Hapuch's Diary

Meeting Addison

"Keren, come closer." Ma'am Eunice requested.

I smiled warmly and stepped closer letting out a "Hi", as I stood a few inches away from Ma'am Eunice.

"Mr Addison, I'll like you to meet Kerenhappuch. Her dad, Nathan, used to work on the farm."

"That's interesting, It's sad I never knew Nathan."

His bold voice was intimidating. He was outspoken and sound in speaking, something uncommon in Douro Valley. 

"It's a large farm with many workers, I understand." Mr Edmundo chipped in.

Whatever led me to lift my gaze to his eyes left me undone. Those eyes were an ocean and I couldn't swim, but I dared to dive in. They were striking grey that exuded a mix of confidence and mystery. The way it sat peacefully below lustrous brows was breathtaking; that was until I traced down his straight nose to pink thick lips. Lined by overgrown stubbles that surrounded his hard cheek. Was I dreaming or something? I was drooling over an effing hot stranger that I might never see again.

"Keren...ha...ppuch, it's nice to meet you." His lower lips curled into a smile at his inability to pronounce the name.

Somehow I was too lost in thought to notice. I kept a sheepish smile which reflected my dreamy crisis.

''It's nice to meet you too."

As an afterthought, I added,

"Sir, you can call me Keren if Kerenhappuch is much trouble for you." 

He chuckled and replied wittily, "if I'm to take a pound of flesh, then it would be Hapuch."

"Hapuch is kind of cool. You do that a lot?" I questioned, looking in his almond-shaped eyes. Gosh! Shot me! He blinked and I died.

"What could that be?" He took a step closer, a little puzzled yet curious.

"Hack people's names into fine pieces." we both laughed. 

"It's truly a tragic flaw of mine which I intend to get rid of." he smiled again, turning to the Edmundos who tittered at our little conversation. 

A striking feature of Addison was his height and his charisma. He was probably in his late twenties or early thirties I couldn’t say for sure. However, the way he carried himself like a French noble, in a savage town. Certainly, he was not a man from the region. 

His matching white tracksuit smelt money and I could tell Vogue magazine would beg to have him on their cover. I may not know him but I think I don't hate him. I think he would be an interesting human being. I pulled a strand of hair swirling my finger around it. I was still checking him out when Mr Edmundo suggested.

"I wish you can stay for a cup of coffee."

"I can, that's so kind of you." He replied calmly.

He's staying, Whoa! I exclaimed in my mind, wishing it would be for a long time. I was overjoyed still I contained it inside me.

"It's a pleasure, please come in." Ma'am Eunice said, ushering him in.

We all walked in. 

I held Mark and led him to the dining table while ma'am Eunice made the special coffee for the men.

Mr Edmundo had a small chat with Addison in the sitting room. I could hear faintly their conversation.

Mark busied with counting imaginary numbers, while I strained all the muscles in my ears, listening to them.

"How was your trip?" Edmundo asked.

"It was successful to a large extent."

"Ah! that is good news. I'm sure Don Goncalo will be pleased."

"Well, My dad is a man of great taste, I'm sure he has a different perception of success." 

He last statement struck me like lightning. "Did he say, my dad?" 

"Are you talking to me?" Mark asked.

"Oh! what?"

"You said something about dad," Mark said, looking up at me.

"No! Not at all," I stuttered, "I was saying- I was.. uh- what's that?" I asked, distracting him.

"What?" Mark asked, curious. Little did I know that Ma’am Eunice, as well as the others, had heard me.

Mr Edmundo and Addison turned to me without a word, I quickly waved at them.

"It's um..." I rolled my eyes, fidgeting my fingers as I searched for what to say, "It's um- it's an ant. yes, an ant." I affirmed.

Mrs Eunice who was in the kitchen popped out anxiously as if she was informed of a time bomb, "An ant?!"

"I hate ants." Mark cried.

"uh-oh! everyone," I gestured with one hand on the table and the other in the air for emphasis, 

"there's no need to be alarmed. I mean, ants are interesting and hardworking creatures. Even if they have four legs, we shouldn't despise them." 

"It's actually eight legs." Ma'am Eunice corrected.

They all nodded including Mark. This meant I was the only one who didn't know that. s**t! Why did I mention ants?

"Oh! Right, eight." I nodded in defeat. "I'll make sure to google it."  

They all looked at me patiently waiting for my explanation. Immediately, I recalled that I was saying something before the interruption.

"Yes, it was a very, very, very," I tried figuring out my next line.

"It was a very small ant. But, it got away through the window." I pointed at the window behind Mark and forced a guilty giggle.

"Thank God." Ma'am Eunice sighed in relief.

"My wife is hypersensitive to ants." Mr Edmundo said to Addison.

"Oh! Sorry about that." Addison sympathized.

"It's no one's fault. We just try to keep the ants away."

They continued their conversation. This time, I shut my ears from listening. I never knew ma'am Eunice was allergic to ants else I would have mentioned something else.

Surprisingly, Addison's eyes would stray towards me, stealing a glance. As much as I tried avoiding his bone-weakening stare, I could still feel his eyes hover like a giant blanket. 

Each time I turned to him he would reposition his gaze. Twice our eyes met and a flush crept up to my face, what was happening to me? I wondered.

Mrs Eunice served them the coffee and joined Mark and I, at the dining table. 

"Mom," Mark called.

"Yes, dear."

"Who is Mr Addison?"

"He works with your dad." Ma'am Eunice replied.

Subconsciously, I was keenly interested in knowing who he was, where he lived, where he worked, virtually everything about him; still, I refrained from asking. The shy Jewish part of me would not let me, so, I used my ears wisely.

Sadly, my mouth betrayed me and I blurted out, "He doesn't look like it." 

"How?" Mark asked.

"Like a worker in Don Carlo farm." 

"That is because his father owns the farm." Ma'am Eunice cut in.

Dazed at this, I whispered louder than normal, "What! Addison is Don Carlo's mysterious son!"

"Keep your voice down," Ma'am Eunice warned. "You don't want him to hear you, do you?"

I nodded.

Just then the men approached us, the surprise could not easily be effaced from my head nor my face. 

"It was wonderful being with you all." Addison appreciated.

"And you too Mr Addison, I hope next time will dinner." Ma'am Eunice said as she came closer. Mark and I held hands while standing beside Ma’am Eunice and Edmundo close to the door.

"Certainly. To meet my new friend Mark and of course, Hapuch." He grinned. His gaze fell on me again and I was speechless.

For a moment our eyes locked and I lost something I couldn't explain; something I didn't realize I had lost until now. And that was my heart. I slyly forced my face away, turning as if afraid of him. Yes, instinctively my subconscious had warned of the dangers that were bound to be.

How long would I turn away? How far would he go?

I watched him walk away, looking back twice at me; not just me, but the future I still couldn't see.