(Author’s POV)

"So~ .... what do you think of this place? Do you like it?" Fabian asked, looking at Myra with pure earnestness. After hours of driving, they were finally standing outside his resort, aka beach house. Myra’s eyes were gleaming with something unreadable. She then looked at him as if asking why he had brought her here.

Fabian cleared his throat and added, explaining, "*Ahem* .... I thought after spending so many days in that cramped hospital room, you might need some fresh air to cool off your mind. You could say, a revitalizing experience. After all, with what you went through~ .... it has been a lot. And~ ... I happen to have this beach house." He took a step closer and asked, "Ummm~ .... did I~ ...., by chance, overstep my boundaries? Do you not like coming here?" His words were filled with caution. "Should we~ ... go back. If you want to."

"Noo~" Myra’s voice that was stuck in her throat erupted, "No, it’s perfect. I really needed something like this. Thank you, Fabian," Myra gazed at him, giving him a blinding, toothy smile. She then stepped closer to him and inquired, "So~ ... this is what you wanted to talk about last night, hmmm?"

"Ummm~ ...." with his hand rubbing his chin, he paused and said, "You can word it like that. But there is one more reason."

"And what is that?" Myra questioned curiously.

"Uhh~hhh," Fabian shook his head, "I will tell you, but only when the time is right, hmm."

"Why are you acting so mysterious these days? What are you hiding? Tell me," Myra pouted, boring her eyes at him.

Fabian chuckled softly. She was acting too adorable, "Ms. Miracle, you are thinking too much. I will tell you. But~ .... for now ...." He kept his hands on both her shoulders and said, "I just want you to relax and enjoy the moment. Let go of all the troublesome, irrational and intrusive thoughts and come with me. I won’t let you down. I mean~ ... this place won’t let you down."

Though Myra felt a bit awkward, as soon as they stepped inside the house, she noticed that the place was small and cosy, with no outlandish embellishments or over the top décor.

The ivory walls, the cream colored couch, the simple wood made center table, and a few potted plants made the room look clean and minimalistic. It gave a rather intimate and comfy vibe. The wall to her right was all glass, giving a perfect view of the gorgeous, sparkling, light azure sea ahead. It looked majestically surreal. Her eyes widened as she excitedly made her way out to the deck.

The fresh, soothing breeze tickled her skin, making her look radiant. She closed her eyes and soaked in the calmness. The sound of the waves was music to her ears, tugging at her heart, filling her soul with tranquillity.

Fabian, who was still in the living room, was just gawking at her like an utter bit of a fool. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The light wind swayed her hair and the hem of her dress gently, making the scene look like a painting on a grand canvas. His heart was racing, flipping as he felt his throat getting parched. Unconsciously, he reached for the top button of his shirt and undid it.

This was it~ .... this was the scene he had imagined countless times in his head. And every time it left a blush across his cheeks. This time was no different. He was crimson red, even his ears.

He wanted the time to stop. He wanted to be stuck in this serene moment forever, gaze at her as much as he wanted. He was suppressing his urge to run to her. To hold her in his arms from behind. To leave a trace of his lips on the nape of her neck. To take in her intoxicating scent. He wanted to bury his face in the crook of her neck and whisper sweet nothings. She wanted her so~ .... so badly, that even he didn’t know the extent of his yearning.

Now he was just one step, one step away from making this dream of his come true. One step closer to having what he truly desires. He didn’t want to act on impulse at this crucial moment and mess up. He wanted to confess his feelings properly. ’Good timing and beautiful setting are everything, right?’

All of a sudden, Myra turned back and waved at him to call him out, snapping him out of his reverie. He walked towards her. With each step, he could feel the magnetic pull.

"This place~ .... it looks like heaven on earth. How did you even find such a fine house? After all, this place is so deserted," Myra queried. She had noticed that this resort house was the only one across the beach. It was just endless water on one side and lush green on the other. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Curious cat~ ...." he remarked playfully. "That would be a long and boring story."

"I have all the time in the world," Myra chimed.

"If you say so~ .... But first~ ... let me get something for you to drink. You can make yourself comfortable," he said as Myra nodded. He went inside quickly. When he was pouring the juice, the phone in his pocket started ringing. He took a brief glance, his eyes went cold, "Gunnar, what is it? Why is he calling me? I told him I didn’t want to be disturbed."

He was just about to pick up when the screen went dark. "Arghh~ ... the battery must have died." He walked upto the socket and was about to plug in the charger when Myra’s voice came, "Fabian~ .... what’s taking you so long? Need any help?"

"Nahhh~ ... comin’," he left the phone, walked back to the kitchen and kept the glasses and the fruit platter on the trolley and walked out. "I was just preparing a little something. Here is your kale juice, my lady." Myra’s face scrunched a little, making him chuckle, "You are still in your recovery phase. It is good for your health. See~ ... I~ ... the magnanimous one will join you in this task." He settled beside her, comfortable, smoothly.

He took a cherry from the plate and, without giving her a chance to react, plopped it into Myra’s mouth, "Have this, that way you won’t feel the bitterness, ummhmm."

Myra’s eyes flickered, but he, very casually, changed the subject, "So what were you asking~ ... how did I come across this place~ .... So, what happened is~ ...."

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .