“Good morning,” I say, trying to keep the tension from my voice.
She throws me a flicker of a smile but says nothing.
“Nutella pancakes. That’s an island favorite,” I muse, glancing at her breakfast. “I think I’ll have the same.”
Stef remains quiet, determined to give me the silent treatment. I sigh softly and head to the kitchen to see what the chef has made.
There is a plate piled high of Nutella pancakes, so I grab a few and head back out to the wooden deck to eat with her, even if she’s going to be silent. For some reason, I still want to be near her. It’s our last day here. We’re heading out around lunchtime. I don’t want the holiday to end this way, but I also don’t know how to fix this.
Chapter 12 - Stefania
When Marlen returns with his breakfast and sits next to me, I stiffen.
Why is he doing this? Why pretend like everything is fine?
It’s not fine. Nothing is fine. I’m so angry that I let myself feel something for him last night. I’m furious that I allowed myself to be so easily seduced, only to be rejected all over again.
How can someone be so cold? He could have just treated it as sex. Wouldn’t that have been kinder than embarrassing me like that?
I wish I’d never even let him know I was jealous. It all started because of that. I should’ve ignored it. Nothing good came of it.
“The water is beautiful today. Maybe we should go for a swim after breakfast?” he suggests, glancing at me.
I knit my brows together and pick up my empty plate.What does he want from me?
Without answering him, I stand, intending to carry my plate back to the kitchen to rinse it. I can’t be around him.
But as I turn away, a young woman arrives at the edge of the wooden deck. She’s wearing the same style colorful dress that all the islanders wear. She calls for him, her voice strained. “Mr. Popov, sir, I am sorry to bother you, but please, I need your help.”
“Do I know you?” he asks, setting his plate down on the little table next to his chair.
“No, sir, but I was told that maybe… I don’t have anywhere else to go. My child—she is very sick, and the villagedoctor doesn’t know what’s wrong.” She wrings her hands in front of her, anxiety distorting her face as she fights tears.
Marlen stands, reacting instantly. “Give me one second,” he says, rushing inside.
I run after him, wondering what he’s going to do.
He grabs his phone, dialing and pressing it against his ear.
“Doctor Thomas, I need you to come to the front deck right away. Yes, it’s an emergency. Bring your kit,” he says.
After a very brief conversation, he hangs up and heads back outside with me in tow.
“What is your name?” he asks the woman.
“Aliah,” she says quietly. “Will you help my daughter?”
“The resort’s doctor is on his way. He has a lot of medicine available, and I’m certain he will be able to help your little girl,” he reassures her.
Within minutes, the doctor arrives.
“Doctor Thomas, this is Aliah. Go with her,” he says.
The doctor nods, and the two jog back to the village together.
Marlen stands on the deck watching them until they’re out of sight.
“Will he be able to help her?” I ask, breaking the silent treatment I’d planned to curve him with all day.
