Chapter 137: Beach day

Five days had passed since Carmen's message, and while it still lingered in the back of my mind, I had decided to focus on the present. Today, Zaya and I were going to the beach, and I was determined to enjoy the day.

I stood in front of the mirror, contemplating what to wear. I chose a light sundress, the kind that flowed with the breeze and hinted at the bikini I wore underneath. My black curls framed my face perfectly, and I decided to leave them loose, allowing them to tumble over my shoulders.

As I applied a touch of makeup—just enough to highlight my features—I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The beach had always been my happy place, and I was looking forward to sharing it with Zaya. Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my beach bag, filled with essentials: sunscreen, a towel, and a book I had been meaning to read.