The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 69: Stars

In the quiet cocoon of Nathaniel's car, the hum of the engine served as a backdrop to the unspoken tension between them. The city lights streaked past, casting fleeting shadows on Alannah's contemplative face.

Nathaniel, focused on the road, stole occasional glances at Alannah. Her gaze, initially fixed on the passing scenery, couldn't resist returning to him. After a few moments, Nathaniel broke the silence, "What are you looking at?"

Alannah feigned innocence, "What? Me? Outside the window?" 

Nathaniel, not fooled, retorted, "No, you keep looking at me. Why do you keep glancing at me?" A subtle smile played on his lips.

Caught, Alannah chuckled, "I'm not. You're glancing at me." 

Nathaniel let out a small laugh, "Okay, yeah, sure."

Alannah's eyes met his again, a trace of a smile on her lips. "I'm sorry for not telling you anything and for putting myself in danger," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of remorse.

Nathaniel's gaze softened, "I'm sorry for yelling at you." 

Alannah shook her head, "No, you had a reason to yell at me." 

Nathaniel disagreed, "No, I can never have a reason to yell at you. I shouldn't yell at you." 

Alannah took a moment, then spoke with sincerity, "Okay, yeah, but I'm really sorry for not listening to you."

Nathaniel's grip on the steering wheel relaxed, "It's okay. Please don't do that. Please, please just... please keep me in the loop. Please let me know what you are doing." The vulnerability in his words hung in the air, a silent plea for openness and understanding. The car continued its journey through the city, the weight of the night slowly lifting with each passing mile.

As they reached Nathaniel's apartment, the soft glow of its lights welcomed them. Nathaniel, holding the door open, couldn't help but steal another glance at Alannah. His voice, a blend of sincerity and a hint of playfulness, cut through the quietness, "By the way, you were looking really beautiful today."

Alannah, catching the compliment, laughed, "Oh, so you did look at me."

Nathaniel admitted with a sheepish smile, "Yeah, I couldn't even keep my eyes off of you."

Teasingly, Alannah pointed out, "But you didn't even praise me even once."

Nathaniel shrugged, "Yeah, because I was angry. I was mad at you. And I had to show you one way or another."

Alannah, raising an eyebrow, remarked, "You, you, wow. You wanted to show me your anger by not praising me? That's rude." Nathaniel defended his stance, "Well, I don't see it as rude. I had to. But you look astonishing. You look amazing."

Their banter filled the air as they entered the apartment, a familiar sense of comfort settling in. The night's events, though tumultuous, seemed to fade away in the warm ambiance of Nathaniel's home.

As Nathaniel held the door, he continued the banter, a faint smile playing on his lips. "And she has graduated from being a damsel in distress. Now she... she is a soldier," he remarked, his eyes holding a mix of admiration and amusement.

Alana looked at him, her expression softening into a smile, "No, I can never be a soldier. You are my knight in shining armor. And I will always be your damsel in distress."

Nathaniel, ever the persistent one, shook his head gently, "But you are a soldier. I mean, you are stronger. You don't even need anyone. You are not a damsel in distress anymore."

A playful glint danced in Alana's eyes as she responded, "I won't be for others, but for you, I will. Always. You're gonna keep me safe from all the monsters out there. I mean, the biggest monster are the cockroaches. You need to keep me safe from them. I just hate them. Hate them."

As they stepped into the cozy apartment, Nathaniel grinned, "You. You're my brave damsel in distress, forever and always."

*****

The city lights twinkled like distant stars, casting a soft glow on Nathaniel's thoughtful face. Alannah, in her changed attire, approached quietly. The night held a certain tranquility broken only by the gentle hum of the city below.

Nathaniel glanced back, a small smile playing on his lips as he noticed Alannah's presence. He pocketed his phone, shifting his focus from the conversation he had just ended. Alannah, in her observant gaze, noted the mix of emotions in Nathaniel's eyes. 

There was a depth, a silent contemplation that seemed to dance with the shimmering city lights. 

With a subtle turn, Nathaniel faced the open night sky, his expression a blend of introspection and calm. Alannah tiptoed closer, the cool breeze carrying a hint of the city's rhythm.

In a wordless understanding, Nathaniel opened his arm, inviting her into the embrace of the balcony's serenity. Alannah accepted, fitting herself into the space beside him. They shared a side hug, Alannah leaning her head on Nathaniel's shoulder.

Together, they gazed at the stars scattered across the vast expanse above. The city's ambient glow competed with the celestial luminance, creating a mosaic of light and darkness.

"Do you remember showing me the stars, making me feel them when I couldn't see?" Alannah's voice, soft and nostalgic, broke the quietude.

Nathaniel chuckled, the sound carrying a warmth that echoed through the night. "Yes, I do remember it. I had to do it for you."

A smile curved Alannah's lips as she recalled that particular moment when Nathaniel had painted constellations with words for her.

"You did a lot for me, didn't you?" Alannah's voice held gratitude.

Nathaniel's eyes, reflecting the starlight, softened. "No, it was not enough. I still have to do a lot for you."

Alannah smiled, a quiet acknowledgment of the unspoken bond that tied them together. "Thank you for being my knight in shining armor."

"Always in your service, Milady," Nathaniel replied, his voice carrying a sincere commitment that resonated in the night's gentle symphony.

In the quiet haven of Nathaniel's apartment, Alannah couldn't shake the unease that clung to her.

"Did he get to know anything about who those people were?" Alannah's voice carried the weight of the questions lingering in her mind.

Nathaniel sighed, the lines on his forehead deepening with the burden of uncertainty. "Adrian is trying to find, but they don't say anything. They're not saying anything at all. They just stay silent."

"But what do they want? Why did they do that?" Alannah's frustration echoed in her words.

Nathaniel sighed once more, a heavy breath laden with the weight of responsibility. "It might be someone who sent them. Someone with power."

"Who is that?" Alannah's voice, edged with desperation, sought answers in the depths of Nathaniel's eyes.

Nathaniel gently held her face in his palms, his touch a reassuring anchor. "I will find it. You don't have to worry. I'll find whoever is behind this. It's gonna be okay."