First Day

The first light of morning filtered through the curtains made Ellen stirred, slowly waking up and feeling the warmth of a blanket over her. She blinked, confused. She clearly remembered giving the blanket to Mason last night and deciding to keep warm with her sweater, long pants, and socks. Was it all just a dream? Or had Mason given the blanket back to her during the night?

Pushing the thoughts aside, Ellen sat up and stretched, feeling the mix of excitement and anxiety that came with a new day in a completely new place. She got up and rummaged through her luggage, finding a fresh set of clothes to wear. Before heading to the bathroom, she called out softly, "Mason?" She was cautious, not wanting to walk in on him if he was already using the bathroom.

When there was no answer, she slowly opened the bathroom door, peeking inside. It was empty. Breathing a sigh of relief, she stepped in, took a quick shower, and changed into her clothes. She applied some light makeup and left the room, feeling more refreshed and ready to face the day.

Entering the living room, she found Mason already up and looking as fresh as ever. He was sitting on the couch, a coffee cup in his hand.

He glanced up at her and gave a brief nod. "Good morning, Mason," she said, managing a small smile.

"Morning," he replied, his voice as neutral as always. She then walked to the kitchen, looking around to see what she could make for breakfast. Remembering Mason's words about only needing coffee in the morning, she still decided to make some toast. Despite his indifference, she wanted to do something nice.

She prepared the toast and poured herself a glass of orange juice. Carrying the plate and her juice, she returned to the living room and placed them on the table. She pushed the plate towards Mason, who looked at it as if unsure what to make of it.

"What's this?" he asked, his tone slightly curious.

"Your breakfast," Ellen said, taking a seat across from him.

Mason seemed like he was about to say something, but Ellen quickly added, "I didn't put any poison in it, if that's what you're worried about." She gave him a playful smile before starting to eat her toast.

Mason hesitated for a moment, then picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. Ellen watched him out of the corner of her eye, feeling a small sense of accomplishment when he continued eating.

Just then, Ellen's phone buzzed with a text message. She checked it and saw that it was from Joe. "I'll be arriving in 15 minutes," the message read.

Ellen relayed the message to Mason. "Joesays he'll be here in 15 minutes."

Mason nodded, continuing to eat his breakfast. Ellen finished her toast and went back to the bedroom to grab her bag. When she returned to the living room, she called out to Mason but didn't say anything immediately.

Mason looked up from his coffee. "What?"

Ellen shook her head. "Nothing," she said, smiling a bit. 

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Ellen jumped up, eager to start their day. She opened the door to see Joe standing there with a friendly smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Coldwell," Joegreeted her. "Are you both ready?"

Ellen nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we are."

Mason joined them, giving Joe a nod of acknowledgment. "Morning," he said.

They followed Joe to the waiting black car. Joe opened the door for them, and they settled inside. Once they were on the road, Joe began explaining the itinerary for the day. "First, we'll visit the Uluwatu Temple. It's a beautiful place with stunning views of the ocean. After that, we'll head to Padang Padang Beach for some relaxation and a swim. Then, we'll have lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the villa to freshen up. In the evening, we can go to Jimbaran Bay for a sunset dinner."

Ellen listened intently, her excitement growing with each destination Joe mentioned. "That sounds amazing," she said, glancing at Mason, who was looking out the window.

Mason nodded. "Sounds good," he said simply.

Ellen couldn't help but smile. It all sounded perfect. She hoped that the beauty of Bali would help ease some of the tension between her and Mason. Throughout the drive, she found herself chatting more with Joe, who was full of interesting facts and stories about the places they would visit. Mason, for the most part, listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a question or comment.

As they drove through the streets of Bali, Ellen took in the sights outside the window. The scenery was so different from what she was used to—lush greenery, vibrant markets, and the stunning coastline. Every turn revealed something new and exciting, and she felt her anticipation growing with each passing moment.

When they finally arrived at their first destination, Uluwatu Temple, Ellen could barely contain her excitement. As soon as the car came to a stop, she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and practically leaped out of the car. The temple's towering cliffs and the vast ocean beyond took her breath away. In her eagerness, she almost forgot about Mason, who was following behind her at a more leisurely pace.

Ellen quickly pulled out her phone and started taking pictures, capturing every angle of the stunning scenery. She snapped shots of the temple, the ocean, and the lush greenery surrounding them. She was so engrossed in her photography that she didn't notice Mason until she pointed her phone in his direction and saw him through the lens. She paused, gazing at him for a moment. He looked relaxed, standing with his hands in his pockets, gazing out at the ocean.

Joe's voice broke her reverie. "Mrs. Coldwell, would you like a photo with your husband?" he asked cheerfully. "I can help you take one."

Ellen opened her mouth to refuse, feeling a bit awkward about the idea. But before she could say anything, Joe had already stepped forward and gently nudged her toward Mason. He then motioned for Mason to join her. Mason walked over, his expression neutral, and stood beside Ellen.

They stood there awkwardly, both with their hands hanging by their sides, unsure of how to pose. Joe, holding Ellen's phone, chuckled softly. "Come on, you two. Relax a bit. You're on your honeymoon, after all."

Ellen felt her cheeks flush. She looked at Mason, who seemed equally uncomfortable. "Um, okay," she murmured, feeling the weight of the moment. Joe encouraged her to hug Mason's arm. "Don't be shy, Mrs. Coldwell. Just put your arm around him."

Hesitantly, Ellen reached out and wrapped her arm around Mason's. She felt a jolt of electricity at the contact, but Mason didn't pull away. He glanced down at her, his expression softening just a fraction.

"There you go," Joe said with a smile. "Now, hold still for a second."

Ellen tried to smile naturally, but it felt forced. She was hyper-aware of Mason's presence beside her, his warmth seeping through his shirt. Mason, to his credit, didn't seem to mind. He stood still, his body slightly tense, but he didn't pull away.

Joe snapped a few photos, then lowered the phone. "Perfect," he said. "You two look great together."

Ellen quickly let go of Mason's arm, feeling a mixture of relief and embarrassment. She glanced at the photos on her phone, and to her surprise, they looked pretty good. Joe had managed to capture a moment that looked almost genuine.

"You hugged him like you're afraid someone might snatch him away," Joe commented with a good-natured chuckle.

Ellen smiled awkwardly, trying to laugh it off, but the comment struck a chord. "Thanks, Joe," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

As she looked at the photos again, a thought crept into her mind. It was true, in a way. She was afraid of losing Mason, of letting someone like Aubrey make her life even more complicated and miserable. She couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't let anyone take Mason away from her.

The thought lingered as she slipped her phone back into her pocket, her resolve hardening. She glanced at Mason, who was now looking out at the ocean again, seemingly lost in thought.