He Was a Normal, Flawed Human in Her Eyes

Calix wanted to continue talking but, the gravity of his guilt tugged at his heart, rendering him silent. The deafening sound of his erratic heartbeat filtered out the peaceful echo from the lake.

'I need to talk... I have to.'

Blinking slowly, Calix continued looking at Leslie. 

'She looks calm.'

Despite being wrapped in his thick layer of anxiousness, Calix found comfort in how tranquil Leslie's countenance was. No creases of impatient furrowed her brows.

She was calmer than the night sky and... more beautiful than any scenery he had witnessed in his entire life.

Calix wished for the serenity to remain, unwilling to cause any crack onto it. Yet, he also understood the severity of the secret he had been concealing from her.

'Let's rip off the band-aid.'