The first light of morning filtered through the curtains, soft and golden. Maya stirred awake, blinking slowly as the warmth of the sun touched her face. She let out a quiet sigh and stretched, savoring the calm of the early day.
Maya swung the door open and stepped into the hallway, her bare feet silent against the floor. The house was quiet, still wrapped in the soft hush of early morning.
That's when she saw him—Caleb, already up, standing near the front door, looking like he was about to leave.
Maya paused, her brows knitting slightly. Before she could speak, Caleb's eyes shifted to her. His gaze lingered for a moment, steady and unreadable.
"You woke up?" he asked, his voice low and calm. Maya gave a small nod, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Where are you going this morning?" she asked quietly, her eyes following him.
Caleb adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, his gaze still on her. "For a walk," he said simply, his tone calm, almost casual.
Maya's brows lifted slightly. "Alone?" she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Caleb's expression remained calm as he adjusted his sleeve. "I always go alone," he replied firmly.
Maya looked at him for a moment, then straightened slightly. "Then… I'll go with you today."
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on her. "Why?" he asked, his tone calm but curious. Maya took a small step closer to him. Her shoulders were straight, and she kept her eyes on his. She spoke clearly, without hesitation. "I'll make sure you're not alone anymore."
For a moment, Caleb felt a small hitch in his chest, a flutter he didn't like to admit. He looked at her, calm on the outside, but something inside shifted. "No need," he said softly. "I'm used to it now."
Maya tilted her head slightly, a confident, determined look in her eyes. "If you say so… still, I want to go," she said, her voice light and playful. "Who knows what could happen to you? Stay with me, I'll protect you." She gave a small, teasing smile, trying to hide how serious she felt underneath.
For a second, Caleb just stared at her, caught between disbelief and something he couldn't name. The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like he wanted to smile, but instead he shook his head slowly.
"You'll protect me?" he repeated, his tone low, carrying a hint of amusement. His eyes lingered on her, sharp yet softened by something he didn't show often.
Maya folded her arms, lifting her chin a little. "Of course," she said with a small grin. "Don't underestimate me." Her eyes sparkled with mischief, though her voice carried a stubborn truth that made it clear she meant every word.
Caleb's lips curved into a faint smirk, his eyes never leaving hers. "Ok then," he said, his voice low but carrying a trace of amusement.
A few minutes later, the two of them stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, carrying the soft scent of dew from the garden. The world was quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps breaking the stillness.
Maya walked beside him, her hands folded behind her back, stealing quick glances at his calm face. Caleb kept his eyes forward, his stride steady, though he was aware of her presence with every step.
Maya walked quietly for a while, her eyes tracing the trees lining the path. Then, out of curiosity, she turned to him."So… can't you live a normal life like this?" she asked softly. "Instead of always being surrounded by guards?"
Caleb's steps slowed. He didn't reply right away. His mind turned over her words, sharp and unsettling in their simplicity. A normal life? For him, such a thing had never existed. He wasn't used to sharing these thoughts, not with anyone. The walls he had built around himself didn't break that easily.
He kept his gaze ahead, his expression calm, giving nothing away. Only in his silence did his thoughts race, a quiet storm hidden behind steady eyes.
Caleb's lips curved into a faint, teasing smile. "It's been a while since I heard that word… 'normal,'" he said, his tone light but distant. Without waiting for her reply, he started walking again, his hands slipping into his pockets as if to brush the thought away.
Maya stopped for a moment, watching his back as he walked ahead. Her fingers curled lightly at her sides, determination flickering in her eyes.You just wait, Caleb, she told herself. I'll make you tell me everything that's in your mind. You don't have to keep closing yourself off.
With a small breath, she ran forward, catching up to him. Without saying a word, she simply fell into step beside him, her silence speaking louder than anything she could have said.
Back at the house, the morning had passed quietly. After their walk, Caleb went straight to the bathroom to shower, as he always did after his morning routine. The water ran, steam filling the space, washing away the chill of the morning air.
Maya sat on the couch, waiting for Caleb to come out.
After some time, he appeared, dressed in casual clothes—a loose, half-unbuttoned shirt and relaxed pants, his wet hair still damp from the shower.
The moment her eyes fell on him, her heart skipped a beat. It was a look she had never seen before, something raw and different, yet effortlessly captivating. How can he look so handsome… just casually? she thought, her mind spinning.
She wanted to look away, to act normal, but her eyes wouldn't obey. They were fixed on him, unable to break free.
Caleb noticed her gaze, though he didn't show it. His expression stayed calm, unreadable, like he hadn't even registered her staring.
Maya's heart pounded, and she quickly looked down at her hands, trying to steady herself. Still, despite her best efforts, her eyes kept flicking back to him, drawn to something in the way he moved, the quiet strength in his presence.
Maya stood up from the couch, and headed toward the bathroom.
Caleb rolled up his cuffs, his movements precise and deliberate, then made his way to the kitchen. He moved quietly, yet with a presence that seemed to fill the space. Without a word, he began preparing breakfast, his focus entirely on the task at hand.
After half an hour, Maya stepped out of her room, her hair still damp and wrapped loosely in a towel. The smell of breakfast filled the air.
Caleb was setting the table, moving quietly but with careful attention to every detail. Maya's eyes softened at the sight. She stepped forward, her voice low and sorrowful.
"I'm sorry… you have to go through this because of me," she said, her words carrying the weight of genuine regret. Seeing him quietly doing all this for her, her chest tightened, and a lump formed in her throat.
Caleb didn't look up immediately. He continued placing the plates on the table, his movements steady, deliberate. After a moment, he finally glanced at her, his expression neutral.
"You don't need to apologize," he said quietly, his voice even, without any trace of emotion. "This… is just how it is."
While eating, Maya smiled and said, "I didn't plan to say this, but… you're a good cook." She gave him a thumbs up. Caleb's lips curved into a soft smile. "Yes, I know that," he said calmly.
After breakfast, Maya stood up. "Okay, I'll do the dishes. You can rest." Caleb shook his head slightly. "If you say so. I have work to catch up on".
Evening was close, and the light outside had softened. Caleb sat at the table, his laptop open, fingers moving quickly over the keys. The quiet of the room pressed around him, broken only by the low hum of the computer.
Maya stepped out of her room, brushing a damp strand of hair behind her ear. She paused for a moment, then walked over and sank quietly onto the couch, watching him work.
"Caleb," she said softly, her voice cutting through the quiet. He didn't look up, only shifted his eyes to glance at her from the corner of his vision.
"Are you not bored? Just doing this all day?" she asked, tilting her head, her curiosity sparkling.
He didn't pause. "So what should I do?" His voice was calm, even, almost indifferent. Maya's eyes brightened. "Did you see the beach?"
"Yes, of course," he replied, still focused on his work.
"No, not like that," she said, leaning a little closer. "Did you feel it? Did you see the sunset?"
For a brief second, his fingers faltered on the keyboard. A shadow of thought passed through his eyes, too quick for her to catch, and then he was calm again, unreadable as ever.
Maya's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's the right time to go," she said. Before he could respond, she quickly stood up and reached for his hand. "Let's go!".
Caleb looked at her, then down at her outstretched hand. "I don't do these… things," he said firmly.
Maya's eyes held a quiet determination. "If you don't do these types of things, then give it a try," she said softly. "Things need to change in life, don't you think so?"
Caleb looked at her, his gaze sharp, and for a moment, there was a flicker in his eyes—as if her words struck a truth he couldn't ignore. But deep down, he wasn't ready to admit it, wasn't ready to act on it.
Maya caught the brief shift in his expression and smiled slightly to herself, noticing the hesitation he tried so hard to hide. Maya took a step closer, her eyes locking onto his. "Come on, Caleb. You can't keep living the same way forever. Today, just try… just this once. Don't let yourself stay trapped."
Caleb's gaze lingered on her, calm on the surface but tense underneath. Her words had hit a chord he didn't want to admit existed. He stayed silent, thinking, his jaw tight, fingers curling slightly at his sides. Finally, he gave a small, deliberate nod.
Maya's face immediately lit up. A wide, excited smile spread across her face, and she couldn't hide her happiness. "Yes!" she whispered softly, her heart racing.
The waves lapped gently at their feet as they stood on the sand. The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and sea. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, the sun sinking slowly toward the horizon.
Caleb stopped walking. For a moment, he didn't move, didn't speak. His eyes were fixed on the sunset, and for the first time in a long while, he let himself just… watch. The colors, the vastness, the calm of the ocean—it was something he had never noticed before, something he had never allowed himself to feel.
Maya turned to him, her breath catching slightly as she saw the change in his expression. There was awe in his eyes, quiet and deep, and something unspoken passed between them. She had never seen him like this—so open, so present—and it made her heart flutter.
Maya suddenly broke into a run, her bare feet kicking up sand as she dashed toward the water. She laughed freely, the sound carried by the wind, completely lost in the moment.
Caleb's gaze followed her, sharp and steady, taking in the way she moved, the joy on her face. For a moment, the world narrowed down to just her.
This girl… what have I done to her? a pang of guilt stirred in his chest, brief but heavy. Still, I'll make her happy… just like this, he thought, watching her laugh, letting the thought anchor him.
Maya slowed as she reached the edge of the water, turning back slightly. Their eyes met across the sand, and for a heartbeat, the world felt still.
She smiled at him, a soft, genuine smile—the kind that spoke of wonder, freedom, and trust. In that moment, she wasn't thinking about the past or the pain. She was simply here, alive, sharing this beautiful side of life with the person who had brought it to her.
It felt as if fate had given them a rare, quiet chance—to breathe, to laugh, to live a moment of happiness, just the two of them.