His name was Nathaniel

58

Nathaniel sat back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, still processing the wave of emotions from the kiss they had just shared. It lingered on his lips like a sweet reminder, leaving him feeling both elated and a bit flustered. The office was dimly lit, the city skyline casting long shadows across the room. His ankle was propped up, still in its cast, and the quiet between them lingered for just a moment too long.

Adaliya shifted in her seat across from him, her eyes flickering toward the window. She had caught him completely off guard when she surprised him, showing up unannounced to finally give him an answer to the question he had been anxiously waiting for.

"So..." Nathaniel began, trying to shake off his flustered state and read her expression. "I can't believe you flew in without telling me. I would have arranged something special."

Adaliya glanced up, offering a small, almost sheepish smile. "That was kind of the point. I wanted to surprise you."

Nathaniel blinked, confusion washing over him. "Surprise me? You bought your own ticket?"

She nodded. "Yeah and my hotel room. I didn't want to feel like I was imposing."

Nathaniel leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But I would have been happy to cover your expenses. I don't mind—honestly, it's not a big deal for me."

Adaliya sighed, trying to find the right words. "That's exactly why I didn't tell you. I'm not used to... to someone offering to pay for everything. It makes me feel uncomfortable."

He tilted his head, a small frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But why not? I just want you to be comfortable."

"I know," she said, her gaze falling to the floor. "And I appreciate it. But it makes me feel... out of place. Like I don't belong in this world."

Nathaniel's expression softened, but the confusion remained. "I just want you to feel taken care of. Why don't you just cancel the hotel and stay with me tonight? That way, you don't have to worry about anything, and I won't have to wonder if you're comfortable in some hotel across town."

Adaliya froze, her mind racing as she replayed his words. Stay? With him? Her heart stuttered in her chest, her mind immediately jumping to conclusions. Yes she already spent a weekend at his place but under different circumstances. It wasn't just about logistics; staying the night felt loaded with implications she wasn't sure she was ready for.

"I... I don't think that's a good idea," she managed, trying to steady her voice.

Nathaniel's eyes widened slightly. "Why not?" He sounded genuinely bewildered especially since she had already spent a weekend at his place with him.
"I have plenty of space. It's not like I'm asking you to—" He stopped short, a faint flush creeping up his neck as realization began to dawn on him. "Wait, you think I meant..."

Adaliya bit her lip, nodding slowly. "I thought you might want to... you know, be intimate... now that we're dating"

Nathaniel's eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed utterly flustered, his usual composure slipping. "No! I mean, I wasn't thinking about that at all. I just... I just thought it would be nice to have you here, that's all." His voice softened as he added, "I wasn't expecting anything."

Adaliya exhaled, relieved but still somewhat thrown by the awkwardness of the situation. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume. It's just... moving that fast isn't something I'm ready for."

Nathaniel's confusion only deepened. "I didn't mean to make you feel rushed. I don't want you to feel pressured."

"I'm not," Adaliya assured him, reaching for his hand. "I just... I've never done this before. Not with someone like you. And I'm not ready to dive in headfirst. I want to take my time."

Nathaniel looked up at her, his eyes filled with a vulnerability she hadn't seen in him before. "I want to do this right, Adaliya. But I don't always know what that means. I've never... I've never done this before either."

The admission hung in the air between them, soft and unguarded. Adaliya felt her heart soften at his honesty. Nathaniel, for all his wealth and power, was as unsure about relationships as she was. In that moment, she realized they were both navigating new territory, trying to find their way without a map.

"We'll figure it out," she said quietly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Together. One step at a time."

Nathaniel nodded, relief flickering across his face. "One step at a time."

The tension slowly melted away, replaced by a quiet understanding between them. As they sat together in his office, the city lights twinkling outside, it became clear that this wasn't just about where they stayed or who paid for what. It was about learning to communicate, to trust, and to grow into whatever this was—together.

Adaliya felt a sense of warmth wash over her, the moment feeling pivotal in their developing relationship. For the first time since their complicated history, she could see a glimmer of hope, a future where they could build something real and meaningful, without rushing into anything they weren't ready for.

"Okay, then," Nathaniel said, breaking the silence. "How about we take a walk? We can grab something to eat, talk about all the things we've missed, and—" he paused, a playful smirk forming on his lips, "I promise to let you choose where we go."

Adaliya laughed, the sound light and airy in the dim office. "You promise?"

"I promise," Nathaniel replied, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. "And who knows, maybe I'll even let you teach me how to eat properly in the 'real world' instead of the fancy places I'm used to."

Adaliya smiled, feeling her heart swell. "Deal. But just so you know, I'm a sucker for street food."

Nathaniel chuckled, clearly intrigued. "Street food it is, then. Let's go."

As they left the office, Adaliya felt a renewed sense of excitement. The uncertainty of their relationship still lingered, but for the first time, it felt manageable. They would navigate this together, step by step, and maybe, just maybe, they could find their way toward something beautiful.