Chapter 5 Start of something new.

The next morning, sunlight peeped through the thin, white curtains of Serena's cabin, painting the wooden walls with shades of golden hues.

Sluggishly, she stretched in her bed, her thoughts taking her to yesterday's night, the night she spent with Greg. The piece she'd played on his piano echoed faintly in her mind, she didn't even remember that she still knew that melody.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She sat up, pulling the fluffy blanket around her as she called out,

"Who is it?"

"It's Greg." His voice sounded warm. She hesitated for a moment, puffing her afro up and applying some pancake over her cheeks.

She felt a little odd though as she asked herself times without numbers what the fuck she thought she was doing by applying some faint makeup before she pulled the door open?

Greg stood there, his tall frame leaning casually against the doorframe. In his hands were two steaming cups of coffee, the rich aroma mixing with the freshness of the morning air. His expression, though relaxed, was impossible to read, all she could get from him was that he was in a good mood.

If not, why would he bring coffee?

"Morning," he said, handing her one of the mugs.

"Morning," she replied, her fingers brushing his briefly as she accepted the coffee.

The warmth felt hot against her hands at first but it succeeded in chasing away the cold the winter air brought.

"Care to join me for a walk?" he asked.

Serena glanced past him, looking around while noticing the way the morning frost held on to the trees like a delicate lace. She felt excited, the quiet escape, away from the nasty thoughts in her head, was tempting and she grabbed at the offer.

"Sure. Let me grab my coat."

She slipped into her boots and wrapped herself in a thick, red scarf before stepping outside. The cool air hit her immediately, it struck her sharply and almost immediately. They walked in silence at first with only the crunch of frost under both their soles the only audible sound. The path way through the woods looked enchanting, as the sunlight filtered it's way through the branches falling against the snow laced ground.

Greg stopped walking for a bit, standing before a fallen log. Slowly, his fingers move brushing snow off its surface before sitting down. He gestured for Serena to join him.

She hesitated at first, she hadn't sat on anything that wasn't a furniture in such a long time. The cold penetrated through the fabric of her coat. Her hands curled around the mug, seeking its warmth.

Greg took a sip of his coffee, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains.

"I've been thinking about what you said last night," he began, his voice low.

Serena tensed slightly feeling all conscious, but seeing his eyes did not look at her, she felt a little relieved. His eyes stayed on the horizon, with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He hesitated, "I'm..."

She studied him, the way his shoulders hunched slightly as though he carried a weight too heavy to set down. He didn't seem ready to share even if he was about to force himself to do so.

"You don't have to tell me," she said softly, her voice almost carried away by the breeze.

A little moment after, she felt a little regret set in, she was really curious about his story, she wanted to know him fully, both the good version and the horrible version.

She warned herself not to catch feelings for him though, he was old enough to be her daddy.

He glanced at her, his blue eyes piercing as he nodded slowly.

They sat there for a while, not talking. The silence wrapping around them like a blanket.

Serena traced the rim of her coffee cup with a finger, her mind stating over a hundred and four reasons why she shouldn't call for him.

The sun crept higher, melting the frost on the nearby leaves and painting the world in various shades of gold.

When Greg finally spoke again, his tone was lighter.

"You're not bad company, Are you quite aware?"

Serena smirked, raising her brow.

"What's that? Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

He laughed, the sound warm and unexpected.

"Take it how you want, Serena. "

They continued their walk, going straight ahead. The tension between them seemed to ease. The path ahead twisted into the woods, promising a quiet solace as it draws them forward.

They came upon a clearing where the ground lowered slightly, revealing a little frozen pond which was surrounded by snow-covered rocks. Greg knelt beside it, brushing away some of the snow to reveal the glassy surface beneath.

"I used to skate on ponds like this when I was a kid," he said, his voice sounded nostalgic as he chuckled a little.

Serena crouched beside him, her fingers brushing the icy surface softly.

"I've never been much of a skater. I was always too clumsy, falling completely into the waters at times and breaking the ice."

Greg chuckled. "I don't believe that."

She shot him a look, her lips twitching into a faint smile.

"You should. I'm a walking disaster on ice."

He stood and offered her a hand.

"Then it's a good thing this pond's frozen solid. Come on."

Serena hesitated for a moment but later took his hand, though she was scared, she chose to trust him.

They stepped onto the ice carefully, their movements slow and deliberate as he guided her. The surface was slick and unforgiving, but Greg held her steady. She could feel his hands on her shoulders, it felt so warm.

"See? You're doing just fine," he said, his grip firm against her skin yet kind of gentle.

"Can't you see you're still fucking holding on to me? I'm not doing just fine. " she replied.

They circled the small pond over and over again. Serena loved the feeling of his hands on her body and her cheeks flushed a few times as their laughter echoed in the crisp air. She felt the weight in her chest lifting slightly with each step she took.

When they finally stepped off the ice, their breaths came in visible puffs, and their cheeks were flushed from the cold.

Greg reached into his pocket and pulled out a small thermos. "Hot chocolate?"

Serena's eyes lit up. "You really came prepared, didn't you? "

He grinned, pouring the steaming liquid into two small cups. They sat on a nearby rock, sipping the sweet, rich drink as the sun climbed higher.

For a while, neither of them spoke. They had gotten used to the comfort in their silence. The world around them was quiet, except from the rustling of leaves or the distant call of a bird. Serena found herself stealing glances at Greg, noting how the sunlight caught the white strands in his hair turning them golden, the way his jaw tightened slightly as though he were deep in thought.

"Except from the mountains, what do you love? " she asked, surprising even herself with her question.

"The kind of life I have lived, there's not much to love."

Serena paused, letting pity swim over her thoughts. She nodded slowly,

"Then you must have lived a very lonely life."

He didn't answer but she knew he felt saddened. They didn't utter any more words instead they just lingered there until the sun began to stroll down, dipping lower in the sky, and casting long shadows across the snow.

When they reached her door, Greg paused, his hand lingering on the railing. His eyes beaming and his pupils enlarges like that of a puppy's.

"Thanks for coming with me today," he said, his voice softer with gratitude.

"Thanks for inviting me,"

she replied, smiling intensely with her eyes.

For a while, neither of them moved, they both didn't want to and Serena knew she couldn't have been able to. Greg stepped back, his gaze meeting hers.

"Goodnight, Serena."

"Goodnight, Greg."

She watched him walk away, wishing she could stop him and invite him in, but she chickened out instead she settled her gaze on his figure which was fast disappearing into the shadows of the lean winter trees.

Closing the door behind her, Serena leaned against it, her heart beating just a much faster than it should have.

The cabin was quiet, the only sound the faint crackle of the fire in the hearth. Serena sat by her window, staring out at the snow-covered landscape, it looked beautiful, everything about it.

The silence in her head no longer felt heavy.

It felt like the beginning of something new.

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