I've been avoiding Dante like a plague since we had sex. Each time I see him I keep seeing images of what happened between us. I really got myself into a deep mess this time because I know I can't avoid him forever. What do I do now?

A knock comes from the door and I flinch. What if it's him? I rush to the balcony looking for an escape route. I groan in frustration knowing I might break my legs or even die if I jumped from the third floor. I don't know what to do! I'm still debating whether to jump and risk shattering my bones like bread crumbs or to hide in the wardrobe and suffocate to death when the door opens.

My eyes widen in shock and I gasp. Not until I hear a familiar female voice did I calm down, turning around to see a confused Kay.

"Am I running mad or are you really planning to jump off?"

I gasp. How on earth did she know?

"Ria, you are scaring the shit out of me right now." She yells, rushing to where I am and immediately drags my leg away from the railing.

Oh, that's how she knew. I was deeply deliberating my choices and totally forgot to get my leg away from the railing.

"Stop being a drama queen, it's not what you think." I roll my eyes.

"Really? You did look like you were going to jump off though." She scoffs, hitting my arm and I glare at her.

Why is she hitting me? It's not as if I was really going to jump off the balcony like a crazy woman.

"Don't you dare scare me like that again. Whatever it is you are going through, you can talk to me Ria. Why choose to commit suicide in broad daylight for goodness sake?"

Ah, she thought I was going to commit suicide. I'm about to burst into laughter then I see a teary Kay and I'm at loss for words. Oh, no what have I done?

"Look, you got it all wrong okay? Why on earth will I commit suicide? Even if I wanted to, why in Cannes at a freaking wedding? Just think about it." I chuckle and she hits me again, harder this time.

Okay, maybe not the right choice of words.

"It's not funny, Ria. I know what I saw."

"And I'm telling you it's not what you think." I groan loudly. Why is it so hard for her to believe me?

"Alright, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see me like that for real."

Kay is sobbing like a little kid and I feel so guilty. I just made a twenty five year old woman cry, who is my best friend and I know I have to fix it.

"Don't think you can get rid of me that easily Kayla Garrette." I chuckle, embracing her in a tight hug.

"I know right! You are one stubborn pest. Promise me you won't scare me like that ever again."

"I cross my heart and hope to choke on chocolate bars if I do." I laugh and she hits me again. Ouch!

"Okay, okay I promise."

Day five in Cannes, we are all ready to go hiking and I'm feeling all excited. Since the railing incident, Kay glued herself to me like gum, spending the night in my room and following me around like a lost puppy. She told me it's the only way she can be assured I won't try such again.

Once Shawn and his friends join us in front of the resort, I know seeing Dante is inevitable so I mentally prepare myself. After what happened between us I had sneaked out of his room as early as four in the morning, not missing the way he looked peaceful asleep. He looked so innocent, his dark hair falling over his face and I gently brushed it to the side. That little gesture caught me off guard. Dante make me feel things, things I just can't explain. Honestly, I think it's better that way.

"Dante!" Kay chirps, bringing me back to my senses.

His eyes land on Kay at first and then he sees me. He waves at Kay and she waves back. The way Kay keeps acting all excited for no reason is starting to annoy the crap out of me. She's grinning from ear to ear like a fool and her feet, leaving the ground as she waves back excitedly. It's so unnecessary!

"Some people have real problems." I groan, feeling embarrassed for my best friend.

Dante stops in front of us, smiling and looking handsome as hell. Just like the rest of us, he's also wearing a jacket and hiking boots. He looks different. When I realize I'm staring at him for too long, I avert my gaze quickly not missing the small smirk that plays on his lips before continuing his conversation with Kay. Did he catch me staring? God, I hope not.

"I can assure you Kayla, there are no bears." He flashes Kay a genuine smile before turning his attention to me. "Are you also scared of bears, Ria?"

"No." I deny almost immediately.

"This one, she'll totally lose her mind if she sees one. She's one hell of a scaredy-cat." Kay blurts out, laughing hysterically.

If only I could change my best friend...

Hiking is just as fun as I thought it would be. The day went by so fast but every second of it was amazing. Being a lover of adventure, anything that keeps my adrenaline pumping is a go for me. I can't say the same about Kay though. She hates the whole idea of hiking. She kept complaining all day, saying she's tired and hungry, to the point she's so sure she's ending up on a wheelchair by the time we finished hiking. Kayla Garrett is just something else.

We get directed to the camping grounds. The camp tents, camp fires, the food are all set and ready. It's already dark and Kay won't stop making sound similar to that of a strangled chicken. What's funny is not that she ended truly on the wheelchair but her boyfriend had to carry her on his back all the way to the camping grounds. Poor Shawn.

I find my tent not too far from the large camp fire. After dropping my things in the tent, I down a bottle of water quickly before going out to get food. When I take a seat to eat, Dante settles down beside me.

"I didn't take you for the hiking type." He breaks the silence.

"Well I can say the same about you." I simply shrug.

"You've been avoiding me." He chuckles lowly. "For two days straight."

"No." I fire back immediately, getting up from my seat.

I put down my plate, heading straight for the woods. I need to clear my head. I just had a wonderful day and I won't let Dante ruin the rest of it for me. When I realize I'm deep into the woods, I settle down under a tree. I close my eyes, thinking about nothing and everything.

I stay in the same position longer than I thought. When the cold starts getting to me, I decide it's time to head back to camp. I keep on walking but I see no camp in sight. Maybe I took the wrong turn?

"This tree." I mutter to myself when I see the same tall tree.

I think I'm lost.

I dip my hand in my pocket, looking for my phone but it's not there.

"Oh God!" I groan.

I left my phone in the tent.

I hear the sound of a broken twig and I nearly jumped. I'm all alone in the woods, in the dark for goodness sake and now I realize that maybe I'm not alone. What if it's a bear?

I start to panic so I grab the first thing I see, a stick.

"Show yourself or I swear to God-" I freeze when I see Dante. "Have you been following me?"

"Calm down and drop the stick, it's just me." He rolls his eyes.

"Answer my question." I fire back, pointing the stick at him in defense.

"I saw you walking into the woods. I needed to make sure you would be safe so I kind of followed you." He shrugs.

"Well, thank you very much. I feel very safe now." I say sarcastically, dropping the stick. "Actually, I think I'm in danger now that you are here."

"There you go again and who the hell goes into the woods in the dark without bringing a torch?" I glance at the torch in his hand.

"And who is to be blamed, huh?" I glare at him.

"Please, kindly enlighten me." He says, sarcasm dripping in his tone.

"You jerk, you are to be blamed for every single thing that's been happening to me. Why won't you just let me be huh? Just leave me alone already." I yell.

"Wait did you hear that?" Dante asks.

"Hear what? Did you hear what I just said? Leave me the hell alone." I say furiously.

"Shhhh!" He covers the distance between us, placing a finger on my lips before turning off the torch.

I push him, about to speak but then realization hit me.

"Oh my God! I hear it Dante. Is that what I think it is? A bear?" I whisper yell, panic starting to kick in.

"I don't know." He whispers back.

Oh no! I'm dead.

Dante takes my hand, dragging me behind the tall tree. He settles down quietly behind the tree and I do the same.

"What do we do now?" I whisper, feeling a tear escape from my eye.

"We wait." He whispers back, bringing up his hand to wipe off the tears that fall from my eyes.

"I'm scared Dante. I hate bears. They are huge and hairy and scary. Oh my God!" I utter, my voice breaking. "I didn't come all the way to Cannes just to die. What if it finds us? Dante I'm so scared."

"Don't be, I'm here." He says calmly, embracing me .

"Didn't you say they were no bears?" I sniff, wiping my tears.

"Uhm about that..." He groans lowly.

"That was a lie?" My eyes widen out of its own volition.

"I did hear the boys say so, that means I didn't lie right?" His hand is patting my hair gently, comforting me.

We sit there in silence. It isn't uncomfortable apart from fear of being eaten alive by a bear. Do bears eat humans? Is that why they have really huge belly? Oh no!

"You will be fine, Ria. We will be fine." He comforts me.

"I hope so." I say in a low tone, my eyes drifting close.

I remain in his arms, relaxing in his comfort. It feels like the end of the world. Dante and I in each other's arms, waiting for the end to come. I push the thought to the back of my head.

The bear is still out there and I don't know when it will come for us. I'm afraid but I'm glad Dante is here with me. As hard as it is for me to admit, it's just the truth. His presence comforts me. I wouldn't know what to do if he wasn't with me. I would probably lose my mind.

"Stop running away from me, Ria." I hear a voice in my sleep. "For reasons I'm unsure of, I can't let you go."

"I just can't."

My brows scrunch up in confusion but the gentle hand rubbing circles on my back comforts me. I drift off to sleep, forgetting the bear and everything else.

I feel warm and safe...