52

KATHERINE THRONE

Thanks to Alexander's encouragement, I gained confidence and realized I didn't need to compromise my comfort to please others. Despite that, I chose to wear the bikini with a beach jacket for a bit more coverage.

Upon reaching the resort's exquisite beach, the afternoon sun sparkled on the water, creating a mesmerizing sight. Unfortunately, Alexander felt let down as the waves weren't suitable for surfing.

He muttered softly, his face contorting into a disappointed frown. However, the beauty of the beach captivated me, and I started collecting shells as we strolled.

I managed to find twelve shells, one of which Alexander insisted held a genuine pearl. His persuasion led us to spend a significant amount of time attempting to crack open the shell, hoping to reveal its precious contents.

Alexander even indulged in describing how we could become wealthy beyond measure by selling the pearl, igniting my daydreams of luxury handbags and more.

After an hour of failed attempts, we conceded. Well, I conceded; Alexander remained determined to conquer the shell, vowing to crack it open even if it became his final endeavor on earth.

Classic Alexander.

With our dreams of a fortune dashed, we headed to the beach shack for some coconut drinks. As we savored our beverages, the bartender entertained us with tricks and an ill-fated attempt at juggling, resulting in a rather amusing scene.

When we are done, we remain under the sun, aiming to acquire natural tans. Unfortunately, Alexander overlooked applying sunscreen, which resulted in his entire body turning red and feeling itchy.

Fortunately, our friend, the bartender, had a remedy that promptly alleviated the discomfort and itching. When we inquired about the source of the medication, he claimed it was given to him by whales.

We chose not to probe further into that matter. With sunscreen in place, we were finally able to work on our tans. However, the combination of Alexander's olive-tanned skin and the redness made him look rather comical. Yet, I couldn't help but appreciate his resolve to surf and open that shell in search of a precious pearl.

"Have you ever experienced surfing on this beach, Katherine?" inquired Alexander, reclining on the towel.

"No, I haven't," I responded. "Although, I would be eager to attempt it someday.

"

"Perhaps I could be your instructor," he suggested with a grin. "I've been riding waves for years."

I chuckled. "I'm certain you'd make an excellent teacher."

As the sun set, we realized we hadn't even set foot in the water yet. The beach was emptying, but we weren't prepared to conclude our day just yet.

"Race you there!" Alex playfully challenged, darting ahead of me towards the water.

"You're on!" I responded, attempting to catch up with him. Unfortunately, he had the advantage of being an athlete, and I could never quite match his speed.

"I won, as always," Alex declared with a self-satisfied grin.

"That's not entirely fair; you had a head start," I protested, putting on a mock frown.

"Even if I gave you a ten-second head start, I'd still come out on top. Don't get too confident," Alex retorted with a touch of cockiness.

I scooped up some water and stood tall, facing him. "Is that so? Maybe it's time for you to cool down."

Alex raised his hands in a half-hearted defense. "Come on, Katherine. Don't do this. I'm warning you."

But my mischievous intentions were already set in motion.

I admired Alex's effortless athleticism and his ability to always bring laughter. Our day at the beach reminded us of our carefree spirits and the joy of each other's company.

As the sun set, we realized we hadn't touched the water yet. Although the beach was emptying, we weren't ready to call it a day.

"Race you to the water!" Alex challenged, sprinting ahead.

"Challenge accepted!" I shouted, attempting to catch up. But being the athlete he was, I could never catch him.

With a smug grin, Alex declared, "I win, as always."

"Not true, you had a head start," I countered, playfully pouting.

Even if I let you start ten seconds earlier, I'd still beat you hands down. Don't flatter yourself," Alex replied with a touch of cockiness.

I scooped the water and faced him.

"Oh really? Time for you to cool off."

Alex protested, throwing his hands up.

"Katherine, don't. I'm warning you."

But I was quick, splashing him in the face, making him yelp.

"This water's freezing!" he complained, wiping his face.

As he wiped, I dashed away, giggling. But my laughter was short-lived, as Alex caught up.

"Ready to play? Let's do it," Alex challenged.

And so it began, a wild splashing game. We drenched our clothes and hair, laughing and playing as the sun dipped. Just the two of us lost in our own world.

After getting thoroughly soaked, we decided to call it a day and head back to our rooms. The receptionist scolded us for dripping water on the rug, but we just laughed it off.

Stepping into the elevator, I realized how much fun I had with Alexander. Moments like these made me wish they could last forever.

I admired how effortlessly athletic Alex was, and how he always knew how to make me laugh. Our day on the beach reminded me of the carefree spirit we both possessed. Alex brought out a side of me I didn't know existed. I used to think I was only about reading and studying, but now I see I'm more than that.

I'm grateful to Alexander for showing me there's more to life than burying my nose in a book. Alex and I enjoyed each other's company a little too much.

*******

As I turned off the faucet, the sound of water droplets hitting the shower floor faded away. Feeling the cool water run down my skin was refreshing, and even more so were the memories of the day that flashed through my mind - the beach, the sand, the sun, and most importantly, Alexander.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I smiled, feeling the flutters in my belly intensify. Just thinking about him makes me blush. He was funny, sweet, and an amazing person. To my surprise, I realized that I was in love with him.

I'm admitting it to myself. I'm in love with Alexander Walters, and just the thought of it makes my cheeks flush with warmth.

Images of his handsome face and sparkling eyes filled my mind, and butterflies fluttered in my belly. Excitement surged at the thought of him, and my heart pounded.

My fingers trembled as I brushed my damp hair away from my face. It's a completely new experience for me – falling in love.

I had never experienced anything like this before, and it was quite unexpected that Alexander would be the one to elicit these emotions from me.

Studying my reflection in the mirror, I observed my flushed cheeks and the bright sparkle in my eyes. While I recognized that there was something uniquely captivating about Alexander, I never anticipated feeling such intense emotions for him.

Yet, this situation was complicated. I couldn't afford to develop these feelings, especially since my purpose here was to shatter his heart, not to become enamored with him. I questioned why I had agreed to embark on this trip with him in the first place, the memory of his invitation and my thoughtless acceptance resurfacing.

Regret was beginning to claw at me until memories of our day at the beach rushed in. His laughter in response to my silly jokes, the warmth of his hand holding mine while we strolled along the shoreline, and the profound way he regarded me had all breathed life into my being. Admitting that I relished his company was inevitable; the pain I felt at the idea of causing him heartbreak was deeper than I could have foreseen.

As I adorned myself, guilt draped over me like a heavy shroud. My intention was to inflict pain upon him, not to entangle my heart further. Despite my attempts to suppress these feelings, they relentlessly resurfaced. An ongoing conflict raged within me, my heart warring against my rationale.

Summoning a deep breath, I sought to dismiss my swirling thoughts, though the futility of this endeavor was apparent. The more time I spent with him, the more I found myself surrendering to an overwhelming affection. The simultaneous exhilaration and trepidation were a bewildering mix, leaving me unsure of the appropriate course of action.

Exiting the bathroom, I confronted the reality that, even as my purpose centered on breaking his heart, I was unwittingly fracturing my own by succumbing to love for him.