Chapter 7

Malia Dessu

by Malia Dessu

Story

I stood on the rooftop, waiting for Rico. The cool breeze tugged at my jacket, and the distant hum of the city below provided a familiar, comforting backdrop. I had been looking forward to this meeting, more than I wanted to admit. It had been three weeks since Rico had started his new job at our Defender Alliance—a step away from the life he had always known. Though we often seen each other at HQ, we never really talked much, so I was curious to see how he was handling it.

When I heard footsteps behind me, I turned to see him approaching. His brown hair, slightly tousled from the breeze, caught the fading light of the sunset. His dark eyes, intense and unreadable, seemed to take in everything around him. He moved with the same quiet confidence as always, like he owned the world but didn’t need to show it. There was something magnetic about his presence. He made everything seem effortless, yet dangerous all the same.

“So, how’s the new job treating you?” I asked, leaning against the railing beside him. Rico let out a small chuckle, his gaze softening slightly. “It’s… different,” he said. “Not bad, though. I’m getting used to… the normal stuff.”

I nodded, trying to suppress the small smile that tugged at my lips. There was an ease between us tonight, a chemistry I didn’t want to acknowledge. I was drawn to him, captivated by his spirit, his defiance. But he was also a danger, a reminder of the world I had escaped.

Eventually, I smiled. “Normal isn’t always a bad thing.”
He looked at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Coming from you, that’s quite a statement.” I laughed, the sound surprising me. “Hey, I’m learning.”

The conversation flowed easily after that, the barriers between us seeming to melt away with each passing minute. We talked for hours, our words weaving through a labyrinth of topics. He shared stories from his time in the military—the camaraderie, the danger, the loss. I was fascinated by his world, so different from mine, and the way he spoke with a quiet intensity.

As the night wore on, I found myself drawn to him more and more. There was something beneath his hardened exterior—a vulnerability that was both captivating and intoxicating. It was hard to ignore the way my pulse quickened when he looked at me, the way my guard dropped ever so slightly.

I couldn’t allow myself to feel that way. He was dangerous, a reminder of the world I had escaped.

I decided to go to my parents’ place. When I finally got there, I couldn’t shake the lightness in my chest. Sonan caught on instantly.
“You’re in a good mood,” he said, raising an eyebrow. I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Just a good day, that’s all.” But deep down, I knew the truth. It wasn’t just the day that had lifted my spirits. It was Rico. And that was something I couldn’t afford to admit, not even to myself.


© Malia Dessu 2024-08-30

Genres
Novels & Stories
Moods
Hopeful, Inspiring, Lighthearted