Olivia talked to Julian several times though the night and somewhere close to three in the morning everyone decided the perfect thing for me would be to go with the group and get away for a few days. Julian had assured me that Jamieson would not be coming along, so after several minutes of convincing I conceded.
I stared out the window watching the blue ocean below listening to my music on my smart phone. The rest of the group talked excitedly about the trip and all the fun things they wanted to do. I felt bad I couldn’t share in their happiness, but I was still trying to figure out everything that happened last night. I felt numb thinking about how I had happily confessed I wanted to be Jamieson’s wife minutes before I learned the devastating truth that everything was a big fat lie. I felt stupid and humiliated.
I knew Derrick and Julian felt bad about the actions of their friend but I also knew he was their friend first so I thought it best to not discuss anything in front of them. Livy and Audrey agreed that was probably best as well. However, both of my friends had drilled the two guys as to whether or not they knew the truth and they both said they hadn’t, which gave me some comfort. Audrey had let it slip earlier when we were on our way to the airport that according to Derrick, Jamieson left the house shortly after I did and never returned. He probably went to stay at Trinity’s, those two assholes deserved each other.
“Welcome!” Julian’s mom said hugging each of us.
“Yes welcome, Isobel and I are so pleased all of you could come to help us share in our special day.” Julian’s handsome father, Havier said. We all excitedly chatted with Julian’s parents for a few minutes before Julian interrupted to give us a tour of the beautiful home we would be staying in. It was massive, fourteen bedrooms in all, a home theater, a gym, two infinite pools along with tennis and basketball court.
“I’ll show you guys your rooms,” Julian announced, leading the way through the massive ocean side villa.
We followed Julian outside onto the terrace and down the spiral stone staircase that hung above the ocean.
“There are stairs inside as well but I thought you guys might like to see how close to the ocean we are.” Julian smiled as we walked down the stairs.
We got to the first landing and Julian told Livy to put her bags in a massive room that had sliding glass doors that were open letting the ocean breeze whip through. We continued a few more stairs down and Julian showed Derrick and Audrey to their room. I caught that as interesting because I hadn’t realized those two were at the point of sharing a room, just goes to show how much I was paying attention to my friends. I made a mental note to ask Audrey later what was happening between them.
The group wondered around the stunning room. It had its own hot tub on the patio overlooking the ocean and that seemed to excite everyone.
“I’ll show Jenna to her room real quick and I’ll be right back,” Julian told the rest of our friends as they explored more of the room.
I followed Julian quietly down another set of stairs to a massive landing. I could see the beach was a just a few stairs away. It was beautiful, white sand nestled in between cliffs on either side. It was incredible.
“Here we are,” Julian said opening the sliding doors to the patio. This room also had an entire wall of glass doors that could be moved to either side to open the room to the outside.
“Thanks Julian.” I smiled at him.
“I’m sorry it is kind of far away. Originally I thought it was best to put you guys in the most private room…” He realized his mistake and didn’t finish his thought.
“It’s perfect, thank you,” I said trying to erase any awkwardness.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but he’s a mess, Jenna. He knows he screwed everything up. He gets it. Maybe you guys could talk,” He suggested trying to plead the case for his friend.
I couldn’t really get mad at him for trying to take up for his friend but it still didn’t change the fact that Jamieson was a liar.
“I can’t Julian. I just can’t, not anymore,” I told him solemnly.
“I know, I just thought I would try.” He shot me a sideways smile.
I shook my head letting him know I understood and then he turned leaving me alone in my oversized romantic room.
“Isn’t this gorgeous?” Audrey said hanging over the huge sail boats rails.
“Please don’t fall overboard,” I told her.
“I won’t. I promise.” She said continuing to hang over the side, staring at the bright teal water below.
I had to admit it was breathtaking. I was glad I had decided to come on the trip with my friends. I had been here only few days but the sunshine was doing my soul good. The first day the girls and I sun bathed most of the day on the beach. I could feel my body soaking up the vitamin D, renewing my energy. Yesterday we explored downtown and the girls made the most of shopping. Today Isobel and Havier took us out sailing on their incredible sail boat. It was really more like a yacht with the option to be a sail boat but we were currently utilizing its sailboat capabilities.
“I’m going to go sit up the bow and watch for dolphins,” I told Audrey, walking the long pathway to the front of the huge boat.
I passed the guys who were drinking at the huge bar in the middle part of the main deck. They all smiled and waved at me as I headed toward the bow. I was doing a pretty good job of putting on a brave face with my friends, but I still preferred to be alone.
I sat on the white cushions on the bow crossed legged watching in delight as a school of dolphins tracked alongside our boat.
“They are cute, no?” Havier sat down beside me.
“They sure are,” I smiled at him warmly. I liked Julian’s father. I could tell he was a sweet man. I also could see where Julian got his handsome features from.
Havier sat next to me enjoying the dolphins for a long time without saying a word. But after some time he finally broke our silence.
“I know heartache, my dear, and I can see you are shouldering a heavy burden,” he spoke softly.
I sighed in acknowledgement. “I gave him a second chance and he made me look like a fool.”
Havier turned to study me. “I don’t know if Julian has explained to you why Isobel and I are getting married again, but let’s just say I thank God every day for second and third chances.”
I shook my head indicating I didn’t know what he was referring to.
“We were married for twenty-two years and I cheated on her. She of course found out and divorced me. I deserved that and more. I got caught up in myself and I lost track of what really mattered.”
“So what happened?” I was genuinely curious now.
“Well I married the young woman I was having an affair with. I thought she was young and would reinvigorate me. But that wasn’t the case. I quickly realized we were in different spots in our life, so of course that marriage declined rapidly. I knew I had made a mistake. Isobel and I had been together since we were teenagers and I missed her. I set my mind to winning her back.”
“And you did?” I asked in shock.
“Yes I did, and it took a long time to convince her to even talk to me without screaming but eventually we did talk and we slowly became friends again. Now two years later I am about to marry my soulmate for the second time in my life and it’s only because she found it in her heart to forgive me even when she had no reason to.” He smiled lightly.
“That’s a pretty amazing story. I am glad you found a way to work it out, but for me I think there is no hope,” I said giving him a sideways smile.
“Uh but that is where you’re wrong, my dear, there is always hope.” He stood up and patted me shoulder in encouragement.