Echoes of Yesterday

Part 9 - The Arrival of Eric

Eric had been away for years, leaving for the States when he was just 18 to pursue his undergrad degree in economics. Now, at 23, he had recently finished his MBA. In the six years that had passed, the image I had of him—awkward, lanky, and always buried in textbooks—had completely transformed. If I had seen him that night at the bar, I "should" have recognized him instantly... but the truth is, I didn't.

Maybe it was because he had changed so much, or maybe it was because he barely looked at me, slipping away before I could make the connection. He wasn't the boy I remembered anymore. He had grown taller, his frame broader, and his demeanor more confident—miles away from the shy kid I used to know.

Maya, though, was my constant. She came from a family that seemed to have everything—businesses, money, and a life of luxury most people only dreamed of. Her parents owned resorts all across the States, but it was the one by the waterfall that always held a special place for both of us. It was an absolute dream, a perfect escape from reality.

We used to spend hours there, exploring the grounds, lounging by the pool, or having our little adventures. Sometimes, we'd just sit on the terrace overlooking the falls, talking about nothing and everything.

Maya had always been the friend who made me forget about the world's problems, even just for a while.

That night, after we shared our theories about the jacket and the strange connection to her brother, she offered a solution. "Let's talk to Eric tomorrow," she suggested, her voice steady and confident. "I'll text him. We'll meet at the resort." I nodded, grateful for her support.

She pulled out her phone and typed, "Be ready by 10 AM. Pick me up from Daisy's house, and we'll all go to the resort together." His response came almost immediately—"Okay," he replied within seconds.

After that, Maya did what she always knew would make me feel better. She pulled out a book and started reading aloud, her voice soft and calming. I loved it when people read to me, especially Maya. She had this way of making even the worst situations feel a little lighter, a little less overwhelming. As her voice wove the words together, the tension in my chest eased, and slowly, sleep took over.---

The next morning, I woke to the smell of breakfast drifting through the house. My mom had gone all out, cooking pancakes, eggs.. Maya and I sat at the table, the warmth of the food and the soft sunlight streaming through the windows helping to ground me in the moment.

For just a second, everything felt normal again—until the sound of an engine roaring outside pulled me from my thoughts.

I stepped outside and froze when I saw Eric's car—a sleek Aston Martin DB12 Volante, gleaming in a stunning Magneto Bronze. It looked like something straight out of a movie, the kind of car that made your heart race just looking at it. The sight of it made my breath hitch, but nothing compared to when I saw him step out.

Eric had changed. He wasn't the lanky, awkward teenager I remembered. He was tall now, muscular, his face sharp and defined. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his clothes looked effortless like he'd just stepped off a magazine cover. For a moment, I couldn't speak. I was too stunned to even form words. The boy I once knew was gone, replaced by this... man.

If I hadn't recognized him that day at the bar, it made sense now. He was unrecognizable, his presence almost overwhelming. The way he moved, the confidence in his stride—it was impossible to reconcile with the memory I had of him.

"Morning," he said, his voice deeper than I remembered. It sent a shiver down my spine.

I managed to pull myself together, forcing a smile. "Morning. You... look different."

Eric chuckled, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Time does that."

Maya nudged me, her grin wide as she looked between the two of us. "Told you he's changed."

I couldn't help but agree, still caught off guard by how good he looked. There was something about him now—something magnetic. It felt almost unsettling to think that he had been so close to me at the bar, offering me his jacket without a word, disappearing into the night like a ghost.

We drove in silence for a while, the sound of the engine humming softly against the backdrop of my thoughts. Eric occasionally stole glances at me, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. I found myself lost in the details of our surroundings—the vibrant green trees swaying gently in the breeze, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the road. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in my mind.

As we arrived at the resort, the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh mountain air. Maya had always described it as a dream, and standing there, I could finally see why. The cascading waterfall in the distance glistened under the afternoon sun, its soothing sound creating a serene atmosphere. But beneath that beauty, I felt a weight on my heart.

Maya stepped out first, her usual confident stride on full display. But before I could follow, Eric came around the car quickly, pulling open the door for me before I even reached for the handle.

For a moment, I just stared, caught off guard. It felt... surreal, almost like something out of a movie. My heart fluttered in a way I wasn't expecting.

My ex never did things like this for me. And suddenly, I realized, there's a difference between a boy and a man. But still, I couldn't let myself get carried away—one small gesture didn't mean anything. Or did it?

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to keep my cool as I stepped out of the car. "Thanks," I murmured, feeling a little awkward under his gaze.

Maya, who had been watching the whole thing, shot Eric a look. "I've never seen this side of you before," she teased. "Well, I'm a girl too, y'know. I deserve that kind of treatment!"

Eric just shrugged with a faint smile. "What, should I have opened the door for you too?" His voice, low and smooth, sent a shiver down my spine—like his words were brushing against my skin. There was something about the way he spoke that made the simplest comment feel charged, like every syllable had weight.

Maya rolled her eyes, grinning. "Whatever. Did you bring the card? I don't have mine—it's probably somewhere at home."

"Yeah, it's in the glove box," he replied, nodding toward the car.

Maya walked over to grab it, but I stayed still for a moment, watching Eric out of the corner of my eye. There was something about him. The way he carried himself, the subtle confidence in his movements.

Every time he spoke, his voice had this gentle authority to it, like he didn't need to raise it to be heard. It resonated deep, in a way that made my chest feel tight.

Maya swiped the card to unlock the door, and we walked inside. But even as the day unfolded, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different, that Eric was different. And I wasn't sure what to make of it.