23. Ariana

CHAPTER 23

ARIANA

" V alen," I say, stepping into his study. The room smells of polished wood and faintly of the cigars his guests always seem to bring. He looks up from his papers, green eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity.

"Ariana," he replies, setting down his pen. "What can I do for you?"

"I want to have dinner with you," I blurt out before my courage wavers. His eyebrows lift in surprise, and I hastily add, "I mean, just the two of us."

He leans back in his chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I think that's lovely. I'll tell the chefs to prepare something special."

"No," I interrupt, taking a step closer. "I want to make you dinner."

He looks genuinely confused. "You do know we have a full kitchen staff for that, right? Plenty of money and people to handle it."

"I know," I say, smiling softly. "But I want to do this myself. For us."

He studies me for a moment, as if trying to decipher my motives. Finally, he nods. "Alright. If it means that much to you."

"It does," I assure him. "I'll need to go to the market for ingredients."

His confusion shifts into curiosity. "What are you planning to cook?"

"You'll see," I tease lightly.

He chuckles, a rare sound that makes my heart skip a beat. "Very well then. I'll look forward to it."

Leaving the estate, the streets of Armstrong greet me with their usual dust and decay, but today they seem almost... inviting. The market buzzes with life—vendors shouting their wares, children darting between stalls, and the smell of spices mingling with the ever-present scent of old stone and metal.

As I navigate through the crowd, my thoughts drift back to Valen and how far we've come together. When I first started working at his estate, he was an enigma wrapped in layers of wealth and mystery. Now, he's still an enigma but one who’s let me peek behind the curtain.

I select fresh vegetables from a vendor who smiles at me kindly. My fingers brush over ripe tomatoes and fragrant herbs as if anchoring myself in this moment.

The memories flood in: our first accidental touch that sparked something indescribable between us; his protective presence when my ex-boyfriend showed up uninvited; our shared dinners where words were few but emotions ran deep.

As I pay for my purchases, I can’t help but feel a swell of gratitude mixed with trepidation. We've had our misunderstandings—his protective gestures sometimes felt like control—but tonight is my way of showing him how much he means to me.

Back at the estate, the kitchen staff eyes me curiously as I take over their domain. They offer help, which I politely decline. This is something I need to do myself.

Chopping vegetables and simmering sauces becomes a meditation—a way to channel all my feelings into something tangible and nourishing.

Valen’s enigmatic nature still keeps me on edge sometimes, but tonight is about more than just food; it's about trust and connection—two things we've both struggled with but are slowly learning together.

As the aromas fill the kitchen, a sense of calm washes over me. Tonight isn't just another meal; it's a step towards understanding each other better—towards building something real amidst all the uncertainty that surrounds us.

Finally satisfied with my preparations, I set the table in one of the more intimate dining rooms—candles flickering softly against the polished wood—and wait for Valen to join me.

Tonight isn't just about impressing him; it's about sharing a piece of myself in a way that words alone could never convey. And as nervous as I am about how he'll react, there's also an undeniable excitement bubbling within me—a hope that this simple gesture will bring us even closer together in ways neither of us could have imagined when we first met.

When Valen steps into the room, his eyes meet mine across the candlelit table, and for once there are no mysteries—just two people trying to find their way through this complex dance we call love.

Valen steps into the dining room, a small wrapped package in his hand. The flickering candlelight casts a warm glow over his golden skin and the determined set of his jaw. I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest as he strides towards me, his presence filling the room.

"What's that?" I ask, nodding towards the package.

He smiles, a rare, genuine smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "Open it," he says, handing it to me as he moves to pour wine into our glasses.

I carefully peel back the wrapping paper, revealing a simple wooden box. Inside, nestled in soft fabric, is a wooden hair clip shaped like a delicate flower. Its craftsmanship is exquisite yet understated.

"I noticed you always have your hair in your face when you work," he says, handing me a glass of wine. "I thought this might help."

I run my fingers over the smooth wood, marveling at its simplicity. It's not gaudy or extravagant—it's perfect. He understands me in ways I hadn't realized.

"It's beautiful," I say softly, meeting his eyes. "Thank you."

He nods, satisfaction evident in his eyes as he takes a seat across from me. "Shall we?"

Dinner is a harmonious blend of flavors and conversation. We discuss mundane things at first—the weather on Armstrong, the state of the market—but gradually our talk shifts to deeper subjects.

"Valen," I begin hesitantly, setting down my fork. "Why did you really bring me here? To your estate?"

He leans back, swirling the wine in his glass thoughtfully. "Initially? Curiosity," he admits. "You were different from everyone else—genuine."

"And now?" I press gently.

His gaze meets mine, intense and unwavering. "Now? I'm committed to this... to us." He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "I want to protect you, but more than that—I want to build something real with you."

A warmth spreads through me at his words. The walls I've built around my heart start to crumble.

"I feel the same way," I confess.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment before I speak again. "You know, when I first met you... I thought you were just another rich man hiding behind walls of wealth and mystery."

He chuckles softly. "And now?"

"Now?" I smile, squeezing his hand. "Now I see you're much more than that."

We finish our meal, sharing stories and dreams under the soft candlelight. The connection between us feels stronger than ever—built on trust and mutual respect.

As we clear the table together, Valen brushes a strand of hair from my face and secures it with the wooden clip. His touch is gentle yet firm—a silent promise of his commitment.

"I'm glad you're here," he murmurs, leaning closer until our foreheads touch.

"Me too," I whisper back, feeling a sense of peace settle over me.

Valen steps closer, his green eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. Without a word, he cups my face gently, his touch warm and steady. His lips brush against mine in a kiss that starts soft but quickly deepens, filled with a passion that leaves me dizzy.

When he pulls back, there's a spark in his eyes that wasn't there before. "Dinner was marvelous," he murmurs, his voice low and filled with admiration. "I could taste the love you poured into it."

I smile, feeling my cheeks flush with warmth. "Thank you," I whisper, "for everything."

He steps back slightly, giving me space but keeping his hand on mine. "You don’t need to thank me for that. It’s the least I could do."

"But it means a lot," I insist, squeezing his hand. "You've done more for me than anyone else ever has."

He looks at me for a moment, as if trying to read the thoughts behind my words. "Ariana," he says softly, "I want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."

I nod, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over me. It's strange how quickly my life has changed since meeting him—how someone who was once a stranger can now feel like an integral part of my world.

I catch his eye and grin. "So, what's next on our agenda?"

"Well," he says thoughtfully, wiping his hands on a towel, "I was thinking we could take a walk through the gardens. The night is clear, and I hear there's going to be a meteor shower."

"That sounds perfect," I reply, my heart swelling with anticipation.

We step out into the cool night air, the garden bathed in moonlight. Valen's presence beside me feels reassuring and solid—a constant in an ever-changing world.

We walk in comfortable silence for a while before I speak up. "You know," I say softly, "when I first came here, I never imagined this is where we'd end up."

He chuckles softly. "Neither did I. But I'm glad we did."

I glance at him sideways, noticing how the moonlight accentuates the sharp angles of his face and the mysterious glint in his eyes. Despite all the challenges and uncertainties we've faced, there's an undeniable sense of rightness about being here with him.

"I feel like there's a glorious future ahead for us," I admit quietly.

He stops walking and turns to face me fully. "There is," he says firmly, lifting my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "We'll build it together."

The sincerity in his words wraps around my heart like a warm embrace. As we continue our walk under the starry sky, I can't help but feel hopeful and excited for whatever lies ahead—knowing that we'll face it together.

And for now, that's more than enough.