"Yes, I guess I missed the timing. Not that I wouldn't want to, or I planned not to. I guess my timing passed." Josh said.

"I don't think so. Despite what Marc did to me, I thought positively. I think for people like me, like you, someone is somewhere getting prepared for us. I wish and pray that someone destined for me is somewhere. And I hope it's the same for you too. Besides, after everything we've been through, I think we both met our quota of challenges and pains, right? We have to think like it coz the power of the mind and heart is beyond." said Mara.

"Well, that is quite a motivation," said Josh.

"Yes, we should take it like that. Someone destined for us is on the way." Mara said as her voice broke.

Mara paused for a few seconds and burst into tears. Her tears are like pure bright lights on that dark seaside. Josh, without hesitation, hugged her towards him and whispered to her. "Cry; take this as your crying time with someone willing to listen and to whom you can cry. Let all your worries and pains come out thru your tears."

In the stillness of that night, Josh hugged her tightly, feeling that he wanted so much to protect her. And Mara cried her heart out silently to Josh, who made her feel safe for the first time. Her crying to Josh made her feel like all the tears she had that night had cleansed her heart from the heaviness she had been carrying.

***

The night has passed. It is 5 AM; as shown on her phone, Bu, Mara seems to have not slept. Instead, she lay in bed, just staring at the roof of her cottage. Her mind is full of questions.

I can't! What did I do? Did I give Josh the wrong impression? Gosh, what came to me?

Mara could not sleep after Josh brought her to her cottage. As they were about to stand up from where they sat, she accidentally tripped toward Josh. And their eyes met, and their lips touched. Josh hugged her towards him with his eyes gazing deeply at her. The gaze made Mara feel his face magnetically pulled towards him more.

Silently, they held hands and walked back to their cottages. As they reached Mara's cottage door, and before she could open it, Josh pulled her towards him again and kissed her. He hugged her again and said goodnight. Mara stood still in front of her cottage door, speechless. Then, after a few seconds and realizing she was the only one outside, she ran inside her cottage and stayed in bed awake, staring at the ceiling.

Mara decided to do her morning walk to ease Josh away from her mind.  I better go out and take a walk. I will get crazy thinking about Josh. Maybe I will feel sleepy after walking. Anyway, it's just 530AM, and everyone is still asleep. I will be back before they wake up.

She quietly got out of her cottage and walked towards the compound gate. It startled her to see Josh waiting for her at the entrance. She can't turn back anymore. Josh already noticed her and was smiling at her.

"I've been waiting here for over 20 minutes now. I was thinking of knocking at your door. Did you sleep well?" Josh asked.

Mara smiled and avoided his face. She doesn't know how she will face him after last night. But Josh was so relaxed. He was trying to look at her face and asked her. "Should we walk towards the lighthouse?"

Mara answered while trying to look away. "It's fine with me. But why are you awake this early? I thought everyone was still asleep."

Josh cleared his throat. "I couldn't sleep. I wanted to return to your cottage last night, but I restrained myself. And I can't wait for the sun to be up because I wanted to see you."

"Why are you like this? Ah!!! You are going to make me crazy!" Mara kept shaking her head as she looked at Josh.

But Josh just gazed at her and smiled while locking his hand with hers. And he led Mara towards the lighthouse. Mara started talking to herself silently while walking hand in hand with Josh.

What is going on with Josh?!! Is he playing with me right now? My hands are trembling, and I can hear my heartbeat louder than the sea waves. I hope he doesn't notice any of it.

"Let us find a spot near the lighthouse. Are you okay?" Josh asked, leading their way to a bench near the lighthouse. 

"I'm okay, but you are making me nervous. Why are you doing this to me?" Mara stared at their locked hands.

Josh cupped her face towards him after they sat on the bench. "Mara, we are not teenagers anymore. We are both adults. Let us talk seriously. We both know what happened last night. I don't know how and when and even why this sudden. But I'm sure of one thing; I like you. I can feel you feel the same way, too. Am I right?"

Mara nodded automatically. "I don't know how it happened. But I like you too. Is it okay for us to feel this way so suddenly?"

Josh smiled and slowly kissed her on the forehead. "I'm not dating anyone. This is the first time in my life that I feel happy. I feel complete whenever I'm with you." He gently touched her cheek. "Are you dating anyone?"

"Of course not! What are you suggesting?" Mara pouted. "I wouldn't be able to come with you guys... the more kiss you if I'm with someone."

Josh hugged her towards him and kissed her hair. Mara's heart felt full. She didn't realize putting her arms around Josh. Mara felt a familiar spark and connection when he deeply gazed at her face.

"Josh, I don't know why, but when you gazed at me like that, you looked familiar, but I can't remember."

Josh immediately stood up. "Maybe we should go back to the cottages. We don't have our masks, and people are coming out."

As they entered the compound, they saw Rich reading a newspaper with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Why so early, you guys?" he asked them.

"I always do my morning walk, remember best friend? And I chanced upon Josh when he was about to leave," answered Mara.

Rich pointed them towards the prepared breakfast table. "Okay, have your breakfast now. I think Jang is still sleeping."

Josh started preparing two cups of coffee. "He should be awake by now. He needs to call Korea by 10 AM."

During their breakfast, Josh was so accommodating to Mara's needs. However, Mara was trying to act as usual in front of Rich. Josh didn't mind Rich's presence. Rich, however, felt something different between the two. He tried to ignore Josh's gestures towards Mara but secretly observed the interaction and glances between the two.

Remembering the call Mara got from last night, Rich asked her. "Girlfriend, I forgot to ask who called you last night. Unfortunately, I slept early and didn't get the chance to wait for you."

"It was Kim, the one I exchange work shifts with. She was supposed to take her one week off when I came back. But she's asking If I can extend mine for another week coz her flight got rescheduled."

"What did you say?" Josh's question and the excitement in his voice cause Rich's brows to rise.

He stared at the two's faces. "I can't extend my vacation, girlfriend. What will you do in your apartment if you take another week off?"

"I told her I'm gonna think about it until tomorrow," Mara answered.

"Tell her yes!" Josh took Mara's hand and squeezed it.

Rich winked at Mara secretly while pointing at their locked hands. Then, he asked Mara by signing what was going on between them, which Mara tried ignoring.

The battle of silent questions stopped when Jang came out with his cellphone and laptop. "Good morning, everyone! Josh, I just called Korea; we need to discuss your schedule."

Rich stood up and took Mara's hand. "Ok, then you hunks, discuss what you need to discuss. Come with me, girlfriend. I need your help with something. I need to show you my OOTD!"

Rich pushed Mara towards his cottage door as they left the guys at the breakfast table.

***