yes when I noticed sunlight spilling over the curtains, painting golden streaks across the soft carpet. For a fleeting

chen, he was already there, humming softly as he arranged breakfast on the t

intly. The way he smiled-it wasn't a boastful or c

btle changes in him: the small gestures he made to anticipate my needs, the ease with whi

esturing toward the chai

. Adrian placed a plate in front of me-pancakes with fresh strawberri

I asked, disbelief

the world. "I wanted to. You've been working ha

e-not my friends, not my family, not anyone. And here was Adrian, the man I had vo

sure if the words could conv

n necessary. The warmth in his eyes was hard to ignore, and I felt

-

wasn't awkward. It was easy, natural. I found myself relaxing, letting

pital arrangements. Adrian didn't insist on accompanying me,

ftly. "I thought it might he

thoughtfulness. "You did

ging at his lips. "I wanted to. You sh

or the first time, I realized that Adrian wasn't the cold, unfeeling man I had assumed

-

of pink and gold, and the air smelled faintly of rain. I set my bag down in th

up of warm tea. "You must be tired," h

mth seep into my hands and hea

the soft hum of the evening filling the space. I watched him quietly, noticing small details-the

ver my shoulder. The touch was fleeting but deliberate. I froze, my heart racing.

eyes that made my resolve waver. There was tenderness there, an ack

uickly, pulling slightly awa

g me space, but the warmth of his presenc

-

the cocoa, the notebook, the small gesture with my hair-they weren't grand, dramati

ve with fireworks or declarations. Sometimes, it arrived sl

off to sleep, I w

hate. Maybe... he's the m