While Erin prepared, Amir searched for the nearest flower shop and, luckily, found one that agreed to stay open a little longer. He picked up a bouquet of red roses—it was a formal party invitation, after all, and with Erin's approval, flowers seemed like a thoughtful gift for Prita.

They arrived at Aurora Beach Club, a fusion of nightlife and natural scenery. The club's private pathway led to Prita's rented venue at the far end. As they walked through the main area, Amir took in the bustling beach club. A DJ stage sparkled right beside the shore, and close to midnight, Bali pulsed with an endless energy. Almost everyone was a foreigner; if there were any Asian visitors, they were in small groups mingling with others.


Following the winding path, Erin and Amir reached the very end, where a grand gazebo-style building stood guarded by two muscular men in white tank tops, each shirt emblazoned with 'Prita's Day."

'Erin," she informed them, flashing a confident smile.

The men checked their tablets, and the bald one nodded. 'Welcome. Please, go ahead."


Inside, a small crowd of ten people swayed on the dance floor to the rhythms of a seductive, oriental-looking DJ. She played a medium-tempo beat, and Amir noted a partition on the right, sectioning off the space. Erin waved to a petite woman emerging from that side.

'Baby girl!" The woman with long, straight hair hugged Erin tightly. She wore a fuchsia dress identical to Erin's, their sequin-covered bodies sparkling as they embraced. Amir couldn't fathom how they could find comfort in those fabrics.


'How are you? You're taller than ever!" the woman exclaimed.

'Doing great, thanks! Prita, let me introduce you to someone. This is my boyfriend, Amir. Honey, this is my bestie from Australia, Prita."

Prita's small, observant eyes gave Amir a quick once-over. As he handed her the roses, she broke into a wide smile. 'Nice to meet you. And thank you for the flowers, Amir."

"Happy birthday, Prita. May all your wishes come true."

'Thanks, darling." Prita shook Amir's hand before arching a brow. 'Amir, huh? Erin, isn't that a bit... against the usual blessings?"

Amir and Erin exchanged confused glances before realizing she referred to the name 'Amir."

'No, Prita, we're safe!" Erin chuckled. 'It's true, the name is Arabic, but it was given by Amir's late grandfather. We're in the clear."

'Ow. Sorry, Amir. Erin's boyfriends are full of surprises. One time, she introduced me to a marijuana boss; another time, an ex-con. I swear, if she marries a widower with eight kids, I won't be shocked!"

Amir noticed Erin's slight discomfort, her smile forced at Prita's teasing. Sensing her tension, he gently squeezed her hand, and she glanced at him with a relieved, thin smile. 'Enough about my past. Let's head inside. We're still waiting for the main DJ, so eat something first," Prita said, leading them toward the restaurant.

Inside, the aroma of grilled meat and barbecue sauce mixed with the ocean breeze. About half of the thirty or so round tables were filled, and a chef cooked at the center of the room, surrounded by a buffet. It felt like an elevated, seaside feast.

'Baby G! Take care of Erin!" Prita called out to a tall man in a chef's uniform, placing sizzling meats onto the buffet.

'Oi, Miss! Welcome!" he replied enthusiastically.

'Georgie!" Erin pulled Amir over to him with a delighted smile.

'How are you, Miss? And how's Mr. Rudolf?"

'All's well! You look healthy too, Georgie," Erin grinned.

Georgie patted his round belly, laughing. 'Thank you. Who would've thought Prita could cook like this? And who's this?"

'Oh, this is Amir, my boyfriend. Honey, meet Georgie—or Mas G. He used to work for my dad in one of the Australian hotels."

'Nice to meet you, bro!" Georgie greeted Amir with a respectful nod, his hands oily from the grill.

'Pleasure's mine," Amir replied, smiling.

'For our distant guests," Georgie continued, 'we've got a special set menu—fresh sashimi and steak. What'll it be?"

'Steak for both of us, please," Erin decided quickly.

'Good choice! And for drinks, we've got our best-selling wine. Refills will be on us during the party."

Amir wanted to request water instead but shrugged. A single glass wouldn't hurt, he thought.

They picked a secluded table by the cliff edge, where they could see the sea and the lively beach clubs along the shoreline. The clear, starry night reflected on the waves, creating a breathtaking scene, but Amir's focus lingered on Erin. Her hair danced in the breeze, framing her face with an effortless beauty that made him smile.

'Want me to take a picture of you? The view's perfect," he offered.

'Really?" Erin checked her reflection, then fell silent, a thoughtful look crossing her face. 'I want to ask you something. Would you be honest with me?"

'Of course." Amir leaned in, curious but a bit nervous at her tone.

'Would you be okay if I made our relationship public? Like, are you ready for that?"

'Oh, I thought everyone already knew." Amir chuckled, thinking it was hardly a secret. 'But you mean on Instagram?"

'Yes!" Erin's eyes lit up, but her expression was determined. 'You have no idea how many creepy DMs I get, Amir. It'd help if everyone knew I'm taken!"

'What kind of messages?" Amir's eyebrows shot up.

'Ugh, gross ones—guys sending, well, inappropriate pictures," she shuddered, rolling her eyes. 'I think you know what I mean."

'No way! Have you really dealt with that? From office guys?"

'Not exactly. It's usually strangers, using fake accounts. But yeah, real guys." She shot him a smirk. 'You mean you've never done something like that?"

'Hey! I'm innocent!" Amir laughed, shaking his head, 'But seriously, if it makes you feel safer, I'm totally fine with it. Just...are you ready for the teasing at the office? They're all so into you, after all."

Erin shrugged, 'Let them tease. It's way better than being harassed." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. 'You're my guy, and that's all that matters."

'Alright, so how are we doing this Instagram debut?" Amir asked, grinning as Erin's face lit up.

Erin handed him her phone. 'Just a simple picture of me first."

She posed with a soft smile, resting her chin on her hand. Amir took a few shots, even though he was so nervous that his hands shook a bit. Somehow, she looked perfect in each one. Then, holding his hand, Erin beamed. He took a couple more shots, and she promised to take her time crafting the best caption.

As she tucked her phone back into her clutch, Erin traced her fingers along Amir's arm, chuckling. 'Wow, you're hairy! Was your grandfather actually Arabian?"

'Yeah, kind of. It's in the family genes," Amir said, a bit self-conscious. 'Should I shave it?"

'No!" She protested, gripping his arm. 'All that's part of the Amir package. Don't change a thing, promise?"

Laughing, Amir leaned back, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. 'As you wish, Erin. You get me—hairy arms and all."

Amir couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. He doubled over, his shoulders shaking as Erin rambled on about the future of his body hair in the most ridiculously flirtatious way. Her pout only made it funnier, especially as she grumbled about wanting to "tame" him. By the time the steak arrived, Erin finally quieted down, letting the delicious food distract her.

The guest stars, DJ Waisser—a brother-sister duo lighting up the Southeast Asian club scene—arrived shortly after. The sister, dressed in a cropped top and brown corduroy pants, commanded the crowd with a vodka bottle in hand, pouring drinks directly into the mouths of fans. Her twin ponytails bounced to the music, while her brother took over the DJ booth, igniting the dance floor with beats that had everyone moving.

Amir watched from a distance, content with a half-full glass of beer, his gaze drifting to Erin on the dance floor. She and Prita had promised to dance just one song, but one track had quickly turned into an entire set. Erin's laughter echoed across the room as she spun and twirled, her energy infectious, drawing attention from more than a few guys who looked on admiringly.

Amir stayed vigilant, tensing each time someone tried to approach Erin, but Prita's security team kept any uninvited admirers at bay. He felt a strange pull to join her but held back, not wanting to break her rhythm.

"Relax, bro!" A friendly voice cut into his thoughts. Amir looked up to see Georgie, Prita's chef husband, clad in a loose beach shirt, smiling as he joined him. The two clinked their glasses, exchanging a knowing nod.

"She's stunning, huh?" Georgie said, nodding toward Erin with an appreciative look.

Amir's instinctive frown must have been obvious because Georgie let out a laugh. "Calm down! I've known Erin since she was a teenager. She's like a little sister to me."

"Well, let's keep it that way," Amir replied, managing a small smile.

Georgie's arm found its way around Amir's shoulder, pulling him close. "If I were you, I'd marry her right here, right now. A woman like that—you've gotta claim her, brother. We both know how men are," Georgie joked, giving him a conspiratorial wink.

Amir laughed, but the thought left him pensive. As much as he trusted Erin, seeing other men's admiring glances felt like embers stoking an unfamiliar fire inside him. Unable to shake the feeling, he drained his beer, set his glass on the table, and made his way toward the dance floor.

Navigating through the crowd, he approached Erin, who was now flushed, her eyes half-lidded from too much fun and maybe a little too much to drink. He leaned in, touching her arm gently.

"Ready to go home?" he asked, keeping his voice soft.

She blinked, her smile widening. "Just a little longer, please?"

"It's almost three in the morning, Rin. You promised just one song."

"But I'm having so much fun!" She pouted, her arm draped around Prita, who only laughed.

"Alright, Rin, time to go. Amir's right," Prita said, playfully nudging her toward him. "You have to listen to him—he's your future husband."

Erin's expression softened as she hugged Prita tightly. "I'll miss you!"

"It's the tequila talking," Prita laughed, gently pushing her toward Amir. "Go on, have fun dancing with him now."

With a grin, Erin turned to Amir, ready for him to sweep her off her feet.

Amir backed away with a sigh, laughing as Erin pouted in mock annoyance. He had to steady himself as he nearly stumbled, giving her shoulder a gentle pat. 'Alright, alright, I'm heading out. And hey—your present's coming. It's pre-order only, so it'll be ready next month."

'Yeah, yeah! Just go!" she waved him off with an eye roll.

He turned to Prita, offering a warm smile. 'Thanks, Prita. Happy birthday again."

'Thanks, Amir! Take care!"

But the task of getting Erin home turned out to be much harder than Amir had anticipated. After managing to carry her to the side of the road, they still had to wait nearly fifteen minutes for their ride—the driver had fallen asleep. And when they finally reached the villa, they found a line of half-conscious partygoers waiting for rides of their own. Rather than standing around, Amir lifted Erin onto his back and began the early morning walk back along the quiet, winding path.

It was oddly amusing, he thought as he paused in the middle of the road to catch his breath. How long had it been since he'd done anything like this? A spontaneous, late-night adventure, bringing someone home after a night out. Probably five years, at least. That part of his life had ended the moment he'd grown tired of it.

Now, here he was—walking down the road, Erin asleep on his back, her head nestled against his shoulder. He glanced sideways, catching sight of her face, hair falling across her cheeks, a soft snore escaping her lips.

He shook his head, chuckling softly. 'Such a baby," he whispered, resuming his walk.

When they reached his room, Amir gently set Erin down on his bed. Sitting beside her, he carefully slipped off her heels, noticing the faint red marks on her feet from dancing all night. Luckily, she'd had the foresight to wear plasters on her heels. Poor thing, he thought, admiring her as she lay there, utterly exhausted and oblivious to the world.

He considered massaging her feet with the multipurpose oil he carried. After rummaging through his bag, he finally found the small bottle tucked into a side pocket. But as he watched her sleep, he hesitated. Maybe it would wake her up.

Deciding against it, he left the oil on the dresser, settling himself on the bed across from hers. His gaze lingered on her peaceful face, devoid of the dramatic expressions she usually wore. In the gentle glow of the room, her beauty struck him, so serene and enchanting.

Taking out his phone, Amir opened the camera, capturing the moment. His heart swelled as he watched her through the screen, whispering, 'If anyone asks me what the wonders of the world are, I'll tell them it's you, honey. Your kindness, your beauty, the way you light up my life." He stopped recording, blushing at his own words, rubbing his face with a chuckle.

He stretched out, intending to keep watch over her, but exhaustion was creeping in. His body ached from the day's activities, and he felt sleep pulling at him.

Suddenly, Erin stirred. 'Honey…" she mumbled, her voice faint but clear.

Amir sat up immediately, watching her with concern as she shifted, pushing stray strands of hair from her face. 'Honey, come here," she murmured, eyes still closed.

'What is it, beautiful? I'm right here."

She grimaced, a hint of a pout on her lips. 'Come closer…"

'I'm here, Rin. Go back to sleep, okay?"

'I want you… here." She scooted over, patting the narrow space beside her on the single bed. 'I'm hot."

'If I join you, won't it make you hotter?" he teased softly, suppressing a smile.

'No… come here." She whined, pulling her arm over her eyes.

'Hey, you're the one who insisted on two beds for comfort, remember? You said you wanted me to sleep well."

'I'm too hot," she sighed, rolling over. 'Please?"

'I've turned the AC up to full blast, honey. Just give it a few more minutes, alright?"

'Nope. I want you here."

Amir sighed. He knew she wouldn't let this go. Was she still tipsy? Or maybe just dreaming? He couldn't tell. But, either way, her plea was irresistible.

'Alright, I'll sit here. I'll keep you company until you fall asleep, okay?"

'Please…" she murmured, her eyes flickering open, looking at him with a sudden clarity. She didn't look drunk, nor like she'd just woken up.

He hesitated, his voice tender. 'What do you want, honey?"

'Just hold me. Hold me until I fall asleep."

'Only that?" he asked, feeling a slight flutter in his chest.

'Yes, just hold me."

Red flags waved in his mind, but he sighed, giving in with a soft smile. How could he possibly resist her?

Amir could hardly stand her whines and tears. Sighing, he knew he was treading on thin ice as he got up from his bed, took two steps, and sat down beside Erin. She quickly snuggled up against him, her head resting on his chest.

The silence between them was heavy, their heartbeats almost audible in the stillness. Erin's hand lay on her stomach, her head pressed against his chest. Amir gently wrapped his arms around her back, his fingers brushing against the sequined fabric of her dress. The texture was strange but somehow comforting.

"Could you take off my necklace?" Erin's muffled voice rose from his chest, sounding hazy.

Amir adjusted himself slightly, reaching for the clasp of her choker necklace. As he undid it, he noticed her long, smooth neck and caught a faint, sweet scent of lychee mixed with a soft hint of vanilla and wood. Even with the remnants of the evening clinging to her, she smelled wonderful. Did her skin naturally carry this fragrance, he wondered?

"Blow on me, honey. I'm hot," Erin mumbled, pulling him tighter.

Blow? He couldn't help but feel a little dizzy, the scent lingering in his nose and stirring something deep within him. Still, he couldn't resist. Amir leaned close, blowing softly on her neck. Erin shivered, a reaction so slight it was almost imperceptible. But it stirred him even more. He blew again, and again, each breath making her tremble under his touch.

"Baby," Erin murmured, her words low and slurred. "It's... in my bag."

"What is?" Amir's voice came out in a husky whisper, his mind spinning.

"The condom," Erin whispered, making him freeze.

Amir blinked, reality crashing down on him. Shaking his head, he gently pulled back, rubbing his face as if to clear away the heat that had built up between them.

"What is it?" Erin protested, her eyes half-open, questioning.

"You know what I believe about this, don't you? Why are you testing me like this?"

"We're here, in this moment. Why not?" Erin's eyes sparkled with defiance, though her expression was softened by a slight sway from her drink. "We'll still get married, right? What difference does it make?"

Amir exhaled slowly. "The difference is, if we start this with the wrong steps, everything after might just follow the same path."

"What's wrong with it?" Erin asked, her voice rising with frustration.

"Sex before marriage... do you really think it's good for us?"

Erin's brow furrowed, her lips pulling into a pout. "Everyone does it! You must have, too!"

"Yes. And I want a good future with you, Erin. One we start right. You don't know what happens behind closed doors in other relationships."

"Don't act like you know everything. It's not a curse! You talk like you've seen it all." Erin's words were sharp, each one laced with rising irritation.

Amir hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

"So... am I not enough for you?" Erin's voice softened, a tremor breaking through. "Am I not pretty enough? Or... do you not want me?"

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life, Erin," he replied quietly.

"Then why won't you touch me? I'm just a normal woman with... needs! And yet you..."

Amir tried to explain, his voice calm but firm. "Because I know what you don't, Erin. I see things differently."

She gave a bitter laugh. "Really? Seven years between us, and you think that makes you so much wiser?" She got up unsteadily, pushing past him. "Just stay away from me, Amir."

Amir watched as she slipped through the glass doors, stepping into the chill of the garden by the pool. He shook his head, disbelief mingling with concern. Following her outside, he found her curled up on a lounge chair by the water.

The air was brisk, the first hint of dawn casting a pale glow over the pool. Erin had only her dress on, shivering slightly. Without a word, Amir scooped her up into his arms.

"Put me down!" she yelled, hitting his shoulder in protest.

He ignored her, carrying her back inside, despite her struggling. He placed her gently on her bed and held her hands down as she thrashed.

"Go to sleep, Erin," he said firmly.

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"You can sleep wherever you want in this room," he said softly, "but please, just stay here. Let's not make this any harder."

For a moment, she quieted, her anger melting away. Amir stayed beside her, still and unwavering, waiting for her breathing to even out as she slowly drifted off into sleep.

"Just stay inside, okay? Understand?" Amir's voice was low and stern.

"LET GO!" Erin protested, her struggles waning under the grip of Amir's hands. He held her firmly, his gaze hardening, a silent threat simmering beneath his calm demeanor.

"Quiet," he ordered, his voice a mere growl. "Sleep. Inside."

With that, Erin's resistance softened, her hands going limp. Amir gave a small nod, satisfied. "Good," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, a touch that went unanswered. He released her hands, watching her carefully before stepping away.

Amir retrieved a cigarette and lighter from his bag, heading to the garden. He closed the glass door behind him, exhaling slowly as he lit up. Inside, Erin lay on the bed, her lips curving into a small, secret smile, savoring the memory of Amir's commanding presence.

Erin wasn't sure what time it was, but her body felt as if it had been hit by a train. Sunlight poured through the windows, harsh even behind her closed eyelids. Groaning, she cracked her eyes open, adjusting to the bright room.

The sound of water splashing caught her attention, and her gaze drifted to the private pool. Someone was swimming.

Sitting up, Erin glanced at Amir's bed—neatly made. The clock showed ten. For a moment, she panicked, thinking she might have missed check-out, but then remembered her friend Prita had booked the villa until the afternoon, knowing Erin wouldn't be up early.

But Amir...

Her heart raced as she moved outside, shivering slightly in the morning chill, still in her dress from the night before. Her breath caught as she saw Amir at the edge of the pool, his muscular chest glistening under the sunlight, droplets of water tracing down his broad shoulders and sculpted six-pack abs. Just as she'd imagined, his physique was every bit as impressive as she'd hoped.

In her awe, she barely registered the splash of water that hit her face.

"Hey! Evil!" she yelled playfully.

With a grin, she stepped into the pool, the water surprisingly warm from the sun. Giggling, she splashed him back, making sure his hair was completely soaked. But Amir remained unfazed, swimming toward her with unbroken focus until he was right in front of her, his hands pressed against the edge of the pool on either side of her, effectively trapping her. Their faces were so close she could feel his breath, and the intensity of his red-rimmed gaze sent her heart fluttering.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, voice laced with amusement.

Amir's wet hair and intense expression were almost too much. Erin forced herself to focus on his eyes, struggling not to look down at his bare chest or strong shoulders. She barely managed a casual, "Not bad."

"Not bad, huh?" He tilted his head, lips quirking. "Do you remember anything from last night?"

Erin's brows knit as she tried to recall. She vaguely remembered being carried, the ache in her muscles.

"No... what happened? What did we do?" Her eyes lit up with anticipation, and Amir bit his lip, holding back a laugh.

"Well, it's probably for the best if you don't remember," he replied, a smirk dancing on his lips. "But I do feel a little guilty. I was rough with you last night."

"Rough?" Erin's voice turned to a squeak. "How rough? What did we do? Oh my gosh, how can I not remember?"

"That's the thing." Amir's mysterious smile made her heart race. Erin splashed water at him again, and before they knew it, they were both laughing, their hearts basking in the warmth of love and the morning sun.

***