Chapter 58: Light in the Waves
The morning sunlight pierced through the monitor room curtains, shining on Agatha's face as she still leaned against Xavier's chest. Xavier woke up first. He felt Agatha's steady breathing on his neck. He did not move right away, just staring at the monitor screen that still showed a quiet situation at Vargo's shack. The man really had not come out since last night.
"Are you awake?" Agatha whispered with a hoarse morning voice.
"Just now. Did you sleep well?" Xavier asked while gently rubbing Agatha's back.
Agatha nodded and sat up straight. She stretched her neck muscles that felt stiff from sleeping on the sofa. "My neck hurts a bit, but this is much better than sleeping alone in the upstairs room."
Xavier stood up and turned off the two large monitors, leaving one small screen on for automatic surveillance. He pulled Agatha's hand so she would stand up too. "Let's go outside. Forget these screens for a minute."
"Are you serious? What about Vargo?" Agatha looked at the screen with doubt.
"Frans has placed men there since dawn. They are disguised as fishermen fixing nets. If that shack door opens, my phone will vibrate. Now, I want you to shower and change clothes. We are going to the beach," Xavier ordered in a tone that accepted no refusal.
Twenty minutes later, Agatha was wearing a white one piece swimsuit covered by a thin, transparent shirt. Xavier only wore black shorts without a top, showing off his broad shoulders and the old scars on his chest. They walked down the small path from the villa to the private beach area below the cliff.
The white sand, still wet from the high tide, touched their feet. The sound of the waves here was much louder and more refreshing. Agatha immediately jogged toward the water's edge, letting her feet sink into the white foam.
"The water is so fresh, Xavier! Hurry up over here!" Agatha shouted while waving her hand.
Xavier walked slowly behind her. He observed the surroundings with sharp eyes, making sure there were no strangers on the cliff or behind the large rocks. However, seeing Agatha's carefree laugh, he tried to lower his guard a bit.
"Be careful, don't go too far out. The waves are quite strong this morning," Xavier said as he got closer.
Agatha did not listen. She splashed water at Xavier with both hands instead. The seawater hit Xavier's chest and face.
"Oh, so you are challenging me?" Xavier muttered with a slight grin.
Xavier jogged over and caught Agatha's waist before she could run away. He lifted Agatha up and carried her deeper into the sea. Agatha laughed out loud while lightly hitting Xavier's shoulder.
"Xavier! Put me down! It is cold!" Agatha screamed between her laughs.
"You started it, Agatha," Xavier replied.
Xavier put Agatha down when the seawater reached their waists. A large wave came and hit both of them, soaking them from head to toe. Agatha emerged from the water surface with her hair sticking to her face. She wiped her eyes and laughed again when she saw Xavier's usually neat hair now messy and covering his forehead.
"Look at you. You look like a little kid who just learned how to swim," Agatha teased.
Xavier pulled Agatha into his arms. Their wet, slippery bodies touched beneath the water surface. Xavier placed his hand on the back of Agatha's neck, his thumb gently stroking her jaw.
"And you look much prettier when you are not thinking about ways to kill people," Xavier whispered.
Agatha fell silent, looking into Xavier's eyes that no longer looked cold. She wrapped her arms around Xavier's neck, letting her body float with the waves while still clinging to her husband. "Thank you for bringing me here, Xavier. I almost forgot what it feels like to be a normal human."
"You are not a normal human, Agatha. You are my wife. That is much more special," Xavier replied. He lowered his head, kissing Agatha's forehead which still tasted salty from the sea.
On the villa balcony above the cliff, Melynda stood holding a coffee cup in her hand. She wore a wide beach hat and sunglasses. Beside her, Frans stood with his arms crossed over his chest, still wearing sunglasses and an earpiece for communication.
"Look at them, Frans. I have never seen Xavier laugh like that since he was a teenager," Melynda said with a thin smile.
Frans watched the two figures hugging in the middle of the waves. "He really needed this, Ma'am. Xavier has been working too hard lately. The pressure from all the problems almost drove him crazy."
"You have been friends with him for a long time, right? Do you think Agatha is the right person for him?" Melynda asked without turning her head.
Frans stayed silent for a moment. He remembered how Xavier had changed since meeting Agatha. How the previously rigid Xavier could now show his vulnerable side. "She is not just the right person, Ma'am. She is the only person who can keep Xavier having a heart. Without Agatha, Xavier might have become a monster by now."
Melynda nodded in agreement. "I like that woman. She has guts. She is not afraid of Xavier, and that is what Xavier needs. Someone who can stand up to him when he starts acting stupid."
"And she is very good at using weapons," Frans added in a joking tone.
Melynda let out a small laugh. "Right. I have to make sure they get more time like this. Frans, make sure your men do not bother them unless that shack blows up."
"I already told the team to stay in hidden positions. They will not see anything except the sea and the sand," Frans answered. He then looked at his watch. "Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. Should I call them?"
"Don't," Melynda stopped him. "Leave them be. If they are hungry, they will come up on their own. Besides, the view of them down there is much more beautiful than just a breakfast of eggs and bread."
Back at the beach, Xavier was carrying Agatha on his back while walking along the shoreline. Agatha's wet shirt clung tightly to her body, showing the curves of her back. Xavier could feel Agatha's warm breath on his ear.
"Xavier, look at that!" Agatha pointed toward a small cave between the rocks.
Xavier walked toward the direction Agatha pointed. The cave was not too deep, but it was well protected from the wind and from people's view up above. He put Agatha down inside the cave, where the floor was covered with dry, fine sand.
"What do you want to do here?" Xavier asked while wiping the remaining water from his face.
Agatha did not answer. She just looked at Xavier with a deep gaze. She stepped closer and placed her hand on Xavier's broad, wet chest. She could feel her husband's strong heartbeat under her palm.
"I just want to be alone with you. No Frans, no Mom, and no guards hiding behind trees," Agatha said softly.
Xavier pulled Agatha's waist, bringing their bodies closer. He looked at Agatha's lips that were trembling slightly from the cold seawater, but her eyes radiated a different kind of warmth. Xavier leaned down, kissing Agatha's lips gently, a kiss that tasted sweet and salty at the same time.
"Just the two of us," Xavier whispered against Agatha's lips.
Xavier's hand moved up, caressing Agatha's neck to behind her ear. Agatha closed her eyes, enjoying the touch of Xavier's hand which felt contrasting against her cold skin. Inside the cave, there was only the sound of their breathing and the echoing waves from outside.
"You know, I thought my life was going to end at that dock," Agatha said softly amidst their embrace.
"Do not say that again. I will not let that happen," Xavier answered firmly. He hugged Agatha tighter, as if afraid she would disappear if he let go even a little.
"I knew you would come. That is what kept me holding on," Agatha replied. She looked up, meeting Xavier's eyes. "Xavier, promise me one thing."
"What?"
"After all this is over, after Vargo is no more, we are going to go somewhere really far away. No weapons, no guards, just us."
Xavier looked at Agatha for a long time. He knew it was a difficult request in the world they lived in, but seeing the hope in his wife's eyes, he could not refuse. "I promise. We will find that place."
They sat leaning against the cave wall for a while, letting their bodies dry a bit in the air. Xavier put his arm around Agatha's shoulder, while Agatha rested her head on his shoulder. The silence between them felt very comfortable, a luxury they rarely got.
"We should go back to the villa now. Your mom must be waiting for breakfast," Agatha finally said.
Xavier sighed, actually wanting to stay here longer. "Yeah, she will definitely nag if we are late."
They stood up and stepped out of the cave, walking back along the beach to the path. By the time they reached the top, Melynda and Frans were still on the balcony. Melynda waved enthusiastically, while Frans just gave a small nod of respect.
"You two look like a couple of stranded dolphins!" Melynda exclaimed as they approached the dining table area.
Agatha smiled widely. "The water is great, Mom. You have to try it later."
"Maybe this afternoon. For now, quickly sit down and eat. Frans made sure this coffee is still hot for you, Xavier," Melynda said.
Xavier pulled out a chair for Agatha before he sat down himself. He glanced at Frans who was standing not far from the table. Frans gave a very small thumbs up, indicating that the situation on the monitors was still safe. Xavier gave a small nod in return.
Breakfast that morning went quietly. There was no talk of strategy or enemies. They only talked about the taste of the food, the weather, and Melynda's plan to visit the local market in the afternoon. For a moment, they truly became a family enjoying their vacation time.
The sun climbed higher, illuminating the brightly sparkling sea surface. Behind the laughter and light conversation, Xavier remained alert, but at least for this morning, he allowed himself to feel happy.