His name was Nathaniel

61

The faint glow of the early morning sun crept through the massive windows of Nathaniel's penthouse, casting a soft, golden light across the room. Adaliya stirred beneath the covers, blinking awake. She stretched her arms above her head, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and as the events of the previous night came back to her, a smile tugged at her lips.

Nathaniel's penthouse. His guest room. His presence.

She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was still early—earlier than she would have liked—but she had an idea, and if she was going to pull it off, she needed to get up now.

Quietly slipping out of bed, Adaliya padded across the plush carpet and into the guest bathroom. She splashed some cold water on her face to shake off the remnants of sleep, then changed into a pair of cute pajamas she had packed just in case—a soft, pastel set that made her feel both comfortable and a little put together. She checked her reflection in the mirror, smoothing out her hair before tiptoeing out into the hallway.

The kitchen was her destination. Last night, Nathaniel had taken care of her, making sure she had everything she needed. Today, it was her turn. She'd make him breakfast—a small gesture to show her appreciation, and maybe to prolong their time together before she had to leave.

But as soon as she stepped into the massive, sleek kitchen, she realized she had underestimated the task. Nathaniel's kitchen was filled with high-tech gadgets, all gleaming and unfamiliar. It looked more like a showroom than a space meant for cooking. Adaliya stood frozen for a moment, staring at the array of appliances. She could cook—she was actually a pretty good cook—but none of the gadgets in front of her made any sense.

"Okay, Adaliya, you've got this," she muttered to herself.

She started by rummaging through the cabinets, hoping to find some familiar tools. After a bit of trial and error—some overly complicated buttons on the stovetop, a coffee maker that looked like it belonged in a spaceship—she finally figured out how everything worked. She wasn't about to let some fancy technology stop her.

Soon, the smell of eggs sizzling in the pan filled the kitchen. She sliced up fresh fruit, brewed coffee, and even managed to find some ingredients for pancakes. Adaliya worked efficiently, moving around the kitchen with a newfound confidence. It wasn't long before she had a breakfast spread laid out on the counter, the rich smell of food wafting through the penthouse.

Satisfied with her work, she wiped her hands on a towel and turned around—just in time to see Nathaniel limping slightly into the room, his crutches noticeably absent.

Adaliya's breath caught in her throat. Nathaniel looked... different. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair messy and slightly tousled from sleep. But more than that, his body seemed more sculpted than the last time she'd seen him. His broad shoulders and toned arms flexed slightly as he balanced himself, and Adaliya couldn't help but notice the subtle definition in his chest and arms. It was clear he'd been working out during the years apart.

For a moment, she just stood there, flabbergasted. She had never seen him like this—so unguarded, so human. He almost resembled a little boy who had just woken up, rubbing sleep from his eyes, but there was something incredibly endearing and undeniably handsome about him, even in his groggy state.

Despite the limp and the grogginess, there was an air of quiet strength in the way he carried himself, and Adaliya felt her heart skip a beat.

Nathaniel finally noticed her standing by the counter and blinked, his confusion clear. "Adaliya?" His voice was hoarse with sleep, and he rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing up so early?"

Adaliya smiled, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. "I thought I'd make us breakfast. I hope you don't mind."

Nathaniel looked at the spread of food, still a bit dazed. "You... made all this?"

She nodded, beaming. "Surprised?"

He scratched the back of his head, still trying to process it. "Yeah. I wasn't expecting this." He paused, taking a deep breath as the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit him. "But it smells amazing."

Adaliya's grin widened, and she handed him a cup of coffee. "Here. Drink this before you fall back asleep on your feet."

Nathaniel accepted the mug, chuckling softly as he took a sip. "I don't think I've ever had someone make me breakfast before."

"Really?" Adaliya raised an eyebrow. "Not even in this huge kitchen with all these fancy gadgets?"

He shook his head, leaning against the counter. "The staff usually handles that. But this... this is different."

Adaliya laughed lightly, gesturing to the plates. "Well, it's not as fancy as what your chefs might make, but I think it'll do the job."

They sat down at the small dining table, the morning light filtering through the windows as they dug into the meal. Nathaniel took a bite of the pancakes, his expression softening. "This is great," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I didn't realize you were such a good cook."

Adaliya smiled, feeling a bit shy under his praise. "Thanks. I figured it was the least I could do after you let me stay."

Nathaniel waved his hand dismissively. "You don't have to thank me for that. I'm just glad you're here."

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, but the weight of the morning began to settle over them. Adaliya's eyes flickered to the clock on the wall, her heart sinking a little.

"I should probably tell you," she said, breaking the quiet. "I have to catch my flight soon."

Nathaniel paused, his fork hovering in midair. "So soon?"

She nodded, sighing softly. "Yeah. I have classes tomorrow, and I can't miss them. You know how it is."

Nathaniel's expression shifted, disappointment flickering in his eyes. He put his fork down and leaned back in his chair, taking in her words. "I was hoping you could stay longer."

"I know," Adaliya said gently. "But I can't skip. I'm already behind on some of my assignments."

Nathaniel nodded slowly, running a hand through his hair. He didn't want to pressure her—he understood that she had her own life, her own responsibilities. She had made it clear from the start that her education was important to her, and as much as he wanted to keep her here with him, he respected that.

"I get it," he said finally, his voice softer than before. "I just... wish we had more time."

Adaliya smiled, reaching across the table to place her hand over his. "We'll have more time, Nathaniel. I promise."

He nodded, though the longing in his eyes hadn't completely faded. "Yeah. You're right."

They finished their breakfast in a quiet understanding, knowing that their time together—at least for now—was coming to an end. But as Adaliya gathered her things and prepared to leave, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel grateful for the morning they'd shared, for the way she had filled his home with warmth and laughter, even if only for a short while.