CHAPTER 21

June 25, 2015

Thursday brought the first truly crisp air of summer as the Bermuda High pumped in humidity from the tropical Atlantic toward Myrtle Beach. The Crepe Myrtle trees had yet to begin their slow bloom into the long lasting pink, red and purple summer blooms which usually last until early fall.

With the sun rising up the glistening water, Landon sat in appreciation of the breathtaking view that helped him clear his mind. He got up early. After preparing breakfast for Deanna and Mavis, he went straight to the beach for a moment of reflection before proceeding to the Palace.

Landon needed time to think about what his heart was telling him after last night event. He was confused. Rather, his heart was confused, deeply absorbed by what he was feeling. It even made him restless the whole night thinking, I like her. The thought, when it struck him, felt at once surprising and bewildering.

Seeing the sunrise had always been a key to unlock his serenity. He often rise early to see the sun smile at the world since losing Theresa. It became his comfort and breather. It was, after all, Theresa who taught him such practice. They would watch either the sunrise or sunset to start or end their hectic schedule at the Palace. It was one of the practices he vowed to do whenever he's in trouble or even just missing his wife.

It only took him a few minutes. Staying longer would only obscure his focus. Moreover, the mystic scene in front of him just like the tourists who enjoyed the majestic view of Myrtle Beach would swallow him up.

"Good morning Mr. Bolton!" A valet greeted as Landon arrived at the Palace.

"Good morning too, Jelo! How's your mom?" Landon smiled.

Among the things he learned at The Regal Mansion was to call hotel employees by their names. Doing so not only recognized their human dignity but also them being integral part of the MTL success. Their position at the Palace didn't matter whether one is a valet like Jelo or the general manger, Mr. Connolly. Their impact gave the MTL Palace the success it was aiming.

"Getting better Sir. Thanks to your help."

Jelo's mom is one of the beneficiaries of the The Sea Heaven. She has been hospitalized due to a cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, The Sea Heaven as beneficiary accepted her with regard to her Hospitalization. In addition, Jelo was given the opportunity to be one of the few working students at MTL Palace. Such opportunities were two of the many visions of Theresa for the Palace and The Sea Heaven.

Landon was early. He was volunteered by his friends to give Lea and her friends a ride going to the airport. It was a way of his friends to push him closer to Lea whom they recognized as a fit not to replace Theresa but to develop a new beginning for both Landon and Mavis. It wasn't for the similarities between Lea and Theresa. It was more of the gut feeling that they had being with her for the past days.

As Landon entered the lobby, there were already a number of guests lingering at the lobby. Many of them just arrived from beach walk. Some of them were killing time before the restaurant open. Moreover, one of them looked familiar. Someone he has faced many times in the past and whom Landon considered as his nemeses.

As he got closer and his eyes saw a clear image of the guest, his hunch was right. "Kevin?" Landon called out.

Upon hearing his name, the guest stood up and faced Landon. "Yes?"

Landon beamed. It was always a delight for Landon to see some people from his past visit or stay at the Palace, not for him to boast at the success of the hotel but for a possible pleasant tête-à-tête. "It's me, Landon."

The guest, trying to shake off his memory bank, scanned Landon's face. "Landon? Landon Bolton?"

"Yeah. Good to see you, man. How long has it been?"

"Look at you now. Still looking good, I see." He smiled at Landon. "Six years. It's been a long time. I hoped you didn't get rusty."

Kevin and Landon have known each other since Landon was still in New York. They have been competitors in many international culinary competitions. Each could brag a thing or two against the other. They have both tasted victory and defeat against the other in the many previous competitions they have joined.

Among the awards Kevin and Landon conquered, the USA's Chef of the Year Award was the only award both shared on the same year as they have victoriously led the different culinary contests sponsored by the ACF on that year.

At the peak of their careers, both men journeyed separately. Landon turned his back at the limelight of Manhattan, going back to his root in Myrtle and concentrating on his family and business rather than on his legacy. Kevin, on the other hand, took the center stage by establishing his brand in San Francisco.

"To be honest, I had been rusty lately." Landon glanced toward the direction of the restaurant. "What are you here? Having a vacation?"

"Oh no, no." Kevin reached in his pocket and showed Landon a black ring box. He slowly opened it. There was a fancy blue diamond engagement ring sparkling inside the box. "I'm here for this." He smiled at Landon. "It's a one-in-a-million ring."

Here we go again, Landon thought. Kevin hasn't changed at all. He's still the same guy who loves to boast about stuff. "Wow! Congrats. Nice ring. Who's the unlucky lady?"

"Unlucky? Well, she's my charm."

Both men laughed as they sat on one of the couches. Their competitive attitude against each other hasn't diminished despite the long years of not seeing each other. In their previous competitions, there were a lot of friendly trash-talking between them. It was more of a building up momentum to fire each other as they give their best so that triumph over the other would be much sweeter.

"How would you do it? I mean would you like me to help you with some stuff?" Landon offered help of the hotel.

"Oh no. I already did it. I would just give her the ring since it didn't fit before." Kevin boastfully smiled. "I'm just here to surprise my fiancée."

He couldn't believe that a narcissistic person like Kevin who prioritize career over love would soon be getting married. "Congratulations then. Is she one of the doctors from the bay area having a conference here?" Landon curiously asked.

"No. She's with some friends." He reached for his phone and showed Landon a picture of her. It was a picture of he took while they were watching a Golden State Warrior's game. Landon wasn't shock at where it was taken. After all, Kevin was known to be a basketball fanatic.

What stunned Landon was the lady at the picture. He just couldn't believe whom he saw. Never did he predict that it would be her, Lea. The same Lea whom he met recently. Though surprised, h tried to project a composed reaction. "She's really a charm," he remarked.

"I told you so."

Not wanting to be in an awkward situation, Landon stood up and made an excuse to leave. He didn't want to complicate the situation by seeing them together. He assumed that if he stayed longer, he would only be slapped with reality, something most would certainly want to avoid.

Landon told himself that there was no one to be blamed. She didn't hide or lie about her status. He simply assumed that like her other friends, she was single as well.