An Improbable Paradise

There was a time Katherine De Bruyne would never take a vacation. Although it wasn't true in her childhood, she could afford such things now. It was the work ethic ingrained into her from childhood. She was a workaholic, though she hadn't aspired to be. As a child, she was driven to make a better life for herself and achieve her goals, which resulted in devoting all her time to studying. It transferred over to her law career. She had earned fame from the cases she had won and the high-profile clients who sang her praises. Yet, she was burning out. When all you lived for was your work, there wasn't much pleasure to be gained from the rest of your life.

When her boss had come to her six months ago, sternly recommending that she needed time away, Kat scoffed and shrugged him off. Rob hadn't taken no for an answer, telling her in no uncertain terms that she could schedule the vacation herself or he would do it for her. Embarrassed, she planned the trip to the Maldives with the velvety white sand and pristine blue waters. The moment she had arrived at the rented bungalow where she would be spending the next five days, Kat had pulled out her laptop, leaving the rest of her luggage untouched at the door. Even though she knew this was supposed to be time away and her team would be able to handle everything, she couldn't stay hands-off. She couldn't bring herself to not worry about the office. She was the type of person who had to do everything for herself, for better or worse. It was a marriage to her job more devoted than most humans gave each other.

Before the woman could pull her dark wavy hair into a messy bun, Katherine received a message from her boss on the private server. A sigh escaped her, knowing this would only be an admonishment for her being on at all, but she couldn't help it.

4:08 pm Rob Leinsman: What are you doing? You're supposed to be soaking up the sun and relaxing.

4:08 pm Katherine De Bruyne: Just checking my emails. You don't really expect me to go five days without staying in touch with my clients?

It was a bald-faced lie. She didn't need to log into the firm's private site to check her emails, but she didn't care. She had done as he had asked, booked this stupid vacation at Rob's urging. It didn't mean she could completely ignore her work. There was too much at stake with this case for her to let it go like that.

4:10 pm Rob Leinsman: We've got this. There will be a file on your desk with all the pertinent information when you return. Trust me when I say this: you need to recenter yourself. You're useless to me if you can't do that.

A groan escaped her lips. She hated how well Rob knew when she was nearing her breaking point. They had spent the past fifteen years together, forming a bond that was strictly work-related but close. Sometimes she thought the man was her best friend, but that was a pathetic admittance. None of that stopped him from being right. Katherine knew she needed a break; she needed to reset her mind. The past few months had been mentally draining for the woman, and she wasn't at her best. However, in her childhood, she had learned she could only rely on herself. That hardwiring wasn't easy to shut off. How could she trust anyone with something as important as her career?

4:11 pm Katherine De Bruyne: Alright. You win. I'm logging off.

4:11 pm Rob Leinsman: Good. I'll see you in a week.

Katherine shut her computer with frustration, staring at the closed surface. After a few moments, she rose and went to the small bathroom, looking at the mirror above the sink and studying her reflection. The bags under her eyes had grown since the morning, only adding to the disheveled look of travel. Her hair was messy, still down, framing her face in ungraceful waves. The high-end joggers and t-shirt did nothing to help. It unsettled her. Typically, the woman took time to put herself together and ensure she looked ready to enter a courtroom at a moment's notice. Yet, recently, she had been finding it more and more difficult to expend that energy, still achieving the goal but not caring if she did. She wanted to find her spark again but couldn't do it in the office.

A quick shake of her head had Katherine moving on to changing clothes, dressing in a modest black one-piece bathing suit and a sheer white cover-up. She completed the look with a pair of black sandals before heading out the only entrance and down to the beach. The sun was warm on her skin, and she could feel the heat radiating off the sand under her feet. The smell of saltwater nearly overpowered her, giving her a calming but unfamiliar feeling. At forty-five, the woman had done her best to never leave the office, especially going somewhere like a remote tropical island. Glancing around, she noticed a few other people lining the private resort beach, soaking up the sun or splashing in the clear blue water. Smiles were abundant, and Kat felt out of place. She began to walk to an empty lounge chair when her path was cut off by an overthrown football and a young man running to catch it. He wasn't looking where he was going, eyes trained on the ball. Quickly, she jumped backwards=, trying to get out of the way before she was run over.

Katherine watched as the man caught the football one-handed, turning mid-air to make the catch. She watched the realization dawn on him as his eyes met hers, causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. "I'm sorry," he started.

"Nice catch," Katherine said simultaneously, and the blush spread. She could feel the heat in her ears. Her eyes scanned him, his sweaty blonde hair clinging to his face, bright blue eyes sparkling in the sun, and the shirtless muscled frame tanned from the sun. She got the impression that he lived nearby, a local who spent countless hours on the beach in the sun.

A laugh escaped his lips before he turned and threw the ball back to the other guys, waving them on without him. He turned his attention back to her, and Kat felt wrong about it. He was in his twenties, someone she would never usually talk to. Yet, here he was. "I haven't seen you around. You on vacation?" His voice was light but deep, drawing her in. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't walk away from this moment.

"I am. What about you? You seem like you come here often."

"Yeah, I live on the island and work at the resort. We spend as much time as possible on the beach during the downtime. There's just something relaxing about it, ya know?"

Kat could understand that, though it was foreign to her. She was far more comfortable in the safety of her office. Vacations and downtime were unfamiliar, stretching her comfort zone. Talking to a random person, someone who wasn't in her office or the courtrooms she frequented, wasn't something she often did. It wasn't something she made time for. She was comfortable in the life she led, and until now, there was no need to extend herself beyond her comfort zone. "I'm starting to realize it," she admitted, unsure what else to say.

The man's face fell slightly, and Katherine knew it was because he didn't know what to make of her. She couldn't pretend to be surprised by it. Many days she didn't know how to take herself, but it still shook her. She wanted to be the type of person people could relate to. She had always been a people-pleaser, and it felt like a failure when someone didn't seem to understand her. "I'm Katherine, but everyone calls me Kat," she opted to introduce herself, trying to ease the awkwardness beginning to fester between them.

"Kat, I'm Ian. It's a pleasure to meet you. How long are you here for?" His smile lit up the entire beach, the sun seeming to shine just because of its presence.

"Five days," Kat offered, unsure why this young man would want to know such a thing. It wasn't as though she was his type or his age range. Still, he had asked. Something in that fact warmed her and made her feel a part of the place.

Ian nodded, a smirk on his face. "Five days in paradise. Whatever will you do with yourself?" His tone was teasing, and Kat couldn't help but smile. She wasn't sure what to make of this, but there was no harm in enjoying the ride. She was losing herself in the moment and was finding it enjoyable.

Kat shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess spend time on the beach and eat good food." She hadn't thought much about how she would spend her time while on the island. Instead, she had focused on getting here, making the arrangements to appease her boss. Maybe, Ian could help her, but she didn't want to impose herself on the young man. That wasn't the type of person she was. She couldn't ask anything of others, so she struggled to trust her staff to do their jobs. Independent didn't begin to cover her beliefs, the thoughts she held at her core.

A laugh caused her to leave her thoughts and turn her attention back to Ian. He looked thrilled with her admittance at having nothing planned, and it was something that concerned her. She knew it shouldn't, but she couldn't help but fear whatever the man may think up for her to do. "Well, I'd love to take you to dinner tonight and then show you the island," Ian offered, much to Kat's surprise.

"Now, why would you want to do that?"

Ian hesitated, and Kat could see him trying to figure out what she could mean by that. She could tell he wasn't used to being questioned or the chance of rejection. Perhaps this would be a good learning moment for him, though she doubted she would actually follow through in turning him down. It was the most significant part of being a people pleaser; she couldn't tell someone no without a good reason. "Well, because you aren't the type to seem to enjoy vacations, yet you're here. It intrigues me. I'd like to get to know more about you."

It was Katherine's turn to hesitate. Ian had been honest, open with her, and spot-on in his assessment. It amazed her in a way, though it also rattled her. Her breath hitched in her chest, unease passing through her. "I wish I could say you were wrong, but you're more perceptive than I expected," she said. It wasn't exactly an answer to his first statement, but it suited her. Kat had never been one to make anything easy on others, and she didn't feel like he would be as intrigued with her if she were to go soft on him.

"So, is that a yes?"

Katherine nodded, offering a smile. "I suppose having a personal guide to the islands wouldn't be such a bad thing."

Ian let out a loud laugh of excitement, his smile swallowing his face. "Well, alright then. I'll pick you up around six? Wanna meet here, or is there somewhere else you have in mind?"

"Here is fine. I'll be ready." She watched as he nodded, giving her another smile, before disappearing to rejoin his friends. Katherine could only imagine how he was regaling them with his conquest, and she tried to clear her mind. She had an hour, so instead of venturing further onto the sand, she returned to her bungalow to shower and change for the night ahead.

At six, Katherine found herself on the same beach spot, a few feet away from her bungalow. Already impatience was beginning to creep into her. The woman was nothing if not punctual, and she expected everyone in her life to have that same value. She was about to walk back into the bungalow to Google restaurants in the area when Ian came jogging toward her. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a cotton button-down t-shirt. In another world, she could picture him picking up a date at a college. She looked down at her own outfit, the fitted jeans, and silk blouse a staple in her wardrobe. For a moment, Kat felt overdressed, but she tried to shake that feeling away.

"You look great," Ian complimented. She took a moment to revel in it, waiting for him to say more. She didn't have to wait long. "Sorry, I'm a bit late. I got held up by some friends. Shall we?"

"After you," Katherine said, raising her arm to move him on. Ian laughed, and they walked down the stretch of sand toward the village. Lights greeted them, the busy street filled with tourists taking in what they could. She was awed by the busyness, struck by the vendors still going as if they hadn't been at it all day. It impressed her; these people just trying to survive day to day on the fortune of tourists.

Kat almost didn't notice when Ian stopped walking, looking at her. Another blush crept to her cheeks, embarrassment flooding her. "This is the best place to eat on the island," Ian said, opening the wooden door for her. She nodded, stepping inside. The place smelled wonderful, and it caused her stomach to rumble. Another wave of embarrassment rushed through her, but she fought to remain composed. "Sit wherever you like."

Slowly, Katherine moved to a table in the back corner where she could see outside. Partially, it was a habit, her usual preferences taking over. Old habits died hard. "This okay?" The question was solely for his benefit, wanting to ensure he was comfortable with her choice. Ian nodded and took a seat. He was relaxed in a way the woman had never been, in a way she didn't know how to be. It seemed natural to him, and for a brief moment, she was envious of him.

"It's great," Ian offered as a waitress brought menus to their table, brusquely setting them down before heading to another table. The place was busy but not packed, with a scattering of tourists and locals. "There isn't a bad thing on the menu, but the Man Huni and the Masroshi are to die for."

Already she had been eyeing the Man Huni to pair with Lucky & Al to drink. It was a bit adventurous for Katherine, but if you couldn't be adventurous on vacation, when could you? A smile crept to her face, shy in its nature. Tonight, Katherine was determined to relax and enjoy herself. She was determined to have a night off where she didn't think about her work. For the first time in her life, Kat wanted to let loose. "So, you work for the resort? Is that what you wanted to do?" She wasn't sure what made her ask the question, but she wasn't sorry she had asked it. After all, Ian was still a stranger, and it was only right to get to know one another.

"It wasn't what I always wanted to do, but it pays well and is easy work. Plus, I get to meet new people. It works well for me," Ian said with a shrug. He was trying to downplay it, but Katherine could tell her question had unsettled him. She wasn't sure why, but she was tempted to poke at that thread. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Kat had been raised to believe people were entitled to their secrets and that prying was rude. "What about you? Are you doing what you dreamed of doing as a child?"

The question caught Katherine off guard. It wasn't something she had ever really thought about, but the short answer was yes. However, the woman knew it was more profound than that. Becoming a lawyer had been her lifelong dream, but if she pulled that thread, she wasn't sure if it had really been her dream. She had been told to aspire to greatness, to become a lawyer or doctor. That message she had taken to heart, pouring herself into her studies. Finally, she settled on saying, "Yes."

"That was a really long pause for a yes."

A laugh escaped the woman in an attempt to cover her discomfort. Anxiety threatened to overwhelm her, spill out from her pores and drown her. Taking a steadying breath, she nodded. "I suppose it was, but it wasn't a simple question. At least, it wasn't for me. I was raised in a rural community in a rural state. My parents were barely able to keep us above the poverty level. I was repeatedly told as a child to become a doctor or lawyer. I was terrible at math, so my dream became to become a lawyer. I did that, but I'm not really sure that it was really what I wanted to do or what I was conditioned to want to do."

Ian nodded, a compassionate look taking over his face. "I was told the same thing as a child. It might be why I'm so happy working for the resort." Katherine hated that she could see the logic in that. It felt like underachieving to her, but at the same time, she thought it would be a far simpler existence. Many days she longed for a simpler life, but she had the life she chose. When the payoff of winning a big case came, it was worth it.

"This is the first vacation I've taken in years." Katherine wasn't sure why she admitted it. It wasn't something she would have told any other stranger, yet, she felt comfortable with Ian. In a way, the woman felt she had known him for years instead of merely meeting a few hours prior. She was relaxing into the alcohol and the food, enjoying the company in a way she hadn't for a long, long time. For the first time in her life, Katherine felt she had a better understanding of who she was at her core and what she wanted out of life. The first few hours of her vacation had already changed her priorities. She needed to slow down more and take more time to truly live. Up to this point, she had been living to work. Now, she wanted to live.

"Well, let's make it a good one then, shall we? You seem like you deserve it."