Under Opposite Skies

Chapter 2

Harper slowly opened her eyes, stretching her arms above her head as she blinked, adjusting to the light streaming through the windows. Her room, with its soft tones of gray and white, always gave her a sense of calm. She stared at the canopy over the bed, with its light curtains swaying slightly with the breeze coming through the open glass doors that led to the balcony. Outside, the ocean stretched to the horizon, shimmering under the morning sun.

But her mind wasn't focused on the view or the peacefulness of her surroundings. No, the first thing that came to her mind was him, Matt Barrister.

She remembered last night clearly, when Matt had taken her for a walk on the beach. His face, so perfect under the moonlight, had looked at her with that intensity that sometimes left her unsettled. Matt wasn't just handsome; he was charismatic, confident, and when he was with her, he made her feel like the only person in the world who mattered.

"I care about you, Harper," he had said the night before, his blue eyes locked on hers, as his hand gently caressed her back. Harper recalled how her heart had raced in that moment. Matt wasn't the typical good-looking guy who just played around with girls. He wanted her, desired something serious with her, and she knew it. There was something in his voice, in the way he spoke to her, that made her feel special, like she was the answer to everything he was looking for.

Even though she had felt that connection, something inside her kept a small distance, a doubt she couldn't quite explain. But that wasn't the only time Matt had made her feel that way. She remembered another night, just a few days before, when he had driven her home after a dinner with friends. They had been sitting in his car, parked in front of the mansion. The conversation had quieted, and Matt had looked at her with that depth that always made her lose herself for a moment. Then, without a word, he had leaned in and kissed her.

Harper had felt warmth flood her entire body. Matt's kiss had been soft at first, but then it became firmer, more intense. She had responded, letting herself get swept up for a few seconds, before realizing that everything was moving too fast. Matt's hands had started to roam over her body, and with her heart racing, she had placed a hand on his chest, stopping what was about to happen. Matt had stopped immediately, respectful as always, but there had been something in his eyes, something dark, that told her he wasn't entirely satisfied with stopping.

He hadn't tried again since.

He likes me. He really likes me, Harper thought. But despite how much she was attracted to Matt, she wasn't sure if she wanted the same thing he did.

She shook off those thoughts as she got out of bed, standing on the soft wooden floor. Stretching, she walked towards the bathroom, letting the natural light wrap around her as she tried to clear her mind of the confusion she felt.

The bathroom was simply stunning. The white marble walls gleamed under the light, and the glass shower, with its multiple jets, occupied a spacious corner of the room. She turned on the hot water and let the steam fill the space before stepping in. As the water began to cascade over her skin, Harper closed her eyes and let the warmth envelop her.

It was then that, out of nowhere, the image of Aiden Ferris appeared in her mind.

Aiden. The mysterious guy she had run into last night on the beach. She didn't understand why her mind insisted on remembering him, but there he was. She recalled his striking green eyes and the way he had looked at her, as if he could see beyond the Harper that everyone knew. There was something about him, something dark, dangerous perhaps, but that intrigued her in a way she couldn't quite grasp. Harper didn't know anything about him, but that night, just from seeing him, she had felt a flutter in her stomach that she hadn't felt before.