The holiday Alexander had planned truly felt like a dream for Selena. They stayed at a luxurious seaside resort with a stunning view of the endless blue ocean. Every corner of the place felt warm, not just because of the sunshine, but because of the deepening bond between them.
As morning came, Alexander invited Selena to enjoy breakfast by the beach. The gentle breeze caressing their skin added to the perfection of the moment. Alexander casually poured coffee into Selena's cup, their eyes meeting in a silent, meaningful gaze.
"Selena, you know... I've never felt like this before," Alexander said, his voice deep and tender.
"Felt like what?" Selena asked with a small smile, though her heart pounded at his words.
"Like I've found something I've been searching for all this time. And now, I'm afraid of losing it," Alexander confessed, his eyes showing an undeniable sincerity. Selena was silent for a moment. His words stirred a faint memory in her mind—a vision of the future she had seen some time ago. In that vision, she saw Alexander involved in a severe accident while they were in a relationship. The vision had been so vivid that it frightened her. However, she quickly dismissed the thought, trying to enjoy the sweet moment with Alexander without dwelling on potential dangers.
"Alexander, don't be afraid. I'm here, with you," Selena said softly but sincerely. Alexander smiled gently, taking her hand and holding it tightly. "Thank you, Selena. You make everything better."
Feeling more open, Selena decided to share something personal. "Honestly, since I met you, there's something different about you. Being near you feels calming. I have HSAM, an uncontrollable photographic memory. Every day, I always remember both the happy and painful moments from my past, but since I've known you, I feel more at ease. It's like I can control my memory better. You know, it's not pleasant to vividly recall sad things as if they just happened."
Alexander was speechless, stunned by her confession.
Their days were filled with increasingly close moments. They strolled along the beach, enjoyed romantic dinners under the moonlight, and shared light-hearted banter in their hotel room. Yet, despite the happiness, Selena couldn't ignore the whispers she had heard at the office before they left for the holiday.
Some colleagues, especially the women, had started showing signs of jealousy since news of Selena's relationship with Alexander spread. They saw her as someone who was only after wealth and power. It was a completely unfounded accusation, but one that stung deeply.
Returning from their holiday, Selena faced an even tougher situation. At work, the atmosphere felt awkward. Some friends who had once been close to her now began keeping their distance. During lunch in the pantry, Selena tried to join her usual group of friends, but her presence was met with cold, disdainful stares.
"Well, if it isn't the gold digger herself," sneered Dinda, one of her colleagues.
Selena turned, surprised. "What do you mean, Dinda?"
"What do I mean? Oh, come on, Selena. Do you think we're all stupid? Since when did you suddenly get close to the CEO? Do you think we don't know what you're after?" Dinda laughed mockingly, followed by a few others.
"Dinda, stop talking like that," Reza, another colleague, interjected. "Selena's not what you think."
"Reza, you're defending her too much. Everyone here knows that nobody gets close to Alexander without some ulterior motive. And suddenly, Selena, who's never really stood out, becomes his girlfriend? That doesn't make sense," Dinda added sharply.
Selena lowered her head, trying to hold back the pain in her chest. She wanted to explain, to defend herself, but every word she wanted to say seemed caught in her throat. Just then, the sound of footsteps approached, and the pantry fell silent.
Alexander appeared, standing with a commanding yet calm presence. "Is there something someone would like to explain to me?" he asked coldly, his gaze sharp as it landed on Dinda.
Everyone remained silent, even Dinda looked nervous. Alexander walked over to Selena and took her hand in front of everyone. "If anyone has an issue with our relationship, you can speak directly to me. I don't appreciate cheap gossip in my office."
Dinda lowered her head, her face turning red with embarrassment. No one dared to meet Alexander's gaze.
After what felt like an eternity, Alexander turned to Selena. "Let's go," he said gently, pulling her hand as they left the pantry.
In his office, Alexander asked Selena to sit on the sofa. He poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I should've protected you better."
"It's not your fault, Alex. I knew it would be difficult from the start. I just... didn't expect them to think so badly of me," Selena replied quietly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Alexander sat beside her, cupping her face with both hands. "Selena, listen to me. I don't care what they say. The only thing I care about is you. I want you to know that I love you sincerely, and I will always be here for you."
Selena remained silent, her heart enveloped in a warmth that was difficult to describe. At that moment, she felt as if all her fears and doubts were slowly fading away. With Alexander, she found the strength to face any challenge.
"I love you too, Alex," Selena finally said, her voice barely a whisper but filled with honesty.
Alexander smiled, gazing at Selena with deep affection before pulling her into a warm embrace. They both remained silent, savoring the moment without needing words. All that existed was sincerity and a love that filled the void in their hearts, as if they were two souls who had finally found their home.
Outside, there might still be many who doubted their relationship. But for Selena and Alexander, what mattered most was that they had each other. Together, they believed they could overcome anything that lay ahead.