TPCF 95

CHAPTER 95…………………………………

Is this a dream?

It sounded like a voice she shouldn’t be hearing. Anita’s head creaked as she turned to the side. And there he was — black hair fluttering in the wind, eyes the color of the sea, and that same curt tone as always.

“……”

Almost without thinking, Anita reached out and poked his forearm. It was a reflex — a way to check if what she was seeing was real. But the solid feel beneath her fingertips and the way his eyebrows shot up in disbelief proved she wasn’t dreaming.

Only then did Anita realize she had actually poked Rutger, and quickly hid her hand behind her back.

Had she, half-asleep last night, somehow let slip her location? No. She immediately dismissed the thought. Even if she had wanted to tell him, she didn’t actually know the exact location of Liliana’s villa herself. That meant the one who told him must have been Liliana.

So that’s what she meant to tell me at breakfast?

“Uh… did you come to see the beach too?”

That was the only question Anita could bring herself to ask. She wasn’t bold enough to ask if he’d come to see her. Still, the words sounded stupid even to her own ears.

“I missed you.”

At the sudden confession, Anita looked up at him blankly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember what you said?”

“What I said? What did I…”

Her face froze as confusion gave way to realization. She remembered falling asleep while talking to him on the phone last night — but had she really said that?

“I miss you, Rutger.”

She couldn’t believe she’d blurted something so childish, so needy. Unconsciously, Anita glanced down over the edge of the railing. It seemed like the only possible escape route.

Sensing her thoughts, perhaps, Rutger raised a hand and blocked her view.

“It’s fine. People say all kinds of things when they’re drunk.”

There was a touch of panic in his voice. Anita hadn’t actually been planning to jump, but since he was trying to brush it off rather than tease her, she didn’t bother correcting him. She simply stared at him instead.

“Yeah. I guess so.”

“Right. So step away from the railing.”

Anita moved away, a little too quickly, and started down the stairs. She could hear his footsteps behind her, matching hers.

Anyone listening would probably laugh, but seeing his face again after so long made her happy.

The beach was even prettier up close than it had looked from the terrace — the honey-colored sand and the foamy white waves fit together perfectly.

“Careful. Watch where you’re going.”

As expected, Rutger Bailan never failed to ruin even a perfect summer day with his cool, sharp tone.

“It doesn’t look dangerous to me. And besides, the sand here’s completely dry.”

Anita pointed from the dry sand to the damp, darker patches of mud. As her eyes swept over the ground, she spotted a starfish.

“It’s dried out.”

She picked it up, intending to return it to the sea. But just as she took a step toward the water, someone grabbed her arm sharply.

“I told you it’s dangerous.”

“What’s so dangerous about it?”

There were no big waves, no strong winds. She appreciated his concern but couldn’t help thinking he was overreacting.

“It’s fine. Really.”

And she meant it. Unlike the lake — deep, murky, and terrifyingly blue — this sea was clear enough to see the bottom. The water was shallow, too.

Anita placed the starfish into the water. She watched intently as it slowly sank, settling on the sand below.

“So, did you come here just to lecture me?”

Anita didn’t believe he’d come all this way simply because she’d said she missed him. She stared down at the shimmering water, waiting for his answer.

“Or to see Finian?”

There was no reply for a long time. Just as she was about to turn around — thinking maybe he’d left without her noticing — he finally spoke.

“Did you plan to meet Finian here? Were you two close?”

Anita didn’t have many close friends. From her perspective, she and Rutger were close. From his, she might be nothing at all.

But she and Finian Nigel weren’t particularly close. They’d only hung out briefly last night — that was it. They hadn’t seen each other since high school graduation.

“I just ran into him here. No reason for bad blood. You know how friendly Finian is — have you ever seen him awkward around anyone?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? Don’t tell me you’re wondering if Finian Nigel’s interested in me. If that’s it, don’t bother. We haven’t met once since high school.”

“……”

“Either way, it’s none of your business.”

Anita crouched and began to play with the wet sand, feeling the grains crumble in her palm.

She didn’t want to overthink anymore. She was tired of finding meaning in every little thing.

If she was destined to be pulled back to him no matter how far she tried to run, maybe she’d just stay close — close enough that he wouldn’t even think of trying to catch her. If he wanted a girl he could call a casual friend, she could play that part.

But Rutger’s constant scrutiny — who she talked to, how close she was with them — wasn’t the kind of relationship she wanted.

“I just came to the beach to look for some pretty seashells. If you’re here to argue, just go.”

Anita threw him a quick glance. She thought that after being told off like that, he’d take the hint and leave. Instead, Rutger rolled up his shirt sleeves and started picking up seashells.

“…You’re not leaving?”

“Why should I?”

Unable to contradict herself, Anita simply shook her head as if it were nothing. Watching him push sand aside with one hand to collect shells felt strangely unfamiliar. She stood there blankly for a moment, scratching her cheek, then walked toward him.