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

was pumping with adrenaline, but now

their conversation, my knees suddenly

he caught me before I hit

you hurt? Let me take a look at you.” Anxiously, Nora squatted beside

authoritative voice, “She’s not injured. She’s just tired after the

and nodded reassuringly at her. Then, I tried to get to my feet, but Ashton hugged me close to his body and scooped me up. Both our clothes were wet, but thankfully, the

such close proximity, I could feel his body temperature radiating and also the rhythm of

face flushed a

to the harrowing ordeal in the pit. Worried that I would catch a cold, Nora gave

tiny space because she was worried I wouldn’t be able to change my

me, I cleared my throat awkwardly. “You

Laurel’s call for help was loud enough to travel through the forest. Otherwise, only God knows

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

her head with a frown. “Not long after we got separated, we trekked around the forest, but then returned to camp when we didn’t find Ashton. He came back with

blurted out, “Then,