Fresh Air and Arrogant Jerks
Fresh Air and Arrogant Jerks
I left everything I knew behind—my deceitful liar of a (now) ex, my job, and my sub-rented apartment. I am anxious and nervous boarding the plane to Mallorca, but I am determined to start over and be me again.
Four years went up in smoke after I caught him cheating in our bed. Thankfully, I have contacts to rely on. The job in Mallorca at a luxury resort—complete with housing—was sorted out within two weeks.
So here I am on a flight to Palma. Sweaty palms, one suitcase, and nervous like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
“Dear passengers, we begin our descent to the airport of Palma. Please stow away your tray tables, put your seats in the upright position, and fasten your seatbelts.”
The message from the flight attendant snaps me back to reality. I fold away my tray table and fasten my seatbelt. I take a deep breath. Here we go.
After exiting the plane, I collect my luggage and head out of the airport. The hotel was nice enough to send a driver to pick me up, and I see the sign with my name: Julia Vahl.
I give him a small wave and introduce myself. “Hi, I am Julia. Thank you so much for picking me up.”
He takes the luggage from my hand as we proceed to walk to the waiting black limo. I take a short moment to enjoy the sun on my face as I lift my head up. My ex did not like flying, so we never left the UK over the past four years. It was just another thing I gave up to suit his needs.
There is nothing like the feeling of the first sunlight hitting your face and the smell of a new country. I sigh and take this moment in.
As we drive to the apartment, the driver tells me he will drop me off and I have the rest of the day to settle in. I am expected at the hotel the next morning at 8:00 AM, where Carla Martinez will be there to welcome me.
I am thankful I will get this day to unpack. I thank him as he hands me the keys to the apartment.
I take my suitcase, but just as I am about to walk into the complex, a tall, muscular man walks out. He is so focused on his phone that he doesn’t see me and bumps right into me.
Piercing green eyes lock onto mine, and it almost feels like they look right into my soul.
Then he snaps, ”¡Mira por dónde vas!”
Watch where you are going. He turns and walks away.
It takes me a minute to collect myself, and I call out, “Excuse you, you bumped into me!”
He glances back once and keeps walking.
“What an arrogant jerk,” I mumble. I grab my suitcase and head into the building, mentally hurling a few more insults at the arrogant stranger.
As I walk into my apartment, everything else is forgotten. What awaits me is a small but cozy space, and the view is breathtaking. The apartment looks out over the Mediterranean Sea, and I can hear the waves crashing into the rocks.
The hotel is located next to the building and sits at the far end of a rock formation surrounded by white sandy beaches. I read that Es Trenc is Mallorca’s most famous beach, and the last large natural beach that has not yet been spoiled by large hotels and dozens of restaurants. It truly is stunning.
I take a minute to take in the view and breathe in the fresh ocean air.
“Ok, Juuls,” I say to myself. “Time to unpack and get settled in.”
Once unpacked, I call my best friend to tell her I arrived safely. I already miss Angie. Normally, we see each other a few times a week and tell each other everything. Angie will be the one thing I know I will miss from everything I left behind.
I tell her about the run-in with “the Jerk,” and of course, I describe in detail how delicious he looked.
She laughs. “Babe, Spain is known for its attractive men. Just enjoy the views and maybe try out some of those yummy specimens.”
“This guy is one of the most attractive men I’ve ever met,” I admit. “Piercing green eyes, sun-kissed skin, tall, broad shoulders, and dark hair. But I promise you, I am staying away from men for now. I am going to focus on work, getting a tan, and enjoying myself. That is it!”
Angie chuckles. “If you say so. There is nothing wrong with a one-night stand. And if I recall correctly, you are in desperate need of a good fuck, as that ex of yours did not know what he was doing.”
I snort. “Yes, looking back, he was the epitome of a ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am’ kind of guy.”
We laugh some more. We finish our call after a few minutes, and I step out onto the balcony to see the sun already setting. I grab something to eat and turn in, eager to start tomorrow and see my new colleagues.
The Grumpy Brother
The next day, I walk out of my apartment just before eight and head into the reception area of the hotel. The hotel is a beautiful white stone building. They used soft, natural colors for the decoration, furniture, and walls. It feels serene, and the soft music playing in the lobby adds to the calm atmosphere.
“Julia?”
As I hear my name, I turn around and see a beautiful woman approaching me. How are all these people here so beautiful? I think to myself.
I do not consider myself ugly. I am a bit short at five-foot-two. I have long, curly caramel hair, olive-toned eyes, a curvy body, and a lot of freckles—which everyone seems to like except for me. But looking at this woman approaching me, I feel plain.
I snap out of my thoughts. “Yes, that is me.”
“Carla Martinez,” she introduces herself with a warm smile. “We are so happy you could join us at such short notice. I hope your flight was pleasant.”
Beautiful and friendly. I like her already.
“Let’s get you settled in at the reception area,” Carla says. “The front office manager will be here for two more weeks, and then it’s all yours.”
She introduces me to the rest of the staff, and after that, I start my day. Thankfully, the work is not very different from what I have done in the past, and I settle into a routine quickly.
Late in the afternoon, I hear the doors to the reception area open. I look up to greet the guests I assume are walking in, and my breath catches.
I look into a familiar pair of green eyes, and my smile falters. It’s the Jerk.
I quickly put my professional smile back on. “Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?”
He just stares at me and doesn’t say a thing. His gaze is so intense that I lower my eyes, cursing myself as I feel a hot flush burn my cheeks. He stops just in front of me, giving me no choice but to look back up.
With my short height, I need to tilt my head way back to meet his eyes. Again, I am mesmerized by his beautiful face. Stop it, I reprimand myself.
Grinding my teeth, I am about to speak as my temper gets the best of me. What is it with this guy?
That’s when Carla walks in. ”Ah, Julia, I see you’ve met my brother, Fernando.”
I look at her. Her brother? AKA my other boss. Shiiiit.
I stare at her, and then back at the Jerk.
“We have not had the pleasure,” Fernando says, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
I hold out my hand. ”It is nice to meet you, Mr. Martinez.”
He just stares at my hand. Carla rolls her eyes. ”For crying out loud, Fer, shake the poor girl’s hand.”
He finally takes my hand, and a jolt of electricity runs through me the second our fingers touch. Get a grip, Julia, I scold myself.
“My dad is Mr. Martinez. Call me Fernando,” he says in that deep voice, releasing his grip before abruptly walking away.
“Don’t take it personally,” Carla says gently. “Fernando is known for his grumpy behavior.”
I shrug and turn to get back to my work, but my thoughts keep running away with me. My mind is racing. Why is this jerk affecting me the way he does? He is bad news. I need to stay away from him. I promised myself no distractions, especially male distractions.
From now on, I decide I will approach him with the same coldness, give him a taste of his own medicine, and keep my distance.
After work, the team goes out for drinks, and Carla invites me to join them. I happily accept. I head back to my apartment to take a quick shower and change into a flowy summer dress. After putting on some light makeup and my favorite perfume, La Vie Est Belle, I take the short walk to the bar.
The benefit of living in such a small village is that everything is within walking distance. I hear the music before I even round the corner, soon spotting the group sitting outside, laughing and chatting.
I join them, and notice they have already ordered me a cocktail. I am normally not fond of alcohol due to the bitter taste, but this cocktail smells incredibly sweet. After my first sip, I know I have found a new favorite...
