Alia running away from Trevor on the hike above.

ALIA

Returning to her bedroom in the early hours of the morning, Alia carefully shut the door behind her and tiptoed over to her side of the bed. Making sure Diana was still asleep, she snuck under the duvet, managing to do so without creating too much disturbance.

It was at that moment that she rolled over and snorted, "Well that's a walk of shame if I've ever seen one."

Alia let out a startled gasp, "Oh my God, I thought you were sleeping!"

"I was up all night panicking about where you were, asshole."

"I'm so sorry! I didn't realise–"

Slapping a hand over her mouth, Diana silenced her and winked, "It's okay, I felt much better after finding you in safe hands."

"Fuck off," Alia flicked her on the forehead.

Suddenly growing sober, Diana blinked as her smile faded away. It was an expression Alia had only seen very few times on her best friend's face– one that promised hours of endless interrogation.

Reaching out to interlace their hands, Diana frowned, "What are you doing?"

Taking one look at the earnest expression on her face, Alia decided speak truthfully and huffed out a laugh, "Honestly, I have no idea. All I know is that this connection Trevor and I have, whatever it is, scares me."

"Does he make you happy?"

"I guess so."

"And you care about him?"

"Uh, yeah."

Squeezing her hand, Diana smiled softly, "I hope he treats you well."

"He does... most of the time. I thought you hated him?"

"I don't hate him, I just strongly dislike him. It's not the same thing."

"I suppose so."

Alia blinked at Diana, surprised by the abrupt expression of candour. She normally avoided engaging in anything overly sentimental, opting to laugh off those feelings, so it came as a surprise to see her willingly be soppy.

Sighing quietly, she asked again, "Now tell me what you're really afraid of because it sure as hell isn't your feelings."

Chewing her lip, Alia looked away, "You don't know that."

"No, I guess not."

"This weird thing between us feels too strong. Every moment feels too intense."

"Try again, a little emotion never scared you. If there's one thing you've always been confident in, it's your heart. You love too freely to hide it."

"I-I'm scared of the consequences."

"What do you mean?"

"Admitting that I have feelings for him isn't the hard part, it's the consequences of falling for him that scare me."

All her life, Alia had worked towards being the perfect daughter. Though her parents fortunately never forced her into anything, there was always that invisible hand over her shoulder to guide her. Raising her with both warmth and discipline, her parents never had to interfere unless necessary. She knew their rules came from a place of love so followed them without complaint, allowing their silent influence to remain. When it came to finding a life partner, they always had a few conditions. Stipulations that Trevor, the notorious businessman, most definitely didn't abide.

Realisation dawned as Diana finally understood what she was concerned about, "When you understand yourself well, then what others think of you doesn't matter. If you don't take charge of your own life, somebody else will."

Alia released a shuddering breath, "I don't want to disappoint them."

"Knowing Prasad uncle and Nidhi aunty, the only way they would be disappointed was if you failed to stay true to yourself. Be unafraid to follow your heart, it's never let you down before."

"I can't believe you of all people are encouraging me to be with Trevor."

"What can I say? I'm a sucker for romance."

Someone knocked on the door, interrupting their conversation as Diana groggily rubbed her eyes while Alia slipped out of bed. Trudging over to the door, she opened it and froze upon seeing Trevor with his fist ready to knock again.

Diana lifted her head up to see who was at the door and snorted, "Speak of the devil."

Ignoring the snide comment, he simply mumbled, "Kiara told me to let you know breakfast was ready."

Immediately turning around to leave, Trevor dismissed Alia before she even formulated a response. She berated herself for stupidly assuming yesterday would change anything. He had droves of women at his disposal and one more flocking about him wasn't unusual.

Swallowing her disappointment, she childishly prodded at him, "I see your hangover is finally hitting."

He paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder at her with that devilish look in those dark eyes, "Couldn't sleep properly without my comfort blanket."

"Um o-oh, that's unfortunate."

"Yes, very."

Flustered and so clearly out of her depth, she scrambled back to slam the door shut with an embarrassing squeak, "See you downstairs!"

Checking the clock, Alia flopped back onto the bed in dismay as she realised just how early it was. Today would be their last full day in Miami and Kiara was clearly planning to make the most of it. Though the idea of spending the entire day climbing rough terrains seemed despicable, the way her face lit up when she described exploring the hiking trails was all it took for Alia to acquiesce. Exciting, yes, but there was just one added complication– Trevor.

Begrudgingly getting out of bed, Diana stretched out her limbs before starting on the impossible task of rousing Alia from her slumber. Eventually the two women donned their sportswear and trudged downstairs for breakfast. Practically vibrating in her seat, Kiara buzzed with restless energy as they filed out of the villa.

As they all piled out of the jeep, the air smacked them with the type of mountain-pine freshness that made people talk about the great outdoors with religious fervour. Alia had conveniently convinced herself that the day was about the hike, not about how the light caught Trevor's hair or the way he laughed, which sounded suspiciously like it belonged in some sort of charming British rom-com. Instead, she focused on tightening the shoelaces of her sneakers.

Backpacks secured and water bottles filled, they grouped at the trailhead with Alia carefully ensuring her gaze never lingered on Trevor. It wasn't that Alia didn't like Trevor– no, it was just that admitting any sort of affection for him felt like stepping off a cliff without checking for a parachute.

On the other hand, Miya and Diana stood to the side, quietly mumbling as they pointed at things in the distance. Gaping at the unexpected serenity of their surroundings, Kiara spun around to take in the view.

Her voice rang out, a little too chipper for someone facing a twenty-kilometre hike uphill, "Let's get this party started!"

"The things I do for you," Trevor sighed, eyes scanning the map in his hands as she peered over his shoulder.

"Look alive, you're about to witness greatness," she beamed, her enthusiasm catching.

They started up the path, conversation bubbling around Alia as Chris and Diana debated the best classic novels, while Kiara quizzed Miya about her some new contract she signed. A distinct voice floated through the chilly air, catching Alia's attention despite herself. Trevor was effortlessly charming, animatedly joking around with the Kiara. Tara and Jason were, of course, disgustingly romantic as they flirted mercilessly with each other.

Alia had deliberately slipped towards the back, putting a few bodies between her and Trevor. If she could just maintain a distance, maybe she could ignore the flutter in her chest every time she accidentally caught his eye. Glancing briefly at her before lagging slightly behind, he walked at a slower speed that she suspected was to keep her company. His stride was easy, sculpted back defined with toned muscle that she definitely was not admiring.

He casually intercepted her reverie, as if his presence hadn't sent a ripple of awareness down her spine, "Considering taking up my offer for another date?"

She almost stumbled over, only managing a pathetic answer, "Um, yes– wait, no," frustratedly scrambling for a response, she kept her gaze fixed to the path ahead but waved him off; "Ugh I don't know."

He looked over and smiled slowly, in a way that seemed as if he knew too much, "Wow, your mouth always this eloquent?"

"Shut up," she muttered, feeling her face heat up.

Why did everything that came out of this man's mouth sound suggestive? Alia could feel Trevor's glance now and then, but refused to meet his eyes, afraid that her resolve would crumble. She picked up her pace, nearly jogging to catch up to the group, leaving him to walk on his own. They were just friends, she reminded herself fiercely. Actually, barely even friends.

The trail curved and climbed but Alia kept her focus on the uneven ground, the roots and rocks– anything but Trevor. The group spread out, their varying paces pulling them into smaller clusters. She found herself walking with Miya now, who was placidly oblivious to her internal turmoil.

Taking a deep breath of crisp air, she exhaled heavily, "There's a strange peace with exhausting your body beyond limits."

"Absolutely," Alia replied, sneaking a glance back to see Trevor helping Diana adjust her backpack.

Catching the look, Trevor waved with a grin as Alia whipped her head around so fast that she nearly gave herself whiplash. Halfway up, during a break, they spread out to sit on large boulders to rest. Sipping her water, she pretended to be absorbed in a particularly fascinating patch of moss on a nearby tree. He sat down next to her, knee just inches from hers.

"Beautiful day, huh?," he said casually, following her gaze to the moss.

"You want to talk about the weather?," she prodded stiffly, acutely aware of how close he was.

As they resumed the hike, Alia told herself over and over that she was just here for the mountain, the exercise, the bragging rights– anything but the devil with the disarming smile right behind her. Because admitting anything else would mean facing a slope she wasn't sure she wanted to climb.