Rita

"Listen," she began, her voice sounding a little hesitant, "maybe we should change the location? Go somewhere else? Like... somewhere more romantic, for example." Her words caught you off guard. Your meetings were usually simple and casual, and now suddenly—a "romantic place." What did that mean? Was Rita hiding something? You looked at her in surprise, trying to understand the meaning behind this sudden idea. But Rita looked at you as if there was something important in this proposal, something she herself wanted to do. You decided not to insist and simply agreed, choosing to trust her intuition. You obediently followed her, watching with growing curiosity where she was leading you. Rita led you not to the familiar, cozy café, but somewhere toward the embankment. You were surprised. Why the embankment? What was she doing there? As you approached the sea, the atmosphere began to change. The air became fresher, filled with the salty scent of the sea, and the noise of the city gradually gave way to the quiet rustle of the waves. You felt a light breeze on your face, and it calmed you a little. And so, finally, you found yourself on the shore. The sandy beach, the azure water, the sky merging with the horizon—all of it created a truly magical scene. It was incredibly beautiful, and yet, at the same time, you felt Rita's decision was no accident. Something was bound to happen. While you were mesmerized by the scenery, trying to comprehend this sudden change of plans, Rita suddenly took your hand. Her fingers squeezed yours tightly, and you felt a slight tremor run down her arm. This unexpected closeness, combined with her strange behavior, made you wary. Something was wrong. You felt it with all your heart. "Rita, what's wrong with you today?" you asked, trying to remain calm, but deep down you already suspected something was wrong. "You're not yourself. You're somehow... different." Your words seemed to make her hesitate even more. “I like you.. Not as a friend...” she whispered.