"The next place we're visiting is Riviera Maya," Vicious said, pointing ahead as the soft breeze rolled through the open cab window.
Thalia leaned forward, eyes bright. "Wow… what's that?"
He smirked. "A stretch of paradise. White sand, turquoise water, hidden caves, Mayan ruins… It's not just a place. It's an experience."
When they arrived, Thalia stepped out with her camera already raised, snapping everything in sight.
"This is beautiful," she whispered.
"People come here for peace… and for romance," Vicious added. "Some couples camp from dusk till dawn under the stars."
She shot him a teasing look. "Nice try. We're not a couple."
"Soon," he said without hesitation.
Then he wrapped an arm around her waist from behind, whispered in her ear:
"Mi amor, te lo prometo."(My love, I promise you.)
And kissed her cheek. Thalia asked "what did you say" You are beautiful Vicious replied.
Thalia didn't pull away she blushed and smiled.
"I see that smile," Vicious teased. Is that smile for me baby?
"Nope. That was me smiling at the pictures. Don't get excited and don't call me that." she said, rolling her eyes.
When Thalia asked a woman nearby to take their picture, Vicious leaned close and whispered something in her ear just as the camera clicked.
"Victor! Stop! You're ruining it."
"I improved it," he shrugged.
They took another, but he teased again.
"Victor!" she giggled.
"That's enough," he said, taking the camera back. Then to the woman:
"Gracias. Ella es mi novia."(Thank you. She's my girlfriend.)
The woman smiled. "You two look perfect together."
"Gracias," Vicious repeated, giving Thalia a wicked wink.
"You're impossible," she muttered.
Evening on the Shoreline
Thalia tugged at the camera strap and walked ahead pretending to study the trees — but Vicious caught the hidden smile she was trying to hide.
"Still thinking about what I said?" he asked.
"About how you can't take a normal picture without whispering nonsense?" she shot back.
"It wasn't nonsense… and your cheeks turned pink."
"It was hot."
"It's the breeze," he teased.
They found a hidden shoreline spot, golden dusk shimmering over the water. A hammock hung between two palms. A fire pit sat nearby.
"We're staying here tonight," Vicious said, dropping a small pack.
"What? I thought"
"No hotels. Just stars, waves, and peace."
"Alone?"
He raised a brow. "Unless you invited someone. Besides, other couples will show up soon."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine."
Night settled. Vicious lit the fire. They sat side by side.
"Cold?" he asked.
"Maybe a little."
"Come closer."
"I'm fine," she insisted — yet she didn't move away.
They shared snacks, laughed, told stories. Thalia stole glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking.
He caught her. "Checking me out?"
"No. Observing you. You're… different to understand."
"That's right," he said with a proud smirk.
On the Hammock
Stars glittered above. Vicious lay on the hammock, patting the space beside him.
"No way."
"Scared of falling… or falling for me?"
Thalia grabbed a small coconut shell from the sand and tossed it at him.
He caught it easily. "I'll take that as a maybe."
Finally, she climbed into the hammock — cautious, stiff, arms folded — but beside him nonetheless.
Minutes passed.
"You're quiet," he said.
"I'm just thinking."
"About?"
She didn't answer.
He turned slightly to look at her. "You can keep pretending you're not falling… but I'll wait."
She didn't move away.
After a long pause, she whispered, "Why me?"
Vicious looked at her properly. "What do you mean?"
"You could have anyone. Someone less stubborn. Less complicated."
He smiled softly. "Exactly. That's why I want you. You challenge me. You feel… real."
Thalia didn't answer, she just lowered her head
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "But you're wasting your time."
"Don't worry," he murmured. "Time will tell."They stayed quiet watching the stars soon after Vicious cleared up the silence. Let's get into our tent, shall we?
They fell asleep after their chat
The next morning Thalia woke first. She found herself still nestled against him. His hair was messy, his lips slightly parted.
She shook her head, smiling softly. "You're still impossible."
Vicious opened one eye. "Caught you staring."
"I was checking if you were alive."
"Mm-hmm."
She sat upright quickly. He stretched lazily.
"Next time," he said, "just admit it."
Thalia lifted her camera and snapped a picture of him.
"Really?"
"For blackmail."
He stood and moved closer, towering over her. "You know," he said softly, "I think you're falling for me."
She looked up, scoffing. "What? You wish"
Before she could finish, he leaned in and brushed his lips against her forehead.
"Stop stealing kisses," she murmured.
"Are you ready to accept me?" he asked quietly.
Thalia didn't answer
And Vicious smiled.
Thalia stayed quiet for a while. Vicious simply gazed at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the entire Riviera Maya.
"You're quiet," he said gently.
She looked up at him. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to." He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Thalia laughed softly, as if trying to break the tension. "You're being… sweet. It's suspicious."
"Can't I be sweet for once?" he asked.
"No. You're usually annoying. Teasing. Unpredictable."
"And yet," he leaned a little closer, "you're still here."
She exhaled a tiny laugh. "Yeah, well… maybe I like unpredictable."
Vicious smirked. "Dangerous game."
Thalia turned away, but he caught her hand gently steady, intentional.
"I don't know where this is going, Thalia," he murmured. "But I know I want it to go somewhere."
"That's new," she whispered.
"I'm full of surprises," he said and instead of kissing her lips, he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles with quiet sincerity.
"No pressure," he added. "Just… don't run."
"I won't," she said softly. "I still have a month and some days left."
He smiled at that, "Keep that in mind. I love you."
He paused. "We're leaving Mexico tomorrow."
"Oh, cool," Thalia said, stretching her legs. "I've missed my girl Lily… and the country But Mexico is beautiful. I loved it here."
"I have a surprise for you when we get home," Vicious said.
"What is it? Tell me."
He shook his head. "It's a surprise. Wait and see. And… I'm really sorry for what I made you go through."
Thalia's voice softened. "You're forgiven."
There was a quiet moment, warm and comfortable.
Then she sighed. "You're being so nice to me. Will things change? Will you turn mean again after we get back?"
"No," Vicious said immediately. "What I feel for you is real. I'm not going to mess this up. All I want is a chance with you."
Thalia blinked. He had never sounded that honest.
Vicious stretched a little, smirking again. "Besides… I've been a good boy. I think I deserve a reward."
She narrowed her eyes. "And what reward would that be?"
He pouted his lips dramatically.
Thalia tilted her head. "What are you doing? Why are you looking like that?"
"I want a kiss," he said plainly.
"Don't even think about it. No."
"Why not?"
She covered her face slightly. "Because… we haven't brushed. You better head to the hotel. Even talking to you feels— you know what I mean."
He shrugged shamelessly. "Doesn't matter. You still taste good as always."
"Victor, stop." She lightly pushed his shoulder.
"Fine," he said. "Kiss me on the cheek."
"No."
"Please?" he begged, using two fingers to show a tiny space. "Just a little one. Small. Like this."
Thalia sighed. "Fine. Close your eyes."
He closed them immediately, obedient.
She leaned in slowly toward his cheek…
But at the last second — with his eyes still closed — Vicious turned his face, and their lips met.
Thalia froze, shocked, before pulling back and smacking his shoulder hard. "You cheat! How dare you?!"
Vicious burst into laughter. "You told me to close my eyes. I did. So what?"
"You are unbelievable," she groaned. "Let's go before you do something else."
They began walking down the quiet path. She eyed him suspiciously.
"You know what?" she said. "I bet you've been with a lot of girls. How many, Vicious? Fifty? A hundred? Two hundred?"
He shrugged casually. "Honestly, Thalia… I can't remember."
"Aha! I knew it," she said dramatically.
"But" he added, looking straight at her eyes, "you're the most special. And you're number one."
"I'm not buying that," she scoffed, marching ahead.
Vicious smiled to himself and followed.