I shrug. “It’s fun.”
“Nothing about this is fucking fun, Emily.”
“We get to wash the world off each other.” I try to sweeten the deal.
“I have never been less aroused than I am in this moment.”
I put my hand over my mouth and laugh. “Just get in the shower.”
“You get in the fucking shower,” he whispers angrily. “I am not putting my phone in that stupid fucking basket.”
“Three days.”
“What?”
“If you do what they ask for three days, we can leave.” I hold the towel out to him.
“Newsflash deluded one. I’ll leave whenever I fucking want.”
I put my hands onto my hips. “Get in the shower before I drown you in it.”
He drags his hand down his face and once again I get the giggles. “You have to admit this is pretty funny.”
“Not one bit.” He snatches the towel from me. “You don’t need to drown me, I’m drowning myself.” He storms into the bathroom and closes the door behind him.
I open the door and peer around it. “I thought we were washing each other.”
“Get out before you cause a murder-suicide,” he growls, infuriated.
I giggle again.
He showers and walks out with a towel around his waist and sees that I’ve already put my things into the basket.
“You’re really putting your phone in there?”
“Uh-huh,”
“What if there’s an emergency?”
“Tristan will call us here.”
“He knows about this?” he fumes.
“He found this place for me.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him with my bare hands.”
I go up onto my tippy-toes and kiss his big, beautiful lips. “Please, Jay, if you can’t do this for you. Do it for me.” I put his hand over my stomach. “For our future.”
He exhales deeply as his eyes hold mine.
“Three days is all I’m asking.”
He hesitates and I know he wants to leave, but I also know that deep down he would do anything to make me happy. “Fine.”
I bounce on the spot. “Thank you.” I pass him the white outfit and he begrudgingly puts it on. The linen pants are white and baggy with a matching shirt.
“Oh, you look like a hot dentist.” I smile excitedly.
“It’s ironic that you say that.” He looks down at himself, unimpressed. “I’m currently imagining pulling your teeth out, one by one.”
I giggle, I really wish I could record his reactions to things so I could watch it back later, this is comedy gold.
I shower and dress in the white scrubs and walk out to find Jameson sitting on the bed. “Did you put your phone into the basket?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“And your watch?”
He raises his eyebrow.
I smile. “Good boy.”
He closes his eyes as if searching for divine guidance. “Don’t patronize me, Emily, I’m on the fucking edge.”
Knock, knock sounds at the door.
“You better get that; Master Splinter is here,” he mutters dryly.
I open the door to see an older Thai man, he’s wearing a deep red cloak and looks all mystical like a Tibetan monk or something. “Hello.”
He gives me a calm smile. “Hello, my child.”
My heart skips a beat. Oh he feels magical.
“My name is Chakrii; I am your master for your stay here.”
“Hello, I’m Emily and this is my husband, Jameson.” I introduce us.
Jameson stands and shakes his hand. “Hello.”
Chakrii smiles and holds Jameson’s hand in his, he frowns up at him. “Your mind is very busy.”
Hit the nail on the head.
Jameson glares at him.
“Yes,” I reply. “That’s why we’re here. He needs to find his peace.”
Chakrii smiles. “You’ve come to the right place, my friend.”
Jameson stays silent and I know that he must be able to feel Chakrii’s presence like I can.
“Come, let’s do the tour.”
Over the next hour we walk all over the most beautiful resort I have ever seen; we see temples and healing rooms, gardens, and gymnasiums, we walk through the kitchens and meet the chefs. Wander through the waterfalls and over the streams.
Wow, I am awed by this place.
We end up on a cliff face overlooking the ocean, the sun is just setting over the water and Chakrii sits cross-legged on a huge rock shelf and looks out over the sea.
“Sit.” He taps the rock beside him. “Be at one with nature.”
I sit down on the rock and Jameson exhales heavily. “How much are we paying to sit on this fucking rock?” he mutters under his breath.
I widen my eyes at him and with a subtle shake of his head he eventually sits down beside me.
“Close your eyes,” Chakrii tells us. “Inhale the sea air.” He inhales deeply through his nose, and then exhales through his mouth. “Breathe in the sea air and breathe out to release your worries. Imagine the problems of the world leaving your body as if they are a tangible force.” He continues to breathe in and out with his eyes closed. “A flower…coming back to life. Feel yourself be reborn unto this earth.”
Jameson’s face is flat and uninterested and I really want to laugh out loud, but I won’t. I tap him on the leg. “Close your eyes,” I mouth.
“Fuck off,” he mouths back.
I close my eyes and try to follow Chakrii’s breathing pattern and after a while I open one eye to see what Jameson is doing.
He’s staring at me deadpan.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Judging you.”
I get the giggles and close my eyes.
We sit on the rock for a long time, the sun slowly sets over the water and it gets darker.
“Are we done here?” Jameson asks.
“We will never be done here.” Chakrii smiles as if he knows a secret, he continues to breathe deeply in through his nose and out through his mouth.
“Well, I’m done here.” Jameson stands. “My ass is hurting. I’ll see you back at the room.” He storms off, my heart sinks as I watch him disappear over the hill.
Chakrii smiles calmly and takes my hand in his. “It takes time, my child, do not worry about your husband. Concentrate on your own journey.”
He holds my hand in his and we sit on the rock and stare out to sea.
I feel a little deflated, a little pensive, and I’m wondering if I have done the right thing, I really hope this works out.
Two wonderful hours of the best massage I’ve ever had, a hot oil bath and now this.
We are sitting at a private dining table on the beach, candles are on the table and the waiters are serving up our dinner. The sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore are echoing up the mountain.
My god, this place is heaven.
Jameson is quiet but even he can’t deny how amazing today has been.
The last of our food is set out on the table and Jameson eyes it suspiciously. “Where is the meat?” he asks.
“We are vegan.”
Jameson’s face falls. “Vegan?”
“I trust you will enjoy your meal, sir.” The waiter smiles. “Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised. Our chefs are world class.”