Adrian and I sat in the car,, the soft purring of the kitten filling the space between us like a gentle lullaby,, He handed her to me carefully,, his fingers lingering just a second too long as they brushed against mine,, My heart fluttered with that small touch,, but before I could decipher what it meant,, his knowing smile sent another wave of confusion through me,, He started the engine without a word,, and we followed Lily's car straight to the hotel..
The sky outside melted into a palette of deep oranges and velvety purples,, the last light of the day casting a dreamy glow over the city,, The silence between Adrian and me wasn't awkward—but it was heavy with things unsaid,, I turned to peek at him...
His profile looked carved from golden dusk,, jaw clenched ever so slightly,, as if his mind was racing..
"You're quiet,," I murmured,, fingers grazing the kitten's soft fur...
Adrian glanced at me briefly,, then focused back on the road. "Just thinking,," he said,, his voice calm,, but there was something simmering beneath it...
We arrived at the hotel just as Lily hopped out of her car,, stretching her arms with a big grin. "Let's have cookies with hot chocolate!!" she declared,, bouncing on her heels..
I laughed,, momentarily grateful for her energy. "Yes, yes, Lily!! Let's go!!We can sit in the garden and enjoy the evening breeze!!"
Adrian and Mike exchanged amused glances,, their expressions like two older brothers letting kids run wild. Mike chuckled. "Alright,, you girls go enjoy your cookies and hot chocolate... Adrian and I will have some tea and snacks."
As Lily grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the garden,, I caught Adrian watching me,, his expression unreadable again. Was it amusement?? Longing?? Annoyance?? I couldn't tell. And that only made the knot in my chest tighter...
The garden sparkled with fairy lights woven through trees,, casting a magical glow that danced across the stone paths and low garden tables,, The breeze whispered through the leaves as we found a cozy table tucked near the railing that overlooked the city below.
Our drinks arrived just as the stars began to peek through the sky. I leaned back,, sipping the rich cocoa and letting my thoughts drift,, only to be interrupted by Lily's smirk.
"You do know the guests are arriving tomorrow evening,, right??" she said with a raised brow.
I groaned. "Of course I know,, Our parents too."
Lily giggled. "Oh,, right!! But there's something else—you and Adrian will be rehearsing the couple dance alone tomorrow... The instructor had to leave unexpectedly."
My cocoa nearly slipped from my hand,, I glanced at Adrian instinctively. He was at another table,, eyes on me as if he'd heard every word. That same warm gaze sent a current through me—steady and slow but intense. I blinked,, heart pounding.
Lily giggled again. "Please,, you two!! Stop staring like lovesick fools!! Kids..."
I shot her a playful glare. "We are not kids!!"
"Oh,, but you are—lovebirds in denial,," she sang,, kicking her legs beneath the table.
My face heated up,, and before I could argue, the kitten leapt onto my lap and began nuzzling me lovingly. I beamed. "See,, Adrian?? She loves me more than you!!"
Adrian strolled over to us slowly,, bending down slightly so his voice was just a whisper near my ear,. "Seems like the kitten prefers mom over dad now."
His breath sent shivers down my spine... I glanced up at him,, cheeks flushed,, only to find Luka—Luka??—standing near the entrance,, his eyes fixed on us.
My smile faded slightly...
Luka,, dressed in a casual black button-up and jeans,, looked out of place in this warmth. His gaze flicked between Adrian and me,, then settled on the kitten in my arms.
"Hey,," he said,, stepping closer. "You didn't tell me you were back..."
I blinked,, flustered. "I thought you were busy with the wedding stuff…"
"I was... But I had a feeling you'd be here."
Adrian straightened beside me,, his smile thin. "Good instinct..."
Luka ignored him,, his eyes softening as they met mine. "Can I sit with you,, Rimi??"
Lily,, clearly amused,, raised her eyebrows. I hesitated,, heart skipping a beat,, but then I nodded. "Sure."
As Luka took the seat beside me,, his knee brushed against mine—intentionally or not,, I couldn't tell—and the kitten meowed in protest,, clearly jealous of losing attention. Luka chuckled and reached out to scratch behind her ear... "So this is the little scene-stealer??"
"She's not a scene-stealer,," Adrian interrupted coolly,, leaning against the chair opposite mine... "She's a good judge of character."
"Oh??" Luka smiled without looking at him. "Guess I'll have to win her over then."
The air between them crackled... I sat frozen between them,, painfully aware of the way both their gazes kept returning to me. Adrian's was burning—unwavering and filled with something possessive... Luka's was softer but charged with old familiarity...
"Guys,," Lily piped up suddenly,, breaking the tension. "Let's go to my room,, I need to talk to all of you. It's important..."
Adrian looked at me,, brows furrowed. "What's going on??"
"No idea,," I whispered,, grateful for the excuse to move.
We followed Lily upstairs,, Luka walking beside me,, Adrian a step behind. I could almost feel his gaze boring into Luka's back...
To my surprise,, Lily led us to the hotel's private theater. She turned dramatically... "No one is leaving until we talk,. And if anyone tries,, I'll stop speaking to them."
Mike grinned. "Relax,, Lily. The kitten is with the caretaker. We're all yours,, "
Adrian leaned down again,, whispering near my ear,, "Rimi,, let's escape."
I giggled softly,, voice hushed. "We can't. They're our friends..."
We settled into plush seats as the projector hummed to life.. The opening lines of Romeo and Juliet filled the room... I felt Luka's shoulder graze mine,, and a flicker of warmth pulsed through me.. On the other side, Adrian sat tense,, his fingers slowly reaching for mine.
I let him take my hand,, my thumb brushing his knuckles. But my eyes kept drifting toward Luka—toward the memories that refused to fade... I didn't know why,, but tonight... it felt like I was standing on the edge of something... Or maybe between two things.
Halfway through the movie,, I couldn't keep my composure. As Romeo whispered his final goodbye,, tears welled in my eyes. My chest tightened. The room felt too quiet,, too overwhelming.
I stood abruptly and left for the balcony...
The night air kissed my skin,, cool and clear. I leaned on the railing,, wiping away tears, struggling to breathe. Memories flooded me—of dancing in the rain,, of someone whispering promises in the dark,, of a boy whose touch used to calm storms inside me...
Adrian...
No—Kai??
I didn't know anymore...
A warm hand touched my shoulder,. I turned quickly—Adrian.
"You okay??" His voice was soft, but edged with worry.
I nodded weakly. "The movie just got to me..."
His eyes searched mine. "Or is it something else??"
I swallowed. "I don't know…"
Before he could ask more,, footsteps approached—and there stood Luka,, holding a blanket.
"You forgot this,," he said,, draping it over my shoulders. "It's cold.."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "I had it covered..."
Luka tilted his head. "She looked cold. That's all..."
"I'm fine,," I said quickly,, caught between them,, my voice smaller than I wanted it to be.
"Maybe you should come back in,," Adrian murmured,, his hand finding mine again.
"Or stay out a bit longer,," Luka said softly. "It's peaceful out here."
I looked between them—two versions of comfort,, two histories entwining around me. My mind felt like a mess. My heart?? Worse.
Eventually,, Lily dragged us back inside for another movie. This one was a comedy,, and despite everything,, I laughed—more than I had in days. Luka and Adrian sat on either side of me. Their hands rested on either arm of my chair. I could feel them both—close,, tense,, present.
Adrian's thumb absently brushed mine... Luka's leg grazed mine again.
By the time the film ended,, I was exhausted from pretending I wasn't overwhelmed.
"I'm heading to my room,," I announced. "The kitten needs dinner."
As I walked away,, I could feel both their eyes on me.
When I reached my room and opened the door,, I froze.
A bouquet of white and black roses lay on the bed.
My heart stilled. I picked it up,, inhaling the rich,, haunting scent.
No note...
"Who…??" I whispered aloud,, though I had a sinking suspicion.
Could it be Adrian?? But he wasn't the poetic type. Luka?? He always over protective for me... but he doesn't about my favorite flower.... maybe...
I set the bouquet aside,, heart thudding. The kitten meowed loudly,, snapping me out of the spiral. I scooped her up and fed her,, trying to shake the confusion.
The shower didn't help. I let the water run cold, hoping to calm my racing thoughts,, but it was no use. My mind played the same scene over and over—Adrian's eyes,, Luka's lingering touch,, the roses.
Adrian looked like Kai... Moved like him.... He made my heart stutter...
But Luka is like my brother...
As I climbed into bed,, the kitten curled beside me, I whispered to the darkness,, "What is happening to me??"
Sleep didn't come easily. But in the space between dreams and waking,, two names danced on my lips...
Adrian...
Luka...
And I didn't know which one my heart would call first...
To be continue...