Waves of reality.

A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE.

Adrian and Serene settled into their seats in the expansive VVIP lounge of the hotel. The room exuded elegance, adorned with oversized sofas and a beautifully set dining table. The atmosphere was intimate, creating the perfect ambiance for a memorable evening.

As the waiter began to serve the first round of dishes, Serene couldn't help but be both shocked and delighted. The meal consisted of all her favorite dishes. She was taken aback by the thoughtful selection, and a curious thought crossed her mind. How did Adrian know about her favorite dishes? She had never discussed her preferences with him.

Serene decided to push the question aside, attributing it to Jenna or Mary, thinking that they might have shared this information with Adrian to make the evening special for her.

Throughout the dinner, Serene found herself stealing glances at Adrian. She couldn't help but be captivated by his presence, his warm smile, and the way his eyes sparkled in the dimly lit room.

Jenna, ever the observant friend, had been noticing every subtle interaction between Serene and Adrian throughout the dinner. As the evening continued, she couldn't resist nudging Serene beneath the table, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. She leaned closer and mouthed the word "kiss" to Serene, her eyes filled with excitement.

Serene rolled her eyes in response, trying to hide the blush that was creeping up her cheeks. The thought of kissing Adrian had crossed her mind, but it was a complex situation, and she wasn't sure how to approach it.

After dinner, Jenna concocted a clever excuse to drag Serene to the restroom, eager to hear every detail of the evening.

Jenna: (excited) "Spill the beans, Serene."

Serene playfully folded her arms across her chest and teased Jenna.

Serene: "I'd rather spill red wine on this beautiful dress of yours. Come on, Jenna."

Jenna rolled her eyes, her excitement undiminished.

Jenna: "Fine, be that way. Just tell me how your first kiss was."

Serene sighed, realizing that Jenna was relentlessly curious.

Serene: "Jenna, we didn't kiss. Now, if you're done, can we head back?"

Jenna sensed that there was something more on Serene's mind, something she wanted to ask. However, before she could inquire further, Serene had already left the restroom.

When Serene returned to the VVIP lounge, she found Adrian standing on the balcony, his back broad and his muscles visible through his black shirt. As he turned to face her, their eyes met for a brief moment, and an electric spark seemed to pass between them. Serene longed to tell him not to go, to hold onto this unspoken bond they had formed, but she was acutely aware that their connection was complex and undefined, built on a foundation of kindness and generosity rather than a traditional romantic relationship.

As Adrian concluded his phone call, he walked over to Serene, a gentle smile on his face. His fingers brushed the hair behind her ear, and their eyes locked in an intimate gaze. Serene felt a strong desire to hold him close, but she held back, not wanting to appear desperate or reveal the emotions that had slowly grown within her.

She had become accustomed to Adrian's presence, and the magnetic pull of his amber-green eyes was undeniable. However, their moment of connection was interrupted as Adrian whispered softly, his words carrying a sense of finality.

Adrian: "Everything is arranged for my departure. It's time to head back home."

A wave of sadness washed over Serene. She nodded, taking a step back, her heart heavy with unspoken words and emotions. Adrian remained in the same position, his expression a mix of longing and regret.

Serene turned to Jenna and Mary, her voice steady despite the ache in her heart.

Serene: "It's time to head back."

With that, she walked out of the VVIP lounge, and Adrian followed closely behind, with Jenna and Mary trailing behind them.

Adrian offered to drive Jenna and Mary back home, and they accepted his offer. The car ride was mostly silent, with Serene gazing out of the window, lost in her thoughts. Her behavior had become somewhat unusual, and Jenna and Mary couldn't help but exchange puzzled glances. They decided to give her some space and planned to ask her about it later.

As they drove, Serene remained quiet, her emotions churning inside her. She didn't utter a word, lost in the turmoil of her own feelings. Jenna and Mary could sense that something was bothering her, but they respected her need for silence.

Finally, they reached Jenna's and Mary's respective destinations, and it was Serene's turn to get dropped off. Her apartment building came into view, and the knot in her stomach tightened. She was determined to hold back her tears, to avoid looking weak in front of Adrian.

Serene deliberately avoided making eye contact with him, not wanting to appear too emotional or to burden him with her feelings. After all, Adrian had never expressed romantic interest in her, and she didn't want to assume anything that might not be true. Her heart ached, but she kept her emotions well-guarded as she prepared to say her farewell. 

As Adrian's car came to a stop in front of Serene's apartment building, she hastily opened the car door. Without looking at him, she softly muttered, "Goodbye, Adrian." She knew that if she lingered any longer, her emotions might get the best of her, and she wanted to avoid saying something that she might later regret.

Adrian watched in bewilderment as Serene quickly exited the car, leaving him momentarily stunned. Acting on instinct, he too stepped out of the car without a second thought. Before his mind could catch up to his actions, he reached out, gently grasping Serene's hand, and turned her to face him.

As their eyes met, Serene couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She pulled him into a tight hug, burying her face in his chest. Time seemed to stand still for both of them as Serene's tears flowed uncontrollably. When they finally separated, Adrian saw her tear-streaked face and couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.

With tenderness, Adrian wiped away her tears with his finger and asked, "Serene, why are you crying?"

Serene gazed at him through her blurry vision and replied softly, "I don't know why I'm crying."

Adrian chuckled softly at her answer and continued to wipe her face gently, though her tears showed no sign of stopping. Without hesitation, he pulled her into another tight embrace, holding her fiercely as if he couldn't bear to let her go.

Adrian's gaze seemed distant as he stared into the sky while hugging her, as if he was wrestling with some inner turmoil. After a while, he reluctantly released her. With heavy hearts, they both uttered their goodbyes, and Serene made her way into her apartment.

As soon as she closed the door behind her, she allowed herself to cry her heart out. Adrian hadn't given her any assurance that they would meet again, and the doubt in her heart grew stronger. It felt as if he had said his final goodbye, leaving her with a sense of uncertainty about their future.

After her emotional breakdown, Serene was utterly drained. Her crying session had lasted nearly an hour, and she couldn't bear the overwhelming sense of loneliness that had settled over her once again. As she made her way to her bed, her legs felt shaky, her makeup was smudged, and the beautiful dress Adrian had bought her was now a complete mess.

She began to remove her heels, her thoughts a jumbled mess, when her eyes fell upon the side of the room where several shopping bags were neatly lined up. Serene was taken aback, realizing that she had completely forgotten about the shopping spree amidst the emotional turmoil of the evening. Adrian had been considerate enough to bring all those bags into her room without her even knowing.

The sight of those bags stirred a mix of emotions within her,gratitude for Adrian's thoughtfulness and a profound sense of loss for his impending departure. Overwhelmed by it all, Serene lay down on her bed, her body heavy with exhaustion. In her own way of coping with situations she couldn't bear, her body seemed to shut itself down, embracing the solace of sleep as a refuge from the emotional storm that had engulfed her.