The Secret Island
CHAPTER 62 : The Persistence of Memory

That is heavy...

Celine woke up with the feeling of something heavy on her chest. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised at the sight of Martin snuggling her close as if she was his favorite pillow. Martin...

When she turned to look at the sleeping man sleeping next to her, his head rested firmly on her shoulder, and one of his arms rested on her stomach. She found herself unable to move with him pretty much hugging her. It was as if he didn't want her to go anywhere. But when she saw his peaceful sleeping face, she could smile at that. It was she who hugged him back.

It was a funny feeling to see Martin like this, vulnerable and dependent on her. She felt relieved knowing that he could sleep well-at least she didn't have a nightmare. At least he had a chance to rest fully.

His stress-free sleeping face reminded Celine of that day... that day when we were together. Just the two of us. Suddenly, Celine felt as if the time had turned back to that period in time when all she could think of was how to make life more fun and what activities we could do together to fully enjoy our time together with Martin.

Then one thought emerged...

Maybe she should take a few days off to travel somewhere with Martin. She could work from anywhere, given I take my laptop with me.

Maybe Edinburgh. No, that is a bit too far. Maybe Manchester or York, or Brighton. Yes, maybe Brighton. We could take the train for a few hours. He might like the view of the ocean.

Being in London, she couldn't think of that many places to take Martin to. There are many activities she had in mind-good restaurants, museums, shopping areas, touristy hotspots-all very exciting and entertaining, but the places are not that relaxing. The places Celine had in mind are not exactly where Martin might enjoy. Those places were not where she wanted to take him to. She wanted to bring him somewhere upcountry, more greenery to enjoy, somewhere slower and felt more like home. She wanted to enjoy nature with him. The view of the ocean, the gorgeous white cliff, the strong wind...

We could enjoy our time there together...

Celine was well aware that we were still in this 'dating stage' of our relationship. But she didn't really know how to behave with Martin. There was no rule. What we were doing at this point was already another step in the relationship-laying together in bed, so planning a trip together should not be too out of place. And this was Martin. He was someone she knew well, he wouldn't mind what she planned, and he wouldn't know how to please her anyway. Although it was nice to witness him try for the past few days, he was kind of cute, but she wanted to also participate in this relationship.

While waiting for Martin to wake up in the morning, she caressed his cheek and touched his hair. She was planning the trip in her head. She couldn't tell how long had passed. Her mind drifted to what train to take and which hotel to book. Once she knew it, Martin had woken up. He had this dreamy sleeping look about him as if he didn't know if this was a fantasy or reality that Celine was still there in the same bed as him. His eyes are still drowsy, as if he had just woken up from a dream.

But when he knew that this was real-it was real that she was still laying here next to him, and it was real that he was still holding her, Martin quickly withdrew his hand and apologized.

"I'm sorry. Did I bother you? Did you sleep well? I'm sorry...." He said with a sense of guilt for bothering her in one way. She thought of the tipsy version of him last night that asked her to stay, and he now was even more endearing. And that made her decide to tease him a bit.

"Yes, you were very heavy. It was a hassle taking care of you."

Now, what's up with that sad face? It was not like I was scolding him.

"I'm really sorry, Celine."

"An apology can't solve any problem, you know." Celine was in this executive mode, and she acted all mighty and entitled. Martin was deep in guilt. She bet all he was thinking was how to make her forgive him. She wasn't really that angry. It was all in his head.

"Martin...come here." Celine tapped the empty space next to her, signaling him to come back to lie next to her. He was confused but went back to the space he slept without questioning her anything. This time it was her to rest her head on his shoulder and hold him. He wasn't moving as if he was a mannequin and let her high him tight.

She could feel that Martin's body was warm, really warm... That was something that hadn't changed with time.

"What do you think about me hugging you like this?"

"I don't know..." he was dumbfounded, and we just stayed like that in silence that she enjoyed.

The rhythm of their breathing was the only sound in the room. When we were together, we just stayed together in silence. It happens more often these days. It was not like we had nothing to talk about. It was just that we were more receptive to our feelings, and communication could happen without a word. Like now, Celine could tell that he was relaxed and blushing a bit. She thought that he was that.

"...aren't you going to work today?" He said that and broke the silence. She shook her head an answer.

"I want to rest a bit more. We haven't spent time together like this for a long time." That was true. This was a rare moment that we could be together, just enjoying the moment in each other's arms, not thinking about the past nor worrying about the future, with no concerns about any responsibility or problems or what anyone would think. Just like being on that island, the island that was a different world from the world we were in now. That world that existed in her memories that she and Martin could be happy there together, the beautiful world for both of us.

Although the place that we were right now was not a paradise island, just an apartment in a busy city, Celine was happy where we were and just being able to hold each other and enjoy the comfort. We could communicate without having to use any words. "Thank you for helping me last night."

"I guess you really don't know how to flirt." She mumbled to herself and closed her eyes. Celine hoped she could take a small nap. Celine was simply tired from the work she had to clear up for the past few days. "What did you say?"

"I'm tired, and I need to rest. Can't I do that?" She challenged him.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't dare." She smiled at his answer, satisfied, and closed her eyes once again, preparing for a nap.

Celine didn't know that Martin was smiling the whole time she was holding him like that because for Martin, no matter how good his dream was last night, it wasn't as good as the reality that he was with her now-the happiness to have Celine in his arms.