His name was Nathaniel

52

Sunday morning had rolled around quietly, the soft glow of early sunlight filtering through the tall windows of Nathaniel's penthouse. The city below was still waking up, but inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air.

Adaliya sat at the dining table, a delicate porcelain cup of tea in hand, watching Nathaniel as he prepared their breakfast. It was just the two of them this morning—Violet, as Nathaniel had mentioned, was not an early riser and preferred to sleep in on weekends. The peaceful silence between them was calming, but something about Nathaniel's demeanor felt off.

He moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, placing plates of scrambled eggs, fruit, and toast on the table. But Adaliya noticed how his movements were a bit slower than usual, how every now and then his brow would furrow as if fighting off discomfort. His normally perfect posture was slouched, and a faint shadow of fatigue clung to his features.

"You okay?" Adaliya asked gently, setting her cup down and leaning forward.

Nathaniel glanced at her, brushing off her concern with a tight smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't get much sleep last night."

Adaliya didn't buy it. She had seen him push through things before, always pretending everything was fine when it wasn't. "Nathaniel, you don't look fine. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

He tensed slightly, his jaw tightening as he avoided her gaze. "I said I'm fine, Adaliya," he replied, his tone sharper than usual.

The sudden shift in his mood caught her off guard, and she frowned. "I'm just worried about you. If you're not feeling well, you should rest—"

"I don't need to rest" he snapped, cutting her off. His voice wasn't loud, but the frustration in it was clear. He immediately seemed to regret it, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples, trying to regain control over his emotions. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just... I've been under a lot of stress lately."

Adaliya stayed silent for a moment, watching him closely. She could tell there was more to it than just stress, but she didn't want to push him any further. His health had always been a sensitive subject, and she knew he hated showing any kind of vulnerability.

"It's okay," she said softly, reaching across the table to place a reassuring hand on his arm. "But if you're not feeling up to it, you don't have to accompany me to the airport."

Nathaniel shook his head. "No, I want to. I'll be fine."

They finished their breakfast quietly, the tension from their earlier conversation lingering in the air. Adaliya didn't press him any further, but the worry gnawed at her. She could tell something wasn't right, but Nathaniel was stubborn, and getting him to open up about his health was like trying to break through a fortress.

Later, Nathaniel accompanied her to the airport. The drive was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Adaliya still felt conflicted about the whole weekend. It had been a mix of wonderful and emotionally draining. There had been moments where she could see the Nathaniel she used to know—the one she had once cared for deeply. But there were still walls between them, and she wasn't sure if they could ever truly break them down.

When they arrived at the airport, Adaliya was once again greeted by the sight of the sleek private jet that belonged to Nathaniel's family. The last time she had been on it, it had felt surreal, like she was stepping into a world far removed from her own. Now, it felt even more complicated.

Nathaniel walked her to the steps of the jet, his hands stuffed in his pockets as they stood facing each other. There was an air of finality in the moment, as if they both knew that after this weekend, things would never be the same between them.

Adaliya shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "Thank you for... everything this weekend," she began, her voice hesitant. "It was really nice spending time with you again."

Nathaniel gave her a small smile, but there was a tension behind his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether or not to say what was on his mind. Finally, he took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eye.

"Adaliya," he began, his voice unusually serious. "Before you go, I need to ask you something."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

He paused again, as if gathering the courage to speak, then asked bluntly, "Would you be willing to start dating me?"

The question hit her like a freight train. Adaliya's breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened in shock. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Nathaniel's gaze remained steady, though there was a vulnerability in his expression that she rarely saw. "I know things between us have been complicated... and I know I have a lot to make up for. But I want to try again. I want us to have a real chance." He shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with putting himself out there like this, but he didn't back down. "So... would you be willing to give me... us a shot?"

Adaliya stared at him, completely caught off guard. Her mind raced with a million thoughts at once. She wasn't sure she was ready for this. She wasn't sure she could fully trust him again after everything that had happened. But at the same time, a part of her wanted to believe him, to believe that they could start over and rebuild what they once had.

"I don't know, Nathaniel," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "I... I need time. This is all happening so fast, and I'm not sure if I'm ready."

Nathaniel's face fell slightly, but he nodded, understanding. "I get it. I do. Take all the time you need. I just... I wanted to be honest with you about how I feel."

They stood there for a moment, the weight of his words hanging between them. Adaliya didn't know what to say. She didn't know what the right answer was. All she knew was that her heart was torn between the past and the future, and she wasn't sure which way to go.

Finally, she gave him a small smile, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I'll think about it."

Nathaniel nodded, a mixture of hope and fear in his expression. "That's all I can ask for."

With that, he stepped back, allowing her to board the jet. As Adaliya climbed the steps, her mind was still swirling with thoughts. She glanced back at him one last time before disappearing into the jet, unsure of what the future held for them.