One Night, Endless Secrets

Chapter 5: The Morning After

The first rays of sun of the following morning were entering Isla’s apartment through the curtains. She opened her eyes, which were half closed, and still felt the thrill coursing through the veins of her body from the previous night. When more memories came into her awareness, she couldn’t help but smile at herself. Everyone’s happiness and the storm, their kiss, the feeling they had never been able to share with anyone but each other overwhelmed her. But at the core of that thrill was a ball of unease – she was so naively diving into unknown territory, and the more she learned of Roman’s life, the darker a silhouette over her head.

Turning on the other side of the bed, Isla lay naked looking at the ceiling though her mind was still in a spin over everything that had transpired. She could feel the imprint still on the skin on her hands, the intense gaze with which Roman had looked at her – with desire and fear. However, those thoughts brought the burden of his predictions. She could still hear the dangers that he tried to warn her about, those threats that pulled at her stomach.

A loud sound from the other side of the sleeping bed broke her day-dream world. And she looked to the side and saw Roman leaning on his elbow, with messy hair, and a lazy look at his lips. “Good morning, beautiful,” The man said in a deep growl, his voice presumably from having been awoken from a sound sleep.

“Good Morning” she answered him in the least possible exciting voice she could muster. Having said that, she thanked Ty and hopped toward the door before turning around and saying, “I hope last night didn’t scare you off.”

He laughed silently, a sound that could warm her up. “Far from it. If anything, it made me take even closer notice of everything.” He harped on that delinquent taciturnity of his and gave her those naughty twinkles. “But full fathom Five and more” I urge us to start discussing what this implies.

“What do you mean?” Isla asked, propping herself up on her elbow. Her heart was beating so fast, she couldn’t wait for his answer.

“About us,” he said, frowning, as if to remind me that we are shifting to a different level of intimacy here. That… I said to you what I was planning to do, what I was planning to do that night. My life is not simple, and it’s so important to be truthful with you. This is what has made me think I don’t want to put you in danger.”

Isla clenched her lips, her heartbeat thudding hearing them. “I’m not afraid, Roman. I know you have things to hide, but please, I would love to be let in. That’s my position; so whatever the outcome, I want to take that chance.”

The man relaxed and gently stroked her cheek and neck with his hand, taking her earlobe in the process. “You wouldn’t believe how much I wish for that to be true,” was the soft growl that was his reply. But doing this is not only about ourselves. I mean, there are people who would consider us as potential competitors. It could be said, "You could become collateral damage.”

“Well,” said Isla, clearly getting angry also now, “let’s solve this, then.” “I don’t just want to be ‘a’ Roman, Mom.” “I want you to want me in your life, Roman, not for five more minutes.”

At this moment, the amazement on Roman's face was somewhat preceded by a tinge of fear. “You are different from any other person I have known. You do not turn your back even when you should.”

And life, as she was repeating the death saying in her mind, has certainly taught her to be brave in the end. “And I’m not about to back down now.”

“Again, no.”

He looked at her for a few seconds before he visibly wavered between his training as a bodyguard and his likes for her as a person as he decided on the former. After that, he was silent for quite a time, and then he sighed, leaning against the pillows. “Okay. But if we’re going to do this, we need to set some ground rules .

She asked him curiously, “Like what?”

‘First, of course, you have to swear to me that you will be more careful.’ In case the circumstances get severe, I If you let go of everything and turn your back on it. No questions asked.”

This time she breathed slowly, with intent to take him with her; she nodded and repeated quietly, “Deal.”

“Second, I’ll show you my world but I have to warn you about what it entails.” My family is not only invested in real estate and in finance… They’re part of things that are…shall we say more dubious?

Isla spoke confidently; she was definitely determined to be able to do it. “I have experienced some levels of challenges in my life, and I am in no way going to flee from something real.”

He nodded slowly, there was respect in his look starting to grow. ‘Special’ must be one of the worst ways someone like you should ever hear, Isla.” All I ask is for you to not get swallowed up by this. Finally, the most important one of all was the conclusion: “The last piece of advice a refugee cannot do is to change a human being, you have to stay true to who you are.”

“I assure you,” she responded, with energy. He said: “But I need you to be honest with me.” No more secrets.”

I suppose Roman met her stare and there was a brief look of appreciation that he gave her in exchange. “Alright. We’ll face this together. As for what it’ll take, I must say that I can’t promise it will be as simple as all that.

There’s nothing worthwhile that ever is’, she said excitedly and frightened at the same time.

When they had kissed tenderly, the last time Isla met, hope filled her. What was this more than just a love story that began in the light of burning flames? With such minutes, they can share countless and complicated moments of a painful future that were wooing together today.