The sun was setting, too beautiful than it looks on a normal day. People around me are drunk, partying like it's the last time for it, and here I am sitting on the beach bench, all alone. I messed up again. I should have allowed him; he was just asking to see me naked. What was the big deal? 

A few hours before:

“You can do this, Clara,” Ryan said

“I know, but I don't want to” 

“F—k, what do you expect from me, to handle your stupid trauma and live my life as a saint for you?”

“I know, but I ..I can’t”

“You are nothing but a stupid girl, with no hope of life. I am breaking up with you”, he shouted and left. 

Present

I called my friends and told them what happened, and without saying anything, they brought me to a beach party, technically to celebrate my freedom. I can’t dance or party like them, alcohol gives me the ick always, and I end up vomiting the whole night. I am 25, but I guess I have no hope for life like Ryan said. But for now, my mind is quiet, the sunset and cold breezes touching my skin through my yellow sundress are more than I can ask for.

“Want a drink?” I heard a voice. 

Adrian Sinclair is next to me, his dark blue shirt absorbing every inch of sunlight left, his sleeves tied up, revealing his forearms more than required, and his dark black eyes fixed on mine, telling me not to observe more than required.

“Clara Bennett, if I am right?” he broke the ice.

“Yes, Adrian Vinclair,” I shook hands with him. Even his hands were larger than mine, so I can expect he was 5 ‘11 in height, but the less I try to notice, the more I do. His skin is a bit darker than mine, too perfect for sunset. 

“So why this sunflower alone?” He asked

“Sunflower?” I took a look at my dress I looked like a sunflower indeed. “I am just chilling here”

“I don’t think so, architect, you love to stay with people. It's the first time seeing you all alone. So what’s on your mind?” 

“Nothing, I can also stay away from the crowd.” I got a bit near him, I can practically feel his body heat. “It’s my tiny secre…” He pulled me closer. “Don't try to get more near, sugar. Or you will melt from the heat.” He whispered and then released me. I could barely breathe. What just happened here? 

“There, there, why do you look so blushed, Clara?” He joked 

“Is it funny?”

“More like astonished to see you blush, you are always so up to work. Sugar”

Before I could react, my friend Tia came near us and asked me to join them. I stood up from the bench. But before that, “You pulled every girl closer, or I was at your ease?” I questioned him. 

“I was just checking whether my soon-to-be architect is devoted to work or not?”

“Soon to be his architect?”

“I talked to your manager, and we have a meeting this Saturday. Be ready, Sugar”

He left after engraving so many questions in my head.