Sharp Suitors

Chapter 5 - 'Chance' Encounter

It was a very breezy afternoon. Elaine savored the feeling of the wind, which carried the faint, refreshing scent of saltwater. She enjoyed it, but she had to hold onto her wide-brimmed summer hat to keep it from being carried away.

A handful of the other men were outdoors as well, having the same idea of relaxing in the breeze. Some of them had already talked to her throughout the day, and most, if not all of them, were likeable enough. It would be hard to send them home.

Elaine tried to recall the ones she'd met, and also the ones she saw from afar who happened to catch her attention.

There was Tyrell, or Ty, as he called himself. He was easygoing, and kind of cute with his cherub-like face.

There was Aubrey, and Elaine was actually surprised to see him, because he turned out to be the bartender on that night when she and Brenna were waiting for the update on her gig. Aubrey recognized her too, and he re-introduced himself to her formally.

Who else? Elaine wracked her brain. Jeoff was a former chemical engineer, that was kind of interesting. Markus was carrying a guitar case; she should ask him how music as a career was turning out for him. Alexandre was handsome and seemed like her type, so she wanted to get to know him more. Richie owned a restaurant chain. Haden could juggle almost everything. There was a Caden too, but she didn't know anything about him beyond that.

As Elaine was thinking, her gaze landed on a camera that was on standby between the trees next to her, waiting to catch the moment anything exciting happened.

Speaking of which, it looked like one of the men was approaching her. The timing couldn't have been more convenient. She quickly fixed her hair and prepared a perfect camera-ready face.

The man was fashionably dressed, and he carried a big piece of paper. "Hello there, Miss Laylett," he said. "We haven't had the chance to meet yet. My name is Gaspar."

"Hi, Gaspar," Elaine said. He sounded foreign. European, maybe?

"I have a present for you," Gaspar proclaimed. He turned the paper around, revealing what was on it, and Elaine gasped.

It was a stunning portrait of her, done in soft shades of watercolor.

"I believe I captured your likeness perfectly. What do you think?" Gaspar asked.

"Oh! It's beautiful. When did you paint this?" Elaine said in genuine admiration.

"Just a while ago, while I was on the beach. I'd like you to have it."

Gaspar flashed her a charming smile and held the artwork out to her. Elaine was just about to take it, when all of a sudden, the wind picked up speed, and the precious portrait was whisked out of Gaspar's hands. It was flying straight towards the water.

"Oh no!" Elaine cried. She reached out, but it was already too far.

Elaine heard the sound of footsteps rapidly coming closer, and in the blink of an eye, someone dashed in front of her and Gaspar. She saw a man with red hair chasing after the sheet of paper, and he was impressively fast, even if he was running on the sandy, uneven beach. The paper fluttered above the water, then started to fall down gradually, but the man leaped forward and snatched it in his grasp. He jogged back to her, panting heavily.

"That was close," he said, wiping the sweat off his brow. He handed the art to Elaine. "Here, I think this is yours."

"Oh!" Elaine said. "Thank you so much! I thought it was gone for good."

"Aw, don't mention it," the man said with a lopsided grin.

Elaine felt her breath catch in her chest, and for a fleeting moment, she was flustered and unable to speak. But she soon recovered, and said, "I don't think we've met. What's your name?"