• • •

"Oh, good morning, Mister—"

Barry halts in his tracks beside Marcos' table in the resort's breakfast eating area, completely stunned. Seated right next to the bay window displaying the breathtaking view of the morning ocean, Marcos enjoys his breakfast—except that his breakfast is a simple shrimp scramble.

Barry blinks, clutching his clipboard close to him in one hand while using his other hand to point his pen to the dish. "Is that...shrimp?"

Marcos peers up at him, chewing. He swallows. "Yes, it is. It's fantastic." He points his fork to a dish of small waffles. "I also recommend the salmon dill waffles— Out of this world."

"Oh... But, sir..." Barry settles in the chair across from him. "Isn't that seafood?"

"Yes." Marcos scoops some more egg and shrimp onto his fork and pops them into his mouth.

"But you don't like seafood."

Marcos waves his free hand at him, defending his stance while chewing. He swallows. "I never said I didn't like seafood. I just wasn't a fan of it." He looks at his breakfast. "Until now." He grabs a waffle and loads it with the simple shrimp scramble.

Barry watches him, bewildered. "Can I ask what changed?"

Marcos shrugs, putting his fork down. "Found myself some time to contemplate being here last night." He gazes at him. "Decided to give it a try, indulge in it." He stuffs the waffle and egg in his mouth.

Barry nods feverishly, an encouraging smile growing on his face. "That's great to hear, sir! Because Mr. Williams wanted me to tell you that we earned two extra nights here."

Marcos hums in delight as he chews. He then swallows before stating, "That is even more fantastic. Gives more time to explore and appreciate the area."

"Yes, yes, indeed, sir."

Marcos takes his glass of mimosa and lifts it. "Cheers to a fine time in the Finest City in America?"

"Um—" Barry darts his eyes while placing his clipboard and pen on the table.

Marcos nods to his untouched glass of water. "Use my water."

Barry picks it up and holds it out to him. "Cheers!"

The two then clink glasses before Marcos takes a sip. Barry gazes into the glass he holds, hesitant.

Marcos notices. "I didn't drink from it."

With that, Barry takes ravenous gulps from it. Marcos can't help but smile at him, content that he finally found the balance of having the life he has and the life he wants.

The matter is maintaining said balance.