She had never expected her new relationship to unfold so quickly.
Ashley thought she would need time to adjust, but to her surprise, the transition felt almost effortless. The initial awkwardness faded within days and what started as hesitant touches soon became second nature.%
That weekend, Alejandro invited her to play tennis, looking completely different from his usual composed self.
Dressed in a tennis outfit and athletic shoes, he was fully geared up.
On the court, he moved with ease–swinging his racket, running, jumping. His laughter was light and carefree, his smile boyish and unguarded. Sweat dampened his dark hair, sticking to his forehead.
At that moment, he looked like a seventeen–year–old, full of youthful energy. No one would have guessed he was nearly thirty.N
His skill caught her off guard. Alejandro played with quiet confidence, his movements sharp and controlled. Every serve, every return, was precise, his rhythm steady, as if the outcome had already been decided.%
It wasn’t long before Ashley was completely outmatched.
Sensing her waning enthusiasm, Alejandro took the opportunity to stop. “I’m getting a little tired,” he said, though he barely looked winded.N
She waved him over and he approached, a bit wary.N
“What is it?”
Holding his racket in one hand, Alejandro slipped the tennis ball into his pocket. His face was glistening with sweat, his breathing still a little uneven.N
“Here, let me wipe your sweat.” Ashley pulled out a tissue, reaching up to dab the fine sheen of sweat on Alejandro’s forehead.
He hesitated for a second, his ears flushing red, but his body was far more honest–he obediently bent down, a goofy smile playing on his lips as he waited for her touch.N
She had noticed before that when he wasn’t smiling, his features could seem distant, even cold. But the moment he did, that cool exterior melted away, replaced by something effortlessly warm and inviting.
Feeling playful, she teased, “I didn’t expect you to be this good. You completely crushed my fighting spirit.“%
“I don’t think I’ll dare play against you again.“N
Alejandro swallowed, suddenly looking tense. “Then… I can go easy on you next time?“W
He carefully studied her expression, only to realize she was stifling a laugh. Relaxing, he playfully flicked her nose.
Ashley laughed, shaking her head. Being with Alejandro–even in the simplest moments–felt easy. Light.
For so long, happiness had felt fleeting, like something that slipped through her fingers just as she reached for it. But with him, every day felt different. Warmer. Steadier.N
“You ook really handsome today,” she said, meaning it.
Alejandro raised an eyebrow. “So I wasn’t handsome yesterday?”
Ashley narrowed her eyes–he was baiting her.N
After a thoughtful pause, she smirked. “Compared to before, you look especially handsome today.”
The man raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his bottled water. “Looks like, from now on, I’ll have to be even more handsome to keep you interested.”
They had a great time outside and by the time the sun set, they returned to Ashley’s apartment.W
She cooked two steaks and pulled out chilled glasses from the fridge, pouring two cold beers.N
After a good workout, nothing feels better than sipping on a cold beer. Taking a sip, Ashley absentmindedly turned on the TV. The international news channel was covering a major car accident.
The footage from the winding mountain road showed the entire crash. At first, she didn’t think much of it–until the host, with a distinct Puerto Vendaval accent, announced Max’s name.
Her eyes widened and her grip on the glass tightened.”
On the mountain road, an unremarkable SUV was rear–ended by a heavy truck as it approached an intersection. The SUV was knocked off course, but the driver quickly regained control and accelerated forward, with the truck speeding after it.
It was clear now–this was a targeted attack.
The SUV could have outrun the truck by speeding up, but then another truck appeared from the opposite direction, trapping it.
The two trucks collided with force and the SUV tried to break free by swerving to the right. But going too fast, it blew a
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He carefully studied her expression, only to realize she was stifling a laugh. Relaxing, he playfully flicked her nose./
Ashley laughed, shaking her head. Being with Alejandro–even in the simplest moments–felt easy. Light.”
For so long, happiness had felt fleeting, like something that slipped through her fingers just as she reached for it. But with him, every day felt different. Warmer. Steadier.”
“You look really handsome today,” she said, meaning it.”
Alejandro raised an eyebrow. “So I wasn’t handsome yesterday?”
Ashley narrowed her eyes–he was baiting her.
After a thoughtful pause, she smirked. “Compared to before, you look especially handsome today.“%
The man raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his bottled water. “Looks like, from now on, I’ll have to be even more handsome to keep you interested.”
They had a great time outside and by the time the sun set, they returned to Ashley’s apartment.
She cooked two steaks and pulled out chilled glasses from the fridge, pouring two cold beers.
After a good workout, nothing feels better than sipping on a cold beer. Taking a sip, Ashley absentmindedly turned on the TV. The international news channel was covering a major car accident.
The footage from the winding mountain road showed the entire crash. At first, she didn’t think much of it–until the host, with a distinct Puerto Vendaval’accent, announced Max’s name.”
Her eyes widened and her grip on the glass tightened.”
On the mountain road, an unremarkable SUV was rear–ended by a heavy truck as it approached an intersection. The SUV was knocked off course, but the driver quickly regained control and accelerated forward, with the truck speeding after it.”
It was clear now–this was a targeted attack.”
The SUV could have outrun the truck by speeding up, but then another truck appeared from the opposite direction, trapping it.
The two trucks collided with force and the SUV tried to break free by swerving to the right. But going too fast, it blew a
tire and rolled off the cliff.
