Dipping my toe into the miniature man-made stream, I sighed happily as I felt the water flow right past my toe.

So cool!

I had barely the time to check out my backyard the past weekend since I helped Mom and Dad decorate the house and all, and then, the shopping wasn’t easy as well. So naturally, I thought to remedy that after school.

The day had gone through as smoothly as it could. I had gained myself two friends: Marley and Matthew, and although I wouldn’t mind calling Blond a friend, even after his kissing stunt, Diandra seemed to think it fit to keep her boyfriend at least five feet away from me.

Not that I minded that or anything, the last thing I was looking for was drama. And Diandra spelled out drama with a capital D although a capital B for Queen B would also fit perfectly.

After math class, Marley and I had discovered that we had the rest of the classes together and ended up being teamed as desk mates in art class.

We had to paint each other as our project, which I found awesome. From what I had seen, I personally think Marley seemed to have a crush on Matt.

I mean, not that that’s impossible, he is handsome and smart too. I definitely see myself playing Cupid when it comes to both of them though.

Mathew, on the other hand, shared every class with Marley and I except Arts, and that was sad since I had a feeling he could pull off amazing art skills.

The day had ended quickly, and before I knew it, classes were over, and I was boarding the bus.

I made a note to myself: beg Mom and Dad to let me buy my Audi. I had been saving up for it for forever. I turned eighteen a few weeks ago. I deserved a car.

Besides, after the kiss incident, I refused to travel in Alex’s vehicle. That would be wrong.

Shrugging the thoughts away, I made a sweep across the backyard and noticed a swimming pool near the tiny patio, which led to a bench area that was surrounded by rose bushes and vines. I stared in wonder at its beauty.

With the pink and white roses in full bloom, it looked like a scene just out of a romance novel. Mental note: to spend time reading here, check.

After five minutes of staring at the beauty, I finally managed to tear my eyes off the gorgeous bench area and continued to look around the backyard.

There were roses bushes planted firmly along the fence. But the fence ended, and it appeared as if our backyard led straight into the woods.

Strange. Why not fence the whole yard?

All of a sudden my eyes landed on the large apple tree on the far corner of the yard. It was plain and barren, nary a fruit or flower in blossom.

But what caught my attention was the swing that was attached to one of the thicker branches.

As a child, I loved swings and would make Dad take me to the parks every afternoon just for that.

Now, to have my very own swing seemed like the best thing that could happen, and although it was fairly plain, it would do perfectly.

Sighing contentedly as I ran my hand along the strong rope, I finally gave it a try and sat on it.

I dragged the swing back a meter, and I let go and let the swing soar me high above the ground.It was the best feeling I felt all day. I felt free as the birds, and it felt so elevating. I couldn’t help but let out a low giggle.

“It’s getting dark,” a deep voice spoke up from behind me as I felt my swing come to a sudden stop.

Clearly caught off guard, I gasped withthe sudden stop and a stranger being in my yard. My eyes shot open and instantly saw that the stranger was right, it was growing dark.

Damn it, Thi!

My mind was everywhere. The deep voice was very alluring. The person also had a very distinctive British accent, so trying to imagine a dangerous face with the voice was nearly impossible.

Shut up, Theia! What if it’s a killer? What if… Oh, my god, I can feel it breathe behind me!

Oh, my god! Shit, Theia! Do something! Run! Okay!

One… Two… Thr —

“Ah!” My sudden scream echoed around me as the stranger pulled me back into the swing, mid-way from my escape. His large hand clasped around mine while I still gripped tightly around the ropes.

I was stuck.

What does he want? Does he want to kill me? Why does he want to kill me!

I am too young! Damn it I haven’t even finished the book I was reading! What about Mom and Dad? Oh, why is life so cruel?

“A-are you going to kill me?” I whispered, not wanting to let my voice waver if I spoke up.

I was too proud to show my future killer how scared I actually was. If I were to die, I would die bravely.

The stranger let out a chuckle, and my eyes widened as I felt a warm feeling run through my belly. I wonder how he looks like.

“No, I am not going to kill you.”

Despite the warm tingles bubbling inside my belly, I stiffened.

Feeling calm enough, I let out a deep breath, a big one for good measure.

Turn around... slowly. Finally mustering up enough courage, I turned to face the stranger.

I died… literally. I died and went straight to paradise and came back.Standing behind me was a living Greek god, Adonis.

Standing behind me was the sole epitome of perfection; the type of man who deserved to be in movies or in magazines.

His deep baritone voice fit perfectly to his face.

Everything from his clear blue eyes to his beautiful cleft chin to his strong aristocratic jaw to his dark wavy hair spelled out power and dominance.

When he realized I had been staring too long, his lips pulled up a ghost of a smile, and my wide eyes found another thing to marvel.

This man’s smile was officially to die for.

How could someone so beautiful be bad? What the hell are you doing, you stupid girl?

He could kill you! He is trespassing on private property! He could be a looter!

Suddenly seeing sense, I shook my head and looked away.

He couldn’t want anything good, could he?

I sighed. There was no escaping him. The man was built like Hulk.

“What do you want?”

“A name,” the man responded, his voice a bit on the huskier side.

I frowned. “Whose?”

He smiled, his cleft becoming more prominent. “Yours.”

“Why?”

“You ask too many questions, Amore Mio.”

“A name for a name?”

I really did want to put a name to his beautiful face. Okay, I had officially lost my mind.

The man smiled. “You may call me Bryce.”

Bryce, huh? This will need some getting used to. Wait, you probably won’t ever meet this man again.

“Now, your turn,” he added, moving to stand in front of me while I still sat on the swing. He placed his palm on mine as he switched his position.

“T-Theia,” I mumbled.

Suddenly too shy to match eyes with him, I turned my gaze towards my lap.“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Theia. Ti ho aspettato per tanto tempo.” Bryce’s deep voice spoke softly, making me glance at him in disbelief.

Finally met me?

Still holding onto my hand, he slipped my hand off the rope and slowly brought it to his lip.

His soft, warm lips pressed gently against the back of my palm, a little while longer than normal as if holding a sent promise that this would not be the last time his lips would grace my skin.

I shivered at the thought of his lips grazing my skin.

Stupid Thi, he is a Greek god and you, an English milkmaid. Chill out, you’re weaving worthless romances.

“I have to leave now,” he announced all of a sudden. Letting go of my hand, he stepped back; his stance stiff and his facial expression a little distant.

I nodded and instantly stood up. Half-disappointed and partially overjoyed, he had to leave. Why couldn’t I just feel one thing?

You’re never going to see this beautiful face again, Thi. Of course, you would be sad.

Hell, even grandma Lidia would be disappointed at the thought of never seeing this beautiful face again.

“You’re tiny.” The stranger chuckled, pulling me a little closer. My head barely reached his shoulders, well, almost. Damn him for being so tall!

“Or maybe you are just too tall,” I retorted lamely, folding my arms in front of me.

Bryce grinned. “Touché. Now, close your eyes.”

My eyes did the contrary. They widened.

“Why?” I demanded, stepping back for a bit, causing Bryce’s eyes to narrow at me… His anger apparent although he quickly shook it off and a smile appeared on his lips.

Damn that smile!

“Just close your eyes. I promise I won’t bite… yet,” he assured me.

Finally sighing in defeat, I closed my eyes slowly.

The sound of shoes crunching onto leaves drifted to my ears and before I knew it, a voice whispered in my ear. “Until we meet again, mylove.”

A sudden rush of wind hit against my face as if slightly urging me to open my eyes; as if informing me that he was gone.

So, I did. And he was. Bryce was gone.

His words seemed to echo around me even though it was only a soft whisper against my ear.

And at that moment, I knew. This was not the last of Bryce. We would meet again.