Chapter 33: Reason worth surrendering
Sara rode her bicycle alongside Luca. He was quiet, unusually so. The light teasing that had colored their morning had vanished, replaced by a silence that made her uneasy.
Ever since she’d mentioned Asher, he hadn’t said much.
’I shouldn’t have brought him up,’ she thought just as the front wheel of her bike wobbled.
"Ahhh!"
The bicycle veered out of control, skidding across the uneven path before she fell hard onto the stone floor.
"Sara!"
Luca was off his bike in an instant, kneeling beside her.
"I-I’m fine. Don’t worry," she said, forcing a smile as she tried to stand.
He steadied her, then lifted her bicycle upright. His hands brushed gently at the dust on her dress while his eyes scanned her for any sign of injury.
"I’m fine," she repeated quietly.
"It would’ve been better if I’d made you sit behind me," he muttered, straightening the bike.
"Why? Are we not riding anymore?" she asked.
Without replying, Luca held both bicycles and began walking down the path. After a few steps, he stopped and parked one of them against the railing near the water.
"We’ll ride mine," Luca said, swinging a leg over the bicycle and settling onto the seat. "Get on and hold me tight."
Sara hesitated for a moment before lowering herself behind him. Her hands slid around his waist, the warmth of his back immediately seeping through her palms. As Luca started pedaling, a sudden smile tugged at her lips.
"The old town is beautiful, isn’t it?" she began the conversation. "Small houses, little gardens, those stone bridges over the canals..."
Her hair blew wildly in the breeze, and she reached up to tuck a few strands behind her ear.
"Yes, it is," Luca admitted. The sun was beginning to sink toward the horizon, covering everything in soft gold and amber. It was exactly the spot he’d wanted to bring her to.
Sara stepped off first, her sandals clicking lightly against the stone. Luca followed, parking the bicycle against a low fence before taking her hand and guiding her toward a narrow, slanted path that led down to the seaside. His grip on her hand stayed firm.
"What’s there?" she asked, her tone bright with curiosity. The setting sun glowed directly ahead, making her lift her hand to shield her eyes.
"You’ll see," he said simply.
Through a small arched opening, they stepped out to the other side, and Sara froze. The vast stretch of sea spread endlessly before them, waves glimmering beneath the orange-red sky. A few seagulls soared low over the water, their cries echoing softly in the distance. The sight was breathtaking.
"Luca... it’s beautiful," she whispered, her eyes wide in wonder.
He smiled faintly, watching the horizon. "Do you know what sunsets mean, Sara?" he asked. "They mark the end of a day with all the good and bad you’ve done. And they remind you that a new beginning will come again."
She turned to him, amusement flickering in her gaze. "Since when did you become so poetic? Where did you learn that?"
"My grandpa told me once," Luca said, his expression softening.
"Oh," Sara murmured, smiling. "He’s such a kind man. I only met him once when he came to pick you up. He congratulated me for beating you in ranks, remember?"
"Hey, that year I was... distracted," Luca said, chuckling.
"You’ll never admit your defeat, will you?" she teased, narrowing her eyes playfully.
"I might," he said, pausing for a heartbeat, "if I had a reason worth surrendering for."
She blinked, tilting her head. "You what?"
He didn’t answer. Instead, she looked back at the setting sun, her voice softening. "Thank you for bringing me here. I think I needed this. I have to move on to make my future better."
"Exactly," Luca murmured. Then, before she could step away, his arm slipped around her waist, drawing her closer until she could feel her heart racing again.
"That’s why," he said in a low voice, his eyes locked on hers, "put me in your heart, Sara. Love me like you once did."
"If you love me back, I’ll love you," Sara said softly, her voice almost carried away by the whisper of the wind.
Luca let out a low chuckle but didn’t reply. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon. Sara watched him quietly for a moment, her heart still fluttering. Then, acting on impulse, she rose on her toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
The warmth of her lips lingered, and Luca turned his head sharply, his expression shifting in surprise. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing," Sara murmured, looking back toward the sea, trying to mask the rush of color in her cheeks.
But Luca wasn’t one to let the moment pass. He turned to her fully, one hand rising to cradle the back of her neck. His thumb brushed lightly against her skin as he tilted her face toward him.
Before she could speak, his lips claimed hers. It was filled with the longing he’d been holding back for far too long. His other hand pressed against her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.
Sara parted her lips, returning the kisses while shutting her eyes tightly. ’Should I let myself surrender in his love? But why does he want me to love him? What’s in his mind? This kiss doesn’t feel like lacking emotions. From his side, it feels he has feelings for me. But why he never say it aloud. Why he talks in circle?’
Gasping, she pulled away and peered into his eyes, which were still unreadable to her.
He brushed his thumb on her flushed cheek, then brought it to her lips. ’I hate that I couldn’t bring you to my side earlier. I wish it didn’t take me seven long years to be with you. And the fact that you dated Asher burns me with jealousy. I wonder what did that guy do to steal your heart.’