Telma just oiled her stack naked upper body and she laid back on the comfy lounge stretched out opposite the still pool. She hasn't had a vacation in a long while so she was seizing this all-expense-paid holiday she won as the "young dedicated staff" in the company she worked at. And she was determined to enjoy every drop of it starting with Portugal's greatest asset - glorious hours of sunshine.
Telma only packed her bags just yesterday upon receiving her plan tickets and as an industrious, organized lady, she already ruled out her plans for the one week vacation. She was going to really relax and have fun. A beep on her mobile made her raise a brow, tearing off the sunglasses shielding her eyes from direct sunlight.
"I guess, that's my que", she said to herself. "I better go get ready. Sam wouldn't want to be kept waiting for my call". Sam and Telma were born in the same hospital on the same day and they have been good friends since they met in junior high school and ever since, they have been envied of their friendship. Telma wouldn't have asked for more from a bestie as she's with a friend like Sam.
He had mostly been mistaken for Telma's boyfriend because he had always supported her dreams and aspirations, goals and wishes. Even with unpleasant situations and on gloomy days, he was always ready to help her out. Although he's from a wealthy family, he was never arrogant. Once, when Telma's granny was having a surgery, he oversaw all that was required and gave the manly support when it was necessary since Telma only had her mom as her parent.
She picks up her bikini top and did it, prepared to make the call to her friend.
Luckily, she didn't have to take the row of bad network coverage in Portugal which was almost a tradition. The Mandivelle exclusive hotel had a telecom tower erected for convenient phoning by their customers. Probably why they are the best hotel around here.
"Hello T", came the male voice on the receiving end of the phone. "How are you rocking your vacation?", he teased.
"Oh Sam, it is much nicer than I imagined", Telma replied dreamily. "The food is great, nice weather and the hotel service too, is top notch. I am glad I won this trip. It feels soooo deserving. If you were here, I'm sure we'd have the best vacation ever. Too bad you have work to do, learning the ropes of your dad's firm. How are you doing with that workload on you?"
"It's better to know that you're enjoying your stay. Don't you worry, when I firmly have the reins of this firm in my hands, we will go on our own vacation. I promise", he replied sweetly.
"Oh shoot, I just got a call from a client and it's go time with my dad. Can we do this again tomorrow if you are a little chanced? I really have to go kiddo. Bye"
The call was shorter than Telma had expected but at least she had heard from Sam, she was fine with it. Now, she was feeling the heat of the sun and the water looked tempting. Fortunately, it was just her at the pool side at the time and happily, she raced up the stairs to stand at the open end of a corridor that was directly underneath the pool. It looked like it was specially made for a cannonball jump into the blue waters that sparkled brightly.
With a lot of mustered up courage, Telma took a dive into the pool, causing a big splash around the corners of the contained water. She hasn't jumped into the pool like that in a while and especially, not in a Portuguese pool. It was fun for her. "I will cross this off my bucket list", she laughed at herself.
"That was a cool one", came a voice from behind. She spun round, still inside the pool, to find a brown face of healthy smile shining at her. "Why, thank you", she curtsied.
"Where did you learn that from? I've never seen a girl jump off into the pool like that. Mind if you share your secret techniquewith me?", he grinned as he stretched out a helping hand to pull out Telma from the scattered waters.
She laughed at his compliment and took his hand as she dripped out of the water. "It's really nothing. I just did a little freestyle to how Sam taught me."
"I'm Jim, nice to meet you...", the young man introduced himself. "I am Telma. Thanks for the help and compliment", she smiled back.
She reached out to grab her towel on the lounge but instead, he passed it to her, smiling. "Thanks Jim."
"Wanna have a drink, I think you might be needing one", he offered eyeing the bar close by. "Sure, I guess I can stomach a cool glass of iced tea", Telma replied.
As they made their way to the settees arranged ahead of them, they talked casually about the reasons they were in Portugal, family, work, the weather, their friends. "By the way, you mentioned a 'Sam'. Is he the friend you talked about?", Jim asked.
"Yes he is. He's more like a sibling. We do a lot of things together", she replied. She would have continued but was distracted by the ringing that came from her mobile. "Excuse me, I need to take this". With that said, she when out of hearing reach to speak to her mom. Momentarily, she returned to Jim's side, apologized for the distraction and they were back into their conversation.
They spoke at length and at the end of the day, Telma accepted Jim's request to a disco. While she was getting ready, staring at her reflection on the mirror, she reminded herself. "Don't be too involved, Telma. It's just a simple request to dance nothing more. Remember that."