His name was Nathaniel

95

Adaliya had expected to wake up to an empty bed.

It wasn't that she wanted Nathaniel to rush off to work, but she had gotten used to his routine—his early departures, his insistence on being at the office before anyone else, his relentless work ethic that often left him exhausted.

But this morning was different.

Instead of waking up alone, she stirred to the feeling of warmth beside her.

Nathaniel was still in bed.

His arm was lazily draped over her waist, his body radiating heat against her back. His breathing was slow and steady, his usual tension noticeably absent.

For a moment, Adaliya thought he was still asleep.

But then, in a deep, groggy voice, he murmured, "You're awake."

She turned slightly, blinking at him in the morning light. His hair was slightly tousled, his face softer without the usual sharp intensity.

She smiled. "So are you."

Nathaniel let out a slow sigh, rubbing his face. "For once, I don't have to be anywhere."

Adaliya raised an eyebrow. "You're not rushing off to the office?"

"Nope."

She sat up slightly, surprised. "Did the world end overnight?"

Nathaniel smirked, voice still thick with sleep. "No. I'm just letting my apprentice handle things for a few hours."

Adaliya blinked. "You trust him that much?"

Nathaniel stretched, his muscles flexing slightly as he sighed. "I don't have much of a choice." He turned to look at her, his gaze softening. "And besides, I'd rather spend my morning here."

A warmth bloomed in Adaliya's chest.

He had chosen to stay.

With her.

She didn't say anything, but she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his lips—a quiet thank you, unspoken but understood.

Nathaniel hummed against her mouth. "If you keep doing that, we won't be leaving this bed anytime soon."

Adaliya laughed, pulling away. "We need to have breakfast first, then you can try to seduce me again."

Nathaniel grinned. "Deal."

⸻

For once, there were no urgent calls.

No interruptions.

No demands for Nathaniel's attention.

Instead, the morning unfolded slowly—a rarity in both their lives.

Nathaniel stayed in the kitchen as Adaliya made breakfast, sitting at the counter and watching her with a content expression.

"You really like staring, huh?" she teased, flipping a pancake.

Nathaniel smirked. "Can you blame me?"

She rolled her eyes but felt the warmth of his gaze linger on her.

They ate together, laughing over small things, enjoying the normalcy of it all. Nathaniel seemed lighter today—less burdened, less guarded.

And Adaliya?

She felt like she was finally seeing a side of him that few ever got to witness.

⸻

After breakfast, Adaliya disappeared into the bedroom to change.

She wasn't trying to make a statement—just choosing something comfortable for the day.

When she returned, now wearing a light, flowy sundress, Nathaniel barely reacted at first.

But then, as she walked across the room, he did a slight double take.

It was subtle—the way his gaze flickered over her before settling on something else, the way his fingers paused for a second against the rim of his coffee cup.

Adaliya didn't comment on it.

But when she reached for something on the counter, she felt his eyes on her again.

Nathaniel cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "That's... a nice dress."

Adaliya raised an eyebrow. "Thanks?"

He nodded, glancing away as if trying to focus on something else.

A small smirk tugged at her lips.

Oh.

So that's what was happening.

She had heard about this phenomenon before—how something as simple as a sundress could make a man act just a little different.

And apparently, Nathaniel Donovan was not immune.

She didn't push it, didn't tease him outright.

But when she moved past him again, she swore she saw his fingers tighten ever so slightly against the table, his posture just a little more rigid than before.

Nathaniel, being Nathaniel, wouldn't admit anything.

But Adaliya had a feeling she had definitely won this round.

⸻

The rest of the morning was filled with lighthearted conversation, comfortable silences, and the quiet joy of simply existing together.

Adaliya wasn't in a rush to leave.

Nathaniel wasn't in a rush to work.

And for the first time in a long time, they both allowed themselves to just be.

⸻

A/N: we're almost at 100 chapters and I'm not even close to the end of this story😭😭😭😭😭