Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 7

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Yessenia awoke to a sense of contentment that had eluded her for weeks. The night’s troubling visions seemed to have retreated into the shadowy recesses of her mind, leaving behind a hopeful clarity. With a soft stretch, she rose from her bed, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.

She moved to the window of her seaside cabin and drew back the curtains. The beach was bathed in the gentle hues of early morning, the sea shimmering like liquid silver under the nascent sunlight. It wasn’t too crowded yet; the few early risers were scattered along the shore, their movements more a peaceful ritual than a disruption.

Yessenia quickly dressed in her favorite pink two-piece swimsuit—a cheerful, playful garment that contrasted sharply with the solemnity of the previous night. The color made her feel lighter, more carefree, as if she could shed her worries with each step. She grabbed a towel and headed for the beach, her footsteps making soft imprints in the damp sand.

The gentle breeze welcomed her as she approached the water’s edge, its cool touch invigorating her skin. She took a moment to savor the tranquil beauty of the morning before stepping into the surf. The water was pleasantly warm, its embrace soothing and inviting.

Yessenia walked deeper into the water until it reached her waist, the waves lapping gently against her. With a contented sigh, she let herself float, allowing the sea to support her weight. She closed her eyes and let the rhythm of the waves lull her into a state of serene relaxation. For about twenty seconds, she was completely at ease, her body moving gently with the water, her mind empty of worries.

But tranquility was abruptly shattered. A sudden, frantic splash interrupted the calm. Before Yessenia could fully comprehend what was happening, she felt a pair of strong arms encircling her, pulling her forcibly from the water. Panic surged through her as she was dragged towards the shore, the peaceful moment transforming into a chaotic struggle.

When she finally regained her footing on the sand, she looked up, her chest heaving with a mix of confusion and irritation. The man who had just rescued her was none other than Matheo, the very person she had hoped to avoid. Her heart skipped a beat—not from relief, but from anger.

Matheo, his face etched with concern and frustration, was kneeling beside her. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and his clothes were drenched from the effort of pulling her out. Yessenia struggled to her feet, her initial shock giving way to a torrent of frustration. She had been saved by the last person she wanted to see.

“What were you thinking?” she snapped, her voice sharp and accusatory. “Why did you come here? I was perfectly fine!”

Matheo looked up, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made Yessenia’s anger flare even more. “You were floating unconscious! I thought you were in trouble!” His voice was equally tense, a mixture of exasperation and relief.

“I was just enjoying the water!” she retorted. “I didn’t need you to rescue me. I don’t need anything from you!”

Matheo stood up, frustration evident in his posture. “I didn’t know what was happening! I saw you floating and thought—”

“Thought what?” Yessenia interrupted, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and hurt. “That I was in danger? Or that you could just swoop in and play the hero?”

Matheo took a deep breath, his expression earnest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was just worried.”

Yessenia’s anger didn’t dissipate easily. She had spent too much time wrestling with her feelings for Matheo and their complicated history to let this moment pass without comment. “Well, you succeeded,” she said coldly. “You’ve managed to ruin what was supposed to be a peaceful morning.”

Matheo’s eyes dropped to the ground, a hint of guilt crossing his features. “Look, I know things between us have been rough. I didn’t come here to cause more problems.”

Yessenia crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze steady and unyielding. “Then why are you here? Why do you keep showing up and making everything more complicated?”

Matheo took a deep breath, his expression earnest. “I came here because I wanted to talk. To make things right. But I didn’t expect—” He gestured helplessly towards her. “I didn’t expect this.”

Yessenia was caught off guard by his admission. She had been bracing herself for a confrontation, not a plea for understanding. The anger that had fueled her outburst began to ebb, replaced by a reluctant curiosity.

“What is it you want to talk about?” she asked, her voice softer now but still tinged with skepticism.

Matheo looked up, meeting her gaze with a vulnerability that was both disarming and unsettling. “I want to understand what went wrong between us. I want to know if there’s any way we can fix it.”

Yessenia’s heart wavered. She had spent so long resisting the idea of reconciliation, fearing that any attempt to bridge the gap between them would only lead to more pain. Yet, in that moment, she could see the genuine regret in Matheo’s eyes, the earnestness in his voice.

“I don’t know,” she said slowly, her voice faltering. “I don’t know if we can fix things.”

Matheo nodded, his expression one of resigned acceptance. “I understand. I just needed to try. I needed to know if there was still a chance.”

Yessenia looked out at the sea, the waves continuing their steady rhythm as if echoing her tumultuous thoughts. The water had once been a place of refuge, a space where she could find peace. Now, it seemed to mirror the complexities of her feelings for Matheo—a blend of calm and turbulence, clarity and confusion.

“I guess we both have a lot to figure out,” she said quietly, turning back to him. “But for now, I need some space. To think.”

Matheo nodded, stepping back to give her room. “I’ll give you that. But I’ll be here if you decide you want to talk more.”

As he turned and walked away, Yessenia watched him go, her emotions still in disarray. The peace of the morning had been disrupted, but perhaps, in the midst of the chaos, there was a glimmer of understanding—a chance to confront the unresolved feelings that had lingered between them.