Chapter 73 : Pantai Klebang Beach.

The moment Ibrahim parked the car, the scent of the ocean embraced Ava as she stepped out onto the road. The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance, a blend of wet sand and sea breeze.

Pantai Klebang lay in darkness. Though the moon remained hidden, a soft illumination from scattered streetlights painted the wet sand with a subtle shimmer, remnants of the earlier rain.

Ava glanced down at her feet, realizing she was wearing heels. Ibrahim, noticing her predicament, approached and inquired, "Is there any problem?"

She responded, "Should've listened to you. How can I walk in heels on the beach?"

Ibrahim chuckled and retorted, "Just this problem?" He removed his sneakers, offering them to her. "Wear these.

Ava questioned, "What about you?"

"I'll stroll on the sand barefoot. Now, put them on," Ibrahim insisted.

Ava complied. Adjusting to the sneakers, Ava was ready to walk on the beach. Though the Ibrahim's sneakers were looking like a oversized sneakers on her feet. But she could walk properly. Ibrahim held her heels in one hand and her arm with the other, guiding her from the road to the damp sand, their footsteps leaving imprints behind.

The beach, kissed by earlier rain, felt cool beneath their feet. As they approached the shoreline, the waves played a melodic tune, each crash a serenade that echoed along the coast. 

Eager to approach the ocean, Ava suggested, "Let's go to the ocean."

Ibrahim squeezed her hand and cautioned, "No, the water will be cold, and if you catch a fever here in Malacca. Elara will come here just to kill me."

Ava couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of Elara. "Are you scared of Elara?" 

"Elara is not just a police officer; he's my brother-in-law too. Who knows when Elara might push me on a case? He's a living bomb for me." Ibrahim replied. He loved to see Ava so happy.

Ava shook her head, stating, "Don't say something like this. After all, Elara is my brother."

"That's why I'm tolerating him," Ibrahim admitted with a small smile.

The ocean appeared dark yet peaceful, the rhythmic sounds of the waves growing louder as they walked along the wet beach. 

Ava looked at Ibrahim and asked, "Can I ask something?"

"Of course, you don't need any permission from me to ask." Ibrahim assured her. 

Ava gulped nervously and inquired, "Can you leave your illegal businesses, Ibrahim?"

Ibrahim, caught off guard, abruptly halted, his eyes reflecting surprise. "What did you just ask?" The unexpected nature of her question made him pause.

Ava grappled for the right words. She allowed her eyes to wander back to the dark ocean. "Have you ever thought about living like a normal person?" she queried, her voice a mere whisper carried away by the ocean breeze.

Ibrahim was taken aback, "Living like a normal person? Why would I ever think that?"

"Can't you leave all of that?" Ava inquired. She was still looking at the ocean. 

In response, Ibrahim released her hand, gently turning her to face him. Speaking softly, he shared the harsh reality, "It's not possible, baby girl. I was born into the Rahman family. It's our family business, and as the elder son, I have many duties. Since my father's death when I was just 16, I've been taking care of that empire. It's not possible."

Ava nodded, seemingly understanding, yet her eyes betrayed a hidden sorrow. She had hoped for a different response, perhaps an indication that he would try to change or leave his illegal activities. But her expectations had collided with the harsh reality. 

Ibrahim gently reclaimed her hand, leading her to a large stone nearby. Both took a seat and Ibrahim placed her heels on the stone too. The waves provided a natural symphony in the background.

While Ava gazed at the ocean, Ibrahim stared at her profile. He wondered why she had brought up the idea of leaving his illegal businesses. Did she believe it was a simple choice? He tried to read Ava's thoughts but this time he found himself unable to grasp what troubled her.

"What happened, baby girl? You can share if something is bothering you," he gently inquired.

Ava failed to register Ibrahim's words. She had only recently come to acknowledge her burgeoning feelings for Ibrahim, but now Elara's words echoed in her mind—cautioning her not to fall for him. Should she suppress her newfound emotions? Could she cast away these budding feelings like a ship abandoning excess cargo into the boundless sea?

"Baby Girl ?" Ibrahim's voice broke the silence. 

Ava snapped back to reality, her blank stare meeting Ibrahim's concerned eyes. She stammered, "Wh... What did you ask? I was thinking something."

Ibrahim pressed, "I want to know what you're thinking—what's going on in your mind that's making you feel this upset."

Ava hesitated before responding, "Nothing, I'm just looking at the ocean, that's all."

Ibrahim tightened his grip on her hand, a knowing expression on his face. "You're lying."

Ava shook her head, "It's nothing... Just a thought."

Sensing Ava's reluctance to open up about her thoughts, Ibrahim decided to take a more direct approach. He scooped Ava up in his arms. The suddenness of the movement caught Ava off guard, and she couldn't help but let out a surprised gasp. 

She was taken aback by the sudden lift, instinctively wrapped her arms around Ibrahim's neck for support. In the blink of an eye, she found herself seated on his lap. Her both legs were one side. Meanwhile, Ibrahim secured Ava in his arms, ensuring she wouldn't falter.

Ava blinked in surprise, "What are you doing?" Their faces were now close, with only a small gap between them.

"Spill the beans. What's brewing in that thoughtful mind of yours? Share everything." Ibrahim asked. 

Her cheeks were reddening, "Put me down; I might lose my balance."

But Ibrahim shook his head, "Oh, no, no. I won't let you down until you tell me what's on your mind. Did Elara say something?"

Ava's mouth fell open briefly, but she quickly composed herself and responded, "No, Elara didn't say anything. I'm .... I'm just confused." 

Ibrahim frowned, "What's causing the confusion?"

Ava hesitated before responding, "Your behavior."

Ibrahim furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled, "My behavior? What about it bothers you?"

Ava couldn't help but murmur, "You're getting too free with me." 

With a smirk, Ibrahim responded, "Oh, Ava? I love you. If I can't get free with you, then who else should I share my love with?"

Ava gulped nervously and requested, "I have told, now put me down."

Ibrahim decided to playfully challenge her resistance. With a subtle shift of his hands, he carefully lifted her slightly, adjusting her position so that she was now facing him and her legs were on each side of him. His hands supported her back. 

Ava, blinking in surprise, couldn't help but ask, "Ibrahim, what are you doing? What if someone sees us?"

Ibrahim calmly responded while looking at her, "Look around."

Following his instruction, Ava turned her head to scan the surroundings. The dark Pantai Klebang beach was devoid of any onlookers. No wandering souls, no curious eyes—just the two of them surrounded by the darkness and the calming echoes of the ocean.

Ava turned her gaze back to Ibrahim. However, a subtle tension lingered in her mind —was he planning something in this secluded spot? She bit her lower lip nervously, a gesture born from the tension building within her.

Ibrahim's eyes fell upon her lips, noticing the subtle act of Ava biting down in apprehension. In the meantime the moonlight managed to break through the clouds. And Ibrahim got a clear view. The soft, full curve of her lower lip took on a subtle shade of red. He placed a single finger on Ava's lips, "Don't bite."

Ava gulped nervously and stopped biting her lower lip. His penetrating gaze remained fixed on her lips. 

With a subtle lean, Ibrahim leaned slightly and closed the distance between them. Ava's eyes widened and her breaths quickened involuntarily. Ibrahim could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

The dim glow of distant streetlights painted a soft illumination on the sand, casting shadows that danced in tandem with the rhythmic lapping of the waves. 

Ibrahim paused to give her a moment to retreat if she wished, but Ava, despite her nerves, didn't pull away. Instead, she closed her eyes tightly, awaiting the unexpected.

Ibrahim leaned more and his pressed his lips onto Ava's with a gentle yet firm touch, initiating a kiss that sent ripples of warmth through both of them. His lips melded with hers, creating a connection that seemed to transcend the confines of reality.

Ibrahim parted Ava's lips and deepened the kiss. The subtle pull of Ava's lower lip into his mouth added an intensity to the kiss and a sweet surrender to the shared moment from Ava.

His lips moved with purpose, first focusing on Ava's lower lip and then delicately shifting to her upper lip. Each movement was sending shivers down Ava's spine. She responded by gripping Ibrahim's leather jacket with trembling hands.

Her mind became a blank canvas, erasing every cautionary word uttered by Elara. The only reality was Ibrahim's kiss. She forgot all the things. Ibrahim pulled Ava even closer to him. The night seemed to pause, giving them the time and space to get lost in each other.

As the sensations overwhelmed her, Ava couldn't resist opening her eyes, only to find Ibrahim's closed eyes. The kiss transported her to a different world, a world where only they existed.

After a moment, Ibrahim gently withdrew his lips and their eyes met.