When Jane arrived that morning to pick up Mateo, she noticed that Rafael was somewhere in his thoughts, but the look on his face was different. She didn't think it was about Petra, but these days you could never know.
"More Petra problems"? she asked.
"No".
"Then where were you right now"?
Instead of giving her a direct answer he asked her a question in return. "Can I ask for some advice"?
"Anything as long as it has nothing do with Petra".
"Imagine the following scenario. You're out on the beach, talking in the moonlight about your life with someone who sparks your interest. You can tell there's somewhat of a connection. Then out of the blue, due to outside circumstances, the time is cut short. What do you do"?
"You're asking me for love advice"?
"I gave you a scenario, I didn't say it was me".
"Duh, how stupid do you think I am. I write romance novels for crying out loud. Who is this other person"?
"Does it matter"?
"Kind of. I mean, I do need some more information".
"Emma".
"Fontaine"?
"Yeah, didn't think you'd need a confirmation on her last name, we spoke about her yesterday".
Jane opened her mouth. "You've got a crush on Emma Fontaine"!
He shook his head. "It's not a crush, we had a moment. Really had a moment and due to the stupid ocean, it was cut short".
"Cut short? Because you think that it could have gone a bit further"?
"I don't know. We were just talking about our lives and I felt the connection".
"What would you have wanted to happen"?
He looked at her. She wanted a play-by-play?
"I don't know, just spend more time talking I guess".
"You find her attractive"?
"Its not just a physical attraction. She's like a book. I got to read the preface and I guess it's given me the desire to continue on reading the book".
She smiled. "I love it when you use metaphors. Especially those I can relate to".
He stood restless. "Forget I asked".
"Oh no you don't. You don't get to start asking me for advice and then backout".
He sat back down.
"Ok, so you like her for the kind of person she seems to be and for her physique. You had a great moment that was interrupted by the ocean, even if I have no idea what that means. I suggest you plan or instigate another moment and see where it takes you".
"I could have thought of that on my own".
"Then why'd you ask me"?
"I don't know, I thought you'd have better advice than that".
She shook her head smiling. "You wanted me to tell you to invite her for a drink or dinner and try to make a pass at her"?
He raised his eyes in a eureka moment. "Yes"!
"No"!
"Wait. What? Why not"?
"Rafael, you want to know how many guys have pulled that stunt on her. Every guy that has ever approached or wanted her. You need to do something she wouldn't have any ordinary guy do".
"Like what"?
"I don't know. What does she like? What are her hobbies or interests"?
He shrugged. He had no idea.
"Ok, you still have some homework to do. Go do some research and find out. Then you'll have some bases to plan something… casual and unofficial".
"Right casual". He stood and grabbed his computer. "Thanks".
She stood and took Mateo's hand. "Good luck", she told him as she headed out the door.
Rafael did the research and found out that she liked to play tennis, loved kids and animals. He was happy to see that she loved kids and realized she spent a lot of time in hospitals or orphanages spending time with kids. Obviously, if he wanted to recreate a moment with her, he wasn't going to introduce her to his kids. He opted for the animal part. He researched a little bit more and found the perfect place to bring her as it was one of the places they donated money to. He made a few calls and set up to see them the next day. It would be casual and unofficial, just as Jane had said. It wasn't a date, but he hoped it could lead to one.
He walked around the hotel for a while trying to find her. He was about to call it quits, thinking she had decided to stay in her room when he finally saw her sitting by one of the outdoor pools. She was almost unrecognizable. Then again, even if he had seen her wet silhouette the night before, he had never seen her in a bikini and she was of course wearing sunglasses and a straw hat.
He walked over to her as he greeted guests and staff. She was reading a book on the long chair. She had one advantage, her sunglasses. He couldn't tell what she was looking at and therefore, he didn't know that she had been following his every move ever since he had reached the pool area.
"I see you're trying to stay awake", he paused for a second, "or are you asleep behind those sunglasses and I just woke you up"?
She removed her sunglasses as she smiled. "I would be really good at it then, because sleeping and being able to hold a book upright, is damn nearly impossible".
He smiled and watched as she put her book down. "Feeling more energetic"?
"Oh yeah. Another day or two and I'll be on track. Did you sleep well"?
He smiled. "Well, I had the taste of salt in my mouth all night long but aside from that I slept well".
"Yeah, I know, I brushed my teeth three times last night, then I gave up".
One of the waiters came over and placed a cocktail on her table. "Here you go Ms. Fontaine".
"Thank you, Nigel".
Rafael raised his eyebrows. "I see you're on a first name basis with my staff".
"I hope that's not a problem. It's important to be feel recognized. I told him he could call me by my first name, but he said he'd get in trouble".
"True and true. I'm glad you feel comfortable around the staff. It's important to us".
She took a sip from her cocktail. "So, what's on your agenda today"? she asked him.
"Work. Not much fun today".
"Ouch! That kind of sucks but you are the hotel owner. Someone's got to do it. Too bad you don't get a bit of time off, to do other things than work and run".
That was his cue. He didn't know if it was a roundabout sort of way for her to imply they should do something, but he didn't care, it was a great way for him to work in his proposition.
"Actually tomorrow, I get to do something more fun. Maybe you'd like to join me"?
She sat up and looked at him. "I'm intrigued. What is your understanding of fun"?
"Well, we donate money to the Monkey Jungle, help preserve wildlife and a couple of times a year, I head over there and see how I've been able to contribute to their cause. Ever held a monkey before"?
Her eyes grew wide open and sparkled. "No, never. Oh my god you are so lucky. I love monkeys although I've never touched one before".
"Then come with me. It'll be fun".
Her eyes dimmed a bit. He could tell she wanted to, but something was holding her back.
"You're worried about being seen"?
"Kind of".
"Tell you what, I'll make sure no photos are taken, that no one is to mention you were even there. I'll drive and if you wear that hat and sunglasses, no one will ever recognize you… except me".
She bit her lip.
He smiled as he added, "and if you're worried about your safety, should people or monkeys recognize you, I think I'll be able to protect you".
She laughed.
"We have a deal"? he asked crossing his fingers in his head.
"Deal. But if one single monkey asks me for my autograph, you'll regret it".
"Got ya. 8 am sound good for you? The earlier we go, the less people there'll be".
"Perfect".
"Then I'll meet you in front of the elevators at the parking lot". He stood content with himself. "Enjoy the rest of your day Emma".
"Oh, I plan on the next couple of days to be excellent Rafael".
He nodded and walked away. His heart was doing somersaults and he wanted to jump out of joy, like a stupid teenager.
When Emma returned to her room slightly before dinner, she grabbed her phone and saw that Sebastien had called again. She knew he would, hence why she hadn't taken her phone with her. She didn't even want to listen to his voicemail. She was in a great mood and didn't want to ruin it. She found herself thinking about Rafael's proposition and smiled. She was eager but wasn't sure what she was more eager about. Spending time with him or being able to see and touch a monkey for the first time in her life. Only the outcome of the next day would help her decide what she could have been more eager about.
Even though he didn't want to push his luck, he kept an eye out for her that evening as he stared out from his balcony. She never appeared. Had she appeared, it wouldn't have meant that he would have joined her, but at least he could look at her. He went to bed early as to be fresh in the morning.