It was Saturday , but not the typical kind. The breeze was light, the sun warm and kind, not too harsh, not too shy. Bella had already made plans to meet with Austin, and for some reason, she'd dressed up more than usual. Nothing too extravagant, but undeniably classy. Her gown was soft beige with a slight shimmer, hugging her body in all the right places, paired with white low heels and a touch of nude makeup that made her skin glow.
Kathy, seated on the bed and tying her hair, paused and smiled.
"Damn, girl… who are you trying to kill today?"
Bella laughed.
"You look beautiful. Austin won't know what hit him."
Bella blushed as she grabbed her keys and bag. She didn't actually know where they were meeting. Austin had only sent her a location pin and said, "Just trust me." That was all. She opened Google Maps and followed the directions. Her hands were slightly sweaty on the wheel, why was she this nervous?
After about a twenty-minute drive, she turned onto a quiet street lined with tall trees and silence. The hustle of the main road seemed like a distant memory. Finally, the voice from her map said,
"You've arrived."
She parked behind a sleek grey car she recognized, Austin's. It was a peaceful place, with a simple wooden sign above the gate that read "Whispering Pines Garden." The name alone felt like poetry.
Bella stepped out of the car, took a deep breath, and walked toward the small arched entrance wrapped in vines and pink bougainvillea. As she stepped in, it was like entering a different world.
The garden was alive with color, fragrance, and serenity.
There were winding cobblestone paths, bordered by trimmed hedges and wildflowers that bloomed in clusters, lavender, sunflowers, roses, daisies, all mingling together like an orchestra of nature. A small artificial streamran through the garden with little wooden bridges over it, and the sound of water added to the calm. Birds chirped in soft melodies from unseen branches, and wind chimes clinked gently from hanging hooks.
Tall, ancient-looking pine trees stood proudly in the background, giving the place its name. There were wooden benches carved with delicate floral patterns, and farther down, a gazebo made of glass and painted iron, where two glasses and a bottle of wine waited.
Bella smiled. This was perfect. Peaceful. Romantic. Different.
She spotted Austin standing under the delicate arch of flowering vines, hands in his pockets, waiting with that warm, familiar smile that always made her chest flutter. As soon as their eyes met, Bella walked quickly toward him and wrapped her arms around him in a soft hug. He held her gently, his cologne clean and subtle, the kind that lingered even after he pulled away.
But he didn't step back immediately.
Instead, he looked into her eyes, seriously now, his expression shifting from calm to sincere.
"Bella…" he started, voice low and steady, "I don't even know how to explain what I feel for you, but I've never… never loved anyone like this before."
Bella blinked, her heart skipping.
"From the first time we spoke, I knew you were different. There's a kind of peace you bring me, like just hearing your voice resets everything around me. You're kind, thoughtful, strong… and even without trying, you've taken over my heart." He exhaled and stepped a little closer.
"I don't want to keep pretending it's casual anymore. I'm ready. I want you. All of you. I want to be in a relationship with you, Bella."
Bella felt a warmth rise from her chest to her cheeks. Her lips slowly curved into a glowing smile.
There was no hesitation.
His hand gently cupped her face as their lips melted into each other. It was soft, lingering, and powerful, like time paused just for them.
When they pulled apart, Austin looked slightly breathless and nervous, then said shyly,
"Would you be my girlfriend, Bella?"
Emotions swirled through her instantly, everything she'd buried, everything she'd hoped for. She threw her arms around him in another tight hug, whispering with a trembling smile,
"Yes. I would be your girlfriend, Austin."
They kissed again, this one shorter but even sweeter, and stayed in each other's arms for a moment longer.
Then, hand in hand, Austin walked her to the dinner setup. two seats under the gazebo, a light breeze passing by, candles flickering gently. Plates of creamy pasta, grilled chicken, and chilled drinks waited for them on the table.
They sat, laughed, ate, and let the evening soak into their skin like sunlight, two people who had finally found their way to each other.