Aria's POV
By the time Aubrey and I got back from shopping, the sky had already deepened into shades of gold and rose. Our arms were full of bags mostly unnecessary things we bought just because we liked how they looked.
The moment we stepped into our room, we both burst into laughter.
"I still can't believe that guy at the boutique thought we were models," Aubrey said between giggles, tossing her shopping bags onto the bed.
I grinned, slipping off my sandals. "Oh, please. You totally encouraged him."
She gasped dramatically. "I did not! I was just being polite."
"Polite?" I raised a brow. "You told him maybe he should start a fan club."
Aubrey clutched her chest in fake innocence. "He looked like he needed the confidence boost!"
That set us both off again, laughter echoing around the room until we collapsed onto the bed, breathless and smiling. It felt good easy, carefree like the world outside our little bubble didn't exist.
By the time we finally stopped laughing, the sun had already set. From the hallway, faint music drifted in, soft at first, then growing louder. Aubrey sat up and peeked out the window. "Looks like the hotel's throwing a party tonight," she said, excitement lighting up her face.
I walked over to join her, watching as lights flickered along the poolside below strings of warm bulbs, guests gathering, waiters setting up drinks. It looked elegant but lively, the kind of night that promised laughter and maybe a little chaos.
"Well," I said with a small smile, "guess we have somewhere to wear those new dresses."
She grinned. "You read my mind."
We both got ready quickly, though quickly still meant almost an hour of music, makeup, and the usual back-and-forth of "Do I look okay?" and "You look perfect."
I chose a black dress simple, but the kind that didn't need much to stand out. The fabric hugged my curves softly, stopping just above my knees, with thin straps that crossed delicately at the back. It shimmered faintly under the light whenever I moved. I left my hair loose, waves brushing my shoulders, and added a soft touch of makeup a hint of eyeliner, glossy lips, and silver earrings that caught the light.
Aubrey went with a deep emerald green dress that fit her perfectly. It brought out the warmth in her skin and made her eyes look even brighter.
When we were finally done, we stood side by side in front of the mirror.
"Okay," she said, giving a satisfied nod. "We look amazing."
I smiled at our reflection. "We really do."
Outside, the music grew louder, laughter echoing faintly through the hall. I reached for my clutch and glanced at her.
"Ready?"
"Always," she said with a grin.
After taking a quick selfie, we stepped out of our room, just two girls walking into the glow of a night .
The soft hum of chatter and the faint notes of music floated up from the hall as Aubrey and I descended the stairs, our heels clicking against the marble steps in perfect rhythm. The moment we appeared, the atmosphere shifted conversations faltered, and curious eyes turned our way. It wasn't intentional, but it happened all the same.
We shared a knowing look, half laughter, half thrill two girls who knew they'd made an entrance.
And then I saw him.
Liam stood across the hall, his black shirt fitted to his frame, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his forearms, the top buttons undone like he hadn't meant to look this good yet somehow, he did. For a second, everything else faded. The music, the crowd, even the air seemed to still. His eyes found mine, and it felt like the world stopped moving like something unseen connected us in that instant.
Someone approached a guy I didn't know, smiling as he extended a hand toward me. Before I could respond, a warm, familiar hand brushed against mine instead. Liam.
He leaned close, his breath grazing my ear as he whispered, "You look beautiful."
My pulse quickened, his voice low enough to drown out the music for a heartbeat.
Around us, the rhythm swelled again, pulling everyone back into motion. The band played a lively tune, couples swaying under the golden lights. Aubrey and Ethan were already on the dance floor, their movements easy, natural his hand resting lightly on her waist as he twirled her with a grin that reached his eyes. Across the room, Caleb was dancing with a girl I didn't recognize, both of them laughing as they stumbled through a spin.
Liam's gaze didn't leave mine. Without asking, he offered his hand again, and this time, I took it.
The music carried us forward his arm firm around my waist, guiding me through the rhythm. I could feel the warmth of his touch, the steady beat of his heart close to mine. The world blurred into soft lights and swirling color, the scent of sea breeze faint through the open terrace doors.
Aria's POV
By the time Aubrey and I got back from shopping, the sky had already deepened into shades of gold and rose. Our arms were full of bags mostly unnecessary things we bought just because we liked how they looked.
The moment we stepped into our room, we both burst into laughter.
"I still can't believe that guy at the boutique thought we were models," Aubrey said between giggles, tossing her shopping bags onto the bed.
I grinned, slipping off my sandals. "Oh, please. You totally encouraged him."
She gasped dramatically. "I did not! I was just being polite."
"Polite?" I raised a brow. "You told him maybe he should start a fan club."
Aubrey clutched her chest in fake innocence. "He looked like he needed the confidence boost!"
That set us both off again, laughter echoing around the room until we collapsed onto the bed, breathless and smiling. It felt good easy, carefree like the world outside our little bubble didn't exist.
By the time we finally stopped laughing, the sun had already set. From the hallway, faint music drifted in, soft at first, then growing louder. Aubrey sat up and peeked out the window. "Looks like the hotel's throwing a party tonight," she said, excitement lighting up her face.
I walked over to join her, watching as lights flickered along the poolside below strings of warm bulbs, guests gathering, waiters setting up drinks. It looked elegant but lively, the kind of night that promised laughter and maybe a little chaos.
"Well," I said with a small smile, "guess we have somewhere to wear those new dresses."
She grinned. "You read my mind."
We both got ready quickly, though quickly still meant almost an hour of music, makeup, and the usual back-and-forth of "Do I look okay?" and "You look perfect."
I chose a black dress simple, but the kind that didn't need much to stand out. The fabric hugged my curves softly, stopping just above my knees, with thin straps that crossed delicately at the back. It shimmered faintly under the light whenever I moved. I left my hair loose, waves brushing my shoulders, and added a soft touch of makeup a hint of eyeliner, glossy lips, and silver earrings that caught the light.
Aubrey went with a deep emerald green dress that fit her perfectly. It brought out the warmth in her skin and made her eyes look even brighter.
When we were finally done, we stood side by side in front of the mirror.
"Okay," she said, giving a satisfied nod. "We look amazing."
I smiled at our reflection. "We really do."
Outside, the music grew louder, laughter echoing faintly through the hall. I reached for my clutch and glanced at her.
"Ready?"
"Always," she said with a grin.
After taking a quick selfie, we stepped out of our room, just two girls walking into the glow of a night .
The soft hum of chatter and the faint notes of music floated up from the hall as Aubrey and I descended the stairs, our heels clicking against the marble steps in perfect rhythm. The moment we appeared, the atmosphere shifted conversations faltered, and curious eyes turned our way. It wasn't intentional, but it happened all the same.
We shared a knowing look, half laughter, half thrill two girls who knew they'd made an entrance.
And then I saw him.
Liam stood across the hall, his black shirt fitted to his frame, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his forearms, the top buttons undone like he hadn't meant to look this good yet somehow, he did. For a second, everything else faded. The music, the crowd, even the air seemed to still. His eyes found mine, and it felt like the world stopped moving like something unseen connected us in that instant.
Someone approached a guy I didn't know, smiling as he extended a hand toward me. Before I could respond, a warm, familiar hand brushed against mine instead. Liam.
He leaned close, his breath grazing my ear as he whispered, "You look beautiful."
My pulse quickened, his voice low enough to drown out the music for a heartbeat.
Around us, the rhythm swelled again, pulling everyone back into motion. The band played a lively tune, couples swaying under the golden lights. Aubrey and Ethan were already on the dance floor, their movements easy, natural his hand resting lightly on her waist as he twirled her with a grin that reached his eyes. Across the room, Caleb was dancing with a girl I didn't recognize, both of them laughing as they stumbled through a spin.
Liam's gaze didn't leave mine. Without asking, he offered his hand again, and this time, I took it.
The music carried us forward his arm firm around my waist, guiding me through the rhythm. I could feel the warmth of his touch, the steady beat of his heart close to mine. The world blurred into soft lights and swirling color, the scent of sea breeze faint through the open terrace doors.