“Will you fly via Curaçao?” Lilian’s father asked.
Do shook her head. “Direct flight with KLM. My father has a frequent-flyer account with them.”
Lilian’s parents gave each other a quick glance.
“How much will all of that cost?” Gerda wanted to know.
“I have no idea. My father works all of that out through his job. The same goes for the little condo. According to him, it shouldn’t cost us anything personally.”
Lilian’s father looked at her inquisitively. “So, this whole trip is free then? How is that even possible?”
Dominique shrugged her shoulders and offered him her biggest and brightest smile. “I really have no idea. But what I do know is that my dad has a few of these condos, as an investment. If he doesn’t use the time allotted to him, the condo just stays empty. That would be a shame, wouldn’t it?”
“But then how does this work?” Lilian’s mom insisted. “You arrive there, and then you have to find some unknown address somewhere in the wilderness? I don’t like that idea at all.”
“Not at all,” Dominique answered quickly. “Once we get there, we will be picked up from the airport and brought to the house. My father arranged that too. Also, the condo is part of a resort. Not accessible to just anyone, and it has security. According to my dad, it’s all very safe and secure. Besides, there is always a manager on site; he looks after the condo for my father and his business partners. This man is a permanent employee and is fully aware that Lil and I will be staying there and will keep an eye on us.”
“Well, that already sounds a lot better,” Lilian’s father said, looking at his wife. “Is it possible for us to get this man’s contact information?”
“Of course. I will email it to you tomorrow,” Dominique promised. She smiled at Lilian, who did her best to appear as aloof as possible.
“I’m still disappointed you won’t be able to join us on the trip to France,” Lilian’s father said to his daughter. “But I can’t find any reason why I shouldn’t let you go with Dominique.”
“But we will have to set some ground rules, young lady,” Lilian’s mother added. “You’re only twenty-one years old.”
“I’m almost twenty two,” Lilian answered coolly, “and about to graduate.”
“And I’m almost fifteen, but of course I’m not allowed to go,” Betty said, pouting.
“No, Bets, you get to join your dad and me in Normandy.” Though her mother smiled when she said this, her eyes were filled with disappointment.
4
Later that night, back in Amsterdam, Lilian was visibly relieved. They had picked up their bikes from the bicycle storage space across from the train station and were making their way back to Dominique’s place, where they would plop down on her couch together and celebrate with a bottle of prosecco. They zigzagged their way through the masses of tourists. Leaving the Damrak behind them, they were now on the Vijzelstraat and headed for Marie Heineken Square.
“I can’t believe they agreed so easily,” Lilian said. “When my mother said so sternly that they had a big problem with me not joining them on vacation, I got really worried for a minute. ”
“Pff,” Dominique reacted. “I think you’re old enough to decide where you want to go.”
“Yeah, well, it’s easier for you. My parents tend to make everything complicated, and I just don’t want to fight with them all the time.”
Dominique had to pedal hard. For years, she’d been riding a brightly colored, hand-painted grandma bicycle, while Lilian had a newer bike with gears. “Don’t go so fast,” she protested. “I can’t keep up with you on this old wreck.”
“Why don’t you buy a new one?” Lilian asked. “You’ve had that one for a hundred years.”
“It’s not about that. I feel comfortable on this bike—because I’ve put so much of myself into it, it’s personal. That shiny speed demon of yours is just an inanimate object, and you have to lock it up with four separate locks to prevent it from being stolen.”
Lilian didn’t feel like pressing the issue any further. She knew this difference of opinion came from the difference in the way they were raised. Her parents may not have been rich, but they insisted their children always had good, safe, and solid bicycles. It was how she was brought up. So, she had always had a sturdy and decent bike, both in Amsterdam and in Haarlem.
“You did a great job,” she said, “with all that talk about the safety of our little vacation condo. Is it really true your dad is paying someone to watch over us?”
Dominique tossed her head back, laughing loudly. “Get out of here—you didn’t really believe all of that? Well, the time-share group really does pay someone to watch over the place and for the general upkeep, but that guy isn’t going to watch over us or anything like that. I think he needs to make sure the place is in order when we get there and that it’s in good condition after we leave. For the rest, I’d be surprised if we even see the guy.”
Lilian looked at her from the side. Even though she’d known Dominique forever, her friend still managed to surprise her regularly. Her ability of taking things so lightly—not only now with this Aruba trip but also, for example, with her final exams. Lilian could hardly imagine that someone could be so relaxed when she studied so hard and worried the entire time about whether or not she would pass. Dominique always sailed through all of her exams without a single care in the world.
Now, once again, Dominique took this whole trip to Aruba so lightly, while Lilian, if she was being honest, almost dreaded it a little bit. What if the whole thing was one big disappointment? But she dismissed that thought quickly. She was happy to get away for a while. There was more than enough stuff she needed to get away from right now. So much had happened lately. Things she couldn’t even discuss with Dominique, even if she was her very best friend.
“ … we’ve put all that behind us,” she heard Dominique say. “The important thing now is to pack and arrange. We’re leaving in just four days!”
Lilian realized that she had tuned out for a moment, but she didn’t get the impression she had missed anything. So she agreed enthusiastically.
The two friends rode on the sidewalk for the last stretch to Dominique’s house. They locked their bikes to the lamppost next to the entrance and climbed the steep concrete stairs while continuing their chat all the way to Dominique’s front door on the first floor.
“Well, welcome to Casa Werner. Let me start by taking the bubbly from the fridge,” Dominique said, heading straight to the kitchen.
Lilian walked to the living room and stared out the window.
“We’re really going,” she said dreamily. “I almost can’t believe it, but were really going. To Aruba!”
Dominique poured the prosecco and a moment later, she looked at her friend, trying to gauge her. For a while now, she’d had the impression that there was something Lilian didn’t want to discuss. Pushing her into it wouldn’t work, as she knew from years of experience. She would have to wait for Lilian to bring it up herself. But she wasn’t worried about that: for the next four weeks, they would be together almost every single day. Surely a moment would present itself when Lilian would trust her enough to share what was on her mind. She handed Lilian one of the glasses. “Cheers, to Aruba! And to all the men in Aruba that we are going to drive insane!”
“To Aruba!”
5
Lilian woke up when the flight attendant offered her a hot damp towel to wash her face and hands with. Gratefully, she made use of it. The warmth felt very satisfying. She perked up from it instantly. Dominique was seated next to her, wearing headphones and watching a movie on the small screen set in the headrest of the chair in front of her.
Lilian glanced out of the window on the other side. There were barely any clouds, and, below them, a huge body of water stretched out for as far as you could see. A low, monotone hum filled the cabin. Their big trip across the ocean had begun.
Because the flight had left at nine thi
rty a.m., and they’d had to be at the airport a few hours before to check in, they had both had a long night. Lilian felt as if she’d been awake the entire night, but had in fact slept for about four hours.
Her parents had brought her and Dominique to the airport and had come into the departure hall to wish them bon voyage. They stood in the middle of a large Antillean family, who came to say good-bye to a black guy and a red-haired, freckled girl. Everyone was dressed in bright colors, and they were all very cheerful. Compared to them, Lilian’s parent’s good-bye was a very quiet and subdued event.
The two of them had shopped for a while at the airport and hung out at a few coffee stands until the time had finally come to board the plane.
Lilian had flown before on trips with her parents, but had never flown business class. Awkwardly, she walked to the front with Dominique when they were allowed to board the plane ahead of all the other passengers. They passed the same Antillean guy and his red-haired girlfriend, who looked at them curiously.
Once on board, the flight attendant showed them to their seats, which were in the front, behind a curtain that separated them from the economy-class passengers. The chairs were large and comfortable; the girls had plenty of legroom and they were offered a drink the moment they sat down. Dominique wasn’t fazed by any of it, but Lilian enjoyed experiencing all the excessive luxury.
Her blanket had slid down, and she pulled it back up, leaning her head against the wall to look out of the window. She was glad she was able to get away from her studies, her parents, her sister, her school friends, and all of Holland basically. So much had happened during the past few weeks. A lot of things. Things she couldn’t have even imagined six months ago.
Lilian glanced at her friend for a moment; she was glued to the screen in front of her, concentrated but relaxed, watching a romantic comedy. She had not told Dominique what had happened to her. Hopefully, an opportunity would present itself during this holiday. Some problems you shouldn’t keep to yourself; it would probably be a relief to share her story with someone.
But not yet, she thought, while her eyes automatically drifted back to the enormous body of water below them. She had all the time in the world. First, they needed to get to Aruba.
She shut her eyes. Aruba! She was determined to have as much fun as was humanly possible there. Get a nice tan, meet new people, and party. Like Betty had said. Party till they dropped in the Caribbean! Lilian smiled and felt sleep begin to claim her. She didn’t resist.
6
Amused, Dominique looked at her friend. How had she managed to sleep for most of the flight? Right after takeoff, Dominique had looked at the selection of movies, TV shows, and games on the handy little screen in front of her. She chose a romantic comedy with Anne Hathaway. She crawled into a comfortable corner of her chair with her headphones on and began to absorb the story.
She paused her movie when the flight attendants came by with something to eat. Lilian was in a deep sleep. Dominique chose a sandwich and looked around, chewing slowly. Most of the seats were taken by men she assumed were businessmen. One of them, a middle-aged, gray-haired man, refused his meal, because he was too busy with work on his laptop and a folder filled with papers.
When she’d had enough food, she returned to her movie. She loved anything with Anne Hathaway in it. She found it strange that someone with such an asymmetrical face and noticeable ears could be so attractive. She was so focused on the movie she barely noticed the flight attendant who took the empty plate from her tray table.
The film had been over for about thirty minutes when Lilian finally woke up. She stretched out and yawned and looked at her friend with one eye open.
“Well, good morning, sunshine!” Dominique said, laughing. “Nice of you to join us!”
“What time is it?”
“A quarter to two Dutch time. Were almost halfway there.”
Lilian looked out the window, where there was nothing to see except an endless blue ocean. She put her seat in the upright position and looked around. “Do you think there’s any food left? I’m kind of hungry.”
“They handed out some sandwiches before, but you were asleep. I can order something for you.”
“Yes that would be great. I’ll go to the bathroom in the meantime, if you don’t mind.”
Dominique watched her friend leave. Lilian seemed upset, and she wondered if it was only because of the flight. As usual, she had probably studied like crazy for the recent exams. Typical Lilian. Incredibly smart but never satisfied with just a passing grade.
She asked the flight attendant who passed by for a snack and a cup of coffee.
Just as the flight attendant left to get her order, Lilian returned.
“Wow, I just love flying first class,” she said as she got back into her seat.
“Business class,” Dominique corrected her. “It’s not the same thing.”
“Whatever!”
The flight attendant brought their order with the usual professional smile. “Maybe you could tell me now if you’d prefer the fish or chicken for dinner later?” she said, her eyebrows raised high.
Dominique and Lilian answered simultaneously.
“Fish,” Dominique said.
“Chicken,” said Lilian.
They looked at each other and laughed.
“Well, this is going to be quite something in Aruba,” Lilian said grimacing. “Maybe we should rent separate condos.”
“Oh, you didn’t know? I’ve already arranged that!”
It was a silly joke, and Lilian knew it. But somehow she didn’t find it all that funny. She didn’t always know when Dominique was serious or only kidding. She realized that their differences in opinion could very well lead to a conflict at some point, if they were together day and night for four weeks in a row.
7
“In Holland, it’s a quarter past six in the evening now,” Lilian said, looking down at her watch. “In Haarlem, they’re starting dinner.”
The pilot had just announced they were starting the descent, and that the local time in Aruba was now twelve fifteen, and that the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius.
At first, there was not much to see through the small window, only the bright-blue water and the sunlight reflecting countless little white shimmers, but moments later the island came into view.
“It looks so small!” Dominique said, surprised. “It’s like we’re going to one of the small Dutch islands, like Texel or something?”
Lilian laughed. “Only this one is a little farther away and much sunnier!”
The plane approached the island quickly. They were headed to the northern point of the island, where they could see a lighthouse and passed a beautiful bay with beaches. The rest of the beach was filled with hotels and other buildings.
Dominique pointed. “That has to be Oranjestad, because it’s the only big city on the island.”
Lilian nodded. She had read that in her travel guide. She stretched her neck out to look at a cruise ship that had anchored offshore.
Because the airplane followed the coastline, they had a great view of the city, which was doused in sunlight. As they passed a protruding piece of the island, they flew so low they could see the cars and people on the ground.
They flew right over the water as they neared the airport. Before they knew it, the wheels touched the ground with a small bump. Through the intercom, they were asked not to unbuckle their seat belts until the plane had come to a full and complete stop, and the light above their heads had turned off. The plane slowed down and made its way to the gate.
Compared to the size of the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, this airport seemed tiny. It looked as if someone had just created a runway in the mountains.
Eventually, the plane came to a halt next to a building with a blue flag, which depicted a four-pointed red star and two yellow bananas, waving in the wind.
After the captain welcomed them to Queen Beatrix International Airport and announced, “Cabin crew, the d
oors may be opened,” those seated in business class were allowed to exit first. Because Dominique and Lilian were seated right behind the curtain, they were at the front of the line by the door, which was being opened like a bank safe.
On the Jetway, they were greeted by two men wearing green berets and uniforms. The larger of the two said, “Bon bini to Aruba!” in a very welcoming way.
With her sunglasses on the tip of her nose, Dominique turned around.
“Did that man just say ‘bon bini’ to us? That’s funny. The beach at the condo is also named Bon Bini Beach.”
“You know it pays to look into these things before you travel, Do. Preparation is half the battle.”
“Oh, and let me guess, you already looked into it?”
“I sure did!” Lilian said, followed by a smile. “They speak Papiamento here, and ‘bon bini’ means …”
“Welcome,” said a deep, dark voice behind them.
Startled, they turned around. The deep voice turned out to belong to the middle-aged man who had been on his laptop almost the entire flight. He nodded to them politely and passed by them to exit the Jetway, into the building.
Surprised, the two friends looked at each other and began to laugh.
“Do you think he was eavesdropping?” asked Dominique.
Lilian shrugged her shoulders. “He probably just caught the last bit of our conversation.”
“Maybe, but now he knows exactly where we’re staying.” Dominique glared at the man suspiciously. “I don’t really like that idea.”
They picked up their luggage at the baggage claim and followed the stream of passengers toward the passport control, where two uniformed customs officers leaned against the wall, watching the passengers pass by in a very relaxed manner. The arrival hall wasn’t nearly as big as the one in Amsterdam, but easily just as busy. When they came through the sliding doors, they found a large group of cheerful, chatty people with banners, balloons, and flowers. As they made their way through the crowd, a large cheer went up. Looking back, they could see that the excited cheers were meant for the black guy and the red-haired girl, who had also been sent off by a big crowd back in Amsterdam.
Bon Bini Beach: A Thriller Page 2
