Chapter 29 Waves of confession
Chapter 29
Sophie’s POV
"Get dressed; we are going out," Julian said as he stepped into my room. His gaze lingered on my exposed body, which was only covered by a thin, oversized shirt that barely reached mid-thigh and had buttons undone. A rush of warmth flooded my cheeks, mixing embarrassment with excitement.
"Out? Where?" I managed to ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the thrill bubbling inside me.
"Just get dressed. That's the instruction!" His tone was expressionless as he turned and left the room.
He had a knack for ruining the mood. I had planned to confess that he was the one I loved, but with his unpredictable mood swings, I hesitated. Would he even care?
I wondered where we were headed; he should at least give me a hint so I could know what to wear.
Opening my closet, I scanned the array of clothes hanging there. After much contemplation, I decided on a red long gown. It was sleeveless and hugged my curves in all the right places—a bold choice that made me feel confident and daring.
As I was about to sit in front of the mirror to apply my makeup, Julian walked in again.
"Wear something simple. We are just going for some fresh air," he said, his voice flat, before disappearing from the room again, leaving no room for discussion.
Frustration bubbled inside me. Why did he have to be so vague? He could have just said it before. I sighed and opened my closet once more, searching for something effortless yet chic. Finally, I settled on a fitted black sundress that flattered my figure without being over-the-top. It was casual but elegant, perfect for a simple outing.
After slipping into the dress, I glanced in the mirror. My reflection stared back, a mix of nerves and excitement swirling within me. I applied a light touch of makeup—just enough to accentuate my eyes and add a hint of color to my cheeks. I wanted to look good, for him.
I stepped out of my room as I finished, heart racing with anticipation. Julian was sitting at the dining table, working on his laptop, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his focused expression.
"Finally," he said, raising his head and briefly scanning me from head to toe. "You look... acceptable." The corner of his mouth twitched, but I couldn’t tell if it was a smile or a smirk.
"Let's go," he said, leading the way.
One of his bodyguards opened the door for him, and another opened the door for me. The crisp air hit my face as we stepped outside, and I felt a flutter of excitement in my stomach.
He started driving, and I enjoyed the views as we passed by familiar sights—the vibrant city life, the bustling streets, and the peaceful parks. Eventually, we reached a bridge, and he parked the car, opening the door for me to step out.
I looked around, taking in the surroundings, and as he came closer, he took my hand. The moment his hand brushed against mine, I felt an electric thrill, igniting a fire inside me. My gaze was fixed on our connected hands as we walked.
"We're here," he said, jolting me out of my thoughts and letting go of my hand.
"What! We are at the beach!" I exclaimed, jumping around in excitement. I couldn't believe he brought me to the beach, one of my favorite places.
Without hesitating, I slipped off my heels and ran into the water, splashing and playing like a child. The cool waves lapped at my legs, invigorating me and washing away the stresses of the week, even though i haven't been stressed. Memories flooded back—my dad bringing me here every year for my birthday, the laughter we shared, my mom joining in the fun.
As a single tear fell from my eye, I quickly wiped it away, not wanting Julian to think I was unhappy. I glanced over at him sitting on the sand, looking around the beach, his expression contemplative.
The cold water swirled around my legs, its refreshing sensation grounding me in the moment. I turned to Julian, gesturing for him to join me, but he shook his head.
I stepped out of the water and moved closer to him. "Come, let's play with the water together," I urged, my voice playful.
"Play? I am not a baby," he replied curtly.
"Then why did you bring me here if you weren't going to play?" I asked, feigning anger, hoping to provoke him into action.
"I just wanted some fresh air, and I thought this was the best place to get one," he said, his tone dismissive.
"Then you should have come alone instead of bringing me along," I said, turning to leave, hoping he would stop me. But he didn’t.
I turned back and leaned closer to him, a teasing smile on my face. "Or are you afraid of water?"
"What?! Afraid? Definitely not me," he said, his tone defensive.
"You are!" I teased, hoping to coax him into joining me. My playful challenge seemed to work because he stood up immediately, determination in his eyes.
"Let me show you that I'm not," he said, striding toward the water with newfound confidence.
As he stepped into the surf, I couldn't help but follow him, excitement bubbling within me. I splashed a handful of water into his face, laughter pouring out of me.
"Stop, Sophie!" he protested, but I only laughed harder and continued, until he retaliated, pouring water back at me. We both erupted into laughter, and I felt a rush of joy at seeing him genuinely smile for the first time. It was a lightness I hadn’t experienced with him before.
"This is the first time I'm seeing you laugh so deeply," I shouted over the sound of the waves, splashing him again, my heart soaring at the moment.
But just as quickly, his laughter faded. He retreated back to the sand, and I regretted my words, wishing I hadn't brought the moment to a close. I walked back to where he was sitting, feeling the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the sand beneath me.
"I just said it because I love how happy you are," I admitted, turning to face him while he stared out at the ocean.
The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words, and just as I was about to say something more, he broke it.
"Sophie... I don't know what's happening with my heart and how I feel." He paused, looking at me intently. "I have decided to follow what my heart tells me. Can't you stop loving the person you love?"
I stared at him, my heart racing at his words. How could I stop loving him? "Sophie, I know..."
Before he could finish, I leaned in, my heart pounding, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Julian, I love you," I said as I broke the kiss, my voice trembling with emotion. "You are the one I love; you are the one I was telling my mom about."
He looked at me questioningly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes, but I nodded, affirming my feelings.
In an instant, he pulled me closer by the waist, my back scraping against the warm, coarse sand as he claimed my lips in a deep, affectionate kiss.