When There Is Nothing Left But Love

The rain pelted down harshly on our bodies. Laurel, who was completely soaked through like everyone else, peered at me with worry lining her features. “We have to go now!”

“This place is prone to sinkholes, especially on rainy days. C’mon, let’s leave first!” Tabitha urged.

As though on cue, lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Everyone couldn’t care less about anything else and immediately scurried toward the tents.

“I think that area just collapsed!” Tabitha’s boyfriend suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone glanced back as one and sure enough, a large area of the ground had sunken in.

“This place used to be a mine. Some spots were dug to a depth of approximately ten meters and no one has been managing this area in years. On rainy days, accidents are prone to happen,” Tabitha’s boyfriend explained.

Tabitha gasped in terror. “I saw many tea trees on the mountain. Isn’t it dangerous for the tea farmers there? They could lose their lives!”

Laurel spoke up right then, aiming her words at Ashton. “Mr. Fuller, where did you guys go off to? If we weren’t looking for you guys, Scarlett would never have been in danger and we wouldn’t have gotten caught in the downpour either.”

At that, everyone turned their attention to Ashton. He cast a fleeting gaze at them, but remained otherwise calm. In a polite and sophisticated manner, he expressed his regret. “What happened today was an oversight on my part. To show my sincere apology, I’ll treat everyone to a meal tomorrow.”

“We’re not blaming you. It’s

my entire body was pumping with adrenaline, but now

listened to their conversation, my knees

kicked in and he caught me before I

you hurt? Let me take a look at you.” Anxiously, Nora squatted beside me to inspect my body for

“She’s not injured. She’s just tired after the

tried to get to my feet, but Ashton hugged me

I could feel his body temperature radiating and also the rhythm of

flushed a crimson

harrowing ordeal in the pit. Worried that I would

tiny space because she was worried I wouldn’t

was blatantly staring at me, I cleared my throat awkwardly. “You really don’t need to watch me like that. I’m fine. Really. Perfectly

eyes remained trained on me as she sighed. “Thank God Laurel’s call for help was loud enough to travel through the forest. Otherwise, only God knows what would’ve happened to you

at her in perplexity. “Didn’t you guys search for me because Tessa came looking

after we got separated, we trekked around the forest, but then returned to camp when we didn’t find Ashton. He came back with Rachel later on. It turns out that she sprained her ankle and couldn’t walk back. Ashton was supporting her when

out, “Then,