From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )

"Relax." Anthea turned and walked towards the edge of the reef.

Sherman watched her go, her long legs swaying in his view.

Suddenly, that strange sensation of a racing heart and breathlessness hit him again.

Thump, thump, thump-

His heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

Sherman slightly furrowed his brow.

Even Anthea couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

Could it be...

Some sort of terminal illness?

After swimming several laps in the sea, Anthea made her way back to shore, planning to head to the villa for a quick shower and change of clothes before enjoying the seaside sunset.

As she reached the shore, she noticed Sherman lying on a beach lounge chair, eyes gently closed, seemingly asleep.

A bright red rosary was clutched in his hand, its tassel winding through his fingers, accentuating his already pale skin, making it appear almost translucent under the shade of the beach umbrella. He seemed to exude a mix of austerity and allure, seemingly unapproachable, yet utterly captivating.

Anthea looked down at Sherman from her vantage point.

She realized.

This guy was extraordinarily handsome.

At least.

In her past life, she had never seen anyone quite like him.

With sharp brows, a high nose, and thin lips almost pressed into a line.

How could such a good-looking person be so detached from worldly desires?

Being a sucker for good looks, Anthea couldn't help but lean in for a closer look, noticing not a single flaw on his face, his eyelashes long enough to rival a girl's.

Aside from the sound of the waves.

The clearest thing Anthea could hear was his breathing.

Shallow.

Yet profoundly stirring.

Just then, Sherman suddenly opened his eyes.

Their gazes collided unexpectedly.

Sparks flew.

The atmosphere turned delicate.

Both were momentarily stunned.

Anthea was the first to recover, trying to act as if nothing had happened, "Sherman, I'm going to take a quick shower. Can I have the car keys?"

"You know how to drive?" Sherman asked, his expression neutral.

"Yeah." Anthea nodded slightly.

Sherman handed her the keys, "Drive safely."

"Yeah." Anthea took the keys, "I'll be right back."

The sea breeze howled.

Sherman watched her go, no longer sure if it was the wind moving, or his own heart.

It was then.

Sherman suddenly realized that it was only when he thought of Anthea that he experienced those

racing heart, the breathlessness.

uncontrollable emotions, et

He took out his phone, logged onto social media, and posted: "Why do get this weird feeling of my heart racing and breathlessness when I see someone? Am I sick?"

After half a day with no replies, Sherman added a reward of three gold coins for the best answer. Almost immediately, replies flooded in:

"Congrats, bro! You're sick, really sick. You've got lovesickness, and it looks like you're in deep!"

"That person making your heart race and leaving you breathless must be a girl, right?"

"Dude, you're totally in love with her!"

"Moreover, you're head over heels!"

"Looks like spring has arrived for you, mate!"

Sherman read the responses, his brow furrowing slightly.

He was in love with Anthea?

Love?

Does loving someone really make your heart race and leave you breathless? Sherman then Googled: "Does loving someone make your heart race?"

Many people had asked this question.

The top-voted answer was: "Yes! Of course... You'll also blush, and your mind will go blank!"

"Not only will your heart race, but you'll also think of her in the still of the night, dream of her. When you see other members of the opposite sex, you'll compare them to ber unconsciously!"

"And aside from her, no one else looks right! Hope you guys get together soon and walk down the aisle!"

Reading these answers, Sherman twiddled the rosary.

Maybe.

He really had fallen for Anthea?

But could these online answers be trusted?

Lost in thought.

He heard the sound of a car engine.

Sherman looked up to see Anthea stepping out of the car.

Wearing a simple white shirt.

Paired with black trousers.