Night had settled in, soft and heavy, the kind of silence that made every small sound feel louder. Adrian pushed open Amara's bedroom door and stepped inside.
Her room was dim, lit only by the warm glow of a small lamp on her nightstand. The curtains were drawn, the air calm, peaceful.
But the bed was empty.
Adrian sat down on the edge of it, elbows resting on his knees, scrolling through his phone to distract himself. He wasn't worried — not exactly — but he felt something tugging at him.
She wasn't here. She wasn't in the washroom. So, she had to be—
The wardrobe door clicked open.
Adrian looked up.
And everything inside him stilled.
Amara stepped out wearing a soft, elegant dress — simple, flowing, beautiful in a way that didn't need effort. Her hair was open, falling over her shoulders in loose waves. She looked like she had stepped out of a dream.
She froze when she saw him. "Adrian? I… didn't know you were here."
He didn't answer.
He couldn't.
He just stared.
Slowly, he stood up, his phone forgotten on the bed. He walked toward her, drawn in without thinking, without hesitation.
When he reached her, he gently took her hand.
And twirled her.
The dress spun softly around her legs, her hair lifting with the movement. She let out a small, surprised laugh, cheeks warming instantly.
When she stopped, Adrian's hand slid to her waist to steady her.
He looked at her like she was something fragile and breathtaking at the same time.
"You look…" he began, voice low.
She swallowed. "Good?"
He shook his head once.
"Beautiful."
Her face turned pink, her smile shy but bright. She looked down, trying to hide it, but he saw everything.
Adrian let out a slow breath — the kind he didn't realize he'd been holding — and sat back down on the bed.
Then he gently tugged her hand.
"Come here."
She stepped closer.
He pulled her onto his lap, guiding her carefully, making sure she was comfortable. Her legs rested on either side of his, her head naturally finding its place on his shoulder.
His arm wrapped around her waist, steady and warm.
She exhaled softly, relaxing against him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, quietly, almost like she didn't mean to say it out loud, Amara whispered:
"I.... love you, Adrian."
Adrian froze.
His breath caught. His hand stilled on her waist. His heart — the one he always kept locked — stumbled.
He pulled back just enough to see her face.
"You… what?" he whispered.
She looked up at him, shy but honest, whispered in his ear. "I love you! I love you! I love you!"
Something in him broke open.
Slowly, a small, stunned smile tugged at his lips — the kind he never showed anyone.
"I love you too," he said softly.
Her eyes widened, her breath catching.
And then Adrian leaned in — gentle, careful — and kissed softly on her lips.
Not rushed. Not deep. Just a warm, sweet touch.
A promise.
She blushed instantly, hiding her face in his shoulder, and he let out a quiet laugh — the softest one she'd ever heard from him.
His arms tightened around her.
And for the first time in a long time, Adrian felt something he didn't know he was allowed to feel.
Peace. With her.