Stephan's eyes stayed fixed in the same direction—
where she had walked away.
Even after she was no longer visible.
Even after the space in front of him was empty—
his mind wasn't.
Her words echoed again.
"You should give her a chance."
For the first time—
those words didn't feel simple.
They felt…
personal.
Later that evening—
the beach felt quieter.
The same waves.
The same breeze.
Nothing had changed.
Except him.
Stephan stood at a distance, hands in his pockets.
His eyes on the sea—
but his thoughts weren't there.
They kept returning—
to her.
He exhaled slowly.
Then—
his eyes found her again.
Pixel.
Sitting near the shore.
Stevan beside her.
Talking.
Smiling slightly.
Stephan's gaze stayed on her longer this time.
Not casually.
But carefully.
As if he was seeing her properly—
for the first time.
No makeup.
No styled hair.
No branded clothes.
Nothing that usually made people stand out.
Just simple.
Almost… average.
And yet—
she didn't look average.
There was something about her.
Something calm.
Something real.
Something he couldn't explain.
"Why have I never noticed her before?"
The thought came quietly.
Unexpected.
But it stayed.
Because now—
he couldn't look away.
From a distance—
Johan nudged Hill lightly.
"Look at him."
Hill followed his gaze.
And immediately smirked.
"Gone."
Johan chuckled.
"Completely."
Hill folded his arms, watching Stephan walk.
"Never seen him like this."
Johan shook his head slightly.
"This is going to be interesting."
Meanwhile—
Stephan had already started walking.
Slowly.
Then steadily.
Towards her.
Pixel noticed him approaching.
Of course she did.
But her expression didn't change.
"Can I sit?"
She looked at him.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
He sat down beside them.
Stevan smiled instantly.
"Bhai, you came again!"
Stephan gave a small nod.
"Hmm."
For a moment—
no one spoke.
The sound of waves filled the space.
Then Stephan said—
"Do you come here often?"
Pixel looked at him.
"Sometimes."
"Alone?"
She nodded.
"I like quiet places."
Stephan glanced at the sea.
Then back at her.
"It suits you."
Pixel didn't react much.
But she noticed.
From far—
Johan raised an eyebrow.
"He's actually trying."
Hill laughed softly.
"And not failing."
Johan smirked.
"Yet."
Back near the shore—
Stevan suddenly stood up.
"I'll go play in the water!"
He paused for a second.
Looked at both of them—
a small knowing smile on his face.
"I'll be right there!"
And ran off.
Pixel immediately called out—
"Stevan!"
He turned.
"Play nicely… and don't go too deep."
Her voice held quiet concern.
"I'm watching you."
Stevan nodded quickly.
"Okay!"
And ran towards the water.
Stephan noticed that.
The way she cared.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just naturally.
"You care about him a lot," he said.
Pixel's gaze stayed on Stevan for a moment.
Then—
"He's a child."
Simple.
But enough.
From far—
Hill watched carefully.
"She's different."
Johan nodded.
"And he knows it."
Now—
they were alone.
The silence returned.
But it didn't feel empty.
Stephan looked at her.
"You don't talk much."
"I don't talk without reason."
There was a pause.
Then Stephan said—
"Then I'll try to give you one."
Pixel looked at him again.
A little longer this time.
Stephan hesitated for a second.
Then said—
"Stevan likes you a lot."
Pixel didn't interrupt.
Didn't react.
So he continued—
"He doesn't usually get comfortable with people this fast."
There was a small pause.
Then—
"Can I have your number?"
"And… if he misses you, he can call you."
His tone was calm.
Genuine.
No pressure.
No ego.
Just simple.
From far—
Johan leaned forward slightly.
"Nice move."
Hill smirked.
"He's learning."
Pixel looked at Stephan.
Not at the words—
but at him.
As if trying to understand the intention behind them.
There was no rush.
No awkwardness.
Just quiet observation.
Then—
without saying anything—
she took out her phone.
Unlocked it.
And handed it to him.
"Save it."
Stephan paused.
Just for a moment.
Then took the phone.
Saved his number.
And returned it.
Their fingers brushed slightly—
just for a second.
But neither reacted.
From a distance—
Hill noticed.
"Did you see that?"
Johan smiled slowly.
"Yeah."
"That's not nothing."
Back near the shore—
no words were exchanged.
But something about that moment—
felt different.
More real.
More intentional.
More… important.
When Stevan came running back—
everything looked normal again.
Like nothing had changed.
Like it was just another moment.
But for Stephan—
it wasn't.
From far—
Johan exhaled slowly.
"This is serious."
Hill nodded.
"For the first time…"
Johan completed—
"He didn't walk away first."
Back near the shore—
Stephan looked at Pixel.
Just for a second longer.
Because now—
he wasn't just noticing her.
He was seeing her.
And somewhere deep inside—
something had already started to change.
And this time—
he knew—
there was no going back.