She left after that… and I didn't see her the entire day. The room felt emptier than usual, even with all the silence.
It was late at night when she finally returned—quietly, like a shadow slipping through the door. She moved without making a sound, as if she didn't want to disturb me.
"Where did you go?" I asked, my voice low in the dim light.
She looked over at me, surprised. "You didn't sleep?"
I shook my head slightly as she walked past, not offering any more explanation. She made her way to the couch, kicked off her shoes, and pulled the blanket over herself—clearly ready to crash.
The next morning, I woke up to the soft rustle of movement. She was already up, standing near the mirror, tying her hair. She looked like she was getting ready to leave—just like she did yesterday.
Maybe she'd come back again at night, without a word, like before.
But something about it didn't sit right with me today.
"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice still rough from sleep.
She glanced at me through the mirror. "I'm going out."
I hesitated. The words stuck in my throat for a second, but then I said it—quietly but firmly.
"Stay."
She turned around, surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I said, holding her gaze.
Before she could say anything else, my phone rang. Damian's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey brother, how are you?" he asked cheerfully.
"Good," I replied, walking toward the window, needing a moment to think.
There was a brief pause, and then Damian's tone softened. "Brother… she's not like you think."
I didn't respond right away.
"That's why I like her, bro," he continued. "Spend some time with her. She's one of the nicest people I've ever seen in my life."
I took a long breath, watching the waves crash in the distance. Something in me shifted slightly… maybe he was right.
After breakfast, I asked her, "Can we go for a swim?"
"Why not?" she replied with a smile that was brighter than the sun above us.
We walked to the shore. She wore a red bikini with denim shorts covering her lower half. Damn… she looked hot, effortlessly so.
She dove into the water like a natural—graceful, fast. She beat me every time we raced, and I didn't even mind. It was good to see her laugh like that.
After the swim, while she was drying her body under the sun, I was distracted talking to Neil, my friend on the phone. But then I noticed something—a young man walking toward her, clearly checking her out.
He said something. She responded, and I noticed a cold smile flicker across her face.
A group of guys, probably his friends, let out a cheer from a few meters away. Rich kids messing around.
"I'll call you back," I told Neil and hung up, my eyes fixed on them.
The guy walked away and joined his group, still laughing.
I walked straight to her.
"What did he say, Ember?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
She glanced at me with a slight shrug. "He said… my ass looks good."
My fists clenched unconsciously.