WHEN LOVE FAILS

CHAPTER 12 - Love At First SEAght?

I am surrounded by the soothing sound of crashing waves and the scent of salt in the air. The sun shimmered across the turquoise water, casting golden reflections that danced on the surface. I was barefoot, walking along the shoreline when the wind brushed through my hair—soft, freeing, alive.

"Woooh! This place is so fun!" I shouted, my voice carried by the wind as the waves lapped at my feet.

"Hi! Do you like the view too?" a voice called out suddenly from behind me.

I turned around, startled. 

Who is he talking to? I thought, looking left and right—until I saw him.

A man stood a few steps away, smiling so brightly it felt like the sun had dimmed for him. His hair fluttered in the ocean breeze, and his skin had that soft glow from the afternoon light. He looked half-Korean, half-Filipino—foreign yet familiar.

"You!" he pointed playfully. "You're so kyeopta."

"Kamsamnida!" I blurted out awkwardly, bowing a little before realizing how silly I looked.

He laughed, a sound that blended perfectly with the sound of the waves.
"There are many more beautiful spots around here. Wanna go see them with me?"

He had that kind of charm that felt natural—effortless.

"Um... s-sure," I replied, unsure but curious.

"Anyway, are you alone? Or are you traveling solo like me?" he asked, raising his phone to take a photo of the sea.

"Yeah, I'm alone. I just wanted to spend some time with myself," I said, staring at the horizon.

"Do you want to travel with me? I want to make friends while I'm here in the Philippines," he offered, eyes glimmering with excitement.

"What? Don't you have friends?" I asked, surprised.

He just grinned and grabbed my hand. "Let's go!"

Before I could even process what was happening, we were already running along the beach—our footprints trailing behind us on the damp sand. The air was salty, our laughter echoing across the shore.

Am I dreaming? Am I in a BL K-drama? I slapped my own cheek lightly just to check.

He laughed at that. "You're really funny!"

I hadn't even realized we'd reached a secluded part of the beach—a hidden gem where the waves rolled gently and the sun painted the water in hues of orange and pink.

"Woooow... This is so beautiful," I whispered, my heart swelling at the sight.

"Wait here," he said suddenly, jogging off.

"W-where are you going?" I called out, but he didn't answer.

A few minutes later, he came back, holding two steaming cups of coffee.

"Here," he said with a smile. "Let's drink coffee while watching the sunset."

"Oh! Thank you so much," I said, bowing slightly out of habit.

"No problem, baby," he teased, his grin boyish yet disarming.

I didn't even react to the word baby—too mesmerized by the sky melting into the ocean. The waves shimmered gold, the air smelled of salt and warmth, and the moment felt unreal.

We sat side by side on the sand, our knees almost touching, the waves stretching endlessly before us.

"So, why are you here in the Philippines?" I asked after a quiet moment.