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Chapter One
Cara
Strolling out towards the living room that opened towards the beach, I relished in the glorious view that stretched before my eyes. I let out a satisfying sigh before a soft smile played about my lips. Times like these were treasured and warranted. All the troubled moments I had endured, finding peace within one’s mind, within one’s soul was priceless. And in this very moment, I had gained solace and was at peace with myself. The guilt and the damning voices had all hushed, buried back into the deep trenches of my subconscious, hopefully never to resurface again.
It had been a few days since we arrived at this beautiful gem of a Spanish bungalow in Capistrano. The honeysweet scent of blooms wafting from the gardens, mixed with the salty air coming from the ocean, stirred my senses to complacency. Lined with palm trees, surrounded by plushy San Diego red bougainvillea hanging around the walls, it was beautifully situated right on the beach. The perfect spot to bask in the breathtaking warmth of sunrises and sunsets.
I adored waking up with the sun kissing my face as the soft breeze brushed through my hair, lulling me into a serene acquiescence. It gave me a sense of perspective, a leap of faith, believing that the universe wasn’t against me, and that amidst the trivialities and difficulties of my past, I would succeed as long as I gave my entirety to the cause—mycause.
River found this perfect little hideaway, secure and secluded, distantly away from the prying eyes of the media and the hectic lifestyle it accompanied. A beautiful circus I was glad to have a short reprieve of.
We weaved a world of our own while having the thrill of our lives. Each day, it was as if we were making up for lost time, enjoying each other’s company. We made love, swam, played some music, dined, watched movies, then made love again by night’s end. It was pure bliss and one vacation that we had desperately needed to cement our newly-minted relationship.
We had needed to weed out whatever doubt and underlying questions we hadn’t spoken yet. He opened his heart, as did I, stripped from the falsities, baring naked our ugly and once broken souls. It was a terrifying process, but worth the risk. It made our bond stronger. It built a solid foundation. And a rebounded love that surpassed the conflicts, the heartaches, and the downfalls, creating a fiercer heart and a deeper faith in each other.
Reflecting on the events that transpired a few days ago still sickened me.
Somehow, River seemed insouciant, serene and carefree, as he smothered me with love and attention each day as if it were the last. He was the ultimate lover.
Life with him was beyond bliss. It vanished the shadows that hid in the small crevices of my tattered soul, completing me again.
Breaking into a gentle smile as I finished applying my light tincture of makeup, I started fixing my hair, allowing my long, dark, silky tresses to cascade down my back before accessorizing it with a pink silk handkerchief. It had prettily complimented the long, white maxi dress and espadrilles.
Checking side to side that everything was secured, I was just about to walk out of the bathroom when River strode in, magnificently naked, cheekily winking at me.
“Move your sexy little butt out of the way,” River tittered, lightly tapping my bottom as he headed straight into the white marbled walk-in shower, whistling as he did.
Even to this day, I still couldn’t get enough of gawking at his perfectly sculpted backside. It was just plain beautiful.
“You have ten minutes, babe,” I called out, reminding him that our dinner reservation was in twenty minutes, as I watched him get under the hot spray of water.
“Yes, ma’am,” I heard him say as I left him.
He had been consumed with writing in his journal while strumming out tunes with his guitar. Once he got in the zone, I normally left him be so he could delve deeply into his creative mind and get his music juju flowing.
While I waited for him, I toyed with the idea of having a glass of wine before my eyes took an appreciative gaze at the beautiful scenic backdrop. Then my gaze flickered towards the black leather journal, unattended and abandoned on the Spartan couch.
River had been hanging on to it as though it was his lifeline. I knew it consisted of his dark thoughts and everything in between. I briefly contemplated if I should peek through it, but before I could, River darted out of the bedroom, dressed in preppy chino shorts, boat shoes, and a crew-neck shirt. Yes, the man could pull off dressing like a grunge biker and a preppy model without problem.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, petal. I’m ready.” He strode towards me then dipped his head and thoroughly kissed me. “Mmm, why are you always so delectable?”
The fresh scent of his body wash hit my senses and, for a brief moment, I contemplated if we should have another shag session. But, as much as I loved kissing him, if we didn’t get our butts out the door, we would most likely miss our reservation.
“Later. We can continue this later. We gotta go.” I laughed as I maneuvered us out the door and into his favorite matted Range.
“Do you have the address?” he asked with an expectant look as he secured his seatbelt.
Leaning against the cool black leather with languid satisfaction, I shot him a quick glance. “Can’t you Siri it or something? It’s called The Vintage Steakhouse.” Who memorized addresses these days?
He bore those dark depths into me, lightly mocking, “One of these days, your phone’s going to die. How are you going to function without the AI at your fingertips?”
“I’m sure I’ll have you or Anton to do all the hard work for me.”
“Aren’t you the lucky one.” He grinned before pulling out his phone and did as I asked. With Siri’s guidance, we arrived at our destination without a hitch.
We dined on lobsters and filet mignon. We normally shared what we ate—we were that kind of couple. I wasn’t sure if it was the result of growing up in the same household together, or we were simply made that way. Nevertheless, that was how it was between us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
While our plates were being taken away, the kind-natured waiter discreetly placed a dessert menu before us.
