Water spilled from my mouth as I coughed and spluttered. My eyes weakly opened. Am I still in the year 2002? Does that mean I failed to go back? My eyes widened. 
“No... No... I have to go back. I have to go back!” I screamed, as if in hysteria. I forced myself to get up and ran back to the beach. However, suddenly, another pair of hands embraced my waist. My steps halted. 
“Don’t go, it’s dangerous!” 
“Let me go. You don’t understand. I want to go back!” I struggled in his embrace. The more I resisted, the tighter he held me from behind. I didn’t give up, relentlessly trying to free myself. Using my strength as the holder of the black belt, I brought him down. 
“Auch! That hurt.” 
I continued walking back. Then, out of nowhere, a hand pulled my leg. My body crashed onto the sandy beach. Before I could react, he lifted my body. 
“What are you doing? Let me go!” 
“I’m warning you. Stop or I’ll kiss you,” he said firmly. I froze. My face turned red. In the end, I just let him do whatever he wanted.  
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t supposed to bring you here. I should’ve known…”    
The night air wrapped around us, carrying a chilly breeze that made me shiver in the car. The soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic sound of tires against the pavement created a soothing ambiance, despite the mystery of our destination. Dylan, with his hands confidently on the steering wheel, navigated the road with ease. 
I adjusted my seatbelt, attempting to find a comfortable position as I settled into the passenger seat. The car’s interior was dimly lit, casting a warm glow on Dylan’s face. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him as he focused intently on the road ahead. The cool air from the air conditioner sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around myself, trying to generate some warmth. I glanced over at Dylan, who seemed unaffected by the cold. With a playful smile, I nudged him gently. 
“Could you turn the heater up a bit?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the hum of the car. 
Dylan grinned and reached for the controls, adjusting the temperature to a more comfortable level. The warmth seeped through the car, alleviating the chill that had settled in. I couldn’t help but admire the way his eyes concentrated on the path ahead, a mix of confidence and dedication. As I watched him, a warmth spread through me, but this time, it had nothing to do with the heater. A subtle blush crept across my cheeks.  
“Oh my God, what am I thinking? Why am I blushing?” I shake my head a few times, unable to tear my gaze away from Dylan. 
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t supposed to bring you here. I should’ve known...” Those words linger in my mind. What does Dylan mean by those words? What is the true relationship between Dylan and Bella? Do they have a complex relationship? I can say with absolute certainty that Dylan has strong feelings for Bella, judging by his behavior. 
“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?” Dylan asks, as if he knows I’ve been watching him. 
“If I can ask, where are we going?” I asked, curious since earlier. 
“Like I said, a safe place. A place where he can never find you. Trust me. I just want to help you. I mean no harm to you,” Dylan reassured me.  
I nod. 
“I know. Just... wondering. Why are you so good to me? Why do you want to help me like this?” I ask. The incident at the beach where Dylan saved me is still vivid in my mind. If it weren’t for Dylan, I might have really died, and perhaps Bella too. I’m careless. I should think about Bella. This body isn’t mine. I definitely can’t act recklessly. Honestly, I still feel conflicted about Dylan because of that incident. 
“You know my feelings for you, Bella. I shouldn’t have these feelings, but I can’t help it. I resent myself for letting you marry him. If I knew he was a jerk, I wouldn’t have let you marry him. I know you don’t feel the same way. You just blindly love him, even after what he did to you. I asked you to run away with me. I promised you I’d make you the happiest person in the world, but you refused me. You let go of my hand, Bella. That’s why I’m so happy when I know you ran away from him...” Dylan pours out everything. 
“Thanks, Bella. Thanks for making that decision.” Dylan holds my hand, briefly glancing at me with a smile. 
I understand. Everything makes sense now. I wonder what Bella’s true feelings are. Is she truly deeply in love with James, the man who physically and mentally abused her? Or... does Bella actually have feelings for Dylan? 
“I know you still love him, Bella. I won’t cross the line. I promised. I just want to be by your side like this, and I want you to live safe and sound. That’s enough for me.” Dylan’s sincerity touches my heart. I can't help but be envious of Bella. It's fortunate for her to be with someone like Dylan, who genuinely loves her. 
“Thanks for everything, Dylan.”  
Dylan smiled.  
“Bella, wake up. We’re almost there.” It felt as if a gentle touch graced my shoulder. I slowly woke up and looked around, still feeling sleepy. I stole glances at Dylan, whose focused gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. 
As we turned into a quiet residential neighborhood, the ambiance shifted. The air became still, and the distant sounds of the city were replaced by the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. The car came to a halt in front of a house that seemed to belong to another era. It stood gracefully, a relic of Spanish architecture with its terracotta roof tiles and whitewashed walls. 
“We’re here.” Dylan opened the car door for me, and as I stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the entrance, the faint scent of blooming flowers enveloped me. The wrought-iron gate swung open with a subtle creak, as if welcoming me into a sanctuary. I was captivated by the colorful bougainvillea adorning the walls, their magenta blooms providing a striking contrast to the house's subdued hues. My eyes couldn’t tear away from the beauty of the house. 
“Finally, you’re here, son.” A woman embraced Dylan. I widened my eyes. Son? The woman was Dylan’s mum?! 
“You must be Bella, my future daughter-in-law, right? You’re so pretty...” The friendly woman embraced me. 
I jerked slightly, then glanced at Dylan, seeking an explanation. However, Dylan only grinned. Wait, a minute. What kind of situation is this? 
“Mum, Bella actually...” Dylan scratched his head. I held back my frustration towards Dylan. Why is it so difficult for him to mention that I’m just his friend? 
“No worries, Bella. Just call me mum. You’ll be getting married soon, right?” Mrs. Emily interrupted. I was at a loss for words. I glared at Dylan. Dylan gestured with his eyes for me to just agree. I sighed softly. 
"Uh-huh, you're right, mom." 
“Great. Come in, Bella. I've whipped up something delicious for you. I’m sure you will love it!” Mrs. Emily quickly pulled my arm and ushered me into the house. With no other choice, I simply resigned myself to the situation.