INICIAR SESIÓNI woke up to the soft sound of music playing somewhere in the room. For a moment, I stayed under the duvet with my eyes closed, wondering why Edris had music playing so early. When I finally opened my eyes, I noticed something different about the room.There were flowers everywhere.I sat up slowly and looked around. Small balloons were scattered across the room, and a large birthday banner hung across the wall opposite the bed. On the table beside the window was a beautifully decorated cake with my name written across it.I stared at everything, completely confused, when Edris walked into the room carrying another bouquet.“Happy birthday, beautiful.”I blinked at him. “What?”He smiled. “Happy birthday, Juliana.”I stared at Edris for a few seconds before looking around the room again. The flowers, the balloons, the cake, everything suddenly made sense. I looked back at him, still trying to process it.“My birthday?”Edris smiled. “Yes, your birthday, darling.”I covered my mouth wi
A few people were waiting there, along with snorkeling equipment and a couple of kayaks.My eyes widened. “We’re going snorkeling?”Edris nodded. “That’s one part of the surprise.”I smiled as the boat pulled closer. “Okay, this is actually exciting.”He laughed. “I knew you’d like it.”I grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s go.”We stepped onto the floating platform, and one of the instructors welcomed us, he then explained what we would be doing. I listened carefully while Edris stood beside me, already looking like he was ready to jump straight into the water.“So we just swim around and look at the fish?” I asked.The instructor nodded. “Exactly. We’ll stay together, and I’ll guide you both.”I looked at Edris. “You heard that? Stay together.”He smiled. “I wasn’t planning on leaving you.”“I’m just telling you.”The instructor handed us our masks and snorkels and helped us adjust them. I put mine on and immediately started laughing when I saw Edris struggling with his.“What?” he as
The first thing I noticed was the sunlight coming through the window. I opened my eyes and found Edris standing nearby, already dressed.I pushed myself up and looked at him. “Why are you dressed so early?”“Because I need you to get ready.”I frowned. “For what?”“You’ll find out.”“Edris, that answer is making me suspicious.”He laughed. “You’re suspicious of everything I do.”“Can you blame me?”“Not really.” He held his hand out to me. “Come on.”He laughed. “Why do you always assume I’m up to something?”“Because whenever you say ‘surprise,’ something usually happens.”He walked over to the bed and held out his hand. “Get up.”I stared at his hand. “You’re not even going to tell me where we’re going?”“Absolutely not.”“What if I decide I’m staying here?”“Then I’ll have to convince you to come with me.”I laughed. “You’re very confident.”“I know my wife.”I took his hand and let him pull me out of bed. “Fine, but if this surprise is terrible, I’m blaming you.”He laughed. “Deal
I closed my eyes again, but I couldn’t stop myself from listening to every sound he made whenever she moved to another part of his back.“You okay?” Edris asked.“I’m fine.”He laughed softly. “You don’t sound fine.”“I said I’m fine.”The massage continued, with the therapists working carefully over our shoulders, backs, arms, and legs. Now and then, I opened my eyes to check what was happening on Edris’s side.Eventually, the massage ended, and we sat up.Edris stretched his shoulders. “That was amazing.”I immediately looked at him. “Amazing? You enjoyed it?”He nodded. “Very much.”I folded my arms. “Of course you did.”He looked at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Nothing.”Edris stared at me for a second before a smile appeared on his face. “Wait! Are you jealous?”“No, I'm not.”He laughed.“Don’t laugh,” I said.That only made him laugh harder.“Edris, I’m serious.”He tried to control himself. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.”“No, you’re not.”“No,” he admitted, still smiling. “I
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of birds outside the villa. For a few seconds, I stayed still, staring at the ceiling before turning my head toward Edris. He was still asleep beside me, one arm resting across his side of the bed. I smiled when I remembered how he’d carried me to bed the night before after I fell asleep on the couch.I slowly sat up, trying not to wake him, but he moved almost immediately.“Are you awake?” Edris asked, his voice still sleepy.“Yes,” I replied. “I was trying not to wake you.”He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Well, you failed.”I laughed. “Sorry.”He stretched and looked at the time on his phone. “What time is it?”“Almost nine.”He groaned and pulled the duvet over his face. “That's still early.”I laughed. “It’s nine in the morning, Edris.”“Yeah, I know.”“Then why are you acting like it’s six?”“Because I’m on vacation.”I pulled the duvet away from his face. “Get up. I’m hungry.”He looked at me for a moment before smiling. “Of course
Edris eventually stepped out of the bathroom, and I glanced at him before looking away. “Are you finally done?”He laughed. “Yes, I’m finally done.”“Good, because I was beginning to think you planned to sleep in there.”He gave me a look. “You’re not serious.”We both changed into something comfortable for the night before getting ready for bed. I was about to climb under the duvet when my stomach growled loudly. I stopped and looked down at myself.Edris looked at me. “Was that your stomach?”I sighed. “Yeah, I’m hungry, I thought I could wait until tomorrow morning, but I couldn’t.”He shook his head with a small smile. “But you just ate earlier.”“I know, but I’m hungry again. I guess my stomach has other plans.”He laughed and picked up his phone. “What do you want?”“Hmmm, chicken wings.”“That’s it? With what?”“Maybe fries too.”Edris laughed. “Obviously.”“Don’t laugh at me.”“I’m not.”“You are.”He opened the resort’s room-service menu and handed me the phone. “Pick whateve
I didn’t move, I couldn’t. It felt like I’d been caught red-handed at a crime scene, unsure whether to run or stay where I was. Edris was standing in the doorway as he had always been there for a long time watching, and as if he already knew what I was up to. My fingers tightened around the pho
I left Edris’s office pretending I was fine, but I wasn’t, not even close.His phone call and that slight change in his expression kept bothering my mind, that wasn’t normal.Nothing about Edris Veltri was normal.We were walking down the hallway when I slowed my steps.“Excuse me.”Edris stopped a
I stood there, staring at the spot where Edris had been a few seconds ago.I was so confused, angry, and frustrated.What the hell was wrong with that man?I had literally stabbed him yesterday, yet somehow I was the one feeling unsettled.I glanced at the breakfast on the table.The eggs, the toas
Edris wrapped his hand around the handle and pulled it out, then said to me,“Finished? If that was enough to make you feel better, then do it again.”Before I could try stabbing him again, something strong hit the back of my head, and I passed out on the floor.The next morning, I woke up expectin







