major downfall? Was he getting way in over his head in this? Was there a really a reason behind all of it?