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Sir's workers load my stuff into his private jet. I brought only myself when I came here. Now I'm going back with loads of stuff. If I sell all of it, I'll have enough to pay my tuition and be free of financial troubles for my last year of medical school. I can only concentrate on my possible internship with one of the best hospitals in the state, if not the country.
But can I still sell the stuff that is part of my memories of this island?
The driver returns to the car and gives Sir a sign that I'm all set to leave. The driver opens the door for me.
I look at Sir and only smile at him. I can't say goodbye because part of me wants to accept his offer to stay. But if I stay, I'll only break my heart or maybe completely break my soul. I want Sir to be a memory that makes me smile and not one I regret.
"Stay," Sir stops me from stepping out of the car. The driver closes the door when Sir looks at him. "I don't want to promise you anything but stay for another week."
I shake my head. "That's the problem. You don't want to promise anything. If I stay, I may want to ask you for more than just promises."
Sir does not want to love me. I want to love him, but I don't want to live with a broken heart. So, while it's still a fantasy – while I'm still unsure if it is love – I'm walking away.
“I don’t want to be in a situation where I can’t control everything,” Sir admits. I reach for the car’s lock. The driver opens the door for me before I can twist it. Sir holds my hand again. “If you walk away, I’m not going to go after you. I will not look for you like a prince searching for Cinderella.”
I force another smile and step out of the car. A staff member greets me and leads me to the jet. I look back at the car and find the driver getting inside his seat. When I take my first step, the car's ignition sounds. I look back again and see Sir not looking back at me. I smile at the female staff and follow her while listening to the car leaving.
“Are you ready to leave now, Miss Tannie?” the stewardess asks. I look out of the window and back to the door.
If you walk away, I’m not going to go after you. I will not look for you like a prince searching for Cinderella. I give the stewardess a nod, and she walks to the pilot’s chamber to relay my message. As the wind engine sounds, I look back to where the car may be. When the plane starts to move, I wish for the car to return. But it never appears again.
As the plane takes off, all my hopes crumble. Sir is true to his word. He will not go after me nor search for me. I am no Cinderella; this is not a fairytale. Nor is it a romance. The week was a job. And Sir – he will soon become the past. One I may never forget or will never get over.
Time to wake up, Carmen.
