Whispers

Fractured Reflections

Two days later, the evening air was warm as she and Cillian strolled hand in hand toward a charming restaurant overlooking the harbor. The sun dipped low, casting a golden glow on the water, and she felt a sense of excitement coursing through her.

As they entered the restaurant, the ambiance was lively, filled with laughter and clinking glasses. She and Cillian found a cozy table by the window, the perfect spot to enjoy their meal and each other's company.

But as they settled in, her heart dropped. Across the room, she spotted her ex sitting with a group of guys, laughing boisterously. Panic rose in her chest, but she tried to remain composed, focusing on Cillian.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.

She forced a smile. "Nothing, just... I saw someone I know."

Cillian's gaze followed hers, and she could see the moment he recognized her ex. The tension in the air thickened as he leaned in closer, a protective instinct kicking in. "Do you want to leave?"

"No," she replied quickly, not wanting to let her past dictate their evening. "I can handle this."

As they ordered drinks, she tried to shake off the unease, but she felt her ex's eyes on her, assessing. It wasn't long before he approached their table, swaggering over with a cocky grin.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said in English, his Italian accent making his words sound almost playful. He ignored Cillian completely, focusing his attention on her. "You look good. Didn't think I'd see you out with... him."

Cillian's jaw tightened, his expression darkening. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as her ex continued to make comments, his voice dripping with condescension.

"Why don't you join us?" he asked mockingly. "I'm sure your new boyfriend wouldn't mind sharing you for a minute."

Before she could respond, Cillian's voice cut through the tension. "I think you should leave her alone," he said evenly, though she could sense the simmering anger beneath.

"Oh, what are you going to do about it?" her ex sneered, stepping closer. "You don't know anything about her past."

That was it. In an instant, Cillian stood up, his posture rigid. "I know enough," he shot back, stepping between her and her ex.

The surrounding chatter faded as the atmosphere crackled with tension. She could feel her heart racing, caught between the two men. "Cillian, please—" she started, but her words were drowned out.

"Back off," Cillian said, shoving her ex lightly but firmly. The room went quiet as heads turned to watch the confrontation.

Her ex stumbled slightly, surprised. "You think you can just push me? You have no idea what she's been through."

"Exactly," Cillian replied, his voice low and steady. "And neither do you. So do us both a favor and walk away."

Before the situation could escalate further, a staff member approached, clearly alarmed by the commotion. "Gentlemen, this isn't the place for this. I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the staff member said firmly.

Her ex shot Cillian one last glare, then turned on his heel, retreating back to his group, who looked just as shocked.

As they sat back down, Cillian's eyes searched hers. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "Thank you for standing up for me."

"I just want you to feel safe," he replied, his voice sincere. The moment hung between them, heavy with unspoken emotions, and she felt a swell of gratitude for his support.

Though the evening had taken an unexpected turn, she realized that with Cillian by her side, she felt stronger than she had in a long time.

---

As they left the restaurant, the tension still hung in the air, but Cillian wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they walked along the harbor. The night was alive with laughter and the distant sound of music, but she could sense Cillian's focus had shifted.

"Are you okay?" he asked, glancing down at her.

"I'm fine," she replied, trying to sound reassuring. But as they strolled past the line of bicycles parked near the waterfront, she could feel Cillian's mind working.

"About what your ex said back there..." he began, his voice careful. "Is there anything else I need to know about your past?"

She hesitated, her heart tightening at the thought. "I—"

Cillian stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready. But I can sense there's more."

His gaze was steady, filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her. The truth was, there were parts of her past that still haunted her, memories she hadn't fully processed.

"It's just... I don't want to drag up things that are difficult," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's complicated."

"I get that," he said gently, his thumb brushing against her arm. "But I want to understand you, all of you. You don't have to carry this alone."

She looked into his eyes, searching for reassurance. His sincerity was palpable, but the fear of opening old wounds held her back. She could feel the weight of her past pressing against her chest, and she didn't know if she was ready to share it.

"I appreciate that," she said, swallowing hard. "But I just... I'm still processing everything myself."

Cillian nodded, his expression softening. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here. Just know that I care about you."

They resumed walking, but the silence between them felt heavier now. She couldn't shake the feeling that Cillian was still thinking about her ex, and she worried that the shadows of her past might overshadow the connection they were building.