Seeing those tears in her eyes yesterday made me realise one thing: Despite everything I don't want to be the reason for her tears. Ever.

She made me feel so guilty in a matter of few seconds and it wasn't a enjoyable feeling.

She really know how to mess up with my mind.

"This is dangerous and stupid, Elysian." Hector's word echoed in the empty kitchen, early in the morning as I prepared coffee with him on the speaker.

"Let me worry about those things. And you worry about the things I asked you to do. I want you to make sure there aren't any Caligos lurking outside anywhere at this moment, make your men scan down the whole area."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to, Hector. Stop questioning me and have some trust in me." I poured myself a cup of coffee.

He sighed softly. "You know I trust you."

"So, just let me do what I want to and you do your part, okay?"

"Okay." He responded a few seconds later and hung up the call.

I glanced at the time displayed on my lock screen. 5:32 am. Time to wake her up.

I took a few sips of my coffee to wake me up enough and went upstairs to the bedroom, where she was sleeping on her stomach, her face buried in the pillow.

"Farren, wake up."

She continued to sleep so I bent down and gently shook her shoulder. "Wake up." And she swat away my arm.

"Farren." I said a little loudly. "Get up if you don't wanna get late. We have to leave now."

She finally groaned loudly. "What time is it?"

"5:35 am." I told her the exact time which made her groan even more loudly.

"Are you serious right now? Office starts at 10."

"We are not going to the office today, I took a leave on your behalf."

"Go away, asshole!"

"You wanted to go somewhere, right? So, I am taking you out and this is the best time to leave so get up." I explained to her and the frown disappeared from her face and I thought she had fell asleep however, ten seconds later, she sprang up and sat up straight with her eyes wide open.

"We are going out?"

I nodded. "Yes."

All the sleep seemed to have vanished from her and she kneeled on the edge of the bed. "Really? Where?"

"To a beach."

"Beach? We don't have a beach in DC, asshole."

I rubbed my temples. "I'm aware of that so that's why we are going to a nearby beach which is an hour and half away so it would be a lot more convenient if you could get ready quickly. Thank you very much."

Her eyes were literally twinkling and she jumped off the bed and hopped inside the bathroom making me smile at her childish actions.

.

.

.

"It isn't fair that I can't bring Nora and Zeke along." She huffed, sitting beside me inside the car.

I kept a keen eye on our surroundings in case I see someone suspicious. "They would have taken time to get ready while we are limited on time. And I don't like that Zeke thing."

"For the millionth time, he is a human not a thing. I'm pretty sure by this time that you have a hearing problem. Don't worry I will get you an appointment with a good doctor."

If I would give her a reply to that she is going to reply back and if she keeps talking anymore my head would explode so kept silent.

She opened her purse and rummaged through it and pulled out an energy bar which she opened and stuffed in her mouth.

"Give me one too." I told her.

"Nope. You can't eat while driving, it's dangerous. Shouldn't you know better, Mr Bodyguard?" She drawled.

"Don't call me that."

"Then what should I call you? Husband?" And she scoffed at the last word.

I pressed my lips into a thin line to refrain myself from arguing with her but I was hungry.

"Farren. Give me an energy bar." After much contemplation, I added. "Please. I'm hungry."

"You should have eaten something at home then...not my problem..."

God. Please save me from her.

A minute passed by and she sighed softly and pulled out another energy bar and taking off its wrapper, she held it up to my mouth. "Here."

I glanced at her in confusion and then at the energy bar and she scolded immediately. "Eyes on the road! Haven't you watched Doctor Strange? Keep your eyes on the road and eat...like this only."

Okay. This is weird. But no problem.

I took a bite of the energy bar and kept driving and she kept holding it up for me till it was finished.

"Another." I asked her and she scowled for a second but complied anyway.

Once it was finished too, she dusted off her fingers and sat back quietly for the rest of the ride.

.

.

.

"It's completely empty, wow." She remarked in amazement as we stepped onto the beach and I felt the wind running through my hair. This feels good for a change.

All of a sudden, she started to run around me in circles, throwing her hands up in the air. "Wohoo! This is amazing!"

And she fell face first in the sand and I feared she might have hurt herself and I was about to help her when she rolled over, laughing loudly. "This is so fucking good! It's been so long since I came to a beach!"

And she started to move her legs and hands in the sand. "Look, I am making a sand angel! Come, you should do it too!"

"No thanks." And I proceeded to spread out the sheet that we bought with ourselves on the sand and I placed the tiffin boxes too there along with a small ice box that contained a tub of coconut ice cream. For me. And only me.

"Okay, I am going to change! Give me the car keys." She announced.

I was on my feet without even paying her much attention. "I'll accompany you."

She deadpanned. "Are you going to watch me change?"

What?!

My eyes widened and I looked away. "N-no."

"Did you just stutter?" She cocked her head in curiousty.

"No!" I yelled and tossed her the car keys. "Just don't run away."

"Are you crazy? This place is awesome, why would I run away?" And then she was walking to the car and even though I wanted to keep an eye on her for her safety, I didn't look back.

And when she came back...

Breath got knocked out of my chest on seeing her scandalous bikini when she twirled around infront of me.

My jaw almost dropped and my knees buckled before I forced myself to regain balance once again and I averted my eyes instantly and I blushed. Hard. Fuck. My fists clenched and I shut my eyes tightly.

"Um...are you okay? Is something wrong?"

I opened my eyes but kept them lowered. "Can you... please...change back to normal clothes?"

"Why? Is this not looking good?"

I ran my hand down my face. "No...I mean... that's not what I meant... please change..."

"What's the problem though? I can wear whatever I want. Anyway, I am going inside the water...you are free to join me."

Join her? In my fucking dreams.

God, why do you have to put me in such situations?

Running my fingers through my hair in frustration, I sat down on the sheet that I had spread on the sand cross legged and trying my absolute best to ignore her, I took out my tub of ice cream and taking out a spoon, I started to devour it.

I could hear her splashing the water around but I dared not lift my head and before I knew it, I had eaten the whole tub of ice cream. Shit. Extra push ups and pull ups today.

I kept the now empty ice cream tub aside and was about to lay down when a pair of bare legs came into my view. "You know, it's no fun being in the water alone. Why don't you come inside too?"

"I'm fine."

"Ever since I changed my clothes you haven't even looked at me once. Why? Why are you acting like a virgin?"

My jaw clenched. "I don't feel comfortable...seeing...you...naked... almost naked I mean..."

"C'mon it's not your first time seeing a woman naked. I'm sure you have seen many."

Why does she always assume that?

I hummed in response and remained silent, she stood there for a minute before I watched her walk past me.

When she came back and sat down beside me on the sand, I noticed from the corner of my eyes that she was wearing her t shirt over that bikini now though her bottom half remained as it was, I still sighed heavily in relief and finally glanced at her.

"Is it okay now?" She asked softly in a low voice, giving me a small smile.

I nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

She nodded back and just stared ahead at the sea as I watched her hair strands falling over her face and how she kept tucking them behind her ear.

She has a beautiful heart, I was sure. She just didn't know how to express it and these little acts of her made my heart warm.

In a flash her head turned towards me and I randomly picked up something lying nearby and held it up to her so that she wouldn't realise that I was staring at her like a creep. "Hungry?"

She glanced down and then at me. "It's...empty."

What? I looked down to see I was holding the ice cream tub which was completely empty since I had already eaten it.

"Oh...I...um..." I picked up the sandwiches this time instead and handed it to her which she accepted saving me from further embarrassment.

.

.

.

We stayed there for two hours and I drove us back home and it was already noon till then and Farren looked completely exhausted as she fell down on the couch.

Leaving her there, I was about to climb up the stairs when she called me, "Listen."

"Yes?" I faced her and she was already standing infront of me.

Her eyes were twinkling and she got on her tip toes and leaning closer brushed a light kiss on my jaw. "Thank you, Elysian for today and thank you for tolerating me."

I stared at her baffled and she patted me on my chest twice and gave me an encouraging smile before walking away, leaving me standing there spellbound.