You were floating on your back in the ocean with your eyes closed as you felt the sun beating on your skin.
You let yourself float back onto your feet until you were standing. You quickly dunked yourself under the water before running your hands over your wet hair to get it out of your face and walking out of the water. Your eyes landed on Penelope sitting on a beach chair on the shore with her sunglasses on and a drink in her hand.
You softly smiled to yourself as you walked toward her.
She lifted her sunglasses and placed them on top of her head, she softly smiled as she looked up at you standing over her.
You looked at the drink in her hand and then back at her. "A spritz?" You questioned with a raised brow. "I'm really rubbing off on you, huh?"
She snickered. "Yeah. I guess you are. Also, are you really in Italy if you're not drinking spritz?" She asked in a mocking tone.
You softly giggled as you sat down in the beach chair next to her. You looked over at her side profile and your expression softened as you admired her. You grabbed her hand and held it as you rested it on your leg.
You looked down at her hand as you ran your thumb up and down the back of her hand.
"I, uh," You looked up at her to which she was already looking at you. "I'm really happy I met you." You said softly.
She looked slightly taken back before her expression softened. "I am too."
You softly snickered before your expression softened. "I know it's hard to believe, because I have the 'perfect' life. But, I was in a really bad place— mentally. Before I went to Punta Cana I was, uh," You took a deep breath. "I was really depressed. I tried doing things that made me feel in control, things that made me feel like I was worth something— It worked, but only to an extent." You wiped a tear that fell before locking eyes with her.
She had a look of sympathy in her eyes.
"You are so full of love, I think you rubbed off on me a little." You softly snickered. "I haven't felt the way I was feeling since I left Punta Cana. So, thank you. Thank you for being you, Penelope." You said softly with glossy eyes.
A tear fell from her eyes and she let out a small saddened smile. "Oh, honey." She grabbed onto your hand with her free hand. "Thank you for telling me that. I know you don't like talking about your feelings. So, thank you for trusting me." She said softly.
You softly smiled. "I told you, you're different." You let go of her hand. "I don't want you thinking I'm a broken piece of glass or something, but you once said you felt like you didn't know a lot about me. So, I've been trying to open up a little more."
"I'm proud of you." She said softly.
You softly smiled. "Thank you."
She picked up her drink off the side of the chair and handed it over to you with a raised brow.
You softly giggled before taking a sip and handing it back to her.
Four hours later.
You were both back at your villa, you both showered and got dressed after your day out. You were in your room finishing up your makeup while Angela and the girls were setting up for you downstairs. You had a simple satin slip dress on with your red bottom stilettos on. You walked out of your room and down the stairs. Your heels echoed on the granite as you walked down and you saw all the girls finishing up the backyard. You softly smiled as you walked outside. Your backyard had fairy lights hanging from some of the lower tree branches, the awnings and the cabana. Angela set up a small two top table for you with two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot. There were pink and red rose pedals on the floor leading to the table and a bouquet of pink roses on the table as well.
