called out at the beach

I've always been drawn to the sea. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the salty breeze that tousled my hair, and the warmth of the sun on my skin make the beach my sanctuary. Today is no different. With my beach towel sprawled out on the golden sand, I lay back and gaze at the clear blue sky, allowing myself a moment of tranquility.

As I adjust my sunglasses, I catch a glint of sunlight reflecting off my wrist. I admire the watch strapped around it, a VSF Omega Seamaster. It's not an original, but a remarkably well-crafted replica. I've always dreamed of owning one, but the genuine article is far beyond my financial reach. The replica, however, makes me feel connected to that dream.

Lost in my thoughts, I don't notice the group of friends setting up their beach gear nearby. One of them, a man in his mid-thirties with an athletic build and a confident demeanor, glances over and notices my watch.

"Hey, nice Seamaster!" he calls out, walking over with a friendly smile. "I'm a huge fan of Omega watches myself."

I feel a pang of anxiety but manage to return the smile. "Thanks, I really like it."

The man extends his hand. "I'm Mark, by the way. Mind if I take a closer look?"

Reluctantly, I hold out my wrist. Mark examines the watch with a keen eye, his expression shifting from curiosity to suspicion.

"You know, I'm pretty familiar with Omegas," Mark says, his tone still polite but more pointed. "And this one looks... different."

My heart races. "Oh, really? I've had it for a while," I respond, trying to keep my voice steady.

Mark narrows his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the watch even more closely. "Yeah, there's something off about it. The weight, maybe? Or the detailing on the bezel."

I swallow hard, my mind racing for a plausible explanation. "Well, I suppose some models vary slightly. It could be one of those."

Mark doesn't seem entirely convinced. "Could be. But you might want to double-check its authenticity. There's a lot of fakes out there, and some of them are surprisingly good."

I nod, forcing a smile. "I'll do that. Thanks for the tip."

Mark claps me on the shoulder, his friendly demeanor not entirely masking his lingering suspicion. "No problem. Just be careful. Some people might not be as understanding."

I look back down at my wrist in shame and leave