Chapter 3 Something more

Chapter 3

Adrian's POV

Morning came, and since it was the weekend-my fun day-I got dressed and set out for the beach to surf, one of my favorite activities. As I walked into the living room, I found Natasha sitting on the couch, her eyes glued to the TV, a bowl of popcorn by her side. She didn't seem to notice my presence, completely engrossed in the show she was watching. Every now and then, she smiled, and I felt relieved-seeing her happy after yesterday's tense conversation was a good sign.

"It's good to see you're getting comfortable," I said as I walked toward her.

She flinched slightly, startled, before turning to look at me. "Hey," she greeted, her tone calm as a light smile formed on her lips.

"How was your night?" I asked.

"It was cool. Yours?" she asked in return.

"Wasn't too bad," I replied with a shrug.

She eyed my outfit-a vintage beachwear set with a small backpack slung over my shoulder. "You're heading out?" she asked, curiosity in her gaze.

"Yeah, heading to the beach. Wanna come along?" I offered, hoping she'd say yes.

"You bet! You think I'm letting you have all the fun without me?" she teased before quickly standing up and dusting off popcorn crumbs from her lap. "Wait here," she said before dashing into her room.

A few moments later, she reappeared in a flowery lap-length beach jumpsuit, her black ebony hair tied back in a sleek ponytail. She looked stunning-effortlessly beautiful, as always. I didn't know how she did it, but no matter what she wore, she always managed to take my breath away.

For a brief moment, I just stared, caught off guard.

"I'm ready," she said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. "Alright, let's go," I said, leading the way out.

Natasha's POV

Purr! As Adrian led the way out to his yard, my eyes widened at the sight before me-a sleek red convertible parked right in the center. He had other cars, but this one screamed expensive. I wouldn't say I had ever driven in a convertible before, but this was on a different level. The thought of riding in it with Adrian sent a thrill down my spine.

I had goosebumps as Adrian walked over and opened the door for me. What a gentleman, I thought, settling into the plush leather seat. He slid into the driver's seat and, before starting the car, pulled out two pairs of sunglasses, handing one to me.

"A beach outfit isn't complete without the right accessories, don't you think?" he said with a smirk, slipping his on.

Damn. Have you ever seen a man so effortlessly hot? Because Adrian was the perfect definition of handsome. Those sunglasses only made him look even more irresistible. Given the chance, I could have stared at him all day-but my excitement to explore Hawaii pulled me back to reality.

The engine purred to life, and soon, we were on our way. Just as I had imagined-and as I had read countless times-Hawaii was pure paradise. The landscapes, the breeze, the golden sand... Everything felt like a dream.

When we finally arrived at the beach, we picked a spot to settle down. Adrian grabbed his gear and headed off to get changed for surfing while I took my time soaking in the breathtaking view in front of me.

Adrian's POV

I felt good about coming to the beach with Natasha. Not that it wasn't fun when I came alone, but something about her presence made it better.

Dressed in my surf gear, I carried my board under my arm as I walked toward her. That's when I noticed something different-her hair. She had let it down, allowing the breeze to play with it. It suited her better this way, framing her face perfectly.

"Enjoying the view?" I asked, dropping the tip of my surfboard into the sand.

She turned to me with a small smile. "Yeah. I see you're all set."

"Yeah. You can join me if you want," I offered with a grin.

She shook her head. "I can't surf."

"I can teach you," I smirked. "It's not as hard as it looks."

Natasha tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I think I'll pass."

I noticed the hesitation in her voice. "You're scared, aren't you?"

She hesitated before letting out a soft chuckle. "A little."

I laughed too. "I'll be there to guide you. Trust me."

Something flickered in her eyes-determination.

She met my gaze. "I'll trust you, then."

"Good," I said with a satisfied grin. "Let's get you dressed."

I led her to grab a wetsuit, and soon enough, we were out in the water. For a beginner, she was a quick learner, and it wasn't long before she was standing on the board, riding small waves with a mix of excitement and fear.

We surfed until the sun dipped below the horizon, then settled back on the beach. I pulled off my shirt, letting the cool breeze wash over me. Natasha, on the other hand, stood with her toes buried in the sand, completely mesmerized by the ocean. She turned to me, her eyes sparkling. "Did you know Hawaiian sunsets are more than just beautiful? They're part of the island's soul."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

She smiled, stepping closer. "Ancient Hawaiians believed that when the sun sets, it's guiding spirits to the next world. It's why some of the best views, like Ka'ena Point, feel so untouched-because it's sacred ground. Even now, people stop and watch as the sun dips into the Pacific. It's like the whole world slows down for a moment."

I hadn't really thought much about sunsets before. They were just something that happened every day. But the way Natasha spoke about them, with so much passion, made me see them differently.

"Haleakalā Summit," she continued, her voice soft. "It's one of the most breathtaking places to watch a sunset. You're above the clouds, looking down at the world, and for a moment, it feels like you're standing at the edge of heaven."

I smirked. "You sound like a tour guide."

She laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "you think so?"

That caught my attention. A spark of realization flickered in her eyes, and for the first time, she looked like she had an answer to the question I'd asked her last night-what do you want to do?

Maybe Natasha had just found her calling. And maybe, just maybe, I wanted to be the one to help her chase it. "yeah, I feel you will do a great job at that" I encouraged.

Natasha's POV

"You sound like a tour guide."

Those words lit something inside me-like a spark I never knew existed. Maybe Adrian was right. I'd always loved adventures, always loved reading about the history of places. How have I never thought of becoming a tour guide myself? The more I mulled it over, the more it felt like... me. It felt like something I could actually be good at or was it just my thought?

"Hey... you good?" Adrian's voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked, shaking off my thoughts. "Yeah... I don't know. Just... feeling a bit happy."

Adrian's lips curved into a smile. "Is that so?" He tilted his head, his deep eyes locked on mine. "Why don't we make the night more fun? I heard Hawaii has the best night views... How about we go see them? Better idea-you be my tour guide for the night."

My heart skipped a beat. "Really?"

He chuckled, leaning against the surfboard. "Yeah. I'll be your first client. Show me what you've got."

A smile spread across my face, excitement bubbling inside me. I couldn't believe how quickly my mood had shifted. few days ago, I thought my life had no direction. Now, standing under the Hawaiian night sky, I was about to discover something new about myself.

"Okay, deal! Since you're my first client, you get a free tour... starting from the top three best night views in Hawaii."

Adrian laughed. "Lucky me."

We rushed back to change, then hit the road.

I never thought I'd enjoy showing someone around. With Adrian behind the wheel, I took on the role of his personal guide, directing him from one breathtaking view to another.

Our first stop was Mount Tantalus-a hilltop lookout that gave us a sweeping view of Honolulu's glittering skyline. I watched Adrian's face light up as he admired the city below.

"Not bad, huh?" I teased.

He smirked. "Alright, tour guide... you might just have a future in this."

Our next stop was Diamond Head Lookout-a quiet cliffside where the city lights melted into the ocean. The night breeze brushed against my skin as I closed my eyes, taking in the peaceful sound of waves crashing in the distance.

I felt... alive.

Our final destination was Ko Olina-a quiet, secluded spot perfect for stargazing. Adrian laid out a blanket while I rambled on about Hawaiian legends tied to the stars. He listened-really listened-and for the first time, I felt like I was talking about something that mattered.

By the time we wrapped up the night, I had unknowingly found something that made me feel whole.

We ended the tour at a cozy seafood restaurant tucked deep in the city-53 By The Sea. The place was buzzing, with soft music playing in the background. The warm lights flickered off the glass windows, and I couldn't help but feel proud of myself.

I glanced at Adrian across the table, his eyes fixed on me like he was seeing me in a whole new light.

"You're good at this, you know?" he said softly.

His words settled deep inside me.

I never thought I'd find more to life than being a bed warmer or planning to live a quiet life tucked away from the world. But meeting Adrian... he made me realize that maybe-just maybe-I was meant for more.........