NATASHAUpon awakening, I discovered that Mike had left our bed. He had, however, left a note indicating that he was at the bar. I decided to freshen up and explore this luxurious place.I marveled at how Mike managed to afford such an extravagant location. Everything seemed so expensive.The beach was sparsely populated, likely due to the season."Beautiful," I murmured, my gaze captivated by the horizon.The sun was gently sinking into the ocean, its orange light casting a warm glow on my skin. I could feel the gentle touch of the heat on my skin.After spending several hours inhaling the salty air, I closed my eyes.This was freedom.My parents were not around to dictate my actions or my future. They weren't here to scrutinize my every move and warn me against every decision I made.I was here with someone I trusted.Mike. Although he remained a mystery to me, he made me feel perfect. Was I wrong to think this way? Was I wrong to feel this way?Regardless of where this journey migh

NATASHAI still felt the heaviness in my heart when I woke up the next day. Luckily, Aaron was there to comfort me.But what would be even better is if I could get a ride back to my flat."Is he sober now?" I asked Aaron over the phone."Well, I put a pillow on his face. I think he's sober now," he chuckled."Did he...?" Should I ask? No, I shouldn't. I'm just one of Mike's many women. "Can you just tell him that I want to go home?""You know, I'm starting to feel like a messenger or a mailman. Do I look like one to you?" He sounded hurt, but I could tell he was joking."Alright, I'll just ask him myself. But thank you for being here for me," I sincerely said. "You're such a hero.""Don't mention it," he waved it off. "Who am I to leave a pretty young lady alone? Besides, I'd hate to hear that you slept on the beach and got taken by Aquaman.""You're silly," I giggled as I started to walk outside the inn.I clutched the cardigan Aaron gave me this morning. He bought me a new sundress

NATASHA"Mike," Laura echoed my words. "Mike, as in Michael Montero? The same Michael Montero who was your former fiancé? The one we talked about being a womanizer?"I nodded, my eyes closed, trying to withstand the headache that felt like it was splitting my brain in two."So, let me get this straight. You ran off, met this guy, lost your virginity to him, and now, you're crying over him?""Did you really have to reiterate everything?" My voice took on a nasal tone as I sniffed."I still can't believe you've been in contact with your sister all this time," Richie, Laura's husband, interjected. "You could've told me.""Quiet!" Laura held up her forefinger. "The girls are talking.""I just feel like you didn't trust me, like you lied to me." Richie placed his hand on his chest. "I feel betrayed.""My sweetie pie, I can't comfort you right now, but I promise to explain everything to you once the girls have sorted out their issues, okay?" She gently reassured her husband with a pouty fac

NATASHAI can feel my right eyelid twitching as I fight the urge to jump into his arms.There he goes again. Why is he even here? Because of guilt?"What are you trying to say, Tasha?" He asked.Sighing heavily, I grabbed the door. "I'm tired, and I don't have time for this." I pushed the door closed, but before it could, Mike blocked it with his foot."Let's talk this through."Frustration washed over me. He should stop this!"I'm lost." He acted innocently. "What I came here for is to confess something to you, something I never thought I'd feel.""Oh, really?" I chuckled nonchalantly."Yeah," he stepped closer, but I kept my distance. "And I feel like... I feel like I like you.""I didn't know you would feel that way, Michael Montero."I noticed the way he paused when I uttered his full name."Yeah, I already know." I shook my head. "I ran away from you for a reason, you know that?"His surprise eventually faded, replaced by a composed expression and relaxed posture.Standing at my

NATASHAThe sound of a pen tapping against a pad was irritating, but what can I say? I'm just an employee and Doris is bored.The whole diner is empty."That's your twentieth sigh," Doris counted, letting go of the pen and resting her hands on the counter. "Tell me what's going on, and maybe I can help.""I have a friend..." I began, causing her to burst into laughter before I could finish. "Did I say something funny?""Nothing, I'm sorry. Please, continue."Friend, that's probably the funniest thing about me because I don't have one. And Doris knows that.After working for her for months and having her in my life, she probably knows almost everything about me, except for the fact that I come from a well-known family.I continued, summarizing the story I was concerned about, referring to myself as 'this friend of mine'. It seems like Doris didn't catch on to who I was talking about."And she's asking for my advice, but I don't know what to say since I've never been in her shoes." I gr