Elkan only smiled at the woman's praise. Viona, however, went completely still. She even let go of Elkan's arm.
"What's wrong, Miss?" Elkan asked, puzzled by how Viona had suddenly fallen silent and frozen in place.
"Elkan."
"Yes, Miss?"
"Is it true that you're handsome?" Elkan laughed at the question.
"No, Miss. That woman was only joking. I'm actually ugly."
But Viona didn't believe him so easily.
"El, can I touch your face?"
"Of course, Miss." Elkan stood right in front of Viona, then guided her hand toward his face.
Slowly, Viona's hand traced every contour of Elkan's face. His jaw, nose, and lips all felt the brush of her fingers. Those perfect features made it impossible for Viona to believe that Elkan was ugly.
"You have to be handsome, El. Your nose is so straight, and your jaw is so defined," she said while stroking Elkan's jaw, which was covered in fine stubble.
"Ah, that's just your impression, Miss. I'm really ugly. My skin is dark and rough."
Viona laughed at Elkan's words. She knew her caregiver was definitely lying.
"But I like tall men, El."
"How do you know I'm tall, Miss?"
"Of course I know. My hand had to reach so far up to touch your face." Elkan laughed again. Apparently, the girl in front of him wasn't easy to fool.
The day was growing late. Elkan asked Viona to go home, but she refused.
"I still want to stay here, El."
"Mom will worry if we take too long to get home, Miss."
As soon as Elkan finished speaking, Sania called. He immediately answered.
"Hello, ma'am."
"El, you two aren't home yet?"
"Not yet, ma'am. Miss Viona doesn't want to leave."
Hearing their conversation, Viona chimed in.
"Mom, I still want to stay here."
"All right, but don't take too long to come home. You'll catch a chill if you stay out in the sea breeze too long."
"Okay, Mom. We'll be home in another hour." The call ended soon afterward.
They continued walking along the beach.
"El, I'm hungry. Is there a seafood restaurant around here?"
"There is, Miss. Come on, let's go." Elkan then led Viona to a seafood restaurant in the beach area. There, Viona ordered several crab and shrimp dishes.
When the food arrived, Viona had trouble eating because she couldn't see. Elkan wouldn't let her struggle. He helped Viona crack open the crab shells.
"Miss, would you like me to feed you? That way, your hands won't get dirty."
"You don't mind?"
"Of course not, Miss." Elkan picked up some crab meat that he had removed from the shell and held it to Viona's mouth.
"Open up, Miss."
"Aaah..." Viona opened her mouth wide.
Elkan smiled at Viona's childlike behavior. As it turned out, it also caught the attention of several other couples dining there. One woman even commented as she walked past their table.
"Wow... you two are such a romantic couple," she exclaimed.
Then the woman spoke to Viona again.
"Hi, Miss. You're so lucky to have such a romantic and handsome partner."
Viona fell silent. She didn't know whether the woman was talking to her or someone else. But when Elkan responded, she realized the words had been directed at her.
"Don't flatter me like that, ma'am. I'm not as perfect as you make me out to be."
"Even so, your girlfriend is lucky to have such a handsome partner like you." Once again, the woman complimented Elkan before finally walking away.
For some reason, Viona's heart began pounding again. Her curiosity only deepened, filling her thoughts. Just how handsome was Elkan, really?