One Percent of Forever
799 Words
Drake watched as she flicked a coin into the fountain, her expression unreadable. He frowned slightly. “What was that for?”
They stood in front of the Trevi Fountain, the soft murmur of water filling the space between them. Italy had always been one of those far-off places she never imagined herself visiting. But here they were—a trip gifted by her grandmother, Leanne. Somehow, she had known she wanted to come here. She never asked how. She didn’t need to.
Still, the timing felt off. He wasn’t supposed to be here—not with her.
Growing up, traveling had never been something Samantha did alone. Her grandfather was always with her, making sure her trips were perfect, dropping everything just to accommodate her. But her grandfather was getting older. There’d come a time when they wouldn't be able to do this anymore. That thought alone made her hesitate. Maybe that’s why she stopped asking for trips. Maybe that’s why her grandfather never offered them anymore.
And yet here she was—standing in a foreign country with someone who wasn’t her grandfather. Someone whom she forced her way into his life in the most unexpected way.
“It's a myth,” she finally said, turning her gaze toward the water. “Throw one coin, and you’ll wish to return.”
Drake scoffed, crossing his arms. “So? Are you saying you want to come back?” His voice was casual, indifferent. He wasn’t expecting an actual answer.
“Yes.”
The way she said it—like it was obvious—made him pause.
He glanced down at her, ready to brush it off. But then he saw her face—her smile. Bright, effortless, completely oblivious to the whirlwind of thoughts she had just thrown him into.
She was glowing.
Drake blinked, suddenly unsettled.
“Every place I’ve visited, I always find myself wanting to go back,” she continued, her eyes meeting his. “If given the chance, I’d return. Especially here.” She hesitated for just a moment, then added, “Because I’m with you.”
Drake felt something shift.
A memory surfaced—one he hadn’t thought about in weeks.
I will make you fall in love with me.
He almost laughed. Why had she said that?
More importantly, why did he suddenly care?
His chest tightened. This wasn’t supposed to be real. This wasn’t supposed to matter.
So why did it?
Drake let out a sharp scoff, barely bothering to hide his disbelief. “Seriously? What are you, a kindergartener? You actually believe in that nonsense?” He shook his head and turned away, ready to move on.
She didn’t react to his mocking tone, just kept her gaze steady on the fountain. Then, in a quiet but firm voice, she said, “Even if there’s only a tiny chance I’ll come back here, I’ll hold onto it.”
Drake slowed his steps but didn’t turn around.
“And more than that,” she continued, her voice softer now, carrying something far heavier than a simple wish, “I want to come back here… with you.”
That made him stop.
His jaw tightened.
He hated how easily she said things like that, like she actually believed it could happen. Like it wasn’t completely impossible.
Their contract was only for a year—temporary, nothing more. And even if that weren’t the case, he would never want this. Not with someone whose family was the reason for so much of his resentment.
So why did she keep saying things like this?
Why did she make it sound real?
Tamping down the frustration rising in his chest, he pushed forward again. “Come on. Are you just going to stand there all day? I’m leaving.”
“I’m coming,” she said quickly, turning back to him.
Drake glanced at her—and froze.
For some reason, just as she turned to look at him, she was glowing. Not in some poetic way, not some grand metaphor—literally glowing. Like the light had caught her at the perfect angle, like the world was conspiring against him to make her look breathtaking in that single moment.
He narrowed his eyes, unsettled by the sensation crawling up his spine. “Is there something wrong with my eyes?” he muttered under his breath.
Because for the second time today, he swore—that smile.
The damn smile that chipped away at his defenses every time he saw it. The smile that made it impossible to stay furious, no matter how much resentment he held.
Drake clenched his fists.
He should be angry. He should resent her.
But when she smiled like that…
He just couldn’t.
And that frustrated him more than anything else.
- Writer
