The sun glistens off the water as Mattheo swims laps in the pool, his strong strokes creating soft ripples across the surface. You sit by the edge with Delphi, trying desperately to focus on the book in your hands, but it isn’t easy with Mattheo around. Every now and then, you sneak a glance at him, watching how effortlessly he moves through the water, his toned muscles flexing as he swims. He is everything you try to avoid: confident, mysterious, and a little dangerous. Yet, something about him always has your heart racing.

Just as you are beginning to lose yourself in thought, Delphi's voice snaps you out of your daydream. “You’re staring,” she teases, nudging your arm.

“What’s that, Delphi?” you ask, blinking and shaking yourself out of your daydreams.

She raises a brow. “Please don’t tell me you like Mattheo.”

You can feel the heat creeping up your neck, your pulse quickening. “What? Are you kidding me?” you try to laugh it off, waving your hand dismissively, though the embarrassment shows on your face.

At that moment, Mattheo pulls himself out of the pool, water dripping from his body as he casually grabs a towel. His dark curls cling to his forehead as he ruffles his hair dry, walking by you and Delphi. "Ladies," he greets smoothly, his voice carrying that ever-present edge of cockiness.

You quickly bury your face behind your book, your heart hammering in your chest as you pretend to be engrossed in the pages. The heat on your cheeks grows even more noticeable as Delphi chuckles quietly beside you. When you dare to peek over the top of your book, you catch Mattheo’s eyes already on you, a slow, knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Your stomach flips as his gaze lingers just long enough to make your breath catch. Without a word, he walks away, leaving you flustered and undeniably aware that he had caught you staring.