My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft light filtering through the window. The memory of the previous night came back to me in a rush, and you sat up with a gasp, your heart pounding.
Looking around, i noticed the room was just as simple and cozy as before. The bed was comfortable, and the curtains danced lazily in the breeze. But what caught my attention the most was the blonde stranger, sitting quietly on a chair by the window.
He was reading a book, clearly engrossed in it, but his eyes flicked up as soon as I moved, his gaze meeting mine instantly. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You're awake," he said, setting the book aside.
"How do you feel?"
"Much better thanks to you" I said with a faint smile, my throat was dry.
He stood up and walked over to the small bedside table, where a glass of water and a plate of sandwiches were arranged.
"You must be thirsty," he said, handing you the glass. "Drink."
I took a few sips of the cool water, the dryness in your throat immediately soothed. He watched me , his eyes studying my every movement, his concern palpable.
"So… who are you?.. you helped me and I am curious about this kind person before me"
He sat down on the edge of the bed, his body relaxed and at ease. His eyes held a hint of amused curiosity as he spoke.
"I'm Marcus," he said, the name rolling off his tongue like a wave. "And as for why I helped you..."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the window for a moment before returning to me.
"I couldn't just leave you there, sobbing on the beach in the middle of the night. Anyone with a heart would have done the same."
His words were sincere, but there was something else in his eyes, an air of mystery that intrigued me despite my heartache.
"I'd argue on that but thank you… thank you soo much".
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"No need to argue. I'm just happy I was there to help."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. The gesture was so casual, yet it sent a jolt through my body.
"Now..." he said, his hand returning to his lap.
"Can I ask you something?"
"If it's something I can answer, then yes".
His gaze was intense now, his expression serious.
"Why were you on the beach alone, in the middle of the night, crying your heart out?"
He asked, his tone gentle yet prodding. He seemed genuinely curious, as if he wanted to understand my pain.
The memory of the last few hours flashed through my mind - the divorce, my broken dreams, the pain and loneliness that had driven me to the beach. I closed your eyes for a moment, the pain still too raw, too fresh to articulate easily.
"I… I just needed to get away," i whispered, my voice shaky. "Somewhere quiet, where I could be alone."
He nodded, his expression understanding.
"And the ocean helped, didn't it?"
His question surprised me, but I found yourself nodding in agreement.
"Yes," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of wonder. "It did. There's something about the sound of the waves, the endlessness of it all, that makes everything...quiet, for a moment."
"It's a special place, the ocean," he murmured, his gaze drifting towards the window, where the waves danced under the moonlight. "It's vast, powerful, yet also peaceful. It has a way of making your problems seem small, don't you think?"
His words hit a chord with me . I had felt that way about the ocean for a long time now, finding comfort in its vastness.
"Yes," I agreed, nodding. "It's like...it's like the ocean doesn't care about our problems, you know? It just keeps going, wave after wave. It's... it's oddly soothing."
I looked at him, then introduced myself , " I am Eloise".
He smiled softly as I introduced yourself, his gaze never leaving your face.
"Eloise," he repeated, the sound of my name soft on his tongue. "It suits you."
There was something about the way he said it, a tone of quiet admiration, that made my heart skip a beat. No one had ever said my name with such… appreciation.
"Well Marcus," I said breaking the silence. I will have to take my leave now.
"Wait."
He spoke abruptly, his hand reaching out to gently grasp my arm, stopping me from leaving. His grip was loose, his touch barely there, yet it sent a shiver down your spine.
"I am sorry," he let go. "Would you want to have a cup of coffee with me before you go?"
"I need to leave now but I promise to come back here… I'll have a cup of coffee with you"
There was a slight flicker of relief in his eyes as you promised to come back, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I make the finest coffee," he said smiling.
"We will see about that,".