20

The honeymoon had been perfect, but it was time to go home. Alexander and I began to pack our things in the hotel room while the kitten huddled in a corner.

"I can't believe we're leaving already!" I said with a sigh as I folded my favorite dress.

Alexander smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“I know, Mariela, but at least we'll have more time to plan our next trip.”

I nodded enthusiastically at that idea. I would love to explore the world with him for the year we are together.

However, before thinking about future trips we had to make sure we had everything ready to go home. I packed my golden sandals and carefully put them inside my suitcase when Cookie jumped on it and tried to hunt them down as if they were live prey.

"Cookie," Alexander chided, laughing softly as he pushed the curious cat away. "Let Mom do her work."

I blushed when Alexander said that and an absurd idea crossed my mind, but I pushed those crazy thoughts away and concentrated.

We quickly finished our homework and then found the private plane that would take us directly from Hawaii to Los Angeles non-stop. After a few minutes we found our flight and boarded excited to start this new adventure together. The adventure of being married without loving each other.

As the plane pulled away from the Hawaiian shores, I felt a pang in my heart. Alexander and I had just had an amazing vacation there as newlyweds, but now we had to go home.

I looked out the plane window to see the golden beaches and leafy trees grow smaller and smaller. The kitten curled up in my lap, probably feeling the same as me: nostalgia for everything that has happened during these two weeks.

"Are you okay?" Alexander asked me, putting his hand over mine. I nodded without saying anything; I didn't want to cry in front of him or ruin this moment with my emotions.

But when I heard Somewhere Over the Rainbow playing over the plane's speakers, I couldn't help but shed a silent tear. I remembered all our adventures together while we were here: swimming with wild dolphins, seeing giant sea turtles, and enjoying exotic local food... And now I had to put it behind me.

Alexander hugged me tight as he rested his chin on my shoulder to see what was bothering me so much.

"Don't worry," he said trying to comfort me. "We'll be back one day."

I smiled weakly at the thought of that hypothetical future trip to Hawaii—perhaps for our 10th honeymoon—but I still felt an aching knot inside me as the plane continued to move toward our home away from there.

Sadness washed over me as we got off the plane. Alexander and I had fallen in love with Hawaii, not only because of its paradisiacal beaches, but also because of the culture and the wonderful people we met there.

The kitten, our faithful traveling companion, was meowing into its carrier as if it were as unhappy as we were. We stopped at the baggage carousel to collect our bags and I tried not to think too much about how much I would miss this place.

Suddenly, a tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. Alexander hugged me tightly as he stroked the cat behind the ears.

"I know," he said hoarsely. "I'm going to miss him too."

I really have no idea why I've been so sensitive these last few days.

We stared at each other for a long moment, knowing full well how hard it would be to go back to our normal lives after something like this.

Finally we took our things and left the airport to the car waiting outside. The bright sun above us seemed to mock mercilessly as we walked towards it; I was carrying two large bags full of Hawaiian souvenirs and Alexander was carrying the kitten in his arms.

As the three of us drove home together in total silence, everything was different now but they would always have those unforgettable moments etched forever in their hearts.

We had finally come home from our honeymoon in Hawaii. Although it had been a wonderful trip, I was happy to be in my own room and sleep in my own bed. Even if it's with Alexander, although lately that idea didn't dislike me much.

As I was unpacking our bags, I noticed our kitty, cookie, fiddling with the window shades.

"Oh! What are you doing there?” I said smiling as I approached to play with him. I loved seeing him so animated and happy after being alone for many hours on the trip.

I continued taking things out of the suitcase and carefully putting them back when I heard the sound of the doorbell. I hurried to the front door to find the postman delivering a package for me.

When I opened it, I discovered that it was a surprise gift sent by my parents: a beautiful photo printed on canvas taken during our wedding a few weeks ago. Tears came to my eyes as I remembered how special and unforgettable that day had been. And that day had been like giving myself to the lion's den.

As we admired the new gift together with the cookie, I couldn't help but feel very lucky; I had everything I needed right here at home: my faithful fake husband, my beloved cat, and the happy memories kept inside the family home where we grew up together as a loving couple. Well, we know that the couple in love thing was only good for other people, but we… now we are… less strange. We are getting to know each other.

Suddenly, the cat jumped on a pile of fresh laundry and started rolling the socks like little balls. I shook my head in amusement as I watched him play endlessly.

I ended up organizing everything I needed to start another work week: I hung the maxi dresses in the closet, neatly folded the fluffy T-shirts, and stored the bikinis in a separate bag to avoid unwanted stains among so many clean clothes.

When I finished I felt exhausted but satisfied with everything I had achieved that day. I looked outside where it was already completely dark, I couldn't wait to spend time together relaxing after a few weeks full of tropical adventures.

"Come here little one" I said as I called the cat towards me; we needed to rest together after the trip.

I came out of the bathroom in my floral dress to find Alexander sitting at the table, looking at his phone. I couldn't help but feel a little tension between us after what had happened on the trip.

He raised his head and smiled:

"Hello honey, did you have a good bath?"

"Yes," I answered politely as I took a seat across from him. He had ordered Chinese takeout and we started eating without much talk beyond comments about the good quality of the fried rice.

Finally, I broke the silence:

"About what happened before...”

"I know," Alexander interrupted. "It shouldn't have happened."

I felt something in my chest when he said that, did he regret it?

"It's not that," I said quickly with a lump in my throat. “I mean…I'm not sure what to expect now.”

Alexander sighed deeply before replying:

“Mariela, it's complicated because we both know this isn't real. But we also feel something special for each other.”

I nodded slowly while nibbling on some sticky ribs; he was right but it was still hard to fully accept it.

"But we have all this time together here," Alexander continued cautiously. "We can make it work until we go home and try to figure out our future together." He looked me straight in the eye making prolonged eye contact.

I suddenly got excited at this uncertain prospect but full of possibilities, so I smiled back, feeling butterflies fluttering in my stomach as I continued to eat my favorite spring rolls with the man whom I had only known for a few days as a complete stranger.

•

The next day, we went directly to your company to catch up on our work.

Alexander was busy going through some papers when he offered me a coffee.

"Do you want one?" he asked as he got up from his chair.

"Sure," I replied with a smile as I continued reading my emails.

When he returned with the steaming cups, he stared at me for a few seconds before speaking:

"Mariela, have you ever thought about working here?" My heart beat faster at that unexpected proposal.

"I don't know... I never considered that as an option," I admitted doubtfully. I loved my current job as a freelance graphic designer and didn't want to lose that creative freedom that I had. Even though I am far away from my country and my old clients now, I can still work online.

"But you could do something big here too," Alexander continued encouraging me. "Besides, being together all the time would be great."

His words echoed in my mind and I began to imagine what it would be like to work alongside him every day. Being part of the team that built his entrepreneurial dreams seemed so exciting.

Pensive for a few more moments, I finally said:

"Maybe we should seriously discuss this."

The beaming smile on Alexander's face was answer enough for me; this new adventure might be just what we needed to keep going after the magical trip we just had in hawaii.

A few minutes later I felt like going to the bathroom, the coffee had already filled my bladder and I need to pee.

"I'm going to the bathroom," I told Alexander, standing up and leaving his office.

As soon as I walked out the door, I saw Sara sitting behind the desk like always. I quickly walked over and asked her how things were around here. She gave me a friendly smile and we started to chat a bit about our vacation.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me and when I turned around I saw Lex walking towards us. The atmosphere immediately tensed between Sara and me.

"What are you doing here?" Lex asked coldly, staring at Sara.

"I'm a secretary," she replied with a shaky voice without looking up from the paperwork in front of her.

Lex just grunted before disappearing into his office leaving us alone again. We stood there for a few awkward moments.

“What was that?” I wanted to know, asking Sara.

She hesitated to tell me.

“Mr. Lex and I haven't gotten along these past few weeks. He fired me but Mr. Harrison, my boss, didn't allow it," he explained to me.

"Why did he fire you?" I wanted to know.

“I lost some important documents and the truth is that I still feel bad about it, I don't even know where the hell I left them.”

“I understand, I suppose there is a solution, don't worry, I'll talk to Alexander.” I gave her a smile before going back to our work as if nothing had happened... but we both knew that something had changed between us after that tense encounter with Lex.