Trouble at the Beach

Sofia's POV

I woke up to a pounding headache and Bri’s relentless knocking.

When I opened the door, she didn’t even wait to be invited in. She breezed right past me, wearing her oversized sunglasses and holding two cups of coffee like she’d just come back from conquering the world.

“I swear, if you slept through another emotional breakdown and didn’t call me—” she started, but stopped short the moment she saw my face.

“Okay, never mind. What the hell happened?”

I sighed and shut the door, taking one of the coffees from her hand. “You don’t want to know.”

“Try me.”

So I told her. Everything. From my mother showing up out of nowhere at Rossi Group, causing a whole-ass scene, to her calling Leandro dangerous, then accepting wads of cash from him like it was nothing. And of course… the final insult whispered in my ear before she left. “Good job fucking your boss. It’s bringing us fortune.”

Bri’s jaw dropped.

She stood frozen for a full ten seconds before she exploded. “That woman is insane! No, seriously—who does that? You could be traumatized and she’s out here treating your life like a damn reality show.”

I managed a small laugh. “She’s always been like that.”

“Well, I’m dragging your pretty ass out of this apartment.”

“No, Bri, I’m really not—”

“I don’t care. You’re not staying in here moping with bad energy and emotional whiplash. We’re going shopping. Retail therapy. It’s non-negotiable.”

“Bri…”

“Don’t ‘Bri’ me. Put on something cute. Or ugly. I’ll fix it.”

Of course, no one turns Bri down. And I honestly didn’t have the energy to argue. So thirty minutes later, we were in a cab, heading toward our favorite shopping mall.

The moment we stepped inside, it felt like the weight on my chest lifted a little.

Bright lights. Loud music. That artificial chill in the air that made every store feel fresh and full of possibility.

Bri practically skipped into the first store, dragging me toward the dresses. “Okay. Hear me out—vacation dresses. Something flowy. Something that says I have no worries even though we both know that’s a lie.”

We flipped through racks, held up ridiculous pieces, and tried on things we had no intention of buying just because it was fun.

Bri picked a silky lime-green halter dress that looked like it belonged on a yacht in Mykonos. “Tell me I don’t look like the CEO’s worst distraction.”

“You look like you might ruin his marriage.”

“Even better.”

I tried on a white backless maxi dress that clung to my hips in all the right ways. Bri whistled. “Okay, whoa. You’re giving rich-widow-who-poisons-her-husband vibes. I’m obsessed.”

We bounced from store to store, laughing, teasing each other, and picking up accessories we didn’t need. By the time we made it to the last boutique, Bri was practically bouncing with energy.

She held up two neon-colored bikinis and wiggled her brows. “Sooo beach?”

“Beach?”

“Come on. We just bought the hottest swimwear known to mankind. We’re halfway to a good time already.”

I groaned but smiled. “I’m still emotionally fried, Bri.”

“All the more reason to let the sun roast your feelings. Vitamin D, baby. Let’s go.”

The beach wasn’t too crowded when we arrived. We found a spot under one of the umbrellas, changed into our new bikinis—hers a fiery red, mine a deep teal—and lay back with mocktails in hand.

I closed my eyes and let the breeze touch my skin. It was the first time I’d felt somewhat relaxed in days.

That peace didn’t last.

“Hey there,” a voice interrupted.

I opened my eyes slowly to see a tall, tan-skinned guy standing just a few feet from us, shirtless with aviators and abs that looked like they’d been carved in a gym.

Bri raised a brow. “Can we help you?”

He smiled, and I immediately clocked the energy. Too charming. Too smooth. A walking red flag.

“Just wondering if I could join you ladies for a bit,” he said, eyes on me now. “Didn’t expect to see someone like you here.”

Bri looked ready to tell him off, but something in her clicked. She turned to me with a smirk and said, “Sure. Have a seat.”

I blinked. “Wait, what?”

She winked at me like she was up to something.

The guy sat down casually on the towel beside me, still watching me like I was some rare jewel.

“I’m Aurelio,” he said, reaching a hand toward me. “And you are…?”

I didn’t shake his hand. “Sofia.”

“That’s a beautiful name. Fits you. You’re… stunning, you know? Like—model, movie-star stunning. I mean it.”

I gave a tight smile. “Thanks.”

Bri chimed in, teasing, “She’s single too. And very picky.”

I glared at her. She just grinned and sipped her drink like she hadn’t just thrown me to the wolves.

Aurelio laughed. “Picky’s good. Means you’ve got taste.”

There was something in his smile that made my stomach twist. Not in the good way.

It was the smirk of a man who enjoyed the chase too much. Like he wasn’t flirting because he liked me—but because he wanted to win.

He kept flirting—throwing compliments, asking questions, leaning in like he thought we were on a date. I didn’t like it. Not just because of the attention—but because there was something in his smirk that felt off. Calculated.

When he called me exotic, I was done.

“Okay, we’re done here.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Bad energy. Not interested. Let’s go, Bri.”

Bri grabbed her stuff without a word, her whole mood shifting.

Aurelio stood. “Hey, wait—did I say something wrong?”

“No,” I said with a flat smile. “You were just… too much.”

I leaned toward Bri and said, “Can we go?”

She looked at me, reading my face immediately, and her playfulness completely disappeared.

“Yep,” she said, standing up. “Fun’s over.”

He chuckled like it was a joke, but there was something sharp in his eyes now.

We walked off without looking back.