His name was Nathaniel

59

Nathaniel adjusted the crutches under his arms, walking carefully beside Adaliya as they strolled past the bustling food stalls. The smells of sizzling meats and fragrant spices filled the cool night air, and Nathaniel found himself smiling more easily than he had in a long time.

"I'll admit," he began, glancing at a vendor frying something crispy, "I didn't expect to be out here, doing this."

Adaliya chuckled, nudging him with her elbow. "It's a nice change, right? No waiters, no fancy menus, just food."

Nathaniel smirked. "I'm not sure I can handle this much freedom."

Adaliya looked up at him with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Remember the last time you tried something outside your usual world?" She paused, grinning. "That night when you escaped your father's mansion and met me downtown? I brought you those spicy Nigerian meat pies and you nearly coughed up a lung."

Nathaniel laughed, the sound light and carefree. "How could I forget? You were convinced I needed to 'expand my palate,' and I spent the entire night trying to breathe."

"You were so red," Adaliya teased. "I thought I'd have to rush you to the hospital."

Nathaniel shook his head, still laughing. "And you just stood there, watching me suffer, saying 'one more bite won't hurt.'"

Adaliya covered her mouth, laughing at the memory. "Well, you survived, didn't you? Toughened you up a bit."

They continued picking out small bites from different vendors, and Adaliya, noticing Nathaniel juggling his crutches and the food, stepped in to help.

"Here, let me," she said, picking up a piece of grilled chicken from their latest haul. "You'll end up dropping something."

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow but leaned in as Adaliya held out the bite for him. "I think I'm capable of feeding myself."

"Oh, sure," she said, rolling her eyes, "but your fragile stomach might need a little extra care tonight."

He chuckled, accepting the food. "Thanks. You're always looking out for me."

As they walked further down the street, the mood between them softened. They were no longer just joking about the past; there was something deeper in the air, a sense of shared trust and familiarity that had grown between them over the years.

"Adaliya," Nathaniel began quietly, his tone shifting. "About what we talked about earlier..."

She glanced at him, noticing the seriousness in his voice. "What is it?"

Nathaniel took a deep breath, steadying himself on his crutches before meeting her gaze. "I know we agreed to take things slow, and I want that too. But... I don't want you staying at some hotel. You don't have to. You could stay with me."

Adaliya slowed her pace, her smile fading as she thought about his offer. She didn't want to misread his intentions, but it felt like more than just a casual suggestion. They were navigating new territory together, and staying with him felt like a significant step.

"Nathaniel... I'm not sure..." She hesitated, unsure how to voice her concerns without overcomplicating things.

He smiled softly, his eyes warm and reassuring. "It doesn't have to mean anything more than just that. I just... I'd like to spend more time with you. We don't get enough of it as is."

Her heart swelled at his words, and she could see the sincerity in his expression. This wasn't about rushing into anything—it was simply about being together. After a long pause, she sighed and nodded.

"Okay," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I'll cancel the hotel."

Nathaniel's face lit up, clearly relieved. "You will?"

She nodded again, smiling. "Yeah. But we're still going slow."

"Of course," Nathaniel replied, his voice filled with warmth.

A sleek Rolls Royce pulled up at the curb just as they finished their conversation, one of Nathaniel's bodyguards stepping out from the driver's seat. "Mr. Donovan, your car is ready."

Nathaniel glanced at Adaliya, raising an eyebrow. "Shall we?"

She smiled, feeling the weight of the day start to lift. "Let's go."

As they settled into the plush backseat of the car, Nathaniel leaned back, exhaling softly. The streets outside whizzed by, the sounds of the city fading into the quiet hum of the Rolls Royce. Adaliya sat beside him, her head leaning back, eyes slowly drooping.

Nathaniel glanced at her, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched her fight off sleep. "You okay?" he asked, his voice soft.

Adaliya mumbled something incoherent, and before she could answer, her head gently dropped onto his shoulder. Nathaniel froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden contact, but then relaxed, allowing himself to enjoy the quiet moment.

The city lights flickered outside the car as they drove toward his penthouse, the world around them feeling distant, like it no longer mattered. As Nathaniel sat there, with Adaliya asleep on his shoulder, he realized how much things had changed between them. He no longer felt the need to rush or prove anything.

For the first time in a long time, Nathaniel Donovan felt at peace.