His name was Nathaniel

47

Days had passed without a single message from Nathaniel, and each moment that ticked by seemed to weigh heavier on Adaliya's mind. She thought back to their conversation, the way he had insisted on spending the weekend together. His persistence had been charming, though admittedly annoying, but it had also stirred something deep within her—a curiosity, perhaps, or a longing to know what he was really after. Was this just another gesture from someone so used to getting his way, or was there something more genuine behind it?

After much contemplation, she had to admit that part of her wanted to see him again. She hadn't been able to shake the image of his apologetic expression, or the sincerity in his voice. It was Friday after work when she finally made her decision. Her heart raced as she picked up the phone and called him.

"Adaliya," Nathaniel's voice answered almost immediately, like he'd been waiting for her call all along.

"I've thought about it," she said, trying to keep her tone steady. "And... okay. I'll come for the weekend."

There was a brief pause, followed by a sigh of relief from his end. "I'm glad. I'll have some people pick you up. They'll take care of everything."

People? She didn't think too much of it, assuming Nathaniel meant a simple car service or something similar. She ended the call feeling a strange mix of anticipation and nerves. Maybe this weekend would bring some closure. Or maybe it would complicate things further. Either way, she was about to find out.

---

What Adaliya didn't expect was the black SUV that arrived at her apartment building later that evening, complete with two suited security guards. They were polite but professional, ushering her and her overnight bag into the vehicle without much conversation. The next surprise came when they pulled up to a private airport, where a sleek jet was waiting for her.

The sight of it made her pause. "A private jet?" she muttered under her breath. This was far beyond what she had anticipated. For a moment, she felt wildly out of place, unsure if this was really something she wanted to be a part of. But there was no turning back now. The guards led her onto the plane, and despite her reservations, Adaliya did her best to enjoy the experience. After all, it wasn't every day that someone flew her in a private jet.

The flight itself was smooth, and before she knew it, they had landed. A luxury car was waiting to take her to Nathaniel's penthouse. She'd been to some nice places before, but stepping into Nathaniel's flat was an entirely new level of luxury. It was spacious, modern, and elegant, with large windows that showcased a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

But Nathaniel wasn't there. One of the security guards mentioned that he was caught up in a meeting that had gone longer than expected. Adaliya was left alone in the penthouse, unsure what to do with herself. To pass the time, she wandered through the flat, taking in her surroundings.

She found little details about Nathaniel that made her smile. A collection of books on leadership and business in the study, yet a few old, worn-out novels that hinted at a more personal taste. In the living room, there was a picture of him and his grandparents on a ski trip, Nathaniel looking a little younger and more carefree. She noticed how neat and organized everything was, but there was also a sense of warmth. It wasn't all cold and sterile like she had imagined.

By the time Nathaniel finally arrived, Adaliya had been sitting on the couch, contemplating whether she'd made the right choice coming here. The door opened, and he walked in, looking a little flustered but relieved to see her.

"Adaliya, I'm so sorry," he said, immediately taking off his jacket. "That meeting ran longer than I expected."

"It's fine," she replied, brushing it off. "I had time to explore your place. It's... nice."

Nathaniel chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I hope it wasn't too boring." He moved closer, a boyish grin on his face. "So, what do you want to do tonight? I've got a few ideas."

Adaliya shrugged, feeling a bit out of her depth. "I don't know. What do you usually do?"

"Well," Nathaniel began, leaning against the back of the couch. "We could go out to dinner, take a walk... or," his eyes brightened, "I could take you on a helicopter tour around the city."

Her eyes widened. "A helicopter?"

He nodded, excitement evident in his voice. "Trust me, it's worth it. You'll get a view of the city you've never seen before."

Adaliya hesitated for a moment, but the idea was too enticing to resist. "Alright. Let's do it."

---

The helicopter ride was magical. As they soared high above the glittering city lights, Adaliya found herself smiling more than she had in a long time. Nathaniel sat beside her, pointing out landmarks and sharing stories about his life in the city, but she was mostly captivated by the view. It was something she never could have imagined doing in her everyday life.

When they returned to his penthouse, the evening had taken on a lighter tone. Nathaniel suggested ordering takeout, which she happily agreed to. They settled on Chinese food, but when the food arrived, Adaliya noticed that Nathaniel barely touched his.

"Not hungry?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nathaniel smiled sheepishly. "My body's not really used to high-processed food. I have to stick to my chef's meals."

"Ah," she said, feeling a bit guilty as she dug into her dumplings. "Well, I won't hold it against you."

He chuckled, taking a bite of his pre-made food. "I'll just enjoy your company instead."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Nathaniel asked her about her work, her art, and she found herself relaxing more and more. He seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, and it felt... nice. But there was still that underlying tension, the unspoken history between them.

When they finished eating, Nathaniel stood up and stretched. "I can book you a room at a hotel, or you can stay here in the guest room. Totally up to you."

Adaliya hesitated, not wanting to seem too eager, but also not wanting to spend the night at some impersonal hotel. "The guest room is fine," she finally said.

Nathaniel smiled. "Great. I'll show you to it."

He led her down the hallway to a spacious, well-decorated room. She thanked him before he left, and once alone, she let out a long breath. This was surreal—being here with him after all these years. As she got ready for bed, her thoughts kept returning to the helicopter ride, the conversation, and the way he had looked at her with that same intensity as years before.

It was going to be an interesting weekend.