Surreal
658 Words
Alara’s POV
The ocean breeze clung to my skin even after we returned from the yacht. Salt air, candlelit dinner on the deck, laughter I wasn’t used to — all of it felt surreal, like I had wandered into someone else’s story.
Back in the penthouse suite of the resort, the glow of the Maldives sunset painted the room in amber and rose. I peeled off my sandals, my legs aching in a way that reminded me I wasn’t built for yacht luxury. Not yet.
Ace disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of rushing water following behind him.
I sat on the bed, letting my body sink into the silky comforter, and pulled out my phone.
A missed call from my sister.
My heart skipped.
I quickly called her back, my fingers tightening around the phone as it rang.
“Alara!” her voice came through, breathless.
“Where are you?”
“At the hospital,” she replied. “Mum had a little episode again… but don’t worry, the new doctors here are really good. This place is like magic. Private rooms, the nurses are nice. I even got free dinner.”
A knot in my chest loosened.
“That’s good,” I said softly. “Is she okay now?”
“She’s sleeping. The doctors said the tests will be run again in the morning. They’re optimistic.”
“Alright,” I whispered, wiping a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. “Stay with her tonight, okay? I’ll call you again in the morning.”
“I will. And Alara?” Her voice softened. “This new life… it’s really real, huh?”
I stared out at the moonlit ocean beyond the balcony. “Yeah. It is.”
We hung up. I sat quietly for a second, letting the silence settle, until my phone buzzed again.
Ryan.
I stared at his name flashing across the screen.
Everything in me screamed not to answer.
I answered.
“Where are you?” he demanded.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve been calling you for days. You’ve been dodging me. Percy told me everything — the black card, the car, the penthouse. What the hell, Alara? You’re with him now?”
My stomach coiled. “You don’t get to question me.”
“So it’s true?” he pressed. “You really sold yourself off to that billionaire? Do you even know what you’re getting into?”
“Stop,” I said, my voice low.
“Alara, I still—”
The door opened.
I froze.
Ace stepped out of the bathroom shirtless, towel slung low on his hips, water droplets sliding down his chest like they belonged in a forbidden dream. His eyes locked on mine, then drifted to the phone in my hand.
“Who is it?” he asked, calm. But that calm was like ice before it cracked.
I didn’t answer.
On the phone, Ryan’s voice cut through again. “Alara, listen to me—”
I ended the call.
Ace raised an eyebrow, walking toward me slowly, each step quiet and deliberate. His presence filled the room like thunder.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure.
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to explain. But if someone’s bothering you…”
“It’s just my past,” I said, standing. “Trying to remind me it still exists.”
He didn’t say anything. Just crossed the space, placed his hand at the small of my back, and pulled me gently into him.
“You’re not the same girl who begged the universe for help,” he said, his voice like silk over steel. “Not anymore.”
I looked up at him.
“Then who am I?”
He brushed a wet strand of hair from my cheek. “Mine.”
And just like that, the storm outside quieted.
But inside me?
It had only begun.
- Writer
