Chapter 8

I rub my eyes as the sun rays filtering through my window wake me up. I can feel how puffy my face is and sigh at the thought of how I must look. I stretch and groan as I roll out of bed, dragging my feet to the bathroom.

I brush my teeth and wash my face, hopping I’m at least presentable enough to go out and buy myself some breakfast. I wanted to go to the small cafe I had seen in the plaza when we first arrived in town. I drink a glass of water, accompanied by my morning Seroquel.

After a good night sleep, I wasn’t so sure about my plan. Why did I need to trick Nick into leaving me alone in a random town in the middle of nowhere? I felt like I should just talk with him and explain that I need time for myself. If he discovered the ruse as he was boarding the bus, he would probably feel put on the spot and be even angrier, which was not something I wanted.

After brushing my hair and changing into a light summer dress, I leave the hotel and walk to the plaza. I feel a slight tug in my stomach and assume that the lack of snack in the last day made me hungrier than usual. As I enter the cafe, I feel the urge to go back outside and continue my way further, though I have no idea where it would lead me.

Everything around me felt strange, as if all my senses were heightened. I felt short of breath a little, but still, I walk over to the cashier and ordered a hot chocolate. ‘Maybe I’m just in need of sugar.’ I feel stupid just thinking something like that. As I wait for my order, the tug in my stomach pulls harder.

“What the hell is wrong with me...’’ I whisper as the tug grows painful. Every bone in my body suddenly urges me to turn around as my heart pounds in my chest. As if in a dream, I hear the bell on the cafe door ring as it opens. Unable to resist any longer, I turn to lock eyes with a drop dead gorgeous man.

His muscular chest raises and drops rapidly as he breathes in and out. His almost golden eyes don’t leave mine as he walks over to me, but I can’t help but take in his physic: dark brown hair, strong jaw line, straight nose. ‘He has to be a model.’ I think to myself. But why was the model walking straight at me?

“Mate.’’ He almost growls as his beautiful eyes scan my face. Now that he was standing in front of me, I noticed how tall he was: he towered over me, forcing me to look up to his face.

“Huh?’’ I respond, a little confused. Was he Australian?

The pull in my stomach is basically begging me to touch his tanned skin. ‘I can’t go around touching strangers,’ I remind myself. He blinks before responding, and I can see something change in his eyes.

“You’re not from around here, are you?’’ He asks, but I feel like he’s hoping I say I am.

“Nah, our bus broke down yesterday, so we crashed at the hotel for the night.’’ I say without thinking. I start to feel embarrassed. Why was I over sharing? Had I suddenly turned into my mom?

He nods and I feel like I just disappointed him. He sighs and I hear the barista tell me my drink is ready as she puts it on the counter.

“Follow me.’’ This doesn’t feel like a question and I’m a little bit insulted by his tone. Something in me still begs for me to follow him, so I bite my tongue and walk in his trail.

The questioning eyes of everyone in the cafe stick to us as he leads me to a bench near the plaza fountain. I take a sip of my drink as he sits down, clearly waiting for me to sit beside him. Even seated, he’s almost as tall as me. He lifts a brow as I just stand there, silently asking what I’m doing.

“Sorry, I’m waiting for you to tell me what to do again.’’

I can’t help myself. Yesterday was a very bad day, and I felt like taking it out on someone. His eyes harden and something twists in my gut. It wasn’t his fault my boyfriend was an ass. I sigh and sit down before he can say anything. His golden gaze roams my face avidly and I know I’m doing to same.

“I know this will sound bizarre at first, but please, hear me out.’’ He says calmly. I nod, feeling as though I couldn’t refuse anything to him. “In my... culture, we believe that everyone has another half somewhere in this world.’’

“Like a soul mate?’’ I ask, curious. He cringes a little, but ends up nodding with a little smile.

“Similar, yeah.’’ He speaks softly, but I can still sense authority in his voice. “It is said that...’’ he hesitates a little. “Destiny will bring these two halves together. You are the one destined for me.’’