by David Smith
“Oooh, sounds very regal,” Laura said as Malaysia stood up.
“Nothing but the best for our friends from Switzerland,” Blain said, looking at Laura. “I really want you to know that you are more than welcome to join us, Laura,” Blain said.
“Oh, thank you, Blain. No, that is really sweet to include Missy’s old sister. But I need to entertain our parents so you two will have to endure your date without me,” Laura said to the relief of Malaysia.
Blain turned to Malaysia as she stood. “You look fantastic, Missy,” Blain said. Malaysia wore a clingy, beige tank dress with a thin layer of ruffles along the mid-thigh hem. The dress was seamlessly tailored at the waist, accenting Malaysia’s slender figure. The low scoop of the neck line and thin tank-top straps framed Malaysia’s shoulders. She picked up a brown suede jacket that was on the chair next to where she had been sitting. Blain didn’t notice that Malaysia had something wrapped up within the jacket.
“Thank you, Blain,” Malaysia said, happy her choice of dress was appealing. “Is this okay for where we are going?”
“Absolutely,” Blain said. “You are going to turn some heads,” he added as he took her hand.
I only want to turn your head, Malaysia thought to herself.
“Have a good time, Missy,” Laura said, sounding like a mother. “Don’t forget we are leaving early tomorrow, sis,” Laura added.
“Yeah, I remember,” Malaysia said knowing Laura meant that their rehearsal at the Honda Center was in the morning. She gave her sister a little kiss on her cheek before her and Blain walked out of the lounge.
“This was excellent,” Malaysia said, talking about her dinner while wiping her mouth with the thick cloth napkin. The lamb she ordered was flavorful, tender and had just the right amount of seasoning.
“That was very good, I have to agree,” Blain said. He had finished an end-cut of prime rib, which was aged and cooked to perfection, with a baked potato.
Throughout the meal, Blain couldn’t keep his eyes off Malaysia. He was lost in her profile, her lips, and her eyes. Malaysia felt his eyes on her, and felt her own desires mount deep inside. Her heart was at times racing whenever Blain leaned over and kissed her. She felt goose bumps rise across her skin when he lingered on her ear and neck at one point. Malaysia was feeling all the emotions that could be felt.
When the bill was presented, Malaysia quickly leaned forward and grabbed the check and refused to let go. “This is my treat, Blain. NO, no, no, you are not taking it,” she said, cutting him off before he could get a word in.
“Then let me leave the tip, I insist.”
“Agreed.”
Malaysia put cash in the leather tablet with the receipt.
She didn’t want Blain to see the name on her credit card.
8:45pm
Blain presented the valet parking ticket he had been given when they arrived at the Five Crowns Restaurant to the young, black-vested man who greeted them at the edge of the parking lot. They waited under the arched, covered walkway that led from the parking lot to the entrance of the restaurant.
As his car was pulled up, one attendant held the door open for Malaysia while the other opened the driver’s side as Blain got in. He tipped the valet attendant as the attendant offered a “have a nice evening,” and then shut the driver’s side door after Blain had gotten seated. Looking at Malaysia, after another attendant closed her door, Blain leaned towards her and gave her a lingering kiss.
“I could get used to that,” Blain whispered, his fingers stroking the side of her face.
“Me too,” Malaysia said, kissing him back.
Seeing the two attendants watching a little too closely, Blain pulled back and said, “Ready for another surprise?”
“I’m all yours,” Malaysia said, leaning a little in towards Blain, knowing exactly how that probably sounded.
“Ooh, I like that,” Blain said running his fingers along the strand of brown hair hanging down the side of Malaysia’s face. “I like that a lot.” Blain felt himself shudder with some sort of anticipation; Malaysia’s lips, her face and eyes, and the subtle view of her leaning in towards him, all contributed to feeling his normal desires building. He could feel his chest tighten as Malaysia kissed him on his neck for a brief moment.
“You keep doing that, and I’m afraid I won’t be responsible for my loss of control,” Blain said as he put his car into gear. “And I’m not talking about my driving!”
“I find it hard to believe that you have ever lost control, of anything, Blain,” Malaysia said, running her finger around his ear, down his neck, and a little bit down the open collar of his shirt. “But, I am curious,” she purred, putting her hand on his thigh, sitting back in the bucket seat.
Little Corona was a small isolated bay and beach area, accessed by a curving narrow drive that clung along the side of a steep cliff as it sloped down to a small parking lot in front of a narrow stretch of sand. Blain pulled into an open slot in the lot right next to a bordering sidewalk. The sidewalk led to a small public restroom area and then opened up to the small beach. The horseshoe bay was surrounded by cliffs and expensive homes that sat perched along the top, spread apart nicely and each with spectacular “multi-million dollar” views.
Malaysia got out of the car. “You might want to bring your jacket, Missy,” Blain said, getting out on his side and talking to her over the roof of his Camaro. “Once the sun goes down, it gets a little cool.”
“What, you aren’t going to keep me warm?” Malaysia asked with a coy smile.
“You’re welcome to take your chances, Missy,” Blain said. “But, if I keep you warm, who is going to keep me warm?”
Malaysia smiled again. “May I volunteer?” she said with a sultry whisper.
Blain laughed as he opened the trunk and took out a large blanket that was wrapped around something that was fairly substantial. “Let’s just say I’ve been hot all night…just looking at you.”
Malaysia smiled knowing she was having an effect on Blain. She then saw he had his hands full with whatever was wrapped up in the blanket. “Can I help?” Malaysia asked.
“Would you mind grabbing that bag in the back?” Blain asked alluding to a brown paper bag stashed in the trunk.
Malaysia took the bag and asked, “Need anything else?”
“Nope. Go ahead and shut the trunk.”
Walking out toward the ocean, Malaysia now saw the beach which had been blocked from her view by the angle in which they had parked and the short pulpit wall that lined the edge of the sidewalk that ran along the western edge of the small parking lot. A few dozen concrete fire pits were spaced geometrically across a portion of the beach. A few had fires already blazing.
“This is so beautiful, Blain,” Malaysia said, walking beside him. She had left her shoes in the car as did Blain and they walked barefoot across the still warm sands, heated from a cloudless afternoon of sun.
“Over here,” Blain said as he found a vacant fire pit that was off by itself.
Blain set the large blanket down and pulled the knot of the twine holding the bundle together. The blanket opened up and a half dozen large blocks of wood tumbled free.
“You think of everything, don’t you?” Malaysia said with a big smile.
“Hope so,” Blain said.
In the brown bag were sections of newspaper and lighter fluid along with a long fireplace lighter. Arranging the wood like a teepee over the newspaper he used for kindling, and even the paper bag, Blain sprayed the lighter fluid on the dry wood and paper. “Sit back for a second,” Blain said as he clicked the lighter on.
Malaysia, who had been sitting on the blanket close to the rim of the fire pit watching Blain, scooted back while still sitting on her knees.
Blain lit a couple corners of the newspaper that was sticking out of the angled blocks of wood. In a few seconds, the lighter fluid caught and a bright plume of flame ignited.
As the wood got hot and began burning, the fire died down from
the initial ignition and burned steady.
“There we go,” Blain said, sitting back, admiring his handy work.
“If I get lost in the woods, I’ll want you around,” Malaysia said, rubbing her bare arms against his. “You are pretty handy.”
“Yeah, as long as I have lighter fluid, matches, wood, and paper,” Blain said, looking at her, “I can start a fire anywhere.” The narrow strap of her dress slipped over the curve of her shoulder. Again, Blain took in the beauty of Malaysia, knowing he wanted her…and knowing he shouldn’t want her.
“I think you would be able to figure something out with whatever you had,” Malaysia countered. She ran her hand up against his chest. “This is really special,” she whispered, leaning up for a kiss.
Blain took a deep breath after the kiss. He was enjoying every kiss, every touch.
“Look,” Blain said nodding towards the setting sun as it was just kissing the ocean, settling almost imperceptivity within the horizon.
Together, they watched the sun slowly sink, the last brilliant rays then extinguished, replaced by a perfect pink sky that quickly turned to a deep purple then perceptual darkness consumed the bay moment by moment. They leaned back on their elbows, watching the sky and listening to the waves rhythmically crash against the shore. Malaysia was now watching Blain as he looked out over the darkening horizon.
Malaysia suddenly sat up. “I’ve got something for you,” she said, and then leaned over Blain while reaching over to her jacket that was at the edge of the blanket on his side. Blain felt her body against his. He could smell her fragrance.
“You got me something?” he asked, trying to take his mind off Malaysia’s body that was prone at a right angle across his for the moment.
Of course, he wasn’t trying that hard to clear his mind of her.
“I know you like solving things,” Malaysia said as she unrolled her jacket and pulled out a small box. “I hope you like it.”
The box, very intricately made with geometric inlaid wood patterns, looked like a jewelry box. Blain turned it over in his hands. The box, the size of a brick, was no more than eight inches long, a few inches high and about five inches wide. It was obviously a very expensive, handmade box, but there were no visible means to open it. No handle, hinges, or openings.
“It’s what we call a ‘mystery box,’” Malaysia said.
“Mystery box, eh?” Blain said, looking it over. “It looks exquisite, Missy.”
“The mystery is you have to figure out how to open it.”
“Now this is cool,” Blain said, already trying to figure it out. He saw that each end had a nearly invisible slit of wood centered on each narrow end that could slide up. Using his thumbs, Blain was able to work each side up about a quarter of an inch before they couldn’t go up further. The wider panel on the front looked like it could move too. Blain put pressure on the front of the box and this panel moved up about the same as the two slits that he had moved up at the ends of the box.
“You don’t have to solve the puzzle right this second,” Malaysia said, running her hand along his chest again, moving her lips to his neck.
“I’m close on this, Missy,” Blain said.
“Okay, I can wait,” Malaysia said, but she kept nibbling on his ear.
Blain saw he could now push up the slits on each side again after the larger, front panel was moved; he repeated the action with the front panel and the sides several more times, each action allowed the front panel to be moved more open. In a matter of two minutes, he had the front panel almost all the way off and could see inside the small, open area inside. It was just large enough to hold small items like watches, jewelry, or the like.
“I figured it out,” Blain said proudly, turning the box on its side showing it to Malaysia.
“What’s inside?” Malaysia said, not really asking.
“Inside? It’s empty,” Blain said as he looked back inside the empty compartment, holding it open towards the fire using the flickering light to examine the empty interior.
Without commenting, Malaysia reached up with her fingers and gently turned his head towards hers. She kissed his lips hungrily, pulling on his bottom lip for a moment. Blain kissed her back, wanting her now, more than anything. But, after a moment Malaysia pulled back and smiled saying in a mysterious sounding voice, “Ah, but is it really empty?”
Blain was now confused. The box looked empty and she was teasing him something fierce. He was tempted to use the box for firewood and take her right there on the blanket, regardless of others sitting around fire pits in the vicinity.
Instead, Blain asked, “You mean there’s something in here?”
“I guess you will just have to figure that out on your own,” Malaysia said, running her fingers up the back of his head through his blond hair. She was having fun.
Blain looked at the box. The interior walls looked solid and couldn’t move. He tapped on them with his finger tip. He then tapped the bottom panel and heard hollowness to it. “Hmmm,” Blain murmured as he looked in at the bottom edges of the box and noticed in the corners there were small slightly discolored sections of wood about a half-inch square each. He pushed on one and it moved in a bit. He replicated the action on all four squares and then he found that the squares released the bottom floor of the box which could now be slid out completely through a well-hidden opening in the exposed side. As the thin bottom panel slid open, Blain saw that the area below it was just a large enough flat space for perhaps a small envelope or a few pieces of paper. Then, within the flickering light of the fire, Blain saw that there was something white in this second, slender secret compartment. He took the bottom panel completely off and out fell what looked to Blain like movie or theater tickets.
“What the…?” Blain said, picking up the two pieces of cardstock paper from the blanket where they had fallen from the box. He held the tickets up to the dim light of the fire. Squinting, he read the block lettering:
VIP Pass to Coins in My Fountain, the Malaysia Hosner Concert Tour: Honda Center, Friday, July 2nd, 2010. 8:00pm
“Is this what I think it is?” Blain asked, holding up the tickets. He was more than a little surprised but he was also thinking of something else.
Malaysia had been stroking his arm with her fingertips. She stopped and said, “I, um, can’t go, but I thought you might like to see the Malaysia Hosner concert, maybe with one of your band friends.” Hopefully not a girlfriend, Malaysia thought about saying. “I thought you might like to see her live.” Malaysia said speaking very soft, not sure if this was the right thing to give Blain. “You seemed to like that song your band played of hers, and since she was performing in Anaheim…” Malaysia’s voice trailed off, her eyes focused back on the fire.
Blain looked at the side of her face. He could tell she was fighting something. He saw her lower lip tremble. And Blain had a feeling he knew what she was fighting.
It was then Blain suddenly felt something new within him; something more than just the pleasure of being graced by Malaysia’s beauty and personality. He now recognized feelings that had been rising near the surface of his consciousness over the past couple days… and now those feeling were breaking through.
Reaching out with his fingertips, Blain turned Malaysia’s face toward his. Looking into her eyes for a long time, Blain felt a dozen feelings, not the least of which was desire. But he also felt something deeper, in his heart. Drawing her eyes to meet his with fingers and his voice, Blain spoke words that came out with such ease that he didn’t even have to think about what he was saying.
“Malaysia,” Blain started, calling her by her real name for the first time, pausing to see her reaction. “Yes, I know who you are.” Blain said it with such a quiet, yet comforting tone. Malaysia’s eyes widened. She didn’t expect to hear him say that. He held up the tickets. “I know this is you,” Blain said smiling at her. “And, Malaysia?” He added, stroking her cheek, “I love your music.”
Malaysia could feel her heart poundin
g in her chest. This was not what she anticipated. “I…never meant…”
“I know,” Blain interrupted her, now stroking her hair. “I know, Malaysia. You never meant for it to go this far, or that you meant to deceive me.” Blain paused. “I’ve been part of your life for what... almost four days? What could you say? I’m sure at the beginning you figured we wouldn’t be seeing each other again.”
Blain was only inches from her face, caressing her cheek, running his fingertips through her hair. Malaysia sat silent, fighting the wetness building in her eyes. A tear escaped and began to run down her cheek. Quickly, Malaysia wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.
Blain saw the tear. He knew this was not something she had anticipated. He took her chin again in his hand, wanting to make sure she heard what he had to say. “I don’t think of you as Malaysia, the rock star…I think of you as Malaysia, the most incredibly beautiful, gifted, funny, romantic, thoughtful, sexy, person I have ever met,” Blain said with a genuine smile.
The floodgates opened and more tears began trickling down her face. Malaysia wasn’t moving, only feeling her emotions seeping out of her body as if she were a wet sponge being slowly squeezed by Blain’s words. She looked into Blain’s eyes. Perhaps it was the culmination of her pent up need to tell him the truth. Maybe it was the fact that she felt something for Blain that she had never felt before, something so new to her, so foreign. Whatever it was, Malaysia felt it deep in her body, centered in her core. Her chest heaved as she took short, shallow breaths.
Blain used his thumb to brush away a tear from her cheek.
Malaysia realized now, she was crying tears of happiness. She was happy that he knew. She was relieved, and some of those tears were from unfounded fear. She had been so afraid of losing what she and Blain had created over the past four days. Malaysia let her head drop down, afraid to look at him, afraid to let him see more tears; afraid of what he must be thinking of her.