The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting the room in warm gold. Mia stretched, feeling the gentle hum of excitement in her chest. She quietly slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
The bathroom was beautiful, modern, and spotless. Mia ran the warm water, letting it cascade over her, washing away the remnants of sleep. Steam filled the room, curling around her like a soft embrace. She took her time, savoring the quiet, the feeling of being somewhere new, somewhere magical. After her bath, she dried off, brushed her hair, and stepped out, her mind already buzzing with thoughts of the day ahead.
She froze for a moment in the doorway. Ryan was there, leaning casually against the wall, his usual calm and confident air softened by a playful smile.
"Good morning, princess," he said warmly, his eyes lighting up. "Hope you slept well."
"I did," Mia said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And you?"
"Fine," he said smoothly. "I ordered breakfast for both of us."
"Oh, okay," she murmured, her stomach fluttering with anticipation.
They walked together to the dining table, where a perfect breakfast awaited them. Mia's eyes widened in delight. Bacon and eggs—her favorite. She picked up her fork and took a bite, savoring the crispness of the bacon, the creaminess of the eggs. She closed her eyes and moaned softly in satisfaction.
Ryan watched her quietly, his eyes drinking in every detail. The way the morning light kissed her glowing skin, the way her lips curved as she enjoyed her food—it all made his chest tighten. There was something so pure, so beautiful about her joy.
Once she had finished, Ryan leaned back and asked, "So, Mia, would you like to go anywhere today?"
Mia blinked, slightly startled. "Huh? What about your meetings?"
"About that," he said with a mischievous smile, "they cancelled at the last minute. So, we have the whole day to enjoy Spain. Where do you want to go?"
Mia's eyes lit up. "What about the amusement park?" she asked eagerly.
He grinned. "It's perfect. Anywhere as long as you're there."
Her cheeks flushed. "You really mean that?"
"Of course," he said softly, his gaze holding hers for a long moment before he finally looked away with a small chuckle.
They quickly got ready. Mia wore soft pink shorts, a simple white shirt, and comfy flip-flops. She looked youthful, radiant, and carefree, her hair tied loosely to sway as she moved. Ryan opted for a crisp white shirt and black shorts, his usual alpha demeanor softened by the casual outfit. Today, he looked effortlessly handsome, almost boyish in his charm.
"Baby, you look good as always," he said, his tone affectionate.
Mia blushed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You look so cute," she replied teasingly. "I bet a lot of girls would drool over you."
Ryan chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "You don't know the half of it… but don't worry, I'm only for you. No one but you, baby."
Mia's cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. "You're too sweet," she whispered, her heart fluttering.
Hand in hand, they left the hotel and made their way to the amusement park. The city streets were alive with the buzz of tourists and locals, music drifting from cafés and shops. But Mia only had eyes for Ryan, and he seemed equally absorbed in her.
Once inside the park, the smell of popcorn, candy, and excitement filled the air. Children ran past them, laughter echoing, and the towering rides loomed in the distance, thrilling and intimidating all at once.
"Where should we start?" Ryan asked, looking at her with a teasing grin.
"The roller coaster!" Mia exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "I've always wanted to try one."
"Alright," he said, taking her hand. "But remember… I'm responsible for you."
She laughed, squeezing his hand. "I know, baby. Don't worry about me."
They approached the ride, joining the line filled with excited teens and couples. As they waited, Ryan noticed a few girls glancing at him. Some smiled flirtatiously, others whispered to their friends, clearly impressed by his presence. Mia felt a pang of jealousy but quickly pushed it aside. She trusted Ryan, and somehow, the idea that other girls noticed him didn't diminish her excitement—it made her feel special that he was hers.
One of the girls tried to strike up a conversation. "Hey, are you going on the ride too?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.
Ryan smiled politely but didn't let the interaction linger. "Yes, thanks. We're excited."
Mia squeezed his hand, leaning slightly closer to him, as if silently marking her claim. The girl noticed, a slight frown crossing her face before she moved away. Ryan's attention never left Mia, and she felt her heart swell.
The ride itself was exhilarating. Mia screamed and laughed, her hands gripping the safety bar until Ryan gently held hers. Every twist, turn, and drop sent her heart racing, but his calm presence beside her made her feel secure, cherished, and alive all at once.
After the roller coaster, they explored the park together, sharing cotton candy, playing games, and laughing at their own clumsy attempts to win stuffed animals. Ryan insisted on letting Mia try first at the ring toss, cheering loudly when she succeeded.
"See? I knew you'd get it!" he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"I couldn't have done it without you," she replied, leaning against him.
As the afternoon sun began to dip, they decided to ride the Ferris wheel. The line moved slowly, giving them time to talk quietly. When it was their turn, Ryan held the car door for her, his hand brushing hers.
The Ferris wheel rose slowly, the city sprawling below them, a patchwork of colors and lights. When they reached the top, the world seemed to pause. The sunset painted the sky in shades of pink, orange, and gold.
Mia's eyes widened. "It's… beautiful," she whispered.
Ryan turned toward her, smiling softly. "Not as beautiful as you," he said gently.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt warmth spread through her chest. "Ryan…" she breathed, words failing her.
He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Mia, I want you to know… every moment I spend with you, I'm thankful. You make everything brighter."
She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, overcome with emotion. She leaned slightly into him, their shoulders touching. "I feel the same, Ryan," she whispered.
The Ferris wheel descended slowly, and when their car touched the ground, they stepped out, hands intertwined. The park was quieter now, the evening air cool and refreshing. They walked together, enjoying the calm after a day full of laughter and thrills.
As they left the amusement park, Ryan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Today was perfect," he said, his voice low and warm. "And it's only the beginning."
Mia smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "I know," she murmured. "I feel like… like I could stay here forever, with you."
Ryan's lips curved into a tender smile. "One day at a time, princess. One day at a time."
And as they walked back toward the hotel, hand in hand, the lights of the city twinkling around them, both of them knew that something had shifted between them. Something deeper, something stronger. And neither of them wanted to let go.
They left the amusement and headed home.
While going home they began talking.
They walked slowly along the cobblestone streets of the city, the evening lights reflecting softly in the small puddles from a recent drizzle. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of baked bread and flowers from nearby shops.
Mia glanced up at Ryan, her eyes curious. "Do you ever get tired of all this… business stuff? Meetings, deals, responsibilities?"
Ryan chuckled softly, glancing at her. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But then I remember there are moments like this—quiet moments, where I can just… walk with someone I care about. Makes everything else worth it."
Mia smiled, feeling her heart flutter. "I like that," she said. "I don't think I've had many moments like this… just walking, talking, without worrying about anything."
He nodded, his gaze softening. "I get that. Life can be… a lot sometimes. But when you find someone who makes even the small things feel special, it changes everything."
She laughed quietly, a soft sound that made him look at her with a smile that reached his eyes. "You make it sound so easy, Ryan. Like finding someone like that isn't… rare."
He took her hand gently, holding it in his. "It's not easy," he said honestly. "But it's worth it. And I think… I might have found that someone."
Mia felt warmth spread through her chest, her cheeks tingling. She looked down at their intertwined fingers and then back up at him. "Really?" she asked softly.
"Really," he replied, his voice steady and sure. "I can't promise life will always be simple… but I can promise that I'll always be honest with you, and I'll always make an effort to make you happy."
She felt a small laugh escape her lips, a mixture of relief and joy. "I think… I like that," she whispered.
Ryan smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I'm glad," he said. "Because I don't plan on letting you go anytime soon."
Mia blushed, a happy warmth settling in her chest. "Good," she murmured, squeezing his hand lightly. "Because I don't plan on going anywhere either."
They continued walking, their conversation drifting from dreams to favorite foods, to silly childhood stories. Every word felt easy, comfortable, like the world around them had shrunk, leaving only the two of them in their own little space.
For Ryan, the way Mia laughed, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about simple things, was more mesmerizing than any boardroom victory. For Mia, the way Ryan listened, really listened, made her feel safe in a way she hadn't felt in years.
And as the city lights flickered above them, they walked hand in hand, talking about nothing and everything all at once, knowing that these small moments were the ones they'd remember forever.