Seven years had passed since the day Adrian Moretti lost his mother. Seven years since he had sat beside Sophia Moretti's hospital bed, holding her hand and desperately wishing his father would walk through the door. Seven years since he had promised himself that he would never become like Vincent Moretti. But promises made by children were fragile things. Adrian was seventeen now. He had grown taller, quieter, and far more difficult to understand.
The little boy who had once cried openly whenever he missed his mother had disappeared somewhere along the way. In his place stood a seventeen-year-old who rarely showed what he felt. His face had become harder, his words shorter, and his patience almost nonexistent.
He had inherited Vincent's sharp features and intimidating stare, though he hated admitting it.
His dark hair was usually slightly messy, his expression almost permanently unreadable, and his eyes carried the kind of calmness that made people wonder what he was thinking. Adrian had also learned something else over the years. People left. Some left because they wanted to. Others left because they had no choice. And some people simply disappeared from your life without warning.
So he stopped expecting people to stay. The Moretti mansion had changed too.
It no longer felt like the home Adrian remembered from childhood. The house still contained Sophia's books, some of her photographs, and the flowers she had once loved, but Adrian rarely entered her old room anymore. Not because he had forgotten her.
Because he hadn't. Because he decided not to keep his heart hurting. He remembered everything. Too much.
That morning, however, Adrian stood in his bedroom staring at an open suitcase lying across his bed. Clothes were folded neatly inside. A few books had been packed. His headphones were tucked into one corner.
His passport and documents sat on the desk. Everything was ready. Everything except Adrian.
Mrs. Eleanor Hayes stood near the doorway with her arms folded, watching him silently.
She had aged over the years, but her warm eyes and familiar presence remained the same. She had raised Adrian almost as much as Vincent had, perhaps even more.
She knew when Adrian was angry. She knew when he was lying. And, unfortunately for him, she knew when he was pretending not to care. She cleared her throat.
"Are you planning to stare at that suitcase until it packs itself?" she asked with a teasing smile.
"No." Said Adrian without looking at her.
Eleanor raised an eyebrow and asked "No, what?"
Adrian finally turned his head toward her, his expression flat. "No, I'm not planning to stare at it."
Eleanor pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh. "Well, you've been staring at it for almost ten minutes."
"It started the staring contest." Adrian glanced back at the suitcase.
"You're seventeen now, not seven," she said, shaking her head. "And somehow you've become even more troublesome." Said Eleanor as she burst into laughter.
"Maybe that's your fault." Adrian shrugged casually.
"My fault?" Eleanor placed a hand dramatically against her chest, pretending to be offended. "After everything I've done for you?"
"Exactly why it is." Adrian's lips twitched slightly.
Eleanor caught the tiny change in his expression.
It wasn't quite a smile. But it was close. She had learned to appreciate those rare moments.
"Come downstairs when you're ready," she said, stepping away from the doorway. "We have a long day ahead."
"Okay." Adrian nodded and answered
Eleanor paused and looked at him "And Adrian?"
He looked at her and answered "Yes?"
Her teasing expression softened.
"You don't have to pretend you're not nervous."
"I'm not nervous." His face immediately became serious again.
"Of course you're not." Eleanor smiled knowingly.
"I'm not."
"Naturally."
"Mrs. Hayes." Adrian narrowed his eyes.
She laughed quietly as she walked away.
"Come downstairs, stubborn boy."
Adrian watched her disappear before looking at the suitcase again.
He sighed. Another country. Another house.
Another school. Another beginning he hadn't asked for. Vincent had decided it was time.
Adrian didn't understand why his father always made decisions without asking him, but he had stopped arguing years ago. Vincent's business had expanded considerably, and with it came more danger. Adrian knew enough to understand that his father's world wasn't ordinary. He knew there were meetings he wasn't allowed to hear about, phone calls that stopped whenever he entered a room, men who appeared at the house and disappeared just as quickly. He knew his father had enemies. He knew his family had secrets. But Vincent had never explained everything. And Adrian had stopped asking. This time, however, the move wasn't temporary. They were relocating to another country. And Adrian would be attending a new school.
Again. He hated the idea. He hated leaving the familiar. He hated starting over. Most of all, he hated that Vincent wouldn't even be there to help him settle in. After they arrived in the new country, Vincent had spent only a short amount of time at the new house before another business meeting demanded his attention. Apparently, something important had happened. Adrian didn't ask what. He already knew he wouldn't get an answer.
That afternoon, Vincent stood near the entrance of the new house in a dark suit, speaking quietly on the phone. Adrian sat on the staircase, listening without really listening. Eleanor was giving instructions to the staff while several boxes were being moved into different rooms. The new house was beautiful. Large. Quiet. Almost too quiet. Adrian didn't like it. It wasn't home.At least not yet. Vincent ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket.
"I'll be leaving in an hour," he announced.
Adrian looked at him from the staircase.
"Of course you are." He rolled his eyes
Vincent's eyebrows drew together.
"What does that mean?"
Adrian stood slowly, sliding his hands into his pockets.
"It means you're leaving."
"I have a meeting."
"You always have a meeting."
Vincent stared at him.
Adrian stared back.
Eleanor looked between them and sighed.
"Please don't start," she warned, lifting a hand.
Adrian looked away.
"I'm not starting anything."
Vincent exhaled slowly.
"I won't be gone forever."
Adrian gave a humorless little laugh.
"You never are."
Vincent's jaw tightened.
"Adrian."
The boy looked at him again.
"What?"
Vincent walked closer.
"Things are different now."
Adrian shrugged.
"They're always different."
Vincent studied his son for a moment.
There were so many things he wanted to say.
So many things Adrian didn't understand.
But Vincent had spent seventeen years believing that keeping his son away from the darkness was the same thing as protecting him from it.
Perhaps it wasn't.
Perhaps one day Adrian would understand.
"I'll call you," Vincent said quietly.
Adrian nodded.
"Fine."
Vincent placed a hand briefly on his shoulder.
"Take care of yourself."
Adrian glanced at the hand before looking back at his father.
"I can take care of myself."
"I know."
There was something in Vincent's voice that made Adrian pause.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Vincent stepped back.
"I'll see you soon."
Adrian nodded again.
"Bye."
Vincent left.
And just like that, Adrian was alone again.
Well...
Almost.
Eleanor was still there.
She always was.
By late afternoon, most of the house had finally been settled. Adrian had unpacked his clothes, arranged his books, and spent several minutes staring out his bedroom window. The neighbourhood looked peaceful.
There were houses scattered along the streets, small shops, trees swaying gently in the breeze, and further beyond them... The ocean. Adrian stared at it. He hadn't known there was a beach nearby. Something about the sight made him curious. He wasn't particularly interested in exploring. At least, that's what he told himself. He grabbed his hoodie and walked downstairs. Eleanor was in the living room arranging some of the remaining items. She looked up.
"Where are you going?" She asked him, knowing he wasn't the type to leave the house
Adrian slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Outside."
"Outside where?"
He shrugged.
"Just outside."
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
"That's not an answer."
Adrian looked at her.
"It's the answer you're getting."
She placed one hand on her hip.
"Adrian."
He sighed.
"I'm going to look around the neighbourhood."
Eleanor studied him.
"Alone?" She asked concerned
"Yes." He gave a nonchalant andwer
"Do you know the area?" She ask
"No." He said
"Then how exactly are you planning to look around?" She asked him
Adrian gave her a small, amused look.
"By walking." He was still giving arrogant answers
Eleanor shook her head.
"Very funny." She said giving a fake smile
"I wasn't joking." He answered her
She sighed.
"Fine. Just don't go too far." She warned him
Adrian nodded.
"I won't."
"And keep your phone on." She reminded
"I will."
"And if you need anything—"
"I'll call you." He cuts her words
Eleanor smiled.
"Good." She remarked
Adrian headed toward the door.
"Adrian?"
He stopped and turned.
"Yes?"
"Try to enjoy yourself."
He stared at her for a second.
Then he gave a tiny shrug.
"I'll try."
And he walked out.
The neighbourhood was quieter than Adrian expected.
He walked without a particular destination, occasionally looking around at the unfamiliar streets.
Everything felt strange.
Different architecture.
Different accents.
Different people.
Different surroundings.
Yet somehow, the ocean remained the same.
The closer he got to the beach, the more peaceful everything became.
The sound of the waves rolled gently across the shore.
The breeze moved through his hair.
Adrian stopped for a moment.
He looked toward the water.
Then he noticed her.
A girl.
She was sitting several metres away from the shoreline.
She had a book open in her hands.
She wasn't looking at her phone.
She wasn't talking to anyone.
She wasn't taking pictures.
She was simply reading.
Quietly.
Peacefully.
Completely unaware that Adrian was standing nearby.
Adrian stared for a moment.
Not because he was fascinated.
At least, that's what he told himself.
He simply found it strange.
Everyone he had ever known seemed to be in a hurry.
But she wasn't.
She sat there as though the rest of the world didn't exist.
A gentle breeze moved her hair across her face, and she casually brushed it aside before continuing to read.
Adrian looked away.
He didn't care.
At least...
He didn't think he cared.
He continued walking.
Then, for some reason, he stopped.
His eyes moved back toward the girl.
She still hadn't noticed him.
Adrian looked around.
There was plenty of space on the beach.
He could sit somewhere else.
He should sit somewhere else.
Instead, he walked toward an area not too far from her and dropped down onto the sand.
He stretched his legs out.
Then he leaned back on his hands.
The waves continued rolling toward the shore.
The girl turned another page.
Adrian glanced at her briefly.
Nothing.
She didn't look up.
He looked toward the ocean.
A few minutes passed.
Then ten. The wind was surprisingly comfortable. The sound of the waves was soothing. Adrian's eyelids grew heavier. He had barely slept the previous night because of the move. His father had left. The house was unfamiliar. Tomorrow he would have to attend a new school. There was too much to think about. But sitting there, listening to the ocean, Adrian's thoughts slowly became quieter.
His head tilted slightly.
His eyes closed.
And without realizing it...
He fell asleep.
The girl continued reading. She didn't notice him. She didn't know who he was. She didn't know that the boy sleeping several metres away was Adrian Moretti. She didn't know his father. She didn't know his family. She didn't know the world he came from and decided not to care. And Adrian didn't know her name. For now, they were simply two strangers sharing the same quiet beach.
The sun gradually moved lower in the sky. The afternoon faded. The warm light became softer. The waves continued their endless rhythm.
Eventually, Adrian stirred. He frowned slightly before opening his eyes. For a few seconds, he didn't remember where he was. Then he sat up and looked around. The beach was quieter now. The girl was gone. Adrian glanced toward the place where she had been sitting. Only a faint impression remained in the sand. He frowned. He didn't know why he was looking for her. He stood and brushed sand from his clothes.
"Great," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "I actually fell asleep."
He checked his phone.
Several missed calls from Eleanor.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
"Oops."
He quickly called her.
She answered almost immediately.
"Where are you?"
Her voice carried a mixture of worry and annoyance.
Adrian winced.
"I'm coming home."
"That wasn't my question."
"I'm at the beach."
There was silence.
Then Eleanor sighed.
"The beach?"
"Yes."
"You went to the beach?"
"Yes."
"And you thought it was a good idea to disappear for hours without telling me?" Adrian looked toward the ocean. "I didn't disappear."
"You didn't answer your phone!"
"I was asleep." He said to her yawning
Eleanor paused.
"You were what?" She asked puzzled at his answers
Adrian scratched his eyebrow awkwardly.
"Asleep." He responded
"On the beach?" She asked almost laughing
"Yes." He answered
There was another silence.
Then Eleanor finally laughed.
Adrian frowned.
"Why are you laughing?" He asked already irritated
"I'm trying to imagine you sleeping on a beach after refusing to unpack your suitcase all morning." Adrian rolled his eyes. "Very funny." He blurted without smiling
"I didn't say it was funny." She answered
"You laughed." He accused
"Come home, Adrian." She said calmly
"Okay." He sgreed
"And don't get lost." She added
"I won't, I'm not a child." He responded
"And hurry."
"I am."
"You're still standing there, aren't you?"
Adrian looked down at his feet.
"...Maybe." he responded
Eleanor laughed again.
"Come home, Adrian." She asked
He ended the call and shook his head. By the time Adrian returned to the house, evening had settled over the neighbourhood.
The sky had turned a deep shade of blue.
Lights were beginning to appear through the windows of nearby houses. Adrian opened the front door. Before he could take two steps, Eleanor appeared from the living room.She had her arms crossed against her chest with a puzzled yet calm look on her face. Adrian stopped. They stared at each other. Eleanor raised one eyebrow. Adrian raised his eyebrows back. Finally, Eleanor spoke.
"So... How did it go?" She asked curiously
Adrian sighed. "Don't." He answered noticing the amusement in her eyes
"I didn't say anything." She fired at him
"Your face did." He answered dropping his bags on the sofa.
She smiled at him and he immediately recognised the laughter.
"My face is simply asking questions."
Adrian walked past her.
Eleanor followed.
"How was your outing?"
"Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yes."
"Did you enjoy yourself?"
"A little."
"Did you meet anyone?"
Adrian stopped.
Eleanor immediately noticed.
Her smile widened.
"Oh."
Adrian slowly turned around.
"What?"
"You met someone."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Adrian frowned.
"I met a girl."
Eleanor's eyes widened dramatically.
"A girl?"
Adrian immediately regretted speaking.
"Yes."
Eleanor placed a hand over her mouth.
"Well, well, well."
"Don't make it weird."
"I'm not making anything weird."
"You are."
She laughed.
"Tell me about her."
Adrian hesitated.
"There isn't much to tell."
"Then tell me the little there is."
He shrugged.
"She was reading."
"Reading?"
"Yes."
"On the beach?"
"Yes."
Eleanor smiled.
"And what were you doing?"
Adrian looked away.
"Sleeping."
Eleanor burst into laughter.
Adrian frowned.
"Why is that funny?"
"You met a girl reading peacefully on the beach, sat nearby, and fell asleep?" Adrian's cheeks warmed slightly. "I didn't sit there because of her."
Eleanor nodded slowly.
"Of course."
"I didn't."
"Naturally."
"I was tired."
"Naturally."
Adrian groaned.
"Mrs. Hayes." He called
She laughed and said to him, "All right, all right. I believe you."
He looked at her suspiciously.
"You don't." He answered
"No," she admitted, still smiling. "I don't."
Adrian shook his head and walked toward the stairs. Eleanor called after him. "Did you at least find out her name?" Eleanor asked, Adrian stopped halfway up the stairs. He turned slightly and answered "No." Eleanor blinked.
"You spent hours on the same beach and didn't even speak to her?" Adrian shrugged. "She didn't even notice me." He said almost dejected but he hid it well enough. "And you didn't talk to her?" Sending his dejection. "No, why would I? I just met her." He answered
Eleanor smiled.
"Then why are you telling me about her?" He teased. Adrian opened his mouth. Nothing came out. Not a word, a chuckle or anything came out. It was as if he couldn't find the right words.
He frowned, as if the question had caught him off guard. "I don't know." Eleanor's teasing expression softened. "Maybe because she was different." Eleanor added
Adrian looked at her. "Different?" He asked puzzled. "Quiet," Eleanor explained, resting one hand on the staircase railing. "You said she was reading instead of talking to people or staring at a phone. Perhaps you simply noticed because she reminded you of something peaceful."
Adrian considered that. Maybe. Or maybe she had simply been there. A stranger. A girl he had never met. Someone who knew absolutely nothing about him. That thought felt strangely comforting.
He shrugged. "Maybe." Eleanor smiled.
"Well, whoever she is, perhaps you'll see her again." Adrian immediately shook his head. "I doubt it." He replied to the elderly woman. "You never know." She assured him. He turned and continued walking upstairs. "I don't care." He answered with amusement in his voice
Eleanor watched him go.
"Of course you don't." Adrian disappeared down the hallway.
But as he entered his room, he stopped beside the window. The beach was visible in the distance.
He could barely see it from there. His mind returned to the girl sitting quietly with her book. He didn't know her name. He didn't know where she lived. He didn't know what she had been reading. He didn't even know why he had noticed her or why he kept thinking about her.
Adrian shook his head and pulled the curtains closed. It didn't matter. Tomorrow was his first day at his new school. That was what mattered.
He had no idea that the quiet girl on the beach belonged to the same school.
He had no idea that the stranger he hadn't spoken to would soon become impossible to ignore.
And he certainly had no idea that, after years of believing his heart had nothing left to give, he was about to meet someone who would slowly challenge everything he thought he knew about himself.
For now, however, Adrian Moretti simply climbed into bed. Another country. Another school. Another beginning.
And somewhere beyond the curtains, the waves continued to crash softly against the shore. Tomorrow, everything would change.