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As the lather built up, Antonio massaged it into his skin, taking care to clean the cuts on his knuckles. The soap stung slightly, but he welcomed the sensation. It was a reminder of his physical reality, a grounding contrast to the tumult of his thoughts. He ran his hands over his chest, his abs, feeling the tension slowly ebb away with each stroke. He then turned his attention to his hair, working the shampoo into a thick lather. The scent was refreshing, a mix of mint and eucalyptus that cleared his mind a little. He massaged his scalp, letting the shampoo cleanse away the sweat and dirt. As he rinsed it out, he felt a small sense of renewal. Antonio stood under the spray a while longer, letting the water cascade over him, washing away the soap and the remnants of his breakdown. He tilted his head back, letting the water run down his face, his eyes closed. For a few moments, he allowed himself to simply exist, the water a soothing, constant presence. Finally, he turned off the shower and stepped out, reaching for a soft, white towel. He dried himself off methodically, each movement deliberate and controlled. He wrapped the towel around his waist and wiped the steam from the mirror, staring at his reflection. He looked calmer, more composed. But the fire in his eyes hadn’t dimmed. Antonio walked back into the bedroom, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The bath had given him a momentary reprieve, but the thoughts of Evelyn’s betrayal and his need for revenge were still fresh. He would deal with her. But for now, he needed to rest, to gather his strength for what was to come. Evelyn’s POV”Wakey wakey, princess,” Alex said as I woke up, seeing him with a bright smile. I had slept well the previous night, momentarily forgetting I had escaped from Antonio’s mansion and that they’d be looking for me. I woke up feeling good, but the thoughts rushed back at me. I let out a dry smile to Alex as I collected the cup from him.”Good morning, Alex. I really appreciate you for letting me into your house even though you don’t know me,” I said sincerely.”Good morning, Emily.” I looked down, feeling guilty that I had to lie about my name for my protection.”Can you tell me why you looked the way I met you yesterday? It seemed like you were being chased by someone,” Alex asked curiously. I didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how to start explaining, and the need to hide my identity weighed heavily on my mind.”It’s nothing. My uncle… just sent me out of his house,” I struggled to say, rushing my words. An observant person would immediately know I was lying, but it seemed like Alex didn’t notice.”Why did…” He was about to ask when I interrupted.”Please, I don’t want to talk about it. I just need to take it off my mind for a while,” I said with a pleading look.”Oh… It’s fine. I understand how you feel. I’ll make you forget all your problems. I’m a vibe,” Alex said.”Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate it,” I said, finally breathing out, happy that I wasn’t going to explain anymore. Alex grinned and clapped his hands together. “Alright, Emily, let’s get your mind off things. How do you feel about kayaking? There’s a beautiful lake nearby, and it’s so peaceful out there.”I smiled, appreciating his efforts. “I’ve never tried kayaking before, but it sounds fun.””Great! And after that, we can grab some lunch at this fantastic little cafe I know. They have the best sandwiches in town. Then, if you’re up for it, there’s a local fair happening today. We could check out the games and rides,” Alex suggested enthusiastically.”That sounds amazing, Alex. I could really use a day of fun,” I replied, feeling a bit lighter.”Perfect. We’ll leave in an hour. Make yourself at home, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything,” he said, giving me a reassuring smile. As Alex left to get ready, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for his kindness. Even though he didn’t know the truth about me, his willingness to help a stranger was heartwarming. I decided to embrace the day and allow myself to enjoy the moment, hoping that I could momentarily escape the worries that haunted me. I was very far from Antonio’s house and I guessed they wouldn’t find me. Alex went to a closet and pulled out a duffel bag. He rummaged through it for a moment before turning to me with a smile. “Hey, I found some clothes that belonged to my ex-girlfriend. I think they might fit you,” he said, handing me a neatly folded outfit. The clothes consisted of light-wash denim shorts, a white off-the-shoulder blouse with delicate lace trim, and a soft pink cardigan. “These should be comfortable for the day,” Alex said. I took the clothes from him, feeling a mix of gratitude and awkwardness. “Thanks, Alex. These are really nice.””No problem. The bathroom is just down the hall to the left if you want to freshen up,” he pointed out. I rushed to the bathroom, eager to get ready. The shower was quick but refreshing. I washed away the grime of yesterday, feeling a bit of my anxiety slip away with the water. After drying off, I dressed in the clothes Alex had given me. The outfit fit surprisingly well and was both comfortable and stylish. I took a moment to appreciate how good it felt to be clean and in fresh clothes. Meanwhile, Alex was preparing too. I could hear him moving around in the next room. When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found him dressed casually yet put-together in dark jeans, a navy blue polo shirt, and white sneakers.”Wow, you look great,” I said, genuinely impressed. Alex gave me a once-over and grinned. “You look amazing, Emily. Ready to go?””Absolutely. Let’s make this a day to remember,” I said, feeling a bit of excitement bubbling up despite everything. As we headed out, I couldn’t help but feel a little hopeful. Maybe today would be the distraction I needed, a chance to experience a bit of normalcy in the midst of chaos. Alex and I left the house with a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. He locked the door behind us, and we walked to his car, a sleek black sedan parked in the driveway. He opened the passenger door for me with a gallant gesture.”After you, m’lady,” he said with a playful bow. I chuckled and slid into the seat, feeling a rush of gratitude for his kindness. As he started the car, the engine purred to life, and we backed out of the driveway onto the quiet suburban street.”First stop, the lake,” Alex announced, navigating through the morning traffic with ease. The drive took us through scenic routes lined with trees and fields. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a clear blue, promising a perfect day for outdoor activities. We chatted casually about various topics-music, favorite movies, funny anecdotes from our childhoods. Alex had a way of making me feel at ease, and for a while, I almost forgot the chaos I had left behind. After about thirty minutes, we arrived at the lake. It was a picturesque spot with calm, clear water reflecting the vibrant colors of the surrounding forest. A few kayaks were lined up on the shore, and people were already out paddling, enjoying the beautiful day.”Here we are,” Alex said, parking the car. “Ready to try kayaking?””I am,” I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “I’ve never done this before, so you’ll have to guide me.””Don’t worry, it’s easy. You’ll get the hang of it in no time,” Alex assured me. We walked to the rental stand, where he paid for a double kayak and handed me a life jacket.”Safety first,” he said with a wink. I put on the life jacket, feeling a bit clumsy, but Alex helped adjust the straps, making sure it was snug but comfortable. Once we were ready, Alex led the way to the shore, where he helped me into the front seat of the kayak. He then climbed in behind me, and with a few strong pushes, we were gliding out onto the water.”Just follow my lead,” he instructed as he began paddling. I mimicked his movements, dipping the paddle into the water and pulling it back in smooth, steady strokes. It took a few tries to get the rhythm right, but soon we were moving in sync.”This is amazing,” I said, looking around at the serene landscape. The water was so clear that I could see fish swimming below the surface, and the gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of pine.”Yeah, it’s one of my favorite places to relax,” Alex agreed. “I come here whenever I need to clear my head.”RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only