the fire between us

chapter 16

As I step out of the room, a mix of excitement and nerves buzzes through me. The hallway is quiet, the soft lighting casting a warm glow on the polished floors. Nora follows behind me, her encouragement lingering in the air like a comforting presence.

We make our way down to the lobby, where the evening light is just beginning to filter through the large windows, painting the space in soft hues of gold and pink. The hotel staff greets us with polite smiles as we pass, but my mind is already racing ahead to the moment I'll see Martinus again.

As we near the exit, Nora stops and turns to me with a grin. "Okay, this is where I leave you. I'll let you enjoy your night, but remember, I want all the details tomorrow!"

I laugh, the sound helping to ease some of the tension in my chest. "You'll be the first to know, I promise."

She gives me a quick hug, then steps back, her eyes twinkling with excitement for me. "Have fun, Y/N. You deserve it."

With one last smile, I nod and head out the door, stepping into the warm evening air. The sun is just beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the city, and for a moment, I take a deep breath, letting the atmosphere settle around me.

As I wait on the sidewalk, I suddenly realize that I don't know where Martinus is taking me tonight. The thought sends a thrill of curiosity through me, adding to the anticipation that's already bubbling in my chest. I glance around, wondering where he might be, when a familiar voice calls my name.

I turn, and there he is—Martinus, looking as handsome as ever. He's dressed casually but stylishly in a well-fitted shirt and dark jeans, his hair tousled in that effortlessly cool way he always seems to manage. When he sees me, his eyes light up, and a smile spreads across his face, making my heart skip a beat.

"Y/N," he says, his voice warm and full of appreciation as he takes in my appearance. "You look... incredible."

I feel a blush creep up my cheeks, but I smile back at him, feeling the confidence from earlier swell up inside me again. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

He chuckles, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Ready for our date?"

"Definitely," I reply, my nerves melting away under his gaze. "But you still haven't told me where we're going."

Martinus's smile turns into a playful grin, and he leans in a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I wanted to keep it a surprise. But don't worry, I think you're going to love it."

As we continue walking, I can't help but try to guess where Martinus might be taking me, though each guess only adds to my excitement. The city's vibrant energy is infectious, and the night air feels charged with possibility.

"So, where exactly are we headed?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "You're being very mysterious about this."

Martinus grins, clearly enjoying keeping me in suspense. "You'll see soon enough. I promise it's going to be worth the wait."

I laugh, shaking my head at his playfulness. "Alright, but you know I'm not very patient, right?"

"I've noticed," he teases, giving me a sideways glance. "But trust me, I think you'll love it. It's something fun and a little different."

We walk a bit further, and as we turn a corner, I begin to hear the distant sounds of laughter, cheerful music, and the unmistakable whoosh of carnival rides. My eyes widen in realization, and I turn to Martinus with a grin. "Are we going to a carnival?"

Martinus smiles, pleased that I've figured it out. "Yep! I thought it would be a fun way to start the evening. We can let loose, play some games, and maybe even win a prize or two."