Tempest
Chapter 3
Mike was exhausted. First, they lost the seeds, then they had them back. He was still recovering and seemed to exhaust easier. He was never so glad to see Norfolk. He personally handed over the seeds and then gave a speech to the crew.
The crew was thrilled to get off the ship and Mike didn't hold them for long. Like any cruise, the captain was one of the last ones off the ship and Mike went back to his quarters to get his belongings. He was not surprised to find Azima and Antonia.
"I just need to pack a few things up. It won't take long." Mike told them.
"We can help." Antonia said. Azima had worked incredibly hard, trying to teach her English.
"Alright." Mike answered. He let them into his quarters and while he packed up clothes, Azima and Antonia packed up his personal effects and pictures. Antonia was wrapping the photos very carefully.
"Where will you go?" Azima asked.
"I have a BOQ but I need to find something bigger so Antonia has her own space." Mike explained.
"She really wants a kitchen." Azima remarked with a smile.
"That is definitely on the list." Mike told Antonia and Azima. Azima interpreted in Italian.
"She's thrilled." Azima said.
"I understand you'll have your own BOQ?" Mike asked Azima.
"That's my understanding." Azima answered.
"Alright. I think this is good." Mike said. He swung his rucksack around on his back and picked up the box of pictures and books. His side screamed in protest and Azima immediately noticed. Thankfully, Wolf appeared right then and took the box from Mike.
Antonia was thrilled with Mike's tiny BOQ. He would have to find a house soon because he wasn't thrilled about sleeping on the couch, but it was nice enough and Antonia didn't seem to mind it. He had packed up his house after he got back from Asia and everything was in storage. As he settled, she began cooking with his meager groceries and some meat that he had procured on the way to the BOQ. Mike had to admit, it smelled delicious.
"What is it?" Mike asked.
"Soup?" Antonia asked, almost uncertainly.
"Sounds and smells good." Mike said with a smile. He handed her two bowls to dish their soup up in and filled two glasses with water. They settled at the kitchen island and began eating. "This is very good. Molto bene?" Mike said.
"Si." Antonia said.
"Grazie." Mike replied, wanting to thank Antonia for the meal.
"Prego, Amore Mio." Antonio answered. Mike still needed to ask what amore mio meant. He was just trying to get the basics down. Other languages were not his thing. Tom could speak Spanish, French, Russian and a bit of Chinese. Sasha could speak any language, but Mike…English and a bit of Spanish was all he could do.
The soup was amazing and Antonia helped him clean dinner up. She was cheerful and always singing in Italian. She happily watched TV with Mike, even though she didn't understand what the comedy was about.
She did not seem thrilled that Mike was sleeping on the couch. Antonia kept pointing at his side in concern. She helped him make the couch into a bed but Mike could tell she was not thrilled with the sleeping arrangements.
"Your throat is hurt too." Mike pointed at her throat, which was still heavily bandaged.
"I'm…okay?" Antonia said, like she wasn't sure of her words.
"Soon, we will have our own beds, but for now…we're here." Mike explained.
"No same bed?" Antonia asked.
"No. This is not like that. I would never force you to do that." Mike said.
"I understand." Antonia said.
"Antonia…you will be taken care of. You'll have plenty of food, a nice home and all the things you could ask for. This…marriage…will just be to get you to the United States and to ensure your safety." Mike explained, knowing Antonia didn't fully understand.
"What do…you get…out of it?" Antonia asked.
"Someone at home to talk to and eat with." Mike explained.
"Doesn't seem right." Antonia remarked.
"I know. Maybe someday, it'll be a normal marriage." Mike said.
"I hope." Antonia replied as she stood up.
"You will be well taken care of and will have no concerns." Mike said with a smile. He wished he could give her more hope. It was not like he wanted a loveless marriage either. He wanted what he had had with Christine. Passion, love, honesty, a future and a past. Even at their worst, they had had a good relationship. He wanted that again.