Lucas didn't waste a second.
He dashed out of the office, typed a quick email to the head instructor — "I have a lead. I think I know where she is. I'll try my best to bring her back." — and then jumped on his motorcycle.
The wind hit his face as he rode down the road, heart pounding. His mind was a storm of questions.
Why did she lie? Why didn't she tell me anything? Why come to me, of all people, after all these years?
By the time the clock struck 4:20 AM, the cold coastal air signaled he was close. He stopped at a rundown stall near Martin's Beach for a short break. There, a little boy sat behind a wooden cart, selling hot coffee.
Lucas took a seat. "One cup, please."
As the boy handed it to him, Lucas noticed a delicate white flower crown on the counter.
He reached for it, curious.
"Hey! Don't touch that!" the boy snapped. "It's someone's order!"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Who orders a flower crown at this hour?"
"A pretty girl," the boy said with a proud nod. "She asked me to make it and bring it this morning."
Lucas leaned in. "Did she have short hair?"
"Yesh," the boy replied. "Do you know her?"
Lucas nodded quickly. "Yeah. I'm her man. I was supposed to bring the flowers, but I couldn't find them in time. I came to surprise her."
The boy looked skeptical. "If you're her husband, why does she look so sad?"
Lucas sighed. "I work far away. Don't get to see her much. She came here alone because she was mad at me. I just wanted to fix things."
The boy frowned. "She said she'd give me chocolates... a lot of them."
Lucas smiled, pulling out his wallet. "Let's go. I'll buy you as many as you want. Just tell me where she wanted the crown delivered."
The boy hesitated, then nodded.
---
Guided by the boy, Lucas followed a narrow trail through the dunes until the sea came into view. The sun had just begun to rise, soft lavender hues bleeding into the sky.
And there she was.
Lia, in a flowing lavender dress, sitting barefoot in the sand, watching the waves kiss the shore. The breeze tousled her short hair. She looked like a painting — lonely, soft, and ethereal.
Lucas stepped forward, the sand crunching underfoot.
She turned, startled — her eyes widened in shock.
And then she ran.
"Lia—!" Lucas called, confused, but he chased after her instinctively. She ran fast, but not fast enough. He caught her by the wrist and pulled her close.
"Why do you always run away from me?" he said, breathless.
Tears welled up in Lia's eyes. "You're here to drag me back to that harsh place, aren't you?"
Lucas's tone turned cold. "Yeah. Because you need to go back and tell them the truth — that you're not my cousin. One mistake from you almost ended my career, Lia. You don't get to walk away without fixing that."
She broke down, tears spilling from her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean for it to go that far."
Lucas didn't let go. He held her close, his grip protective — like he was afraid she'd vanish again.
"What's wrong, Lia? Just tell me."
And she did.
Between sobs, Lia shared everything — her parents' divorce, living with a struggling mother and bitter relatives, the way her father blamed her, the disappointment in her mother's eyes, and the suffocating loneliness.
"I couldn't breathe anymore," she said, voice cracking. "I wanted to disappear. This place... this beach... I just wanted to feel free, even if for one morning."
Lucas noticed how dim her eyes had become. Not like the bright, curious girl he once knew. Still beautiful, but shadowed.
"You have to fix my problems first, Madam," he joked lightly, trying to lift her mood.
She managed a soft laugh. "Yeah... let's go. Sorry. I didn't think it would become such a mess. I didn't have money left... I didn't know who else to go to. I just thought of you."
Lucas glanced at the flower crown in his hand.
"Why did you order flowers?"
Lia blushed slightly, looking away. "I saw the news. Thought maybe... maybe there's nothing left but to disappear for real. I just wanted one beautiful moment — like in the movies. A girl with flowers, dancing by the sea. Alone. Dramatic, right?"
Lucas shook his head. "Since I bought the flowers... we're making the video."
Lia blinked. "Wait — seriously?"
"Of course. You have a videographer now. But you owe me — I bought a whole box of chocolates for that kid."
Lia laughed, the first genuine one in days. "Where'd you find him?"
Lucas smiled. "Fate. Destiny. Kismet."
She handed him a small old digital camera, and Lucas started filming. She danced by the shore, twirling in the soft sunlight, flower crown on her head. The breeze caught her dress, her laughter echoed in the waves.
Her eyes sparkled again.
Suddenly, she called him over. "Hey! Come here!"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Who'll record then?"
"Set it on the sand!"
He did, then jogged toward her. As he approached, he leaned close, voice low.
"Why'd you call me?"
Lia avoided his gaze, cheeks flushed. "The videographer should be in the scene too."
Lucas smiled, studying her blushing face.
She's lost weight, he noticed. She's been hurting more than she let on.
She turned quickly, running back to stop the camera. "We're gonna be late!"
Lucas smirked and followed her.
As they reached his bike, he asked softly, "Lia… why did you choose me? Out of everyone?"
She paused — but didn't answer.
"We're going to be late," she said instead, brushing off the question. "You can ask everything once your problems are solved."
Lucas took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Wear this. You're soaked."
She slipped it on without protest and hopped onto the bike.
And they rode off — through the fading morning mist, lavender light behind them, and a thousand unspoken words between them.
---