Tides of Fate

I immediately turned, and it was none other than the audacious, sexist guy who had earlier asked me to join him and his equally repugnant friends at a club. The nerve of him to approach me again, even after I had made it clear that I wasn't interested. My heart pounded in my chest, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

Instinctively, I screamed—a piercing sound that cut through the tranquil night air and alerted my friends. They turned towards me, their faces a mix of confusion and concern. The serene night, with the sound of waves crashing gently on the shore, was shattered by my cry for help.

"I really like you and want to spend time with you, but you keep ignoring me," he slurred, the stench of alcohol heavy on his breath. His eyes were glazed over, his balance unsteady. He was clearly very drunk, but that was no excuse for his unruly behavior. His words were a vile mixture of entitlement and inebriation, and a wave of revulsion washed over me.

His grip on my wrist tightened painfully, his fingers digging into my skin, the pain shooting up my arm like a warning signal. Fear mingled with my anger, paralyzing me momentarily. Just then, something unexpected happened. A tall figure emerged from the shadows and, with a swift motion, pulled the drunk man's hand away from my wrist. At that moment, my friends appeared, all ready to throw hands if necessary.

It was none other than the gorgeous Korean man from the restaurant. His presence was commanding, exuding a quiet strength that made me feel an immediate sense of relief. The moonlight illuminated his features, highlighting the determination in his eyes.

"Get your hands off my girl," he said with a deep, sexy voice that sent a shiver down my spine. His girl? I thought to myself. I don't even know this guy, so how was I his girl? His tone left no room for argument, and I could see the drunk man falter, his bravado crumbling.

The Korean man leaned in close to the drunk man's ear and whispered something. Whatever it was, it made the man shiver in fear. Without another word, the man turned and fled into the night, his bravado completely vanished. His retreating figure was almost comical, a stark contrast to the threatening presence he had tried to project.

My friends and I stood there in shock, still processing what had just happened. They immediately formed a protective shield around me, their concern evident in their eyes. The adrenaline was still coursing through my veins, my heart pounding in my ears.

The handsome Korean guy turned to me and apologized. "I'm sorry if I inconvenienced you in any way," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "You girls are probably startled by the situation. I had no choice but to follow you. He and his friends came in drunk about five minutes after you left, causing a scene because you rejected their invitation. One of my friends tried to stop them, which resulted in a fight. He managed to get away before the police arrived, and I followed him to catch him. I spotted you on the beach, and so did he. I saw him follow you and had to intervene because I felt like he would do something bad."

His explanation was detailed and coherent, and I could see the genuine worry in his eyes. He and his friends must have understood the derogatory words spoken about me and my friends earlier, which probably fueled his determination to help us. His gaze was steady and reassuring, and I could feel the tension in my body slowly easing.

Even after his initial apology, he continued to apologize multiple times. He wasn't just handsome but kind and well-mannered, and we were very grateful for his help. His concern was palpable, and it was clear he was genuinely worried about our safety.

"Thank you very much for your help. Is there any way we can repay your kindness?" Rachel asked him, her voice filled with gratitude. She stepped forward, her expression earnest.

"Your appreciation is enough for me. I just did what any decent person would have done. There's no need for you to repay me," he replied politely. His humility was disarming, and I could see Rachel's admiration mirrored in Kira's face."I should head back now to join my friends. I hope you girls get back safely too; it's getting late," he said. "Good night, and thank you very much once again for your help," Kira replied."Good night and take care," he said as we waved and left.

His figure disappeared into the night, leaving us to process the events that had just unfolded.I didn't say anything. I just stood there, still in shock from what had happened. We left immediately after the handsome Korean guy.

Even back in our bungalow, I remained quiet. "Today was a bad day; I hope tomorrow will be better," I thought to myself as I lay down to sleep.The night was long and uncomfortable. I couldn't sleep, thanks to that jerk. I rolled in my bed for hours, still startled by everything that had happened. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see his leering face, feel his painful grip on my wrist.

Eventually, I got up and checked the time. It was still 3:48 in the morning."Are you okay, babe?" Kira asked as she got up. "I can't sleep," I replied, my voice a mere whisper."Me neither," she said. "Neither can I," Rachel answered from her bed.It was clear that none of us could sleep after last night's events.

We all shared the same feelings of unease and worry. The silence in the room was heavy, filled with unspoken fears and lingering tension."Are you okay?" Rachel asked me with concern. "True, babe. You haven't said anything since yesterday," Kira added, agreeing with Rachel."I am okay now. I hope nothing like that ever happens again," I said.

We all hugged to comfort one another. The embrace was warm and reassuring, a silent promise that we would protect each other."How about some snacks?" Kira suggested, bringing out some chips and cookies she had bought earlier.We munched on the cookies and chips and chatted about the good parts of the previous day. We decided not to let one bad event ruin our entire day.

The conversation flowed more easily as we focused on happier memories, the tension slowly dissipating.We made plans for the rest of our vacation in the Maldives, talking about the places we wanted to visit and the activities we wanted to try. The excitement in our voices grew as we discussed snorkeling, island hopping, and exploring the vibrant marine life.

At about 5:30 AM, Kira said, "How about we go watch the sunrise at the beach?"Since it was chilly outside, we wore sweatpants and hoodies to keep ourselves warm and headed out of our bungalow.

The beach was peaceful and serene at that hour, with no one else around. The sound of the waves and the gentle ocean breeze were soothing.

But then, a sudden figure appeared out of nowhere. It was the figure of a man. We had hoped for some peaceful time, but it seemed our morning would be interrupted. The shadows played tricks on our eyes as we tried to discern who it was, our earlier fears resurfacing.