love beyond the realms

CHAPTER 5

"Well said," Dylan said with a big smile. "Why don't we go today? I am hungry and I need something to eat for lunch."

Val clapped her hands. "Okay! Let's go!"

Zee's jaw tightened. His fingers squeezed his coffee cup. The cup made a small cracking sound.

Dylan stood up and offered his hand to Val. "Let's go, darling."

Val took his hand. She did not look back at Zee. She just walked out of the office with Dylan, her blue dress flowing behind her.

The door closed.

Zee sat alone in his big office. His brow was dark. His teeth were gritted. He stared at the door for a long time.

Then he threw his coffee cup against the wall.

Crash!

Coffee splashed everywhere. The cup shattered into pieces.

His secretary rushed in. "Mr. Johnson? Are you okay?"

"Get out!" Zee shouted.

The secretary ran away.

Zee put his head in his hands. He did not understand what was happening to him. He did not care about anyone. He was cold. Strict. Serious. That was who he was.

So why did his heart feel like it was breaking?

---

Dylan took Val to a fancy restaurant. It was by the water. White tables. Soft music. Waiters in black suits.

"This is beautiful," Val said, looking around.

"Only the best for you," Dylan said. He pulled out her chair. "Sit, please."

Val sat down. She looked at the menu. There were so many words she did not understand.

"What should I get?" she asked.

Dylan smiled. "Trust me. I will order for us."

He ordered many things. Soup. Salad. Fish. Steak. And of course, cake for dessert.

Val ate everything. She ate like she had never eaten before. The food was delicious. Each bite made her happy.

Dylan watched her eat. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

"So, Val," Dylan said. "Tell me about yourself."

Val stopped eating. She looked down at her plate. "I don't remember much. The doctor said I lost my memory."

"That must be hard," Dylan said softly.

"It is," Val said. "Sometimes I feel like I am from another world. Everything here is so new to me."

Dylan laughed. "Another world? Like Mars?"

Val did not laugh. "Something like that."

Dylan reached across the table. He took her hand. His hand was warm.

"Well, I am glad you are here. In this world. With me."

Val looked at his blue eyes. They were kind. But they were not the eyes she saw in her dreams. The dreams she could not explain.

She pulled her hand away gently.

"Thank you, Dylan. You are very nice."

Dylan smiled. But inside, he felt her pulling away. And he did not know why.

---

Back at the office, Zee could not focus. He tried to read documents. He tried to sign papers. He tried to make phone calls.

But all he could see was Val's face. All he could hear was her voice saying "Yes" to Dylan.

He picked up his phone. He called his mother.

"Hello?" Helen said.

"Mom," Zee said. "Where is Val?"

"She went to lunch with your friend Dylan," Helen said. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"No," Zee said. "Nothing is wrong."

"You sound strange," Helen said. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine, Mom." Zee hung up the phone.

He sat in silence. The office felt empty. Too big. Too quiet.

He looked at the chair where Val usually sat. The book she was reading was still on the desk. He picked it up. He could smell her on the pages. Flowers. Sweet soap. Something soft.

Zee closed his eyes.

What is happening to me? he thought.

---

Two hours later, Val returned to the office. She was smiling. Her cheeks were pink.

Dylan walked her to the door. "I will see you again tomorrow," he said.

"Okay," Val said.

Dylan leaned in. He tried to kiss her cheek. Val turned away. His lips touched air.

"Goodbye, Dylan," Val said. She walked into the office and closed the door.

Dylan stood outside. He touched his lips. Then he walked away, confused.

---

Inside the office, Zee was sitting at his desk. He did not look up when Val walked in.

"Did you have fun?" he asked. His voice was cold.

"Yes," Val said. "Dylan is very nice. He ordered me cake."

Zee's hand stopped writing. "I see."

"He pulled out my chair. He opened the door for me. He is nothing like you," Val said.

Zee looked up. His purple eyes—no, wait. His dark brown eyes—burned into her.

"Nothing like me?" Zee said slowly.

"You shout at me," Val said. "You make me read boring books. You never smile. Dylan is kind. He is warm. He—"

"Stop," Zee said. He stood up. He walked around the desk. He stood right in front of Val.

She backed away. Her back hit the wall.

"You think Dylan is kind?" Zee said. His voice was low. "You have known him for one day, Val. One day."

"He is still kinder than you," Val said. But her voice was shaking.

Zee put his hand on the wall next to her head. He leaned close. She could feel his breath on her face.

"You do not know anything about this world, Val," he whispered. "You do not know who to trust."

"Then teach me," Val whispered back. Her heart was pounding. "Instead of shouting at me. Instead of being cold. Teach me."

Zee stared into her eyes. For a moment, his hard face cracked. She saw something underneath. Something soft. Something scared.

Then he stepped back.

"Sit down," he said. "You have three more chapters to read before we go home."

Val sat down. She picked up the book. But her hands were still shaking.

And Zee? Zee walked to the window. He looked out at the city. His back was to her.

He did not say another word for the rest of the day.

---

End of Chapter 5