Chapter 13

Valeria's POV

The sun began its ascent, painting the beach in hues of gold and pink, as I stepped out of the car, a refreshing breeze tousling my hair. Today was the perfect day for adventure, and I was determined to make every moment count.

Adrian was already unloading our gear, his silhouette framed against the early morning light. When he looked up, that familiar charming grin made my heart race. "Ready for some fun, CEO?"

"More than ready," I replied, adjusting my sunglasses and smirking. "But just don't slow me down, alright?"

"Trust me, I can keep up," he shot back, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But first, let's check this place out. The ocean's calling, and I've got a feeling it's not just for swimming."

"Oh? What do you have in mind?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Let's go surfing!" he exclaimed, already heading toward the surf shop. "It'll be a blast, and I can't wait to see you in a wetsuit."

"Is that your master plan? Just getting a peek at me in skin-tight neoprene?" I teased, following him with a laugh.

He turned, mock-serious. "Hey, I'm here to enjoy the view! But seriously, it's the perfect way to kick off the weekend."

Once inside the shop, the scent of saltwater and sunscreen wrapped around us. The shop owner, a sun-kissed woman with an infectious smile, greeted us. "You two look like you're here for an adventure! Ready to ride some waves?"

"Absolutely!" Aiden said, grinning. "We need the best boards you have."

"You're in luck," she said, pulling out two sleek boards. "These are perfect for beginners and pros alike. Just remember—falling is part of the process!"

"Falling? Is that a warning or an invitation?" I quipped, laughing as I accepted my board.

Aiden was already at the door, eager to get to the beach. "Let's go! We've got waves to catch!"

As we made our way to the water, I felt a thrill building inside me. The ocean sparkled like diamonds under the sun, and I could almost taste the salt on my lips. There was a slight tingling in my fingertips, a familiar sensation I hadn't felt in a while, almost like my powers were stirring just beneath the surface.

"Okay, let's do this!" Adrian said, positioning his board next to mine, his excitement infectious.

"Hold on!" I replied, smirking. "I need a little motivation first." With that, I sprinted toward him, tackling him into the soft sand.

He laughed, managing to catch himself before falling too hard. "Alright, you asked for it!" He lunged back, and suddenly we were caught in a playful scuffle, sand flying everywhere as we wrestled. The laughter felt good, freeing me from the weight of the world.

Finally, we both collapsed, breathless and sandy. "Okay, okay! You win!" Adria said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Good! Now, let's surf!" I exclaimed, brushing the sand off my body. "No more fooling around."

As we paddled out into the waves, I could feel the exhilaration building. The connection to the ocean was electric, and a familiar warmth spread through my skin, making it shimmer ever so slightly under the sun. I brushed it off as excitement, not realizing how much my powers had been lying dormant.

"Just relax and follow my lead," Adrian instructed, his tone shifting to focus. "I promise it's easier than it looks."

"Easy for you to say," I replied, determination sparking within me. "I'm ready to conquer these waves!"

We waited for a moment, the waves rolling beneath us. "Here comes one! Paddle hard!" he shouted.

We both began to paddle, and as the wave lifted us, I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Now! Stand up!" he yelled. I pushed myself up, feeling a surge of joy as I caught the wave—only to lose my balance and tumble back into the water with a splash.

I surfaced, laughing, my heart racing. "Well, that was fun!"

Adrian paddled back toward me, his face lit up with exhilaration. "You did great! Just keep practicing, and you'll get it!"

We spent the rest of the morning alternating between surfing and splashing in the water, our laughter echoing over the waves. I could feel my powers humming beneath the surface, a reminder of who I truly was, yet I pushed those thoughts away, focusing instead on the joy of the moment.

Eventually, we decided to take a break and plopped down on the warm sand. I stretched out, feeling the sun warming my skin, the sound of the ocean creating the perfect soundtrack.

"That was amazing," I said, leaning back on my elbows. "Who knew I had it in me?"

Aiden turned to me, his expression softening. "I always knew. You just needed a little push."

"Is that your secret? Just push people until they realize their potential?" I teased.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, it's about finding the right moments to encourage them. You just needed the right adventure."

As I looked at him, I noticed something—the way the sunlight hit my skin made it shimmer faintly, like a soft glow radiating from within. I glanced away, dismissing it as a trick of the light.

"Speaking of adventure," I said, steering the conversation back, "what's next? More surfing, or do you have something else up your sleeve?"

"Oh, I've definitely got something else in mind," He replied, a playful grin spreading across his face. "But you'll have to wait until tonight."

"Now you've got my curiosity piqued," I said, leaning closer. "What do you have planned?"

He leaned in, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Let's just say, it involves a beach bonfire, some great food, and maybe a little stargazing."

"Okay, I'm sold," I replied, excitement bubbling in my chest. "Just promise me you won't try to take me skydiving."

"Deal!" he laughed, and the sound felt like music to my ears.

The rest of the day flew by in a blur of laughter, adventure, and the joy of being alive. As I soaked up the sun and Adrian's presence, I couldn't shake the feeling that this weekend was just the beginning of something extraordinary—something that might just ignite the dormant powers within me.