Hearing Nova's playful scolding, Aetheris snapped back to his senses, silently chiding himself for getting carried away and forgetting what really mattered.
He stood up and gently pulled her off the bed, smoothing out the clothes he'd just ruffled.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked softly.
Nova shook her head. She had worked overtime all day, then rushed straight home after receiving his call, she'd even turned down Pepper's offer to grab a late-night snack.
"Silly girl, why didn't you say anything?" Aetheris brushed her silky hair gently."Go wash up. I'll make something delicious for you."
She leaned into his hand for a moment, then obediently picked out a fresh set of clothes and walked into the bathroom.
The warmth of her touch still lingered on Aetheris's fingers. Absentmindedly, he brought them to his nose and inhaled.
The scent was intoxicating, feminine and fresh, like the spring wind over an African savannah.
When Nova emerged from the shower, she carried the clean fragrance of body wash and warm skin. Spotting Aetheris busy in the kitchen, she walked over with a smile.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps, eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
She wore simple blue ice-silk shorts and a plain white crew-neck shirt—casual yet effortlessly captivating.
"Tony, let me help you," she said, reaching for the kitchen knife in his hand.
He swiftly avoided her.
"Tonight is your birthday," he said in mock irritation. "You're the queen. Just go sit in the living room and enjoy yourself. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Huh? It's my birthday today?"
Only then did Nova remember. The day had flown by in a blur of work and stress, and her birthday had completely slipped her mind.
She had been living overseas for years now. Birthdays weren't a big deal anymore. No one here remembered the date not even herself.
Looking at Aetheris's back as he cooked, her eyes filled with mist.
She stepped forward and gently hugged him from behind, resting her cheek against his back.
"Alright, alright, there's smoke in here," Aetheris said, pausing. "You just showered. Don't ruin that clean scent."
"Thank you..."
She didn't care about the faint smell of oil or sweat on him. To her, it was the warmest, safest scent in the world.
Wrapped in that comfort, Aetheris quietly prepared a simple dinner.
Outside, the world had gone still.
The soft flicker of candlelight stretched long shadows across the dining room floor.
Aetheris brought out the cake he'd made in advance. It was heart-shaped, not too large, with a tiny Iron Man figurine at the center.
"Happy 25th birthday, Miss Nova."
"Happybirtheday!" he added in a playful tone.
He lit the candles.
Nova sat across from him, tears silently falling from her eyes not from sorrow, but pure, unfiltered joy.
"I wonder how she's spent her birthdays these past few years," Aetheris thought. "Alone in a foreign country... must've been hard."
People who've never left home often don't realize just how much warmth they take for granted until they're far away.
"Thank you…" she said again.
She had said those words more than anything else that night.
"Come on now, what's life without joy? I put a lot of effort into this cake, you know. I even had to sign a mountain of autographs just to buy it!" Aetheris teased.
"Pfft..."Nova burst into laughter through her tears, more radiant than ever.
"Then from now on, no need to carry a wallet. Just sign a few autographs and snap a photo."
Aetheris paused in mock realization.
"You know what, Nova, you've got a point. Maybe I should raise my appearance fee. Who knows, I might end up in Hollywood someday."
"Alright, Nova, make a wish and blow out the candles."
Whoosh.
Nova blew out the candles, pressed her palms together, and closed her eyes.
"What did you wish for?" Aetheris asked.
"Hmph, not telling. If I say it out loud, it won't come true," she said, wrinkling her nose playfully.
"Oh? Still keeping secrets from me? I guess I'll have to use my 'Divine Grape-Picking Technique'!"
"You're impossible. Let's just eat already," Nova said, crossing her arms protectively over her chest to thwart his teasing.
Aetheris picked up a bottle of red wine, pulled the cork, and poured half a glass for her, then half a glass for himself.
"To the beautiful, adorable, youthful, and ever-charming Miss Nova!"
"Happy birthday!" he said, swirling his glass.
"Thank you!" she replied, raising hers in return.
They sat across from each other at a small, elegantly carved wooden table, chatting and enjoying their meal.
"Nova, I still don't know where you're originally from," Aetheris said.
Nova was savoring the 5A wagyu steak he had made for the evening. At his question, she quickly finished chewing and replied, "You wouldn't know even if I told you."
"Hey now, are you underestimating me again? Do you want another taste of my 'Golden Right Hand of Kato Eiji'?"
He raised his right hand dramatically, wiggling his middle and ring fingers. Nova immediately flushed, her voice flustered.
"I'm from a small county near Ashland City. It's a tiny place, but the scenery is beautiful. You should visit someday."
Aetheris's face lit up at the mention of Ashland.
In his previous life, his university had been located in Ashland—not top-tier, but still a solid school. While he hadn't lived there long, he'd visited places like Xinjiekou, the Confucius Temple, and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.
"So, who else is in your family?" he asked. "I didn't see you return home during the Spring Festival."
"I have a younger brother back home."
The happiness in Nova's eyes dimmed slightly at the mention of family.
The real reason she had stayed overseas for so long… was because of them.
When she only mentioned her younger brother and nothing about her parents, Aetheris assumed they had passed away. He immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry… I didn't realize your parents were gone."
"Huh? Who said they were gone? They're both alive and well," Nova said, shooting him a strange look."But... if things were as simple as that, maybe it'd be better."
His guilt quickly turned to frustration.
"How could you say that about your own parents? If they're still around, how could you wish otherwise?"
(End of Chapter)
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