Nora, a 26-year-old dreamer living in the bustling heart of Paris, feels trapped in the confines of her predictable life. Stuck in a rut with unfulfilled dreams and job frustrations, her only solace is her childhood crush-Zac Efron, the beacon of ho...
The morning light streamed through the curtains, but the bed felt emptier than usual. I woke up alone, the warmth of Zac's presence from the night before lingering on the sheets. As I was about to sit up, the bedroom door creaked open, revealing Zac standing in the doorway, topless and holding a breakfast tray in his hands.
"Good morning," he said with a tender smile, stepping inside. "I thought you deserved breakfast in bed, especially after our first night together... and hopefully not the last."
A warmth spread through my chest, and I returned his smile. "Thank you, Zac. This is perfect," I whispered before pulling him in for a kiss.
We ate breakfast in bed, savoring the quiet moments between us. I couldn't help but feel the weight of the day ahead—my departure back to France loomed over us.
After breakfast, I suggested, "Why don't we head to the pool and make the most of our time together before I have to go? My flight isn't until 4:40."
Zac nodded, his expression a mixture of happiness and sadness. "That sounds like a plan."
We changed into our bathing suits and made our way to the pool. In the pool, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us, the water wrapping around us like a gentle embrace. We floated close, our bodies naturally gravitating toward each other. As Zac pulled me closer, our lips met in a series of slow, tender kisses, the kind that made time stand still.
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We laughed softly in between, holding each other as if trying to memorize every second of this moment. "I wish we could stay like this forever," I whispered against his chest, my fingers tracing the outlines of his muscles.
Zac tightened his hold on me, resting his chin atop my head. "Me too," he murmured, his voice low and sincere. "Let's make the most of the time we have."
We spent the next hour just being together—no words, just soft touches, shared smiles, and stolen kisses, savoring the warmth of the sun and the closeness of each other. Time slipped away from us, and around 12:30, we sat by the pool eating fish and chips. The conversation was lighter as we tried to savor these final moments. At one point, I asked him about his next project.
Zac leaned back in his chair, considering for a moment. "Well, I've got a bunch of scripts to go through, so I haven't decided on anything yet. But I do have an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on Friday."
I smiled, excited for him. "That's great! I wish you luck with it."
He grinned back. "Thanks, I'll need it."
Playfully, I asked, "So, if Jimmy asks you if you're still single, what will you say?"
Zac's eyes softened as he looked at me. "I'd tell him the truth. I'm not single anymore—there's someone very special in my life."
My heart fluttered at his words, and I reached out to take his hand. "And what would you say if he asked about her?"
Zac's smile deepened, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I'd say she's incredible, strong, and smart. And that I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have her."
Before I could respond, he leaned in and kissed me deeply, his lips conveying all the warmth and affection behind his words. The kiss was full of passion and reassurance, and I felt every doubt melt away. When we finally pulled back, we were both smiling, a silent understanding passing between us.
An hour later, reality came crashing back as I started packing my suitcase. Zac sat on the edge of the bed, watching me with a forlorn expression. "I really don't want you to leave," he said quietly, his voice filled with emotion.
I looked up at him, my heart aching. "I don't want to leave either Zac... but I have to. I have work, and clients waiting for me."
As I zipped up my suitcase, Zac suddenly stood up. "Wait," he said, heading to his room. A moment later, he returned holding a T-shirt. "Here," he said, handing it to me. "Whenever you need me and I can't be there, just hold this. It's the closest thing to a hug I can give you."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I took the T-shirt, pressing it to my chest. "Thank you, Zac. I'll keep it close."
By 2 pm, it was time to leave. Zac placed my suitcase in the back of the car, his expression pained. "Joe will drive you to the airport," he said softly. "I... I don't think I can manage saying goodbye there. It's too risky... and too hard."
Zac and I stood by the car, the weight of the moment hanging between us. His hands rested gently on my shoulders, his eyes searching mine as if trying to commit every detail to memory. Neither of us wanted to say the words, but the clock was ticking down to our inevitable goodbye.
He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapped around me as if he could somehow keep me from leaving just by holding me close enough. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, trying to hold on to the warmth of his embrace.
"I'll miss you so much," I whispered, my voice barely audible against his skin.
"I'll miss you too," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye for good. We'll figure this out. We'll make it work."
I nodded against him, tears welling up in my eyes. He pulled back just enough to look at me, brushing away a tear that had slipped down my cheek. "Hey," he said softly, tilting my chin up so our eyes met again. "We're in this together. I'm not going anywhere."
I tried to smile through the tears, but the ache in my chest was overwhelming. "Promise me you'll call as soon as you land," Zac said, his voice firm despite the sadness in his eyes. "I need to know you're safe."
"I promise," I replied, my voice wavering. "And you'll keep me updated on your interviews and your projects, right?"
He nodded, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "Of course. You'll be the first to know."
For a moment, we just stood there, holding on to each other, neither of us ready to let go. Finally, Zac kissed me one last time, slowly and deeply, as if trying to pour all of his feelings into that single kiss.
When we finally pulled apart, he took a deep breath "Be careful out there," he said, his voice hoarse. "And remember, I'll be thinking about you every second."
I nodded, blinking back fresh tears as I looked up at him. "I love you," I whispered.
"I love you too," he replied, his voice cracking just a little as he stepped back from me.
I climbed into the car, waving goodbye to Zac as the engine started. As we drove away, I couldn't hold back the sobs that escaped me, the pain of leaving him almost too much to bear.
