Page 53 of The Suite Life
‘Thanks,’ he replies, taking that as a compliment.
As he continues to boast about the number of women he’s dated, I find myself less and less willing to politely stick this one out for a moment longer. His arrogance, lack of curiosity about me, and the casual way he belittles certain professions don’t sit well with me. I’m done.
With my glass now empty, I glance at my watch, feigning surprise.
‘Oh, look at the time,’ I say as genuinely as I can. ‘I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. Thanks for the company, Olly, but I better head back.’
‘Oh, okay,’ he says.
Relieved at the thought of escaping this cringeworthy date, I stand up, and make a move.
‘I’ll walk you,’ he tells me.
Oh, so he is capable of being a gentleman – not that it’s enough.
‘That’s okay,’ I tell him. ‘I’ll be fine on my own. Goodnight.’
‘Yeah, goodnight,’ he says.
He seems genuinely surprised that I’m not falling at his feet and this only makes me even more convinced that he isn’t the man for me in any way, not even for a wedding date.
The Maui night air is cool and refreshing as I walk away from the bar, seeking solace in the garden area where the fountains are. The only sounds I can hear are the rhythmic roar of the ocean, the gentle flow of the fountains and the distant hum of activity from the bar. I’m relieved to be away from Olly, who seems determined to turn this evening into a horror movie of its own, which is kind of ironic.
I stop for a moment, admiring the fountain, enjoying the feeling of the cool breeze on my warm cheeks.
‘I knew you’d change your mind,’ Olly says, appearing suddenly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me.
‘Just having a breather, before I head to bed,’ I tell him.
‘Want some company?’ he asks me.
I try to pull myself from his arms but he doesn’t let go, so I turn around in his grip.
‘Come on,’ he insists. ‘Let me show you what you’ve been missing out on all these years. I’ve got quality and quantity, if you know what I mean.’
Olly leans in to kiss me. I try to pull away but he persists.
He’s so casual, like he doesn’t even realise he’s forcing himself on me, I just don’t think he’s ever experienced anyone saying no.
‘Olly, come on,’ I tell him.
‘You come on,’ he says, flirtatiously, trying to persuade me.
His lips are almost touching mine when he pulls away suddenly. Wait, no, he isn’t pulling away, he’s being pulled away, by someone else.
I’m half expecting it to be Donnie, swooping in to save the day, but it isn’t.
A mysterious stranger pushes Olly away from me.
‘Why don’t you get lost,’ my knight in shining armour tells him – well, he’s not actually wearing a suit of armour, just a regular (but very expensive-looking) suit, but you take my point. ‘Come on, get out of here.’
Olly hovers, practically snarling at us both, so the stranger shoves him again.
My mysterious hero is a tall and well-built man – probably in his late thirties. His features are chiselled, and he sports a neatly trimmed beard that adds a rugged charm to his otherwise clean-cut appearance. His stylish suit accentuates his physique– so does his easy confidence, as he manhandles Olly. His dark hair is styled with a subtle tousle, not only adding to his overall charismatic and approachable demeanour, but it’s giving Clark Kent vibes too. I’m trying to place his accent – Canadian, I think.
‘You want to watch your back, pal,’ Olly sneers, his bravado unyielding even in the face of rejection.
But despite his threats, Olly walks away, and the relief I feel is immeasurable. So much so that I feel compelled to hug my hero. The man doesn’t take his eyes off him until he’s gone.
