Chapter 8 - Vacation and Back

Ivanna slowly made her way through the Green Village to get to the 8-Day Bamboo Course that the Portman’s had surprised her with when they arrived in Bali after touring the capital city. She couldn’t control her glee and they laughed at her eagerness.

“See? I told you that she’s rather be here than tagging along with us for our charity cause,” Mrs. Portman said with a laugh, hugging her husband’s arm. “Will be seeing you for breakfast and dinner only since we will be eating with the NGO groups. Once we’re all done with our respective itineraries, we’ll spend the remaining days touring this beautiful spot.”

“Hey, Ivanna,” Marius, a Spanish national who moved to Bali and one member of the IBUKU Team greeted warmly. He gave her a warm smile, which made her heart flutter. “Ready for day four?”

Such a handsome devil, Ivanna thought after giving him a smile.

“I sure am,” she answered as she took a seat across from him, surveying the tools in front of her. She picked up a small, folding knife and studied it. “What are we going to do today?”

“We’ll start making scale models,” Marius responded as he gestured at some bamboo. “You make a prototype design then by tomorrow, you’ll be doing it life size.”

“Sounds exciting,” she said as she placed down the knife and reached for a blank paper and pencil.

“What are you planning to make?”

Ivanna cocked her head and thought for a while. “Something simple,” she answered as she started to sketch. “Perhaps a floor lamp that would go well in any room design or a furniture.”

Marius nodded as he pointed at one part of her sketch.

“Be careful with this,” he commented. “The joints might not properly bind.”

“Oh,” she muttered as she erased the one he pointed and thought of another way.

“So, what are your plans after the course is done?” Marius asked slowly.

Ivanna looked up and saw him looking at her calmly, fidgeting with a bamboo stick. She smiled at him calmly and looked back at her sketch. “The Portman’s and I will be visiting the beautiful spots. Do you have any suggestions? There’s Uluwatu Temple, the Monkey Forest, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.” She answered softly. “Then some Seminyak shopping of course. I’ll be buying for my friends back home.”

Marius looked at her straight in the eye.

“I’m going to Sidemen Valley and I was wondering if you’d like to come,” he said softly. “We can stroll around the small villages and participate in some traditional activities.”

“Are you asking me out on a date?” She questioned.

He smiled, showing his even white teeth.

“Is it a yes?”

Ivanna looked at him with a smile, her face flushing. “I’m sure it’s going to be lovely,” she replied as she showed him her sketch. “Yes, I would love to go with you.”

Marius returned her smile and took the pad from her and looked at it closely.

“This is beautiful,” he commented. “Shall we start making it?”

Three Weeks Later…

Ivanna went out from her car that Wednesday night and looked up at the now finished Tony’s Fine Dining Restaurant and smiled at the accomplishment. She yawned slightly, thinking to get a long sleep after attending the opening to get rid of jetlag.

Her phone rang and she looked at the screen and smiled.

“Hi,” she greeted. “I’m back home and attending Tony’s opening, Mich. Let’s have dinner on Friday at my house?”

“Yes and I want to hear everything about that guy,” Michelle replied. “Did you really tell him that you’ll only be friends? God! Your photos looked so great!”

“We both know it wouldn’t be long term,” Ivanna explained. “But, I definitely enjoyed our time together.”

She talked with her friend for a few minutes and ended the call.

“Two hours, Iva,” she muttered as she walked towards the entrance. “Then you can go home and have a long sleep that you need.”

Ivanna turned the knob and gently pushed the antique wooden door opened to a very lively dining room. A band is playing soft, rock music at one side near the counter, just the right mood of music. She waved at Diane when she saw her at the far end of the dining room.

“I loved your tan!” Lea gushed as she moved over on the couch for Ivanna to sit. She looked at her boss with a big smile. “But, I’m very interested to know about that really hot, arm candy.”

“I think we all do,” Grace agreed as she handed Ivanna a cocktail drink.

Ivanna shook her head at them with a smile.

“He’s a great guy but we both agreed that long distance relationship is not for us,” she answered as she took a drink from her glass.

“Did you see the photos he uploaded on his social media account and you were tagged?” Diane asked excitedly. “Oh my God, Iva, he is so into you! And those photos! They’re so beautiful! You better have those pictures with you on printed!”

“I am planning to,” Ivanna replied as she reached for the plate of bruschetta. “I already have a wall to hang them on.”

The group laugh and Ivanna started to ask some things with regards to the restaurant.

“Damian’s here,” Diane said as she pointed at one direction. “He arrived three days ago to make sure the assembly of all furniture are done correctly.”

“I called him up a week before the opening and he received some ear-splitting lecture,” Ivanna admitted quietly with a smile. “Did he mention anything about it?”

Diane laughed, nodding.

“He was laughing about it when he told me. He said that his wife made sure that he sticks with the schedule he promised you,” she narrated patiently. “He kept his word and he was more than happy to accommodate our future requests. Warren’s impressed with the items he customized for Tony’s.”

“That’s good to know,” Ivanna said. She looked up when she heard her name called and she gave a smile and waved at her client. She excused herself from the table and walked towards Warren. “Congratulations on the opening, Mr. James.”

Warren shook her hand with a grin.

“Dad’s excited to see what magic you’ll be bringing at the south branch,” he said as he stopped a passing waiter and gestured a cocktail drink for her. “Do you know that we our book for the next two months already?”

“That’s wonderful,” she replied with a smile. “I’m humbled to know that.”

Warren grinned as he looked her up and down.

“Bali seems to be doing good on you,” he commented. “Although except for that sucker you’re with, all in all you still look gorgeous. Did you just arrive today?”

Ivanna nodded as they walked towards the outdoor garden.

“I only rested a few hours and then went here,” she replied. “But, I won’t be staying long, okay? I still have jetlag.”

He nodded as he opened the door for her and gestured her towards his family, sitting at one long table.

“Congratulations, Mr. James,” Ivanna said with a smile to Warren’s father.

“The guests loved the vibe you gave, Ivanna,” Samantha James-White, Warren’s older sister said with an appreciative smile. “Great job! I can’t wait until you complete the south branch as well.”

“Thank you,” Ivanna answered.

Ivanna stayed for the next two hours and finally took her leave after telling Warren. She made her way to her car, reaching for her keys inside her bag. She pushed the button and opened her door.

“Ivanna?”

She froze on her tracks when she heard the familiar voice. She turned around and stood face to face with her ex-longtime boyfriend, Lance Middleton, who is with his wife.

“Lance, hi,” she greeted with a smile. “Hello, Mary. It’s nice to see you again.”

“You look good, Iva,” Mary Price-Middleton appraised with a smile. “It’s been a long time since we last seen each other. Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. I actually just arrived back home and need to get rid of jet lag,” Ivanna answered honestly.

“That’s too bad,” Lance said. “Mary’s flight from New York got delayed. We could have been here earlier. It’s been a while.”

Ivanna nodded with a smile.

“The reviews online of your design is impressive, Ivanna,” Mary continued as she gave her a squeeze. “Anyway, I’m glad we ran into you before you leave. Are you free on Tuesday, next week at lunch? Lance and I have something to discuss with you.”

“Sure, I’m available,” Ivanna answered.

“Great!” Mary said. “We’ll see you Tuesday.”

Nicholas pressed the doorbell to Ivanna’s house early the following day and took a stepped back. He waited for a few minutes before he heard footsteps from inside and the locks being opened.

“Hi,” he greeted calmly when Ivanna finally opened the front door.

Ivanna looked at him and surprised and her eyes drifted to the bouquet of tulips and peonies he is holding and her face changed to utmost curiosity.

“What are you doing here?” She finally asked.

“Well, I was wondering if you’d like to have breakfast with me. I wasn’t able to ask you last night,” Nicholas answered as he studied her and noticed that she is already dress for work, given that it’s still six in the morning. “I hope I didn’t disturb you for being too early?”

She remained silent for a while.

“I’m actually preparing breakfast already,” she finally answered softly. “Mr. Mitchell restocked my fridge more than enough yesterday.”

“Oh,” Nicholas commented. His gripped tightened on the bouquet. “Are you free for lunch later?”

Ivanna opened her mouth to reply but caught herself.

“Would you like to join me for breakfast?” She finally asked. “I’m not a professional cook or chef, but I’m making some souffle pancakes and frying some bacon and eggs.”

Nicholas smiled and nodded.

“Just go around the back,” she said, gesturing with her head. “I’ll find a vase for the flowers and will meet you there.”

He followed her instructions as he walked around the deck towards the back. He pushed the small gate open and went in her backyard. He smiled slightly at the trimmed lawn and garden, which he’s sure that Mr. Mitchell is tending to. There’s a small fence area where he noticed some vegetables are growing while fruit trees lined up the sides of the fence and some flower beds strategically placed around to give the backyard a homey feel.

“Come on in,” Ivanna’s voice came as he heard a door being slid opened.

Nicholas entered the spacious sunroom and looked around, concluding that the area is already an addition to the house. Sunlight goes through the glass roof overhead but she strategically placed the lights and planters to prevent any glare and the glass walls gave him a good view of the garden. The overall look gave a very relaxing and enjoyable vibe. Anyone eating here will be having a good time.

“This is an additional room, right?” He asked as he watched her filled a vase with water.

“Yes,” she answered as she placed the vase on the counter and looked back at the pancakes she’s making. She then went to put food in Gunther’s bowl. “I added this three years ago and was only able to complete this last year.”

Nicholas went towards the counter and untied the bouquet, arranging the flowers on the vase. The smell of bacon wafted through the air and he could hear them sizzling. He looked up when she walked by him towards the wooden communal table that could seat ten persons and watched her set up the utensils.

“Coffee?” She asked.

“Yes, please,” he responded and watched her grabbed a blacked-out mug and poured him a cup. “Just a little cream, no sugar.”

Ivanna nodded and added a little cream, stirring it gently.

“Why don’t you take a seat?” She suggested as she handed him the mug. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“Anything I can help you with?” He asked first.

She handed him the plate of bacon as well as the eggs. “I’ll bring the pancakes,” she answered as she placed three souffle pancakes each on plain, white plates and topped each with a slice of butter after dusting off some powdered sugar. “Here you go.”

Nicholas looked down and smiled at the simple presentation.

“Let’s eat,” she said as she placed down a small narrow, wooden board that has the maple syrup, jam and peanut butter. She took a sip of coffee from her mug, surprising him that its black. “You’d better eat the pancakes while they’re still warm. It tastes better.”

He nodded and they ate in silence for a while.

“So, why are you here so early?” She finally asked.

“I wanted to apologize,” he answered softly.

Ivanna looked at him curiously.

Nicholas placed down his mug gently and turned to her. “At the party, there was this gossip going around and sad to say, I believed it,” he confessed seriously. He looked at her and saw her smirked along with her eyes rolling. “That was really stupid.”

“It doesn’t affect me,” she replied as she stood up and poured herself another serve of coffee. “Let me guess? Woman with long, blond hair, brown eyes and wearing a red dress?”

He nodded.

“Sissy Lennon,” she stated with a smirk. “Apparently, that woman still has me under her radar when I became the girlfriend of her ex after she broke up with him.”

“Is she the daughter of Marcos and Sylvia Lennon?”

Ivanna nodded as she leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms. “Sissy Lennon is a spoiled, heiress who always thinks she’s above everyone,” she commented softly. She shook her head. “How was I to know that the man I’m dating turned out to be an ex she still can’t get over? I only found out during school break when I went home.”

“What made her spread those stories?”

She looked at him squarely.

“Beats me,” she said and Nicholas knew that she won’t elaborate.

Nicholas nodded and looked down at his empty plate. “Warren and I had a talked last time while you were in Bali,” he started patiently. “I didn’t knew you’re a -.”

“I’m not,” she cut off firmly. “I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”

“Sorry,” he said. “Anyway, do you want to go out for lunch later?”

Ivanna looked at him. “I’ll be busy the entire day,” she answered as she stood up and started to clear the table. “I just came back from overseas and the office will have a meeting for the updates while I’m gone. Thanks for asking.”

“Maybe some other time, then,” he said as he placed his empty mug in the sink. “Thanks for breakfast.”

After a few minutes, Nicholas made his way back to the front and walked towards his car. He checked his watch and noted that his more than an hour breakfast with her was something he found quite satisfying and he was looking forward to more of that.

He took his phone out and pressed Warren’s number.

“Hey, dude,” he said when Warren answered. “I have this something in my mind. You up for it?”