Unfortunately—

things only got worse from there.

A few minutes later, both fathers entered the dining area together, followed closely by Alex’s mother carrying coffee cups.

The moment Alex’s mother noticed the table atmosphere, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What did we miss?” she asked immediately.

Mia’s mother looked far too pleased with herself.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied casually. “Just discovering that windows apparently aren’t decorative.”

Alex nearly inhaled coffee into his lungs.

Mia closed her eyes briefly like she was reconsidering every life choice that brought her here.

Alex’s father slowly looked between them.

Then at the mothers.

Then back at Alex.

“…Should I ask?”

“No,” Mia answered instantly.

“Yes,” her mother answered at the exact same time.

Absolute betrayal.

Within thirty seconds, both mothers were laughing uncontrollably while their fathers tried and failed to remain serious.

“You climbed through a window?” Alex’s father finally asked, sounding more impressed than disappointed.

“It sounds worse when you say it out loud,” Alex muttered.

“It sounded worse when I opened the door this morning,” Mia’s mother corrected.

Mia dropped her forehead onto the table.

“I’m leaving the country.”

“No you’re not,” her father said calmly while sitting down beside her. “You’ll miss breakfast.”

Alex’s mother leaned toward Mia dramatically. “Sweetheart, at least lock the door next time.”

“MOM.”

That only encouraged everyone further.

Even Alex looked amused now.

Mia immediately kicked him under the table.

“Ow,” he complained quietly.

“You deserve worse.”

“You were cuddling me voluntarily.”

“That information was free. You didn’t have to share it.”

Alex smiled into his coffee cup after that.

Traitor.

Breakfast somehow became both warmer and more embarrassing after the teasing settled.

Nobody was truly upset.

That almost made it worse.

By late morning, the parents decided to explore the shopping streets near the resort.

The mothers disappeared into stores together within minutes, already arguing over fabrics and decorations like they had returned to their college days overnight.

Meanwhile, both fathers settled near a small outdoor café, clearly enjoying the rare peace and uninterrupted coffee.

Which left Alex and Mia alone.

Finally.

“Freedom,” Mia sighed dramatically as they escaped the crowded shopping area.

“For approximately twenty minutes,” Alex estimated.

“I’ll take it.”

They wandered back toward the quieter side of the resort where shaded paths curved between trees and flower gardens.

The afternoon sun filtered softly through the leaves above them, the air calmer here, quieter.

Eventually they found an empty wooden bench beneath a large tree.

Mia sat first.

Alex dropped down beside her comfortably.

For a moment neither spoke.

Their hands brushed once between them.

Then naturally intertwined.

Mia looked down briefly at their joined fingers before sighing again.

“You know,” she began carefully, “climbing through the window was actually insane.”

Alex looked thoughtful. “A little.”

“A little?”

“You left the window unlocked.”

“That was not an invitation.”

“It felt emotionally encouraging.”

Mia stared at him in disbelief.

“You could’ve gotten caught properly.”

“I did get caught properly.”

“…Good point.”

Alex laughed quietly under his breath.

Mia shook her head. “What if my dad had walked in instead of my mom?”

“I probably would’ve died.”

“That’s the first smart thing you’ve said today.”

He leaned back slightly against the bench, still smiling faintly.

“But you were happy I came.”

Mia opened her mouth immediately.

Then paused.

Because unfortunately—

yes.

That annoyed her.

“You make terrible decisions,” she muttered instead.

“And yet you still let me stay.”

That softened something in her expression instantly.

Alex noticed.

Of course he did.

His voice lowered slightly. “I liked waking up next to you.”

Mia looked away toward the trees before he could see how much that affected her.

“It was nice,” she admitted quietly.

Silence settled after that.

Comfortable.

Warm.

Their fingers remained intertwined between them.

Then Alex added casually:

“You drool in your sleep a little.”

Mia turned toward him in complete horror. “I WHAT?”

He started laughing immediately.

“You’re lying.”

“Maybe.”

She stood up instantly. “I’m leaving.”

“You’re reacting suspiciously fast.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

Mia started walking away from the bench dramatically.

Alex watched her for exactly two seconds before standing too.

“Mia.”

“No.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I’m underreacting.”

“You threatened international escape this morning.”

“That was reasonable.”

Alex caught up quickly and grabbed her wrist gently before she could continue walking.

Mia stumbled lightly backward against him with a surprised breath.

“Alex—”

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately, arms sliding carefully around her waist. “For the window. For the trauma. For nearly killing your dignity before breakfast.”

Mia tried glaring at him.

It became difficult because he was already holding her close.

“You forgot ruining my peaceful vacation.”

“Right. That too.”

Despite herself, Mia’s lips twitched slightly.

Alex noticed instantly.

Dangerous man.

Then his expression softened.

“But I’m not sorry I stayed.”

That quieted her immediately.

Something in the honesty of it settled directly into her chest.

Mia finally relaxed against him slowly, arms sliding around his shoulders in surrender.

There.

That familiar feeling again.

Like no matter how chaotic things became around them, standing this close somehow made everything easier.

Neither of them noticed movement farther down the pathway.

Their parents had just entered the garden area together—

And stopped instantly.

Alex’s mother grabbed Mia’s mother’s arm dramatically.

“Oh my god,” she whispered.

Both fathers looked toward the scene ahead: Alex holding Mia beneath the trees while she rested quietly against him, completely unaware anyone was watching.

Her father sighed through a smile.

“They really stopped trying to hide it.”

“They were never good at hiding it,” Mia’s mother corrected fondly.

Behind the bushes, all four parents stood there like teenagers spying on gossip instead of mature adults.

Meanwhile, ahead of them, Alex brushed his thumb lightly against Mia’s waist while she stayed tucked comfortably against his chest.

Peaceful.

Certain.

And entirely in love without needing to say it out loud.