"You saw me and Daisy at the beach? Is that what you're saying?" Kevin asks, his voice tight with disbelief.
"Yes," Mia replies quietly, the single word heavier than it should be.
"When I saw you two… I realized you already had a girlfriend. That's why we never made anything official," she adds, her eyes fixed on the dashboard.
Kevin blinks, stunned."Me and Daisy?" he echoes, like the words don't make sense.
"Yes," Mia says again, barely above a whisper.
"You disappeared six years ago because you thought I had a girlfriend?" His voice cracks slightly.
He leans back in his seat, exhaling like he's been punched. A quiet, disbelieving "Wow" leaves his lips as he rests his head against the headrest, his hand covering his forehead, elbow propped on the window.
Mia glances at him, confused by his silence."What is that reaction?"
Kevin turns his head slowly, his expression unreadable."Why am I reacting like this?" he repeats, then suddenly bursts—not in volume, but in emotion."Because me and Daisy never dated, Mia."
"What?" she asks, her mouth falling open.
"She's always been a close friend—yeah, maybe a little clingy, but that's just her. We never dated. Never even came close," Kevin says, his voice low but firm.
Mia sits frozen, her lips slightly parted. Words won't come.
Kevin's eyes lock on hers."So you saw something, made your own story in your head, and just left? No goodbye, no explanation—nothing? You just vanished."
His voice doesn't rise, but the frustration is sharp."I searched for you like a madman," he says, then softer, disappointed,"It made me crazy because I thought I did something wrong to make you go away from me."
Mia can't believe what she's hearing. Everything she's believed for the past six years—wrong.Guilt surges through her, sinking deep like a weight in her chest.It was her.She hadn't just broken her own heart. She broke his too.
Kevin's words, his pain, the disbelief—they cut deeper than she expects. And before she can stop it, tears well up and spill from her eyes, silently tracing down her cheeks.
"I didn't know…" Mia whispers, her voice trembling as tears stream down. She can't bring herself to meet his eyes.
Kevin, still staring out the window, slowly turns to her. When he sees her crying, something in him softens—but the ache is still fresh, too raw.
He reaches into the center console and quietly hands her a handkerchief, his fingers brushing hers for a second. She keeps her gaze down.
"I'll take you home," he says quietly, starting the engine. His voice is calm, but distant—like a door slowly closing.
_________________________________________________
They arrive in front of Mia's house. Kevin says nothing.
No goodbye. No glance. Just the soft hum of the engine fading as he drives away, leaving only silence.
Mia stands there, watching the car grow smaller until it disappears around the corner.
Inside, she sits on the edge of her bed, her mind a storm of memories and regrets. Every word, every look—replaying in a loop she can't shut off.
She picks up her phone and opens a new message to Kevin. Her fingers hover over the screen.
"I'm sorry…"
But she can't press send.
Instead, she locks the screen and places the phone beside her. Slowly, she lies back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Another tear slips down—silent, full of everything she can't say.
Her phone buzzes.
She barely glances before answering."Hello?"
"It's me, Jella. Did you get home safe?" her friend asks, voice casual and warm.
"Yeah," Mia replies, dull-toned, eyes still fixed on the ceiling.
There's a pause."But… what was that earlier?" Jella asks, curiosity lighting her voice. "Why did Mr. Garcia take you home? The way he just took your bag and walked off—that was kind of manly, don't you think? Low-key attractive," she adds with a teasing giggle.
"Yeah… you're right," Mia mutters, voice distant.
Jella pauses again. Her tone shifts, concerned."Hey, why do you sound like that? Is something wrong?"
"No, I'm just… tired," Mia says quietly, rubbing her temple.
"Ah, okay. I won't keep you then. Get some rest, alright? See you tomorrow."
"You too," Mia says, ready to hang up, but Jella jumps back in.
"Oh! I almost forgot," she adds quickly. "Ben didn't come back with us. He stayed at the resort. Said he'd go home on his own."
Mia blinks, sitting up slightly."Really?"
"Yeah," Jella says, a hint of confusion in her voice. "He looked… off. Kind of annoyed, maybe. I couldn't really tell. Just—watch out tomorrow. You know how he is. After that kiss… and then you left with another guy? Girl, he might eat you alive."
Mia's lips twitch in a small, joyless smile."Yeah. Thanks for telling me."
"Anytime. Alright, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow."
"Night," Mia whispers.
The call ends.
Mia slowly puts the phone down on the mattress and stares into the quiet darkness of her room.Her heart feels heavy—too heavy for such a soft bed.