Morning arrived quietly, but not gently.
Soft golden sunlight filtered through the tall windows of Jacob Elordi's bedroom, creeping across the polished floor and climbing slowly onto the bed where he lay—still, unmoving, and unusually late.
The room itself reflected discipline. Everything was in place. Clean. Structured. Controlled.
Except him.
Diana Elordi stood at the doorway for a moment, her sharp eyes fixed on her son. Something about this scene felt wrong. Jacob was never like this.
Never.
Without another second of hesitation, she walked in and firmly pulled open the curtains.
Sunlight flooded the room.
"Wake up, Jacob."
Her voice was calm—but edged with authority.
Still, no response.
Her brows furrowed.
"This is the first time you've overslept," she continued, stepping closer. "I want to know why."
Jacob stirred slightly, the light finally forcing him to react. He turned his face away, eyes barely opening.
"I can't believe this," Diana went on, her tone tightening. "My serious, disciplined Jacob… suddenly changing like this? What happened to you?"
Jacob exhaled slowly, dragging himself halfway into consciousness. His voice came out low, tired.
"It's nothing… I just couldn't sleep last night."
Diana didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she leaned forward—and grabbed his collar.
Jacob's eyes snapped open.
Her gaze was sharp, almost piercing.
"Don't lie."
Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric.
"You're still wearing the same clothes from last night."
For a brief second, Jacob hesitated.
Then he gently pulled himself free, sitting up and running a hand through his messy hair.
"Come on, Mom… it's nothing."
Diana studied him carefully.
Every small detail.
Every hesitation.
"Did you meet someone?" she asked suddenly.
Jacob blinked, caught off guard.
"Tell me the truth."
"No," he replied quickly. Too quickly. "I had a meeting last night, came back, and went straight to sleep."
A silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
Then Diana straightened up, letting go of the tension in the room as if she had simply decided to pause the interrogation—for now.
"Come downstairs," she said, turning toward the door. "Breakfast is ready. I'll wait for you."
And just like that, she walked out.
Jacob sat there for a moment after she left.
Still.
Quiet.
Then he exhaled deeply and swung his legs off the bed.
His mind was not in the room anymore.
It was somewhere else.
Back there.
At the pool.
That girl.
The way she stood.
The way gravity didn't seem to touch her.
And that birthmark—
Jacob clenched his jaw slightly, shaking his head as if trying to physically push the thoughts away.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath.
He stood up, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and headed into the shower.
The water poured down steadily, the sound filling the silence.
Droplets ran down his face, his hair, his shoulders.
But even under the stream, his mind refused to quiet.
He saw her again.
Standing in the water.
Still.
Unnatural.
Watching… or maybe not.
"Who was she…?" he whispered.
The question lingered, unanswered.
Downstairs, the house was already alive.
Diana stood near the dining table, giving instructions with her usual precision.
"Jacob doesn't like sweets," she said firmly. "Take this away."
"Alright, ma'am," the maid replied, quickly removing the dish.
Everything had its place.
Everything had a rule.
Everything—except Jacob, today.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Diana turned slightly.
Jacob had finally come down, dressed and composed—but not entirely himself.
"Good morning, Mom," he said.
Diana glanced at the clock.
"Good afternoon, Jacob."
He paused.
"Oh… sorry, Mom."
"Come," she said simply. "Let's eat."
They sat across from each other.
The table was filled with a carefully prepared breakfast, yet the atmosphere felt strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
They began eating.
For a moment, only the sound of cutlery could be heard.
Then—
"How was your meeting?" Diana asked.
"Same as always," Jacob replied, not looking up.
"Where exactly did you go?"
"Aman, New York."
Diana nodded slightly.
"Yes, Owen told me that."
Jacob paused for a fraction of a second.
"…Hmm."
Diana picked up a sandwich and placed it onto his plate.
"Here. Have this."
Jacob gave a small nod.
"When did you arrive home?" he asked.
"I came early in the morning," she replied calmly. Then, after a brief pause, her eyes sharpened slightly. "But looking at you… it feels like you have some special news for me today."
Jacob looked up.
"What news?"
Diana leaned back slightly.
"Are you in a relationship with someone?"
The question landed directly.
Without warning.
Jacob's reaction was instant.
He pushed his chair back and stood up.
"I'm done. I should leave for the office."
Diana didn't move.
"How long will you keep running from these questions?"
Jacob's expression hardened.
"I don't have time for unnecessary things, Mom. I'm leaving."
"It's Sunday," she replied, her voice firm. "Now answer me."
Jacob exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his tone.
"Please, Mom… talk about something pleasant."
Something in Diana's expression changed.
The patience disappeared.
"Enough, Jacob."
Her voice rose slightly—not loud, but powerful.
"Next year you'll turn twenty-eight. And before you do, I want to see you married."
Jacob didn't respond.
"And if that doesn't happen," she continued, her words now heavy with emotion, "I swear I'll leave both you and your father forever."
Silence.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
Diana stood up abruptly, grabbing her things.
"Goodbye."
And with that, she walked out.
The door closed.
Leaving behind nothing but tension.
The next morning arrived colder.
Sharper.
Jacob stepped out of the house, already dressed for the day.
"Driver, start the car," he said. "We need to leave quickly."
"Yes, sir."
The car moved smoothly onto the road.
Jacob leaned back slightly, pulling out his phone and making a call.
"Sorry, Mr. Michel," he said. "You'll have to come early today."
"What happened, son? What's the rush?" Michel's voice came through.
"Nothing… Mom is upset with me. I just need some time to make things right with her."
"I understand, son."
The call ended.
Jacob stared out the window.
His reflection stared back.
But before he could think further—
The car suddenly jerked to a stop.
Jacob frowned.
"What happened?"
"I'm not sure, sir," the driver said. "Maybe because of the weather."
Jacob sighed lightly.
"Alright, no problem. Fix it. I'll wait outside."
He stepped out of the car.
The air felt different.
Cooler.
Softer.
He looked around—and realized they had stopped near a school.
Voices filled the air.
Laughter.
A group of girls were playing outside, carefree and loud, their energy completely opposite to the tension he had been carrying.
Jacob watched absentmindedly.
Then—
The sky shifted.
Rain began to fall.
At first, lightly.
Then faster.
The girls screamed and laughed, running back toward the building to escape the sudden downpour.
All of them—
Except one.
Jacob's gaze fixed instantly.
The girl stepped forward into the rain instead of running away.
She lifted her face toward the sky, letting the rain fall freely over her.
Then she spun.
Once.
Twice.
Laughing.
Free.
Like she belonged to the moment.
Jacob couldn't look away.
Something about her—
The way she moved.
The way the world seemed to slow around her—
It hit him instantly.
A memory.
The pool.
That girl.
His heartbeat quickened.
"No way…" he murmured.
Was it her?
The same girl?
"Sir, it's done," the driver called out.
Jacob didn't respond immediately.
"Yeah… just a minute."
He took a step forward, trying to see her face.
But the rain grew heavier.
Faster.
Blurring everything.
Her figure became unclear.
Fading.
He squinted, trying to focus—
But it was too late.
She was gone.
Or maybe—
She had never been clear to begin with.
Jacob stood there, the rain soaking into his clothes, his hair, his skin.
But he didn't move.
Because now—
He was certain of one thing.
This wasn't coincidence.