Jean had no idea why Zed had brought her to the seaside. She couldn't even guess as to what he wanted to do now that they were here. But she still followed Zed.
"Why did you bring me here?" Jean looked puzzled and asked him.
"I was once told that standing at the seashore and feeling the cool sea wind is a good way to relax, especially when a person is feeling overwhelmed, " Zed answered.
Jean scrunched her nose when she heard his explanation. That cannot be it! Perhaps she had misunderstood him? On impulse, Jean stood on her tip-toes and placed her palm on Zed's forehead. She looked even more bewildered when she realized he wasn't unwell. "You aren't feverish, " she said in awe.
"Why did you do that?" Zed frowned as irritation set in.
When Jean didn't reply, he asked her again "Why did you touch my forehead? What made you think that I might be unwell? Why did you speak with such astonishment?" Jean shook her head and continued whispering with the same incredulous tone, "You are nuts. Yes, that's it! You must be raving mad."
A cool breeze brushed across Jean's face. The wind felt so nice that she closed her eyes and lifted her chin. Jean took a deep breath and felt as though the salty sea wind was energizing every atom of her being.
Slowly she looked up at Zed, only to find his frosty gaze was fixed on her.
'Did I say something wrong?' Jean wondered.
"You have a heart of stone, don't you?" Zed was burning with anger. He had been considerate enough to take her for a drive and share this spectacular moment with Jean because he knew that she was upset. And instead of being grateful, she was mocking him.
"This trip was for me? I was upset and you thought I'd feel better if you brought me here?" Jean couldn't believe her ears. She was stupefied. 'Zed truly has no selfish reasons for bringing me here? He's being incredibly thoughtful today. Why?' Jean wondered.
Zed had always been harsh with Jean. He rarely said a kind word to her. He satirized her relentlessly and he couldn't stop complicating their relationship with his jealousy and insecurities every time he saw or heard about Ethan. Yes, he had been considerate at times. But those were small gestures that didn't inconvenience Zed. This, however, was completely unexpected.
Jean felt ashamed of her reaction. She tried to conceal her emotions as she didn't want to show others her most vulnerable side.
Jean had no idea how to tell Zed that she was remorseful and that she did care about his thoughtful gesture.
Now that she knew that he had brought her to the seaside because he was genuinely concerned, she smiled and spoke sincerely, "Thank you for bringing me here. I was just kidding when I said you were raving mad."
Zed studied Jean. When he heard her candid explanation, his anger settled.
Jean looked at the water and thought of the few times she had been to the beach as a child. Although she had seldom come here, none of her trips had been memorable. She did, however, remember the time she tried to arrange a meeting between Zed and Eva here.
She remembered how she had been swept away by the waves that night and how it was pure coincidence that Ethan had been around and had rescued her and taken her to the hospital.
However, it must be recognized that destiny ties people together.
Since it was getting late, only a few couples in search of a romantic setting were left on the beach. While some were strolling hand-in-hand on the beach barefoot, others were huddled on blankets, whispering and giggling.
There was only one streetlight on the beach. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the dim streetlight cast a pale glow. In the distance, Jean could make out the figures of the lovers under the silvery moonlight.
"So, what do you say? Would you like to go?" Zed asked. Jean's face glowed as a bright smile danced on her lips. She glanced at Zed before running for the beach.
Zed felt his heart soar at her smile.
Zed followed Jean. He watched as she promptly took off her shoes and played with the sand between her toes. He couldn't get over how childlike she could be. This was one of the things that endeared Jean to Zed.
Jean had to admit that Zed had suggested a good idea. Upon seeing the sea and the beach, her depression and gloom had disappeared without a trace.
Jean's conscience urged her to thank him again.
Once Zed had caught up with her, she turned and started walking. The cool, wet sand under her feet felt incredible.
She spent a little while playing like an innocent girl, building sand castles and drawing circles in the sand.
It was dark but Jean's silhouette stood out boldly against the fading light. Zed had never seen Jean smile so brightly. She truly seemed overjoyed.
Jean looked like an angel flying through the clouds. Her simple cherubic smile seemed to be infectious and Zed could not help grinning as well.
"Zed! Come here! There are so many shells!" Jean illuminated the sand with the phone flash, as she called out to him.
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