The Woman He Will Never Forget

Julia let out yet another sigh, her breath fogging the bus window. Her eyes focused on the passing landscape, mind swirling with concerns. Silence surrounded her; no texts or calls had come from her husband.

She willed the bus to speed toward Saint Claire. Still, she thought Victor's mom might have made the right call in sending her here. The mansion would be filled with worries—they were newlyweds, and he was far away. Plus, she yearned to connect with her in-laws despite the distance.

She sensed the coldness in their family, a feeling that crept into her bones. Deep down, she understood that the Voss couple had other plans for their son. Without love, she could've walked away from it all. The tension with her in-laws weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her wishing for acceptance.

Here was her moment to prove her worth to Victor, to earn their acceptance. Clutching that thought, a spark of calm settled over her, even as the bus's chilly air brushed against her skin.

Suddenly, a voice broke her concentration, deep and inviting. "Excuse me, is this seat taken? May I sit here?" he asked, his words cutting through her quiet space like a warm breeze.

A gasp nearly escaped her lips when she turned to him. Standing tall, he held strength without being overly muscular, just how she liked it. His brown hair fell perfectly, framing thick brows and stunning eyes. A sharp nose shaped his gentle lips, and his skin was a lovely blend—not too dark, not too light. Every word he spoke felt like silk in the air.

Wow, this guy radiated charm. The clean-shaven look made her heart flutter, just how she liked a man. His simple outfit—a fitted cotton shirt hugging his frame and rugged pants—only added to his appeal. His shoes were stylish, catching her eye.

In a flash, he took her breath away! She gasped silently, stunned by his presence. She had seen handsome men previously, but this one felt extraordinary. He exuded a strong, protective aura that sent her heart racing. She didn't want to confess it, but he outshined her husband effortlessly, even in his casual style.

"Umm… I think that means no. Sorry to bother you." His eyes searched the bus for an empty seat, regret washing over his features as he spoke, adding to the charmingly awkward moment.

The bus lurched slightly, reminding everyone that it wouldn't move until every seat was filled, the emptiness hanging in the air like unspoken tension.

A wave of embarrassment washed over her at his words, jolting her back to reality. "O-Oh, it's not what you think! That seat is free. No one is next to me," she stammered, her cheeks warming as shyness flooded her.

"Get a grip, Julia! Have you never seen a handsome man before? For goodness' sake, you're a married woman! You sinner!" The fierce voice in her head echoed, making her cringe in embarrassment.

He offered her a warm smile as he hoisted his bags into the overhead compartment. "Thank you so much. I hope you don't mind having a guy next to you on this trip," he said, his voice smooth and friendly.

She frowned slightly, processing his words. "What? Of course not. I don't own this bus. Anyone can take an empty seat here," she replied, surprised by her own defensiveness.

His smile widened, brightening the atmosphere. "Thank God. Some women prefer not to sit beside a guy, especially if he's a stranger, which I totally understand. I'm just glad to sit here."

"No worries," she replied quickly, returning his smile, feeling an unexpected warmth spreading inside her as she shared this moment with him.

She turned her gaze back to the window, watching the scenery blur past. As an introvert, small talk felt like a challenge. The guy beside her didn't speak, closing his eyes instead.

Eventually, every empty seat was filled, and a wave of relief washed over her. She hoped the trip wouldn't drag on too long; the thought of being on the road until three in the morning felt daunting.

"We're going now. Feel free to rest, it's a long journey. Don't worry, we'll notify you when we reach our first stop," the driver's assistant announced, his voice upbeat.

The bus began to roll forward, and soon they were gliding along a peaceful highway. She quickly texted her mother-in-law, letting her know the bus had officially left.

Her eyes remained glued to the window as the landscape zipped by, but then the tempting aroma of delicious food drifted into her senses, pulling her attention away.

She couldn't resist stealing a glance at the guy beside her. He was savoring a juicy burger, and she instinctively swallowed hard. Her last meal had been lunch at the reception, hours ago, and the aroma only heightened her growing hunger.

He caught her gaze on his burger and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I just can't resist. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can wait to eat," he offered, a hint of shyness creeping into his voice.

She waved her hand dismissively, shaking her head with a smile. "Please, no. Eat away! I'm not picky at all; it just smells so incredibly good," she admitted.

A smirk played on his lips, a playful light in his eyes. "I couldn't agree more! This burger is fantastic; it's my absolute favorite! I loaded it with toppings. I have another here," he said, producing another piece from his bag and extending it toward her. "Come on, let's share!"

Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing bright red with embarrassment. "Oh, no, no. I can't take this. It's yours! Please, don't worry about me!" she exclaimed, feeling flustered.

"Come on! It feels strange to eat on a bus like this; let's share. I can tell you're craving my burger too," he said with a playful laugh, making the moment feel lighter.

Julia's cheeks flushed a deep red. Deep down, she knew he had a point. The food looked incredibly tempting, especially since her stomach was growling for sustenance.

"Of course not—" she started to protest, but before she could finish, her stomach growled loudly, echoing her hunger throughout the bus.

"Now tell me you're not hungry," he teased, amusement dancing in his eyes as he glanced at her.

She bit her bottom lip, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment swirling within her. Watching him eat would only deepen her hunger, especially since it felt like a long wait until their first stop. Finally, she relented and accepted his offer. "T-Thank you," she murmured shyly.

He chuckled softly, his smile infectious. "There you go. You're welcome! Come on, let's share this meal together," he encouraged, a warmth in his tone.

As she peeled back the wrapper, her eyes widened at the sight of the juicy patties and fresh toppings. Without hesitation, she took a hearty bite, savoring the flavors.

He took a bite of his burger, devouring nearly half in mere seconds. "Delicious, right?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with delight.

"Yeah, it's really good!" she replied, laughter bubbling up as she felt the ease between them start to grow, an unexpected comfort washing over her.

Her mind wandered to Victor, and she sighed silently. How she wished they could share simple experiences like riding public transport or grabbing a burger. But her husband never rode a bus, preferring upscale restaurants and high-end hotels. The small portions always felt like a pinch in her wallet.

She imagined voicing her desire to Victor and cringed at the thought. He would surely laugh and call her cheap, insisting that such experiences didn't match his lifestyle.

"Anyway, I'm Dante. Dante Romano," he introduced himself, a hint of ketchup smudged on his chin making him look all the more approachable.

She appreciated his relaxed attitude, noting that you'd never catch Victor looking disheveled or eating with such carefree abandon.

Realizing they would be seated together for a while, she smiled and introduced herself. "I'm Julia Voss," she said, warmth spreading in her chest.

"Julia, wow. That name suits you. I like it." Then he suddenly looked at her hands. He noticed her engagement and wedding rings. 

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw a look of disappointment on his face, though it quickly disappeared. "You're married, right?"

She nodded, a hint of pride mixed with sadness. "Yes, I'm married. In fact, I just got married today."

His expression shifted to surprise. "What?! You got married today? But where's your husband? Where are you heading at this hour? Shouldn't it be your honeymoon?"

A wave of irritation towards Victor washed over her. Even this stranger found their situation hard to believe. "He left… for work. Said it was an emergency. Now, I have to visit my in-laws to help."

"That's insane! If I were your husband, no job would be more important than my wife. I can't believe husbands actually leave their wives on the first night!" he exclaimed, his tone dramatic.

She shrugged, feeling defeated. No matter her grievances, she could do nothing about it. Victor had spoiled their honeymoon stage, and now his parents needed her help.

"Why are your husband's parents asking you for help? Shouldn't they be reaching out to him? It's pretty insensitive to make you travel at this hour," he remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Well…" she began, searching for the right words.

"I genuinely feel for you. This should be your happiest day, not filled with stress," he said, his sympathy evident in his tone.

Warmth threatened to swell in her eyes, but she fought it back. "Well… now that I have my burger, my day is looking up," she said, forcing a smile.

He studied her, recognizing her emotions. "Then let's keep enjoying our meal. I packed a whole bunch of fast food, seatmate," he winked playfully at her.

A soft laugh escaped her as he revealed more food. He pulled out pasta, crispy fries, and chicken, along with some cold soda, showcasing his haul.

Time slipped away as they continued to eat and chat. Glancing around, she noticed they had entered a rural area; buildings faded, replaced by wide-open land and farms. The surroundings grew quiet, and the chill of the countryside settled in.

"How many more hours until we reach Saint Claire?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Hmm, maybe two or three more hours," he responded, glancing out the window at the darkening sky.

The road grew darker, illuminated only by the bus's lights and the flickering street lamps lining the quiet highway. Just as she was about to take a bite of fries, the driver slammed on the brakes, sending them flying.

Other passengers jolted awake, voices rising in confusion. "What the hell! Why did you hit the brakes like that?!"

From the back, shouts of panic erupted. "T-There are armed men up ahead! They've blocked the road!"

Silence fell abruptly as loud gunshots rang out, piercing the night. Panic erupted; screams filled the air as they felt the unmistakable thud of bullets striking the bus tire, leaving it flat.

"Fuck! Let me out of here!" A man shouted, desperately clawing at the bus window, panic erupting behind those eyes.

Yet, before anyone could flee, the door swung open, and armed men stormed in, overwhelming the bus with their presence.

"Down! Everyone get down! No one is allowed to move!" shouted a large man, clearly the leader, his voice booming over the chaos.

Trembling, Julia dared a glance at Dante, her voice shaking. "G-God, why are there armed men? A-Are they going to kill us...?"

His expression hardened as he focused on her. "Get down, Julia. We need to obey them. Whatever you do, don't do anything that might upset them."

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she whispered, "I-I'm scared…"

"You're with me. I won't leave you. I'll protect you," he vowed, a firm promise laced with urgency in his voice.

Could Dante truly stand by his promise? What would Julia do in the chaos that surrounded them?