Xhani's POV
I stood outside my family's lake house, staring at it blankly. It looked so neglected, dirt streaking its once-pristine walls. It had been years since I last came here, and no one had kept up with the maintenance.
The house was still the same—a beautiful white double-story home with a giant double door that reached up to the second floor. The design mirrored the other houses around the lake, all of them elegant and grand. As you entered, a French glass window framed the serene view of the lake. Beyond the windows, the backyard porch extended gently over the crystal-clear water.
Inside, a grand, twisted staircase led to the upper floor, which housed three bedrooms, each with its own attached bathroom. Two of the bedrooms overlooked the lake, while the third faced the forest. The double garage was still there, and I knew it held my dad's matte black sports jet ski and his red vintage Mustang. Black had always been his favorite color, and it had become mine too.
I couldn't bring myself to step inside. I just stood there, lost in thought, memories flooding back—memories of happier times, of a complete family, of laughter echoing through these walls.
As I wiped away a stray tear, TJ appeared beside me, gently bumping my elbow to pull me out of my thoughts.
"Need help going inside?" he asked, his hazel eyes soft with concern.
I looked at him, my eyes teary and pleading. "It's been so long. I couldn't find the courage to come back here... without them," I said, my voice trembling as I glanced back at the house.
"I know," he said softly. "We come here every year, and every year, there's no sign of you or anyone else. Last year, Dad called your uncle and got permission for us to go inside and clean up. We fixed it up for you, just in case you decided to come by," he said, his eyes meeting mine.
"May I?" he asked, extending his hand toward me.
"You may," I replied with a faint smile, slipping my hand into his.
He led me inside, and I was surprised to see how clean it was. There was still some dust, but the house was far from the state I had imagined. As we stepped inside, memories hit me like a tidal wave—moments from my childhood, laughter, and love from when my family was whole. My heart ached, but I pushed the pain down.
TJ guided me upstairs and into my old bedroom. It was as if time had frozen. My white bridal bed was still there, the floral curtains draped delicately around it. On the left side of the room stood my dressing table, untouched, with my childhood treasures still in place: my small pink jewelry box, my hairbrush, and a tube of lip gloss.
But there was something new—a red velvet box sitting on the table. It wasn't mine.
Curiosity piqued, I walked toward it, realizing only then that I was still holding TJ's hand tightly. He gently unlinked our fingers, giving me space.
I picked up the box and opened it slowly. Inside was a stunning silver necklace with a moon and star pendant. I carefully lifted it, admiring its intricate design. Turning it over, I noticed an engraving: *TJ.*
I spun around to face him, and he was smiling, his eyes alight with anticipation as he stepped closer.
"Do you like it?" he asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Of course, I love it. It's beautiful, TJ. When did you get this?" I asked, my voice unable to mask my excitement.
"May I put it on you?" he asked, holding out his hand.
I handed him the necklace and turned to face the mirror. He stepped closer, gently lifting my hair and placing it over one shoulder. His touch sent shivers down my spine, sparking a sensation I couldn't quite explain.
He carefully clasped the necklace around my neck, letting his fingers linger on my shoulders. His hands began to softly slide up and down my arms, the warmth of his touch igniting something deep within me.
"It looks beautiful on you," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.
I caught his eyes in the mirror as he leaned in closer, his chest pressed against my back. He placed a soft kiss on the side of my neck, sending a wave of nervous excitement through me.
"I bought it last year when we came to clean the house. I left it here, hoping you'd come and find it. I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to put it on you myself," he said, his voice a gentle rumble as he held me firmly yet tenderly.
I felt myself melting in his arms, the warmth of his presence wrapping around me like a cocoon. His grip on me tightened slightly as he buried his face in the curve of my neck, inhaling deeply.
"I've been dying to smell you again," he admitted, his voice husky. "Do you remember how I used to hug you for hours when we were kids? Your scent always calmed me down."
I felt my knees weaken as the memory flooded back. As children, TJ had always been by my side, my constant protector. On summer nights, when we slept under the stars, he would always position himself next to me, never leaving my side.
But now, I could feel there was more to this than childhood nostalgia.
The way he held me, the way he spoke—it was deeper, more intimate. Something in my heart stirred, and for the first time in years, I felt truly seen, truly wanted.
And now, I knew there was more to this story than I ever realized.