His name was Nathaniel

6

Adaliya woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window, the early morning sun casting a warm glow across her room. She stretched lazily, savoring the peacefulness of the morning, before finally pushing herself out of bed. Despite the late-night adventure with Nathaniel, she felt surprisingly well-rested, a subtle excitement humming beneath her skin.

After getting dressed in a simple pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she headed downstairs, where the comforting smells of breakfast greeted her. Her grandmother was bustling around the kitchen, humming a tune as she flipped pancakes.

"Morning, sleepyhead," her grandmother greeted with a warm smile. "I made your favorite—blueberry pancakes."

"Thanks, Grandma," Adaliya replied, grabbing a plate and loading it up with food. "Anything you need help with today?"

Her grandmother paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Well, if you're offering, the garden could use some tending. And the garage is a bit of a mess, if you're up for organizing it."

Adaliya nodded, taking a bite of her pancake. "Sure thing. I'll start with the garden after breakfast."

As she worked through her morning chores, pulling weeds and watering the plants, her mind kept drifting back to Nathaniel. She couldn't stop thinking about their late-night conversations, the way his eyes seemed to light up when he talked about sneaking out, and the vulnerable moments he had shared with her. Despite the sadness in his life, there was something magnetic about him—something that drew her in and made her want to know more.

After finishing up in the garden, Adaliya moved on to the garage. It was filled with boxes of old memories, tools, and random knick-knacks her grandparents had accumulated over the years. As she sorted through the clutter, she found herself fantasizing about what it would be like to show Nathaniel more of her world—places beyond the city, like the beach or the mountains. She imagined his reactions, the awe in his eyes, and the way his stoic facade might crack just a little more.

Once the garage was finally in order, Adaliya decided to reward herself with some painting. She set up her easel in the backyard, letting the afternoon sun warm her skin as she dipped her brush into vibrant colors. As she painted, she let her thoughts drift, her brushstrokes reflecting the swirl of emotions she felt whenever she thought about Nathaniel.

She painted for hours, lost in her daydreams, until her until Lola called on the telephone, asking if Adaliya wanted to go shopping, which she agreed on.

She quickly cleaned up her painting supplies and headed inside to change into something more suitable for a day out.

Thirty minutes later, she met Lola at their usual spot in the city, a small café with the best milkshakes in town. They hugged and caught up on the latest gossip before diving into the shops.

"Okay, spill," Lola said as they browsed through a rack of dresses. "You've been quiet lately, which means something is definitely up. What's going on with you?"

Adaliya hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. "It's nothing, really. Just... met someone interesting."

Lola's eyes widened, and she immediately perked up. "Ooh, do tell! Who is he? Is he cute? Do I know him?"

Adaliya laughed, shaking her head. "You wouldn't know him. He's... different. Not from around here."

Lola gave her a curious look but didn't press further, sensing that Adaliya wasn't ready to share all the details. "Well, I'm happy for you. Just make sure he's not some weirdo, okay?"

"I'll be careful," Adaliya promised, smiling at her friend's concern.

The rest of the day flew by as they shopped, laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. By the time the sun began to set, Adaliya felt a mix of excitement and nerves. She was eager to see Nathaniel again, but there was a nagging worry in the back of her mind—wondering what kind of night he had ahead of him.

---

While Adaliya was out enjoying her day, Nathaniel's was anything but pleasant.

He was sitting stiffly in his father's private medical room, the cold, clinical atmosphere making him feel even more on edge. His father had noticed his fatigue, the sluggishness that had begun to creep into his movements, and had immediately summoned their family doctor for a full examination.

Dr. Hendricks, a stern man in his late fifties, had been Nathaniel's personal physician for as long as he could remember. The doctor's sharp eyes missed nothing as he conducted the examination, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Your father is concerned," Dr. Hendricks said as he checked Nathaniel's blood pressure. "He's noticed a change in your energy levels recently. Fatigue, lack of focus... Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Nathaniel shook his head, his jaw clenched. "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Tired from what, exactly?" the doctor pressed, his tone skeptical.

Nathaniel hesitated, knowing he couldn't reveal the real reason behind his exhaustion. "I've just been staying up late reading. Nothing to worry about."

Dr. Hendricks didn't seem convinced, but he didn't push further. "Well, you're physically fine. But I would recommend more sleep and less... whatever it is that's keeping you up at night. Your father doesn't tolerate weakness, Nathaniel. You know that."

Nathaniel nodded, barely listening as the doctor droned on about the importance of rest and following a strict schedule. All he could think about was the clock ticking on the wall, counting down the hours until he could see Adaliya again.

Once the examination was finally over, Nathaniel was left alone in his room. He sat on the edge of his bed, his mind racing. He knew he had to be more careful—his father was already suspicious, and if he got caught sneaking out again, the consequences would be severe.

But despite the risks, Nathaniel knew he couldn't stop. Seeing Adaliya, experiencing the world outside his gilded cage, was worth it. It was the only thing that made him feel alive.

As night fell, Nathaniel began preparing for another escape. He changed into dark clothes and waited for the house to grow quiet, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement.

Tonight, he promised himself, he would be more cautious. He couldn't afford any mistakes. But as he thought of Adaliya waiting for him, he knew he would risk it all just to see her smile again.