The morning sun streamed through the thick trees surrounding the resort, casting golden patterns across the quiet garden path. It was supposed to be a tranquil day, a final morning to wrap up the wellness weekend. But for Mia, it was anything but.
Her eyes were hollow. She was restless and full of anxiety.
Guilt had wrapped itself around her chest. The night before, her emotions had taken over, clouded by wine and years of unresolved tension. But now, in the light of day, all she felt was regret.
She couldn't put to words what exactly she was feeling. Anxiety? Guilt? Stress? Overwhelm? What lines have been broken and what should she do about it?
She couldn't bear the thought of facing Mark, her boyfriend, again. Mark meant so much to her. How is she going to face him again?
And James – what on earth happened between him and her? Yes, she did feel some kind of attraction towards him that she wants to put off immediately because she already has a boyfriend. And why did she sense this attraction just recently and out of the blue? She should have never crossed the line, but she did.
She texted James to meet her in the garden—away from their friends, away from the cheerful breakfast chatter and clinking utensils. Away from the shame that she is feeling towards herself.
James arrived moments later. He looked hesitant but hopeful. He's happy that Mia invited him to talk privately about what happened last night. Maybe this is the chance to smooth things over. His eyes scanned hers, searching for something—maybe a flicker of the connection they shared last night.
Mia sat on a stone bench beneath a flowering trellis. She didn't smile.
"We need to talk," she said softly.
James nodded and took a seat beside her. The space between them felt like a chasm. He couldn't explain what he is feeling in himself and the energy that is coming out from her.
"I need you to know," Mia began, her voice trembling, "that what happened last night... I can't pretend it didn't mean something. It did. I won't lie about that. But I regret it. Deeply."
James blinked. "Why?" he asked, his voice low.
"Because I still love my boyfriend. He's good to me. We've built something solid together. And now... I feel like I threw that away in a single night. I love Mark and I have betrayed him so badly."
James leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Mia, I know this is complicated. But you can't deny there's something between us. You've felt it too."
She looked away. "Attraction isn't everything."
"No, it's not. But chemistry, emotional connection, timing—they matter. We have something so deep that you need to give it a chance. Give us a chance."
She shook her head, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "This wasn't just a mistake. It was betrayal. Not just to my boyfriend, but to myself. I'm not that kind of person. I don't cheat."
James inhaled deeply, gripping the edge of the bench. "Mia... what if I told you I don't care about being the bad guy?"
She turned sharply. "What?"
"What if we kept this quiet? No one has to know. I could be the third party. I'm willing. I just want to be in your life in any way I can. I will do everything just to be in your life. I can give you everything you want and so much more."
Mia's face went pale. "James, that's not love. That's obsession."
He frowned. "You say that like it's a bad thing. But I care about you more than anyone ever has. I see you, Mia. I always have. I have loved you for many years. I have been wanting you to finally be mine. Isn't that too much to ask? I just want to be with you."
She stood abruptly. "And you think that justifies sneaking around? Lying? Hurting people?"
"We wouldn't have to lie. We'd just... keep it between us."
Mia's heart hammered in her chest. She took a step back, then another. "I can't do this. I won't."
James rose, reaching out. "Please. Just think about it."
"No," she said firmly. "That's not love, James. That's control. You don't get to manipulate me into choosing you."
She turned and walked away, her pace quickening as her vision blurred with tears.
The ride home was unbearable.
Their gym friends rode in the first van, so it was just James and Mia on the same seat of another van. The silence stretched between them like miles of thick fog. Mia stared out the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest. James looked out the other window with a clenched jaw, stealing glances at her whenever he thought she wouldn't notice.
But she noticed.
And she hated that she still felt something for him.
The guilt gnawed at her.
James's mind, meanwhile, spun endlessly. Her rejection hurt, but it didn't deter him. In fact, it only solidified something dark inside him. He had finally tasted what it felt like to have her. And now that he had, he wasn't going to let it go. Mia means everything to him. She was the life that ran through his mind and body. He wasn't going to let go of her easily.
James wants to give Mia time to think things through. He knows that giving her more time will allow him to sneak into her heart again. He will bide his time, and do what he needs to do to for her to soften towards him. He will be the man of her life. He will be there for her always no matter what.
He would bide his time.
She was drawn to him. He had seen it. Felt it. She may not have admitted it fully, but it was there. The connection was there. He just needed to fan the flames and keep it burning alive.
James tightened his grip on his seat as he softly gazed at Mia's faint reflection on the window.
Sooner or later, she'd come back to him.
He'd make sure of it.