“I did. Now get up. You don’t want keep them waiting,” Azmir ordered in his morning groveled voice that liquefied my insides.
Fighting it off, I slowly stand and realize just how off kilter my body is. I showered and threw on a wraparound dress, minus the bra as Azmir had so effectively passed along.
When I arrive downstairs, I realized I had no idea where this would be taking place. Before I could go back up to ask Azmir, he belts from the bed upstairs, “Just out back on the beach.”
My massage was serene and relaxing, just what the doctor ordered. Azmir was incredibly thoughtful. The full body massage was for ninety minutes and the foot was for forty-five. It was in heaven on earth. Just as in The Bahamas, the sounds of the open air added to the milieu. With every muscle being relaxed and kneaded over, I thought of it being at the expense and provision of Azmir. How could a man who puts so much thought into me have only one foot into our relationship? Maybe Harrison had it all wrong. Besides, he had quite a few facts off, especially about Azmir spending endless nights at my place. But he was correct about Akeem and his record.
Oh, the agony!
After my spa treatment, I returned back to our bungalow where I found Azmir knee-deep into work in the living room. As soon as I walked through the door he put his finger up resigned to being caught working again.
“Washington, you’re being paid to know, not guess or assume. Is that the best you can give a man paying you the salary that I am? Do you know how many quality professionals are in your line of work with relatively half the pay? I don’t have time for internship-level antics. I fucking need deliverables—yesterday.”
I head up the stairs to change my clothes. I wanted some air and had to see the surrounding locales. I threw on a silk one piece dress that wrapped around my neck and exposed my entire back. When I returned back down to Azmir, he was at his laptop and jumped up when he saw me. He was still on the phone. “Hold on,” he snapped.
“I’m going in to town. I shouldn’t be long.”
“If you give me a minute, I can go with you.” He pointed to the phone, “I’m sorry. Something went wrong back at headquarters that needs to be rectified,” he says apologetically.
“Oh, that’s fine. I can use the alone time to sort my thoughts. You need anything?” Did I really just say that?
Azmir gazes at me, trying to find a crack. I maintain my poker face. I wasn’t ready to divulge Harrison’s consternate visit.
“Here,” he snarled before turning toward the safe there in the office and retrieving a wad of cash. He placed the crisp bills in my hand, not offering it but forcing it instead. “Take your phone.”
I gave a polite smile before leaving. Even in his irritable state, he is alluring.
The market I visited in town was vibrant with natives selling their goods in an open outdoor hypermarket. Vendors sold everything from fresh produce, to island specialties, to beachwear, to souvenirs. I marveled at the figurines that were handmade from the locals, how beautifully carved the ornaments were and delicately engraved the jewelry was. I was in heaven in no time. I sampled the food, absorbed the music, and noted the ethnic beauty of the islanders.