STAY - Zedd ft. Alessia Cara - WATER BOTTLE VERSION!! (I confess to have stared at this video like an idiot before I posted this) 

If I thought the camel ride at sunset was going to be romantic, it was incredibly cheesy and then some more. But I'm not complaining.

Apparently, I like cheesy. Like, too much.

Honestly, I think my problem starts with an M and ends with a K. And what a problem he is!

He's too handsome and conceited for his own good, but he's also incredibly kind and let's his guards off from time to time, and I have to admit, Mark and his random corny comments are incredibly sexy as well.

The sky looks like a beautiful canvas as it's painted with different colors by the end of the ride. Orange and yellow, with a few purple streaks. The ocean sparkles as if it was made of diamonds and the waves are crushing on the shore. The sea breeze is fresh and salty and it's the most incredible place I've ever been. It doesn't help that Mark as has been making me laugh by making faces and being funny.

I don't know. It might be a far-stretched thing to say, but I don't think I've ever felt this free, this happy before.

When the ride ends, Mark helps me get off the camel which wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it might be, but as I slide down his arms circle around me and I end up lost in his mesmerizing eyes.

I don't even feel when the tourist guide moves the camel away. I'm completely lost in Mark.

We don't say anything. We don't move. We just stare at each other.

I try to decipher what he might be feeling in that exact moment, but I can't. A part of me imagines that he's looking at me in awe, but it must be my hope taking over.

Because Mark is Mark, and I know that despite what he says, I'm not sure he'll ever settle for someone...

However, I know I'm doomed. I think I like Mark more than I should and even though I know this might be just a holiday fling, my soul hurts, because damn it. I want more.

"Are you blushing or are you just tanned?"

I smile at his randomness. Of course I'm bloody blushing. I mean, I've finally understood that despite every stupid effort not to fall for him, I might just have.

"Wow. Way to be romantic, Mark."

His gaze is intense as he leans closer to me. "I'm sorry. This romance thing is pretty hard to follow."

My lips part at his words. What does he means by that?

"You're failing it, sorry."

His head falls back as he laughs. I grin like an idiot because he has such a nice laugh. It's warming and uplifting and you can't help but feel as if the sun has just touched your heart.

Bloody hell.

"You're too hard on myself, Kate."

I smirk. "I'm not. You've just had it too easy all your life."

He tilts his head and brushes the back of his hand on my cheek. "You know, that's what I like most about you."

I frown. "That I play hard to get?" I make quotation marks with my hands. I also want to protest more because it's not a game. Okay. Maybe it is. But its a game of survival for me. Because I know I'll get hurt eventually, just like I always do.

"Your honesty. It's sexy as hell."

I don't even know what to say to that. I only know that my pulse is racing a mile a minute and my whole soul feels warm. Like too warm.

Mark knows he stunned me into silence. He smirks before leaning over and giving me a sweet kiss that makes my knees feel like jelly.

God damn.

Kate is the most wonderful woman I've ever met. I don't want to let her go. Ever.

Yet, I know this won't be easy, she's still scared, still hurt by what that fucker did to her.

I have to make her fall in love with me.

I almost snort.

Yeah. Right. Piece of cake, huh?

We're walking across the beach, when her phone starts beeping. She takes it out and stares at the screen for a long moment. She doesn't take the call, but she doesn't end it either. There's just a number, but I have a feeling she knows who's calling.

"Aren't you going to take that?" I ask to break the silence and she looks at me as if she was in a daze.

She shakes her head. "No..."

She slides her thumb to end the call and puts her phone in silence, but something's different, I can tell. She seems tense and distant as we continue the walk.

I really want to ask her who it was, but damn it, I don't want to sound possessive or anything like that.

So I bite my tongue and sulk to myself for the next ten minutes.

"Kate, are you sure you're okay?" I ask her once we've arrived at the hotel and she forces a smile on her face.

"Yes, Mark. Thank you for the lovely camel ride. It was great."

Fuck. My. Life.

She's not okay.

Her eyes aren't shinning like always.

Her smile is barely there.

She looks sad and confused...

And all I want to know, is who the hell called her!

I swallow hard. "So, dinner in half an hour sounds good?"

She nods before taking her hand away from mine and walking back to her room.

What did just happen?

Why would he call me?

What does he want?

More importantly, what does he want with me?

It's been ages since we talked. Literally, ages.

My chest feels tight as I make my way to room. I know I need to change. I know I need to do something, but all I do is stare at the missed call.

I know that number by heart because it was the number I used to call every day, several times, actually.

But why?

Sighing, I leave the phone on the bed and go to my closet. We're going back in the next day, there's no need to rush and call him back. There's actually no need to call him back at all.

I'm going through my clothes when I realize something.

We're going back.

This is it.

This wonderful adventure is almost over.

I lean on the wall.

Oh my God. Oh my God.

It's over.

I tell myself that I should feel happy about it because Mark will go back to his life and I'll go back to... my boring existence. Yay me.

If this is it, I'll need to give it all out. I grab a black dress and take out all my makeup and play around in front of the mirror until I feel like I look my best.

Then, I move to my bed to put on my shoes, when I see the phone again.

He hadn't called me in such a long time. It must be important.

Then again, if there was anything important, my mom or Emily would have called me. Anyone, but him.

I shake my head and turn off the phone. I don't need this right now. I don't need him.

Mark is waiting for me downstairs and it's our last night here, I'm going to enjoy it as if it were our last, because it might as well be.

When I walk to the front desk, one of Mark's bodyguards is waiting for me. I notice that the place is crowded, more than usual. A tour or something just arrived. I guess it's a good thing that we're leaving tomorrow, then. Who knows when the press will find out Mark's whereabouts and it could very well all go down to hell.

I know because I remember when Emily was dating Scott. It was crazy and overwhelming. Definitely something that I wasn't ready to deal with.

The guy leads me towards the restaurant, and I know that we might be going something safe, something secluded, away from everyone else. I smile. It sounds romantic already, but hell, anything with Mark sounds romantic either way.

We reach a small balcony that overlooks the ocean. There are a few candles on the table and Mark gives me one of those signature smiles that make my heart flip. I smile like an idiot as I sit down, and I'm almost out of breath when I look at the ocean. The stars are sparkling in the sky and the sound of the ocean helps calm the erratic beats of my heart.

"Wow," is all that manages to come out of my mouth.

"I know, I'm a mighty sight, right?"

I chuckle at Mark's comment. He's so wonderful and a pain in the ass in many ways, but he seems like the most perfect guy for me in that moment.

"Have I thanked you for everything?"

"Not enough, Kate."

I smile. He reaches out for my hand and I can feel his warm touch to the pit of my stomach.

His eyes are darker as he stares at me. "You don't need to thank me, Kate. It's been my pleasure to have you here. Thank you for coming." His gaze is intense as he takes a breath. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

I stay quiet.

I'm not feeling better.

I'm feeling worse.

Like my whole soul is breaking because it's our last night here, and then we'll have to go back to the harsh reality of my everyday life.

I clear my throat and blink rapidly. I don't want to cry.

"So, are you telling me about South Africa?"

Mark smiles. "Only if you tell me about your blog."

"Ha! Good luck with that, pal."

He rolls his eyes. "You know what? Sooner or later I'll know about it, and when I do, I'll make sure to tease you about it to no end."

I crease my brows. "Why would you tease me about it?"

"Because you're hiding something."

My lips tug up on their own.

I can't wait for him to try to find out. 

I know it's been so long. I'm even scared to go back and read the comments. But, I've got two wonderful things happening soon, and it's because of them that I've been working so much. 

Thank you for your patience.