The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently waking A'ja. She stretched in bed, turning to find Serayah still asleep, her soft curls sprawled across the pillow. A'ja smiled, leaning down to press a light kiss to Serayah's cheek.
Today was the day.
A'ja slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb her, and headed to the kitchen. Her nerves hummed with excitement as she brewed coffee and mentally ran through the itinerary for their Napa Valley getaway. She checked her phone-everything was set. The villa, the flowers, the dinner... and the ring safely tucked away in her suitcase.
Once Serayah woke up, they got ready and loaded their bags into the car. Serayah noticed A'ja's unusually giddy mood.
"You're in a good mood this morning," Serayah teased, sliding into the passenger seat.
A'ja grinned as she started the car. "Just excited to spend some quality time with my girl."
Serayah smiled, reaching over to take A'ja's hand. "Well, I'm excited too. I've been needing this getaway."
The drive to Napa was filled with music and laughter, the kind of ease that had become second nature in their relationship. Serayah occasionally glanced at A'ja, noting her focused expression and the subtle hints of nervous energy radiating from her.
"You okay, baby?" Serayah asked, squeezing A'ja's hand.
"Yeah, just thinking about how perfect this trip is gonna be," A'ja said, flashing her a reassuring smile.
The private villa was everything A'ja had hoped for: secluded, elegant, and surrounded by breathtaking vineyards. As they pulled up, Serayah gasped softly, her eyes widening.
"A'ja... this is beautiful!" she exclaimed, stepping out of the car and taking in the picturesque view.
"I thought you'd like it," A'ja said, coming up behind her and wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Like it? I love it," Serayah replied, turning to kiss A'ja softly.
They carried their bags inside, and Serayah wandered through the villa, marveling at the tasteful décor and the serene atmosphere.
Before the evening plans, A'ja wanted to make sure Serayah was completely at ease. They spent the afternoon exploring the vineyard, sipping on wine during a private tasting, and walking hand-in-hand through rows of grapevines.
Serayah leaned her head on A'ja's shoulder as they strolled. "This is perfect, baby. Thank you for planning this."
"Anything for you," A'ja said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Afterward, they lounged by the villa's pool, enjoying the warm sun and the peaceful silence of the countryside. Serayah teased A'ja about her sunscreen skills, insisting she missed a spot on her shoulder.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, A'ja excused herself to "check on dinner," though her real mission was to ensure everything was in place for the proposal. She spoke with the chef, who confirmed the timing for the meal, and double-checked the floral arrangements and candles that would be set up later that night.
Returning to Serayah, A'ja found her in the bedroom, fresh from a shower and wrapped in a fluffy robe. She was scrolling through her phone, completely relaxed.
"You've been sneaky all day," Serayah said, raising an eyebrow as A'ja leaned against the doorframe.
A'ja smirked. "You'll see why soon enough. Just trust me."
Serayah laughed, shaking her head. "I always trust you, baby."
The chef prepared an intimate dinner served on the villa's terrace, lit by a warm glow of candles. The sound of the string quartet playing softly in the background set the perfect romantic mood.
