Chapter 93 I Have Also Fallen
Every morning when I woke up and saw Edward next to me, it felt like I could believe in love again. But this morning was different. I woke up to find Edward already dressed and sitting on the sofa.
When he saw me awake, he stood up. "I'm heading back today. If you don't want to go back, you can stay and have fun here for a while longer."
My heart sank. I searched his eyes for answers, but he wouldn't meet my gaze, and panic started to set in.
"Going back?" I asked softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "Didn't you say you'd stay with me for a week?"
"There's some stuff at the company I need to deal with. And..." Edward trailed off, lost in thought.
"What happened?" I jumped out of bed and stood in front of him.
"Nothing." Edward took a deep breath.
"Then stay with me," I said, grabbing his hand and trying to be playful.
I thought he'd give in, but instead, he shook off my hand, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the door. "Enough! I'm going back to clean up the mess for you!"
His words cut through me like a knife, an unexpected and bitter sting. Theo had told me everything was fine and to enjoy my trip. What was going on?
"It was all for PR," Edward said, walking out with his suitcase. "Let me know when you're coming back, and I'll send a driver to pick you up at the airport." He added at the door.
It felt like a storm cloud had settled over me. I thought Edward's feelings for me were real, but it turned out it was just to let people see us traveling together to dispel those rumors.
Looking back, I just felt every passionate moment with Edward was like a joke.
After Edward left, I was bored lying alone in the hotel, so I decided to go for a walk. This island, nestled in the subtropics, was mild and comfortable, with tourists everywhere enjoying their vacations.
That night, I went to the beach and heard a beautiful guitar melody. Following the sound, I found a young man sitting on the sand, playing his guitar. His music was so captivating that I couldn't help but approach him.
We started talking, and I learned he was a lawyer from Astoria, also traveling alone. He had been to many places and seen many things over the years. His stories fascinated me, and we talked late into the night.
Later, we visited a famous local attraction, an ancient building complex on a hilltop, said to offer the best views of the island. We climbed the winding path, taking in the natural beauty around us. When the steps got steep, he'd naturally reach out to help me, and I'd take his hand without hesitation. For the next few days, we traveled together, looking like an ordinary couple. Seeing his slender figure, I suddenly wanted to be with him, to feel a man other than Edward.
I'd had a crush on Edward since I was 13, and now, at almost 27, I hadn't been with another man. Many times, I wanted to tell the lawyer from Astoria how I felt. I knew, deep down, that if I revealed my feelings, he would reciprocate. I could see it in his eyes—a familiar look that echoed the way Edward used to gaze at me.
But his courage and passion moved me, and I didn't want to ruin our pure travel friendship, so I kept quiet.
As the days passed, our journey together was coming to an end. On the night before we parted, we returned to the beach where we first met. The moonlight shone on the sand, and the lawyer gently strummed his guitar, playing a beautiful, slightly sad tune. We sat quietly, reminiscing about the roads we had walked, the sights we had seen, and the moments we had shared.
I sighed. "This journey has been wonderful, and I will always remember it."
The Astoria lawyer smiled at me, his eyes warm. "Me too, these days have been the most unforgettable part of my travels." The sea breeze brushed our faces, and his eyes were so gentle. We sat quietly on the beach, looking at the starry sky. As the night deepened, we found ourselves moving closer to each other, and it felt as though the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of intimacy.
He gently raised his hand, softly caressing my cheek, and said, "I think I've fallen in love with you."
At that moment, my heart raced, and I knew I had fallen too.
He slowly leaned in, and I could feel his gentle breath. The next second, his lips lightly touched mine. At that moment, it felt like the world had stopped, with only our heartbeats and the sound of the waves intertwining. His kiss was gentle and passionate, filled with endless tenderness. I closed my eyes, responding to his kiss, my hands climbing onto his shoulders.
Everything that followed was natural. This slender man was elegant in his actions, each movement carrying an unintentional grace. He was like an ancient book that needed to be slowly savored to understand its charm. His deep eyes seemed to hide endless stories, making me want to explore. This man was completely different from Edward's passionate dominance; he respected my body more.
At night, the waves gently lapped the shore, as if playing a symphony for us. The moonlight shone on us, recording this beautiful moment. I knew that no matter what the future held, this night would always remain in my memory.
The next day, I had to embark on my return journey. Edward had left on a private jet, so I had to go to the airport like an ordinary tourist. At the airport, the Astoria lawyer and I hugged goodbye, exchanged contact information, and promised to travel together again if we had the chance.
Watching his departing figure, I felt a bit reluctant. I was shocked by my bold thoughts. Was this still the Diana who used to only listen to Edward? At the same time, I understood that after today, we would continue our own journeys, and the lawyer from Astoria was just a passerby in my life. However, my interaction with him made me more aware of myself and strengthened my determination to become a lawyer.
I went through security alone and checked my luggage. I brought gifts for every colleague at the law firm. Although I hadn't spent much time with them, I knew they all genuinely cared for me. The plane took off, and the scenery on the ground gradually became smaller, eventually disappearing into the clouds.
The island that held my deep memories grew farther away, and a sense of inexplicable loneliness surged in my heart. Sitting alone by the window on the plane, I felt like a lonely traveler about to embark on an unknown journey.
I looked at the sea of clouds outside the window, imagining myself freely traversing this white world, without constraints, without pressure, only freedom. I felt a surge of empowerment, knowing I could chart my own course, choose my own destinations, and embrace the adventures awaiting me.
Perhaps after leaving Edward, I would find my own path in a new city, join a group of like-minded friends, and pursue our dreams together.
Maybe I would embark on a new journey, exploring every corner of the world, and experiencing different customs and cultural charms. Or perhaps I would meet the Astoria lawyer again, and we would rekindle our passion in a quiet town. I knew that on the long journey of life, loneliness would always accompany me.
As the plane began its descent, the familiar contours of the city emerged from the haze, becoming ever clearer with each passing moment. The loneliness and freedom in my heart intertwined, and I knew that no matter what awaited me ahead, I would face it bravely.
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