“Perfect one doesn’t exist, but there’s always one that is perfect for you.”
Upon this primrose sand, the hue as gentle on the eye as a vintage photograph, there was a steady warmth from the grains. Already the stars were glowing as if they had kept a pocket of the daytime to shine all through the night sky. Sometimes I thought the earth and the moon chose to give off their borrowed warmth and light until the return of the sun, the brilliance forever promised at dawn. Until then, here we remained, breathing deeply of the ocean-carrying air, listening to the percussion of waves that had been my lullaby since the day I gained my consciousness.
I read somewhere that memories were often invoked by a fragrance, for me it was the smell of cupcakes that I generally cook for my kids. Yet for me the strongest memory, the one that felt most like being sunk into one of those alternative reality machines, was the giggle of my kids. It was more delicate than wind-chimes and just as chaotic, just as melodic. In those moments I was born once more, newborn, fresh, as an unknown future before myself.
When I looked at the house in front of me, particularly a beach house, I was in awe. It was a mesmerizing beauty, the orangish hue in the atmosphere after the sunset at the horizon. The house was big, not too big where people might get lost, and also not too small where people would invade each other's personal space. The house had big glass sliding doors from the ceiling to the floor, which were covered in light-colored three-layer curtains but you could see a small amount of light passing through the borders. There was a small gate painted in black to welcome guests.
We walked towards a narrow path made up of stones as flowers were planted on the edges. When I looked around, I saw the edge of a swimming pool. It was situated at the rear side of the house, surrounded by a garden. The garden was lit with fairy lights that we use to decorate a Christmas tree. There were numerous flowers with a tall tree that covered the garden from the top, most of it. Under the tree, there was a swing, it was the house that I always wanted.
Everything was so surreal!
"You like it?" I heard a voice and jumped a little in surprise.
Xavier Knight stood in front of me, wearing a blue and white horizontal striped casual shirt, paired with beige color trousers.
Is today a blue day? I thought.
Well, he looked really handsome, when my eye met his forest greens. It felt like time somewhat stilled, staring at him a little longer resulting in a sharp pain that passed through my brain when I saw some flashes of blurred images, causing me to wince.
Aiden was quick in his reflexes as he held in his arms, "Rose, are you okay?" He asked, worriedly.
Patting his hand from which he held me, I assured Aiden, "Don't worry, just a normal headache." I said to which he gave me a look.
When I looked at Xavier, I found him looking at us with a clenched jaw, as he said, "If you are not feeling well, we can have this meeting later."
Smiling, "I'm fine." I said, and it was the exact moment when he looked up.
Nodding, Xavier stepped aside, "Let's go in." He said and we entered this marvelous house.
I could not stop myself from complementing the beauty this humble abode had as I said, "It's a beautiful house."
"Each corner belongs to my wife's imagination. She designed it in her teens." Explained Xavier, while my eyes wandered around.
Looking at him, "She has a great taste." I replied, feeling less comfortable under his gaze.
"Indeed." Answered Xavier, with a strange look on his face, as if he was assessing me.
"Rose!" I heard Marc calling my name, turning around, I smiled at him and stepped forward as he engulfed me in a hug.
"Hello, Mr. Williams," I said, pulling out of his embrace.
He frowned, "Rose, you can call me Marc. No formalities." He said, sternly.
Chuckling, "Yeah sure... Marc." I replied to which he smiled.
"You look beautiful." Complemented Marc as a small blush covered my cheeks as I mumbled a small thank you.
"Guess, no one is interested in meeting up with me." Said Aiden, when I looked back at him, he had his hands in his pockets with a bored look on his face.
I burst out laughing like a hyena, he never looked bored in any meeting we have carried out… but today, damn. Quickly taking out my phone, I captured his face for future blackmail.
"What the! Rose! Delete that!" Said Aiden, sternly, showing me his forefinger.
"I will, but before that… behave," I said, giving him a bossy look.
Someone cleared their throat, that someone was none other than Xavier. "Shall we?" He asked, waving his hand towards the living room… I guess.
Nodding we followed, inside the house was more spacious. The walls were alternatively painted in red and white color respectively as the sliding doors were covered by a three-layered curtain, satin at first, net at second, and again satin at third, also there were in white.
There was a medium-sized chandelier in the middle, which was probably lit by thousands of small bulbs, lighting up the whole area. The furniture was white in color, as there was a big LED set up in the living room, in front of which there was a large leather couch, which could at least accommodate five people at a time.
Instead of looking dull or boring, the house looked soft, calming, and welcoming.
I instantly fell in love with it.
"So beautiful! I would love to meet your wife someday." I said, looking at Xavier.
He was about to say something but a sharp feminine voice behind us cut him off, as she said:
"You can't, she is dead!"