His name was Nathaniel

96

Nathaniel stood near the door, fastening the buttons on his cufflinks with practiced ease.

Adaliya, still lounging on the couch in her sundress, watched him with mild amusement.

"You're really leaving me alone with your black card again?" she teased.

Nathaniel smirked as he reached into his wallet and pulled it out, setting it on the table beside her. "Consider it a challenge."

Adaliya raised an eyebrow. "A challenge?"

"To actually use it," he said, slipping on his suit jacket. "I swear, you act like spending my money is a crime."

She rolled her eyes. "Because I don't need to spend your money."

Nathaniel leaned down, pressing a slow kiss to her forehead. "That's not the point."

Adaliya exhaled. "Nathaniel, I'm not about to go on some extravagant shopping spree just because—"

The doorbell rang.

Nathaniel straightened, glancing at his watch. "That's probably Violet."

Adaliya blinked. "Wait, Violet?"

"I told her you were staying here," he said casually. "Figured you'd want company."

Before Adaliya could react, Nathaniel was already opening the door, revealing a very enthusiastic Violet.

"Ah, perfect timing," she said, breezing past Nathaniel and into the penthouse like she owned it. She shot Adaliya a grin. "Morning, sunshine."

Adaliya shook her head. "You really don't knock, do you?"

Violet smirked. "Not when I know I'm welcome."

Nathaniel sighed, glancing between them. "I should go before this turns into a full conversation."

Adaliya smirked. "Afraid you'll miss us too much?"

Nathaniel hummed, tilting her chin up and stealing a quick but firm kiss before pulling away. "I'll be back later."

Violet clutched her chest dramatically. "Ugh, disgusting. I'm telling the guards to send bleach for my eyes."

Nathaniel ignored her, sending Adaliya one last lingering glance before heading out.

And just like that, the moment the door shut behind him, Violet turned to Adaliya immediately.

"So," she said, plopping onto the couch. "What's the plan?"

Adaliya blinked. "Plan?"

Violet grinned. "For your day of luxury, obviously. He left you the card, didn't he?"

Adaliya sighed, picking up the black card from the table and flipping it between her fingers. "Apparently."

Violet let out an excited gasp. "Oh, we are going shopping later."

Adaliya groaned. "I knew you'd say that."

Violet smirked. "But first—Pilates."

Adaliya frowned. "Since when do I do Pilates?"

"Since today."

Adaliya exhaled dramatically. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Violet grinned. "Obviously."

⸻

Adaliya hadn't expected to enjoy Pilates.

But despite the mild torture of core workouts and flexibility stretches, she had to admit—it wasn't terrible.