เข้าสู่ระบบI'm starting to fall for Xavier
Nyra’s point of view.We grabbed a boat and headed for town due to Ardonis’ claim that he “Knew a guy.’ The boat ride into town was a stark contrast to our peaceful island. The port was a chaotic scene of shouting men, screeching gulls, and the constant rumble of engines. There must be at least a hundred boats lined here. Ardonis expertly guided the boat into a crowded slip, his movements sure and confident. He grabbed a large, black duffel bag from under the console, and I couldn't help but wonder what, exactly, he had brought with him. It was heavy, that much was clear.He led me through a maze of narrow, winding streets, the air thick with the smell of diesel, fish, and spices. We stopped in front of a dingy, unmarked office building, the kind of place you'd never look at twice."The man we're meeting, Younis” Ardonis said in a low voice, his eyes scanning the street, "is the top supplier of medical supplies to underworld doctors. The kind who work exclusively for drug lords, maf
Ardonis point of view.As I hauled the last of the broken metal slabs into the disposal pile, my muscles burned with a satisfying strain. Wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my arm, I watched Nyra's retreating back. What the hell was that? One minute we were working together like a well-oiled machine, her barking orders and me and Jorge following them, the next she was running away like there was a fire.Things had been... good. Easy. The banter, the shared work, the quiet moments. I thought we were finally finding a rhythm that wasn't weighed down by our past. But all of a sudden, her mood changed. I wonder why?Curiosity, and something else I wouldn't name, pulled me away from the wreckage. I found her at the outdoor tap by the side of the main house, her back to me. She was splashing cool water on her arms and face, trying to wash away the grime and frustration of the day. Her thin shirt was damp with sweat and water, clinging to the curves of her back and shoulders in
Nyra’s point of view.I’m woken up by the guttural roar of a diesel engine and the screech of grinding metal. My eyes snapped open. Ardonis was already awake beside me, blinking in the dim light, his expression confused. The jacket he'd given me was still draped over my shoulders."What is that?" I murmured.A loud CRUNCH echoed from the lab, followed by the groan of stressed steel. Ardonis got on his feet in an instant, moving to the shelter door and pulling it open. The main lab was a disaster. Sunlight streamed through a massive hole in the roof where a giant, old tree, had crashed through.Its trunk and branches had completely destroyed the workstations and shattered equipment. And there, standing in the middle of the devastation, was Jorge, expertly maneuvering the arm of a small excavator, pushing the splintered remains of the tree away from the mangled lab door.I went up to meet Ardonis my hand flying to my mouth. "Oh my goodness," I breathed. "What a mess."Everywhere smelled
Ardonis’ point of view.The next few days fell into a rhythm of work and quiet companionship. We spent hours in the lab, with her testing everything possibly testable. She does not like to leave rooms for mistakes. I found a strange peace in it, being the subject of her singular focus. It was the one place where the world, with its betrayals and complications, couldn't touch us.Tonight, we were deep into it testing my bloodwork for the third time this week.When without warning, a huge bolt of lightning, thundered in the sky.Nyra froze, her head snapping up from the microscope. "What was that?"Another deafening crack of thunder shook the entire building, and the lights flickered violently before dying, plunging us into darkness, save for the emergency backup lighting that cast long, eerie shadows. The wind began to howl, a furious, screaming beast that rattled the windows and tore at the walls of the lab."A storm must have moved in fast," I said, my voice calm as I moved towards
Nyra’s point of view.The boat ride back was filled with the lingering energy and excitement of our small adventure. Ardonis carried the massive tuna like it was a loaf of bread, and I couldn't help but watch the easy way his muscles bunched and shifted under his shirt. When we reached the dock, Olga was there to greet us, her eyes widening at the sight of our catch."Madre de Dios!" she exclaimed, her hands flying to her cheeks. "Jorge, you have outdone yourself!""It wasn't me," Jorge said, a proud grin on his face as he gestured to Ardonis. "It was Mr. Ardonis."Olga looked from Ardonis to the fish and back again, her expression a mixture of awe and delight. "I will cook this for you tonight. A feast!""That sounds wonderful," I said, a genuine smile on my face. "I'm just going to take a quick shower. I feel... filthy."I escaped to my room, the promise of hot water pulling me. The steam filled the large bathroom, fogging the glass as I stepped under the spray. The water flowed ove
Ardonis’ point of view.After the assessment was finished, I felt a strange sense of lightness. The decision was made. The fear was still there, but it was no longer paralyzing. It was just... a fact. A risk I had chosen to take.Jorge was waiting for me by the door to the lab as I stepped out, pulling my shirt back on. "The boat is ready, Mr. Ardonis," he said with a respectful nod. "Thought I might do some fishing before the sun gets too high."I turned back to look at Nyra, who was sanitizing her instruments with a focused intensity. "Jorge and I are going fishing," I said. "You should join. Get out of this lab for a few hours."She didn't even look up. "I have work to do.""Nyra," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "The work will be there in two hours. You need a break. You're not a machine."She finally stopped, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She let out a sigh, then looked at me, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "Fine," she said. "I'll go."A short while later, w







