Chapter 29
Olivia and Julian strolled along the beach barefoot. The fine, soft sand beneath their feet felt like a natural foot massage soothing and warm..
Further down the beach, a lively music festival was in full swing. Tourists and locals swayed to the rhythm of the music with drinks in hand, as if trying to shake off every last worly and inhibition.
Staff members weaved through the crowd, handing out complimentary drinks in disposable cups.
Both Olivia and Julian were each handed a cup of alcohol. Olivia subtly placed hers back on the bar, took Julian’s cup, and returned his cup without a
word.
Julian asked with raised brows, “You drink alcohol, don’t you? Why did you put the cups back?”
“I quit,” Olivia replied casually.
“When did that happen?”
“Just now.“.
Before he could respond, one of the staff noticed the returned drinks and immediately approached them. “Hey, are you two newlyweds trying for a baby? No worries, if you don’t want alcohol, we’ve got non–alcoholic options too.”
She cheerfully handed them two bottles of soda. “We’re running a promotion today. Everything’s free, including snacks and fresh fruit. Help yourselves with everything, and congrats on the wedding.”
“Thanks, but we’re not-” Olivia started to explain, but the girl had already rushed to other visitors to bring them drinks.
Julian said casually, “She’s just a stranger. Let her think what she wants. No need to explain.”
Then he smirked and said, “Honestly, if I didn’t know you, seeing you suddenly quit both smoking and drinking, I might assume you were trying to get pregnant.”
Olivia took a quick sip of her soda to hide the flicker of guilt in her eyes.
‘Because I am,‘ she admitted to herself. ‘And I didn’t let you drink in case it affects the quality of your sperm. Gotta play it safe.‘
Just the thought of the pregnancy renewed her determination, and she told herself, ‘Ovulation’s happening now. This window can’t go to waste. I need to make the most of it.‘
Looping her arm through Julian’s, Olivia picked up the pace. “Such a perfect night. It’d be a shame not to spend it in bed. Let’s go back and sleep.”
Julian let out a chuckle but took her back.
The next morning, Olivia refused to get out of bed.
Julian yanked the blanket off her and said, “Get up, lazybones. I’m taking you out. Surfing or diving, which one first?”
“Can we just stay in the room?” Olivia mumbled into the pillow.
Julian grinned. “Moderation, babe. Let’s have some daylight fun before we get back to bed.”
Olivia had no comeback but got up to get dressed.
Fri, 20 Jon
Chapter 29
After breakfast, Julian brought Olivia to the beach. She chose to try surfing first.
To get into the water, Olivia had to change into a swimsuit. She picked one out herself, but Julian immediately shook his head and handed her å en piece that looked utterly tragic.
“Not this one,” Olivia protested, wrinkling her nose. “This one is terrible.”
Julian shrugged. “If you don’t mind getting your pants brought away by the water, suit yourself.”
Défeated, Olivia silently changed into the ugly one–piece.
Once they were ready, Julian handed Olivi
a surfboard and guided her
the
ater. He had her lie flat on the board to paddle and warm up. He then
patiently walked her through how to get up and balance properly.
Then he brought out a motorboat. Driving it ahead, he created artificial waves for her to follow, while she tried to ride them behind him.
At first, Olivia couldn’t even stand up without toppling over. But she was stand hated to lose. Again and again, she failed, but she never gave up.
Hundreds of attempts later, her balance began to hold. She could stand up from three seconds to ten, then to fuli minutes, and soon, she was riding with surprising grace.
Julian kept glancing back from the boat, watching her progress.
Olivia beamed and waved at him, her face glowing with joy. “Julian, I did it. Am I amazing?”
Julian replied with a proud smile, “You’re the best student I’ve ever had.”
He just didn’t tell her that she was also the only one he’d ever taught.
Olivia laughed even harder, her joy radiating from her face as the sea breeze brushed against her cheeks. The thrill of speeding across the water pushed every worry out of her mind. It had been so long since she’d laughed like this.
“Julian,” she shouted over the roar of the waves.
“Yeah?” he asked.
Olivia said, “This feels like walking a dog across the sea. Can I try to walk you?”
They switched places. Olivia took the wheel of the motorboat, and Julian hopped onto the surfboard behind her to catch the waves she created.
Olivia’s driving skills left something to be desired. The waves she stirred up were choppier and more erratic, but Julian adjusted each time with practiced ease, shifting his weight and rebalancing like it was second nature.
By afternoon, they switched gear and dove into the sea for a round of underwater exploration. Dressed in full diving suits, they submerged into the world
-below.
The fish didn’t seem the least bit afraid of humans. In fact, they swam right up to them, circling curiously. Olivia was amazed by the scene and reached out to touch several different kinds.
Julian picked up a stone and cracked open a sea urchin. Within moments, a frenzy of fish rushed over, jostling each other to get a taste.
Olivia’s eyes lit up. Inspired, she began cracking open sea urchins herself and feeding the fish.
One particular orange fish grew especially enthusiastic. Every time Olivia opened another sea urchin, its tail wagged even more energetically, as if cheering her on.
Driven by joy and encouragement from that little fish, Olivia kept going and soon opened more than twenty sea urchins, leaving behind a scattered trail of empty shells across the seabed.
Chapter 29
This is so fun, Olivia thought. I could do this all day.‘
But soon, Julian tugged her gently back toward the surface.
“What are you doing?” she protested through the diving mask. “The fish aren’t full yet. I’m not done.”
Julian chuckled. “There are countless fish down there. Even if you feed them for a lifetime, they still won’t be full.”
Olivia retorted, “I don’t care. I haven’t had enough. Watching them eat makes me happy.”
Julian pointed toward the horizon. “The sun’s starting to set. It will get dark fast, and it’s not safe to stay underwater after that. If you really want to feed them again, I’ll bring you back another day.”
Reluctantly, Olivia gave in and followed Julian ashore. After spending so long in the water, she felt her body was unusually heavy. Olivia leaned into Julian, her body slack with exhaustion.
She mumbled, “I’m so tired. Didn’t feel it while playing, but now, it’s like my body doesn’t even belong to me.”
“I’ve got a place near the foot of that hill,” Julian said, pointing to a low mountain nearby. “There’s a hot spring there. Soaking in it will help with the fatigue.”
Olivia stayed draped against him like a limp cat. “Can you carry me?t don’t think I can walk another step.”
Julian smiled. “Sure, I can even lift you all the way there.”
Olivia snorted, “That’s like at least a few feet. Can you even carry me that far?”
Julian didn’t respond with words. Instead, he demonstrated it with his action.
Before she could react, Olivia found herself swept off her feet. Julian had picked her up in a bridal carry and was now walking calmly toward the distant
hills.
He said with a grin, “You know what, I can run while carrying you.”
“Julian, put me down! I believe you. I believe you, okay? Just put me down,” Olivia begged.
Far in the distance, Joe and his old buddies were watching through binoculars, each with a deeply conflicted look on their face.
“So this is how young people date now?” one of them muttered. “Back in our day, no one went around picking up their partner and running off like that.”
Another added, “Joe, looks like your grandson doesn’t really know how to flirt. Should we get someone to give him a few lessons?”
Joe crossed his arms and sighed, “Maybe this is just what dating looks like for the younger generation. I don’t get it, but I’ll respect it. Just let them go.”
