Part 16 to 20

Half an hour later, they reached the area where the hotel was located, just on the edge of the city center. Their clothes were covered in dust and dirt, and the constant vigilance required to navigate cracks and other dangers on the road had left them exhausted.

"It should be just around the corner," Guy said, pointing ahead. They left the bike and scooter by the sidewalk and started walking.

As they turned the corner, just before reaching the hotel, their eyes met unexpectedly. If it weren't for everything that had happened, this moment would have clearly marked the spark of a new romance. They almost smiled but were quickly reminded of the losses they'd suffered and the dire state of the world.

"There it is," Guy said, pointing. "Still standing strong."

Angela smiled, and Guy added, "The perks of choosing an expensive hotel. Let's go in."

They entered together and approached the reception desk.

"Hello," said the receptionist.

"Hello," Guy responded.

"You're staying with us, correct?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied, pulling his ID from his wallet.

"I remember you," she said.

"I had a question," Guy began. "I have two guests with me-my friend here and her father. Would it be possible for them to stay in my room?"

"Well," the woman said hesitantly, "we sent a message to all our guests, informing them that they would need to check out by tonight. Didn't you receive it?"

Guy frowned, pulling out his phone to check his messages.

"Oh, here it is. It went to my spam folder, so I missed it," he admitted. "But why do we have to leave? The hotel looks perfectly fine."

"You must have come from the outskirts rather than through the city center, correct?" she asked.

"Yes," Guy confirmed.

"That explains it," she said. "Had you come through the city, you would have heard the police announcements."

"What announcements?" Angela asked, her voice sharp with curiosity. "What's going on?"

The receptionist explained, "Although our hotel appears stable for now, the police have ordered the evacuation of all buildings taller than four stories in areas where the earthquake intensity exceeded six on the Richter scale. We're included in that zone."

They stared at her in confusion.

"What are people supposed to do?" Angela asked.

"They're being told to stay with relatives if possible, or register at the new Red Cross shelters for temporary accommodation."

"But..." Guy started.

"It's both logical and illogical," Angela interrupted, thinking aloud. "Consider this-after so many tremors, even undamaged buildings have probably sustained some structural weakening. And rescuing people from tall buildings in another collapse would be incredibly difficult."

"But on the other hand-" Guy continued,

"On the other hand," he sighed, "people will be left outside, helpless and miserable. Not everyone has a relative they can turn to. And how well can those Red Cross tents protect anyone in winter?"

"Not to mention the belongings people are leaving behind," Angela added, before turning back to the receptionist. "Sorry for taking up so much of your time," she said apologetically.

"Would it be all right if I just went up to gather my things and take a quick shower before checking out?" Guy asked.

"Of course," the receptionist agreed. "Just remember, you can't stay overnight. We could get in serious trouble with the police."

"I understand," Guy nodded. "I'll be out within the hour."

As he and Angela headed toward the elevator, the receptionist called after them, "The elevator is operational, but I'd recommend using the stairs."

"Thanks," they said as they headed for the staircase.

They found room 416 and stepped inside. Guy had only a small suitcase and a backpack.

"I'll hop in the shower quickly," Guy said. "Make yourself comfortable. Actually, you know what, there's an extra towel if you want to go after me."

"Perfect," Angela replied, sat on the couch and started flipping through the TV channels while she waited.

"Once again, we're bringing you more disaster updates on the news," the anchor announced with a somber tone.

"Flight cancellations are increasing across many parts of the world, with new ones being added continuously. Authorities are advising everyone to stay where they are as much as possible.

Now, we'll show you the latest updated world map, dear viewers."

The screen displayed the map. On the right side, countries like Japan had partially disappeared, and a massive new landmass had emerged in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

"And according to recent reports," the anchor continued, "a gigantic volcano has been detected on this newly risen continent-Atlantis-and it has begun spewing smoke."

Just then, a noise stirred from the bathroom. The television stayed on, its glow flickering across the room, but Angela reached for the remote and lowered the volume. Moving with quiet, deliberate steps, she approached the bathroom door.

It was Guy's voice. He was singing softly, the melody drifting through the air with words like, "Well, I've never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music..."

Even with everything that had happened, he had somehow managed to keep his spirits high. She leaned in, listening more closely, and recognized the tune—

Elvis Presley's Never Been to Spain.

A smile tugged at her lips.

Angela chuckled softly, then returned to her seat. She turned the television volume all the way down, letting the apocalyptic imagery play out silently while she sat back, listening to Guy's cheerful singing echo through the room.

- end of Part 16 -

A few moments later, Guy stepped out of the bathroom, running a towel through his damp hair. He grinned.

"Wow, I feel like I haven't had a shower in years."

Angela smiled. "Then I guess it's my turn."

"The bathroom is all yours, madam," Guy said, making a playful, exaggerated bow.

As Angela disappeared into the bathroom, he began dressing. The sound of her humming drifted out moments later, her voice playful and teasing:

"Well, I have never been to Spain, but I sometimes like its music..."

Guy froze for a second, caught off guard. Then, realizing what was happening, he chuckled under his breath. She was mimicking him-throwing a playful nod to his shower performance. His heart thudded a little faster. Was this... something? His lips curled into a soft smile.

"If the end of the world looks like this," he whispered to himself, "I think I'm ready for it."

He reached for his phone, which was still resting near the entrance. His fingers hovered over the screen before finally dialing home. The call connected after a few rings.

"Guy!" his mother's warm voice filled his ear. Relief washed over him just hearing her speak.

"Hey, Mom. Dad there, too?"

"We're both here," his father chimed in. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine." He sighed, letting the sound of their familiar voices ground him. "It's been... intense. But I'm okay. What about you two?"

"We're managing. Things are strange, but we're safe," his mother said quickly, her voice betraying a flicker of worry. "The news is full of flight cancellations everywhere. Will you be able to come home soon?"

Guy hesitated. "It's hard to say. Planes are grounded for now. I'll have to wait it out."

His mother lowered her voice. "And... the girl? Did you get to see her?"

Guy's chest tightened. He swallowed hard. "That's complicated. Things didn't exactly work out, but... I'm all right. Don't worry, everything's under control."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," he said softly, his smile audible now. "Promise."

After a few more reassurances and questions, he hung up, feeling lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

With the call behind him, he let out a long breath and sank into the couch. Reaching for the remote, he pressed the power button.

The television flickered to life, and the first thing that appeared on the screen was the very channel Angela had muted earlier.

But the news was so overwhelmingly grim that it felt suffocating. "No, no, no, no-I can't bear it!" Guy muttered as he grabbed the remote and turned off the television with a sharp click. He let out a deep breath, relief washing over him as the silence settled back into the room.

He got up and walked to the wardrobe, his fingers brushing absently over the clothes as he tried to make a choice. After a brief pause, he picked a set that balanced both casual comfort and a touch of elegance. Dressed and ready, he returned to the couch, spreading his arms wide as if embracing the moment. He turned his gaze to the window, eyes fixed on the world outside.

"Wow," he whispered. "How is this even real? Is it really happening?"

As if in answer, the bathroom door creaked open, and Angela stepped out, wrapped in a white towel, her wet hair cascading over her shoulders.

"I'll dry my hair and be ready in a minute," she said.

"No rush," Guy replied, giving her a reassuring nod.

Angela disappeared into the bedroom to dry her hair and get dressed, while Guy, determined not to waste time, began packing his backpack. He crammed it full of everything he thought he might need-there was no telling if they'd be able to return to the hotel. Once he'd secured the bag, he sat down, ready and waiting.

A moment later, Angela's voice floated out from the room.

"Guy? Can you help me with something?"

"Sure, what do you need?" Guy called out as he walked to the door and waited before stepping into the room.

Angela, a bit shy but calm, replied,

"I forgot my clothes in the bathroom. Could you bring them?"

"Oki doki," Guy said as he headed to the bathroom to fetch Angela's clothes. When he returned, he opened the door to her room and took a step inside. His body moved automatically, but as he lifted his gaze and fully registered the sight before him, time seemed to slow. His breath caught.

Angela stood there, wearing nothing but her lingerie, a vision of effortless beauty and grace.

Guy's eyes, beyond his control, traced the elegant lines of her figure. Heat spread through his chest, and his heart thudded wildly, as if trying to break free.

Angela met his gaze with a soft smile, a blush blooming across her cheeks that only added to her allure. "Thank you. You're such a gentleman," she said in a voice that was warm but carried a teasing spark, intensifying the charged air between them.

Guy swallowed hard, feeling his pulse race in his neck. "Uh… no problem," he murmured, his voice low as he extended her clothes, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.

For a long, suspended moment, neither of them moved—the space between them humming with an unspoken, magnetic pull.

"You know," Angela began softly, her voice low and filled with a curious warmth. "I've been wondering..."

Her words trailed off as she took small, deliberate steps toward him. Guy's heart felt as if it might burst from his chest.

When she reached him, her arms slid gently around his neck. Their faces were so close that their breath mingled in the narrow space between them. The tension snapped, and within moments, they leaned in and kissed, drawn together by a pull too strong to resist.

They broke apart briefly, gazes locking, searching each other's eyes as if trying to find an answer to an unspoken question-were they truly falling for one another?

Angela didn't wait for long. She moved in again, brushing her lips against his, her kiss sending sparks through him.

"Uh, I... I mean..." Guy stammered, his thoughts jumbled.

Angela silenced him with another kiss, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she pulled away just far enough to smile.

Guy opened his mouth to speak, beginning with, "You are..." but the words slipped away as he gave up trying. Their lips met again, a sweet and deepening connection-

And just as they lost themselves in the depth of the moment, a violent tremor rippled through the floor, shaking the very foundation of the world beneath them. The earth seemed to groan, reminding them in an instant that love, however all-consuming, could never escape the chaos of reality.

Guy's eyes widened in alarm. "Angela!" he gasped.

"We need to get out-now!"

- end of Part 17 -

As the tremors continued, Angelina quickly grabbed her clothes and threw them on, while Guy snatched his bag and whatever essentials he could before they bolted outside. They raced down the corridor, practically flying down the stairs, then burst through the door and flung themselves out into the open. Both of them were gasping for breath, the ground still shaking beneath their feet.

Their eyes darted around, observing the buildings swaying dangerously while keeping a close watch on the shifting ground beneath them. Twice already, they had narrowly escaped disaster. Then, their gazes met—not with romance, but with raw, unspoken panic.

"This... this is impossible," Guy muttered, his voice strained. "Think about it—there could be an earthquake at any moment. The building you're in could collapse. The road could cave in while you're walking. Trains could derail. Cars could plunge into cracks that split open without warning. Planes aren't even flying anymore. Tsunamis are crashing down all over the world. You don't know where to go, where to hide, or where to run to. And then—then—"

Angela stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him, cutting him off with a quiet, soothing voice. "But as long as we're together, we'll always find a way. Won't we?"

For a heartbeat, Guy stared at her, his thoughts racing behind his eyes. Then, he squared his shoulders and drew a steadying breath. A flicker of determination replaced his fear. "Yes," he whispered. "As long as we're together, we'll always find a way. My Angel."

With someone who loved him, someone who listened and stood by his side, his tension eased. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, letting calm settle over him.

Looking into her eyes, he smiled softly. "Let's continue our adventure," he said, his voice lighter now.

After waiting for the tremors to fully subside and talking briefly among themselves, they decided to head toward the city center. It was only a few minutes' walk away. As they moved from the outskirts toward the heart of the city, the contrast became strikingly clear. The destruction was more severe, and with it came heightened panic, fear, and denser crowds.

When they finally reached the center, the scene before them looked like something straight out of a Hollywood disaster movie. Ambulances with flashing lights, police cars, and fire trucks—everywhere they turned, there were wrecked personal vehicles crushed by debris. Dust-covered people stumbled around, some frantically searching for loved ones, while others were being rescued in ongoing search-and-recovery efforts. The distant roar of helicopters filled the air, and the sound of tanks rumbling down the streets added to the chaos. Everything melded together into a chaotic, almost surreal tableau of devastation and desperation.

Yet, in stark contrast to all of this, the golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in its glow, like a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, Angela noticed a Red Cross vehicle passing by. "Hey!" she shouted, but the vehicle didn't stop. "Hey, wait!" she yelled again, but it continued moving forward. She turned to Guy. "Run!" she said, and they both sprinted after the vehicle. Waving her hand and trying to catch the driver's attention in the side mirror, Angela also called out as loudly as she could. Just then, another aftershock rippled through the ground. They hesitated, glancing at each other, but quickly decided to keep chasing the vehicle.

At that very moment, a loud creaking noise came from somewhere nearby. One of the street's power poles began leaning dangerously and, with a terrible crash, fell directly onto the Red Cross vehicle.

A moment ago, Angela had been running after the vehicle for her own sake—now she was running to help those inside it.

They reached the vehicle moments later. Angela leaned toward the open window and called out, "Is everyone okay?"

Before her eyes, the heavy pole had collapsed onto the middle section of the vehicle. Moans of pain came from inside. Angela moved toward the driver's side, while Guy ran to the opposite side to check on the passengers. The sudden impact had slammed the vehicle to a halt, likely causing everyone to hit their heads. Blood trickled down the forehead of the driver, who appeared dazed. Two other passengers had minor injuries, but the weight of the pole had crushed the roof into the cabin.

Angela immediately tried to call the police, but her phone had lost service again—lines were still unreliable. She reassured the passengers, "The city center is just behind us. We'll run and get help as fast as we can. Help will be here soon" She shot Guy a look, signaling with a nod that they needed to hurry.

Using all their strength, they raced back to the city center. The first police officer they found stood near a police motorcycle. Barely able to breathe, Angela gasped out, "Red... Red Cross!" She paused, panting, and then managed, "The Red Cross vehicle... just up the road... there was an accident. They need help!"

The officer immediately grabbed his radio, relayed a message, and turned to thank them. He jumped onto his police motorcycle and sped off in the direction they had come from.

"So... what now?" Guy asked. "Should we go back, too?"

Angela hesitated. "I don't know," she admitted. "Right now, they need help, not more people to rescue. And I guess asking the Red Cross for a tent is out of the question now."

"Well," Guy said, "what if we find the tent camp ourselves? I mean, if we can get there, that'll still help us, right?"

"Yes, but if we do that, it'll take time. We'd have to walk there, then come back to get my father—and it's getting dark. You know how bad the phones are."

Guy thought for a moment. "There's got to be someone who knows where it is. First, we find out its location. Then we go get your father, and we all head to the tent camp together, somehow. What do you think?"

Angela sighed. "I don't know, Guy. It's all so complicated. I don't have a better plan either." She took a deep breath. "Oh God, there's so much to do, and it feels like it's going to take forever."

"Yeah, but we can't stay outside either," Guy pointed out. "They're not letting people stay in hotels, the ground keeps shaking, and frankly, I wouldn't feel safe in one. Even if we found a regular building to sleep in, it'd be more dangerous than a hotel right now. This is the only idea that makes sense to me."

After a tense sigh, Angela took Guy's hand, leaned her head on his shoulder, and murmured, "Yeah, you're probably right." She lifted her head, looked into his eyes, and added with a small, determined smile, "Let's get moving."

- end of part 18 -

"Guy," Angela said in a sweet voice as they walked toward Angela's father without exerting themselves. "What do you think about...?"

Guy turned his head to look at Angela, trying to understand, then smiled.

"What about, my angel?" he replied, his voice soft, affectionate, and sincere.

But the tone of his voice was so beautiful that it made it even harder for Angela to say what she wanted to. "I mean, what I'm trying to say is, like, us, I mean, do you think...?" She couldn't finish her sentence, and as they walked hand in hand, she looked at Guy with love in her eyes.

"Well, Angela, I think, " Guy began, looking up at the horizon. He glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then suddenly grabbed Angela by the waist, lifting her into the air and spinning her around. "I love you," he shouted.

After a moment, Guy slowly lowered Angela back to the ground, carefully bringing her feet back to the earth, his hands lingering on her waist for a second longer than necessary.

Then, as if nothing had happened, with a slightly troubled expression as if he was trying to hide his emotions, he added, "I don't know, can we make it work, maybe not, who ?" and smiled softly, just brushing the corners of his lips.

But as he did this, Angela's mouth dropped open in astonishment and joy, her eyes locked on his. After he finished speaking, she suddenly burst into laughter.

"Oh, my God! What was that? Are you trying to...?" she started, but couldn't finish. Instead, she stepped in front of him, blocking his path, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him on the lips. Then, mimicking Guy's earlier move, she said, "Yeah, I'm not sure either, I guess we can make it work, huh?" and looked up at the horizon.

"Hahaha, you know, your imitation skills are really good," Guy said with a laugh.

After that, they continued walking in silence for a while.

Then, Angela spoke again.

"So, do you think about the other girl?" she asked hesitantly, yet with curiosity.

"Well, that's a tough question," Guy began. "I've been with Lucy for a while, and we have a lot of memories, so sometimes things cross my mind. But especially after what I saw last time... you know?" he reminded her, adding that it felt easier to leave the past behind.

"I understand," Angela said.

"What about you?" Guy asked. "Was there anyone in your life before all this? Or what were you doing? Would you like to share?"

"Sure," Angela said, "it's okay. I wasn't with anyone. I guess I'm not like most people," she smiled. "Don't let this fool you, I'm a bit of a free spirit. I never worked, never tried to have a boyfriend, never asked anyone for help—I've always been on my own. Oh, and of course, my dad."

"Hm," Guy said thoughtfully, "So you never worked?"

"No," Angela replied, "since I can remember, my dad has always been the boss of a business, so starting a company was easy for him. When I grew up, he had already established and was running the hotel you visited that day. After a while, I joined him in the business, and I started taking care of everything related to the hotel. Of course, my dad even gave me a salary for that."

"Wow," Guy said. "That's an interesting story."

"I think so," Angela answered. "I guess most people don't do that, do they? Everyone has a proper job," she added, then turned to Guy as if discovering something new. "Hey, what about you? Were you working somewhere? What were you doing? Tell me."

"My story is a bit interesting too," Guy said. "I was working as a cashier while also trying to make it as a singer before I came here."

"What?" Angela exclaimed, surprised.

"Yeah, that's right. I mean, I was living my dream of working as a cashier, and in between, I was trying to make a living by singing," Guy said, glancing at Angela to check her reaction.

"Ha ha ha, yes, yes, I'm sure that's exactly how it went," Angela laughed.

"Wait a minute, you were singing that song so beautifully in the shower, weren't you?" Angela said. Then, trying to remember some of the lyrics, she sang, paying no attention to whether it was right or wrong, while attempting to deepen her voice: "Well I never travelled to Spain, but I think I like their music."

"Maybe," Guy replied, "but I didn't get far enough in music to become popular, so I'd sing at bars here and there, wherever I could, in the evenings, and I worked as a cashier during the day. Well, that was the way it was. I guess I fit the definition of a random guy, don't I?" Guy finished his sentence.

After a brief pause, Angela thought for a moment and then said in a commanding tone, smiling, "No, you're not a random guy anymore. You're my kinda guy from now on."

Guy had never experienced anything like this with the girls he had met before, and now he realized that Angela's words, with their possessive undertone, really appealed to him.

"And I'm very much okay with that," Guy replied, genuinely pleased.

As the minutes passed, their conversation flowed beautifully, and Guy didn't want this moment to end. He started thinking of something to say, something that would keep the moment alive. He thought, and thought, but couldn't come up with anything that would enhance the beauty of the moment. So, he stayed quiet. After a little while, there was a brief silence. Then Angela stopped, turned to him, and with a determined look, said, "Guy, my guy, promise me something."

"Okay," Guy said, uncertain.

Her face became a little tense, and she looked like she was about to cry. She quickly regained composure and said, "You'll never leave me, okay? Promise me," her eyes never leaving Guy's.

Seeing her like this made Guy feel a little emotional as well, but instead of showing his feelings, he chose to stay strong, keeping his expression steady. He answered, "Angela, my angel, wherever you go, I go. Wherever you are, I'll be there with you."

In that moment, a thought crossed Guy's mind—the ring he had carried in his pocket ever since he arrived in the city by train. He thought about proposing to her right then, but he wasn't sure if this was the right moment, so he decided against it. Instead, he looked into Angela's eyes, gently ran his hand through her hair, brushing it back from her face. He softly caressed her cheek with his palm, then took her hands into his. Rather than proposing, he said something that would remind her of it: "From now on, it's not just me. It's our journey together."

Angela gripped one of Guy's hands tightly with both of hers. They got back on track, continuing their journey towards the destination.

- end of Part 19 -

They had just started to glimpse their destination when Angela felt her phone buzz. She pulled it out, checked the screen, and saw that her father was calling. Since their connection often dropped, she answered quickly.

"Hey, Dad! Everything okay? We're just about to arrive where you are!"

But the voice on the other end wasn't her father's.

"Hey, little Angie, how's it going?"

After a short moment of thought, Angela replied with a burst of joy, "Uncle Johnny! Are you with my dad? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, don't worry about a thing. Everything's fine. Your dad, Rose, and I are chatting near the site of a collapsed building."

"By the way, Angie," he added, "I thought you should know that the people who took over your house really regret it now."

"Thank you, Uncle Johnny," Angela cut in briefly.

Johnny continued, "We're quite far from your area, but we've been watching the news non-stop, so when we saw your dad wandering near that collapsed building, we knew right away. I've been telling him—without a doubt—you can stay with us. Our place is in much better shape. A few cracks here and there, but nothing major. And I think, after all this talking, your dad's been working hard in this heat. What do you say?"

"Actually, Uncle Johnny, we could come there soon. Would that be okay? It'd be more comfortable for all of us."

"Of course, of course," he said. "I think I hear someone with you—no worries, we'll talk more when you arrive. We're just next to your building."

"Alright, Uncle Johnny, see you soon!"

Soon after, Angela and her companion arrived in the area where she and her father lived. From a distance, Angela spotted her father.

"Dad!" she shouted joyfully, running toward him and throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Everything's okay, right?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

"Don't worry," her father reassured her. "Everything is fine. In fact, since your uncle and his wife offered to let us stay with them, I've been feeling a bit more at ease."

He paused, then added, "But... from the happiness in your eyes, I can tell whoever that young man next to you is—because I've only seen him once before—he must have made my daughter very happy."

Angela felt a mixture of embarrassment and delight. She smiled softly, "Thank you, Dad. That means so much to me. But please, not in front of him," she said with a bashful smile.

Just as she finished speaking, Guy approached them.

"Welcome again, son. Is everything alright?" he asked with a warm smile.

Angela's uncle, Johnny, a large, broad-shouldered man with an imposing presence, but with a voice surprisingly light for his appearance, spoke up with an amused tone:

"Son? Wow! I wasn't expecting that coming."

He turned his gaze toward Angela, his expression teasing.

Angela grinned, "Uncle Johnny, this is Guy. But not just any Guy—" She cast a tender look at Guy before continuing, "He's my boyfriend."

For a brief moment, silence fell as everyone exchanged glances, each taking in the situation with a mix of curiosity and quiet understanding.

Johnny raised his voice with a loud, "So!" sweeping his eyes over everyone before continuing, "Please, come and be our guests for as long as you'd like."

Angela's father glanced at her, as if sensing she was about to make a decision. Angela returned his look and then said, "Dad, there's a hotel downtown. That's actually where we've been staying."

Hearing this, and realizing they likely couldn't stay at the hotel any longer, Guy looked at Angela, but kept his silence, suspecting she had something else on her mind.

"I mean," Angela continued, "if you want, you're welcome to stay there with us too."

Her father looked from Johnny to Angela, then spoke carefully, choosing his words to avoid upsetting her.

"Don't take this the wrong way, sweetheart, but I think I'd feel more comfortable staying with your uncle."

"I understand," Angela said gently. "It's no problem at all."

"And I completely understand you too, Angela. And it's okay. I respect your decisions." He paused for a moment before adding, with a tender but emotional tone, "But no matter what, just... be happy, my darling."

Johnny jumped in with his booming voice, "Alright, then! If everyone's decided where they're staying, it's time we all get moving. It's getting dark already."

"He's right," Angela agreed, giving her father a firm, warm hug. She felt his comforting embrace, reminding her of what it felt like to be a little girl, safe in her father's arms—a feeling she realized she had missed deeply.

Then she hugged her uncle just as tightly, and Johnny, returning the embrace, leaned in close to her ear.

With a smile, he whispered, "If this is the boy..." emphasizing the with a playful grin that he knew Angela would understand, "then don't lose him. He seems like a good one."

Angela smiled softly, her heart feeling full.

As they parted ways, Angela's father, uncle, and Rose waved lovingly at her and Guy, and they waved back in the same way. After they had walked a bit farther, Guy slowly approached Angela and asked, "Why did you tell them we were staying at the hotel?" His curious gaze lingered as he waited for her response.

"Because," Angela began, "I want to be with you," she paused for a moment, then added softly, "just you, my love."

There was a brief silence as both of them let the weight of the moment sink in. After a while, Angela realized that maybe there wasn't much more to say after all, and with that thought, they both turned toward the direction of the makeshift camp and began walking again.