Rain poured down over the Maldives, the waves crashing harder than before, wind whispering secrets across the villas. The sudden storm had grounded boats and scattered plans. The resort had to shift their guests into fewer villas for safety.
And so, fate did its work.
One large private villa.
Six hearts.
Too many emotions under one roof.
⸻
Inside, laughter echoed through the candle-lit room. Zia and Lisa had been a little too enthusiastic with the tropical cocktails. Their cheeks flushed, their voices unsteady.
"Oh my God... Zia, are we flying?" Lisa giggled, her head falling onto Mia's shoulder.
Zia was already slumping into Eli's arms, half-asleep with a sleepy smile on her face. Mia turned to Eli and said, "Can you help Zia to the guest room?"
Eli nodded and gently lifted Zia into his arms.
Mia turned to Lisa, who was now swaying slightly. "Alright, your turn, my sleepy princess," Mia chuckled, trying to support her.
But before she could do more, a cold, sharp voice cut through the moment.
"She's too heavy. I'll take her."
Mia blinked, turning to see Alex stepping toward them. His jaw was tight, but there was something unreadable in his gaze.
"Heavy?" Mia raised an eyebrow, placing her hand on her hip. "Which part of her is heavy, huh?"
Alex didn't answer. Instead, he slipped his arms under Lisa's knees and back with practiced ease. Lisa murmured something incoherent, her head resting against his chest.
Mia watched, stunned. "Alex..."
But he was already walking away.
⸻
Scene Break: Upstairs Bedroom
The thunder rumbled as Alex placed Lisa gently onto the bed. He turned to leave—
But her hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.
"Shush..." she whispered, eyes still hazy but sincere. "Don't go..."
He stilled.
Lisa sat up slowly, her arms wrapping around his neck, her head resting against his chest. "Stay here with me tonight... or I'll miss you for the rest of my life..."
His heart stopped. Her voice, her warmth—everything about her felt like a secret he wasn't supposed to know.
"Lisa, you're drunk—"
But before he could finish, she looked up at him with tearful eyes and kissed him. Soft at first. Desperate next.
He should've stopped. He knew that.
But he didn't.
Because the truth was... he had been running from her for years.
And tonight, she was no longer the girl from the orphanage.
She was a woman.
And she had always, always been his.
The storm outside howled, but the room was filled with warmth, with longing, with hearts breaking and healing all at once.
And by morning, the world outside would never know what happened in that room.
Not Mia.
Not Zia.
Not even Eli.
Only Lisa.
And Alex.
And the silence that came after