Chapter 100
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the small island in hues of orange and gold. Waves lapped gently at the shore, and a soft breeze carried the scent of salt and wildflowers. The secluded villa sat nestled amidst palm trees, its white walls glowing in the fading light.
Celestina sat on the porch, her feet propped up on the wooden railing. She wore a light sundress, her hair loose and wavy from the ocean air. In her hands was a worn book she had been struggling to finish, though her thoughts often wandered elsewhere.
From the kitchen, Dimitri’s deep, steady voice broke the peaceful silence. “Dinner’s almost ready. Do you want wine or tea with it?”
Celestina smiled faintly, closing the book. “Tea, I think. Wine will just make me sleep too early.”
Dimitri appeared in the doorway, a soft grin on his face. He wore a loose linen shirt and rolled-up trousers, looking more relaxed than she had ever seen him. “Tea it is,” he said, walking toward her.
As he reached the porch, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You look like you’re somewhere else tonight.”
She sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I’m just… thinking. About everything we left behind. About my father, the country, the people.”
Dimitri sat on the railing beside her, his hand brushing hers. “You’ve done everything you could, Celestina. You exposed the truth. You gave the people a chance to fight for themselves. Now, you deserve peace.”
She turned to him, her eyes searching his. “Do you really believe that? That we’re safe here? That we can just… live like this forever?”
Dimitri hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the horizon. “I want to believe it. This island is so far removed from everything. No one knows we’re here.”
Her lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. “But someone always finds a way, don’t they?”
Later that evening, they dined on the porch under a canopy of stars. Dimitri had prepared grilled fish and fresh fruit, the simplicity of the meal reminding Celestina of what life could be without the weight of politics and betrayal.
“This feels surreal,” she said, taking a bite of the juicy mango.
“What does?” Dimitri asked, pouring her a cup of tea.
“Us. Here. Alone.” She gestured toward the calm ocean. “It’s like a dream I never thought I’d have.”
Dimitri reached across the table and took her hand. “You deserve dreams, Celestina. After everything you’ve been through… you deserve this.”
Her throat tightened as she squeezed his hand. “You say that, but I can’t help feeling like it’s temporary. Like we’re just waiting for the storm to find us again.”
He stood, walking around the table to kneel beside her. Taking her face in his hands, he said softly, “Then let’s live every day like the storm will never come. Because even if it does, I’ll protect you. Always.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she pulled him into an embrace. For a brief moment, the weight on her chest lifted.
The next morning, the world seemed brighter. The sunlight danced on the waves, and the air carried the sound of distant seabirds. Celestina wandered down to the beach, her bare feet sinking into the cool sand. She let the water lap at her toes, closing her eyes to the rhythmic sound of the ocean.
Behind her, Dimitri called out, “You’re going to burn if you stay out there too long.”
She laughed, turning to see him standing at the edge of the beach with a towel slung over his shoulder. “You’re starting to sound like an old man.”
He smirked. “And you’re starting to look too carefree. It’s almost suspicious.”
She rolled her eyes but walked back toward him, letting him drape the towel around her shoulders. “I think I’m finally starting to believe we’re safe here,” she admitted quietly.
Dimitri kissed the top of her head. “That’s all I want for you. For us.”
They walked hand in hand back to the villa, the warm sand crunching beneath their feet.
But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, a shadow fell over their sanctuary.
Celestina was tending to the small garden behind the villa when she heard it: the faint hum of voices. She froze, her hands gripping the trowel tightly.
“Dimitri?” she called out, her voice wavering.
He emerged from the house, his expression instantly alert. “What is it?”
“Someone’s here,” she whispered.
The two of them moved toward the edge of the property, hiding behind the thick foliage. Peering through the leaves, Celestina’s heart dropped.
A man stood near the beach, his back to her.
“It’s them,” the man said, his voice carrying just enough for Celestina to hear.
Her blood ran cold.
