BEYOND THE LOVE

CHAPTER 47:

As I woke up, I noticed the room was empty. The morning light filtered through the curtains, and I stretched, feeling a mix of peace and confusion. After freshening up, I went downstairs, only to find the house eerily quiet. "Where did everyone go?" I whispered to myself.

Just then, Chris emerged from the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee. He spotted me and stepped forward with a warm smile. "Wanna have some coffee?"

At first, I shook my head, then quickly changed it to a nod. Chris laughed, the sound light and comforting. "I'll bring it over, wait a minute."

As he disappeared back into the kitchen, I glanced at the clock. It was 11:17, almost noon. Time had slipped away from me. Suddenly, I heard laughter coming from outside. "Where ARE your eyes, Suha?" Ji Woon's playful voice carried through the open window.

Curious, I moved closer and saw Suha, Kiah, Ji Woon, and Kyoto playing volleyball in the yard. The sight brought a smile to my face. Their joy was infectious, a reminder of the simple pleasures amidst our complicated lives.

Chris returned with a steaming cup of coffee. "Here it is," he said, handing it to me.

"Thanks," I replied, taking a sip and savoring the warmth.

"I have a bit of work to do, so I'll be heading to my room," Chris said, giving me a nod as he headed upstairs.

As I stood there, Ju Yan walked in from the kitchen. He saw me and smiled. "Wanna join us?" he asked, gesturing toward the living room.

Curious, I followed Ju Yan into the living room, where I saw Ivan, Rein, and Juan gathered around a table, playing cards. The sight of them, relaxed and focused, was a stark contrast to the chaos that had been our recent reality.

Ivan looked up first, a welcoming smile spreading across his face. "HI Nara! Are you joining us?"

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I will."

Ju Yan and I pulled up chairs and settled in. The atmosphere was surprisingly light, filled with the sound of shuffling cards and playful banter. Ivan dealt the cards, his movements swift and practiced.

As we started playing, Ivan looked at me with a grin. "You any good at this, Nara?"

I smirked, trying to keep my nerves in check. "We'll see, won't we?"

Juan chuckled. "Just don't go too easy on her, Ivan. She might surprise you."

Ju Yan leaned in, studying his cards. "So, Nara, any interesting dreams last night?"

I paused, remembering the intensity of my conversation with Ivan on the beach. "Nothing too crazy," I lied, focusing on my cards to avoid his gaze.

The game progressed with lighthearted conversations and occasional bursts of laughter. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, I could feel Rein's eyes on me, a silent weight that made my heart race. His presence was like a magnet, drawing my attention even when I tried to focus on the game.

Rein's gaze was intense, and every time I looked up, I found him watching me with an unreadable expression. It was as if he was searching for something in my face, something he couldn't quite grasp. 

.

.

.

At one point, Ivan nudged me, bringing me back to the game. "Your turn, Nara."

I glanced at my cards, my mind struggling to focus. "Right, sorry." I played my hand, but my thoughts were elsewhere, tangled up in the emotions swirling around Rein and me.