The city had quieted into a soft hum of distant lights and occasional footsteps. Celine and Adrian returned to his house, the adrenaline from the night's encounter with Damien still pulsing in their veins. Every sound seemed amplified in the silence—the creak of floorboards, the soft rustle of clothes, and the steady rhythm of Adrian's heartbeat beneath her palm.
Celine stopped near the balcony, gazing out at the silvered city below. The moonlight painted the room with a gentle glow, shadows dancing across their faces. She felt exposed in a way that went beyond fear—her walls, her defenses, seemed to melt in the presence of Adrian.
He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch sent a shiver down her spine, not just from desire, but from the raw intensity of his presence. "Celine…" he whispered, his voice low and magnetic, "tonight… you were brave. More than you know."
Her lips trembled as she searched his eyes. "I… I don't want to afraid of you anymore,"she said softly, though her body betrayed her words, leaning slightly toward him. "I… I trust you."
Adrian's gaze softened, the wild edge in his golden eyes momentarily giving way to vulnerability. He reached out, wrapping his arms around her, drawing her close. Celine felt the heat of his body, the tension in his muscles, and the protective strength in his hold. She pressed closer instinctively, heart pounding, senses alive.
For a long moment, they just stood there, the world outside fading to a distant hum. The moonlight kissed their skin, and the air between them seemed to hum with anticipation. Then, slowly, Adrian lowered his head, and their lips met.
The kiss was tentative at first—soft, exploring, testing boundaries—but it deepened quickly. Passion and longing mixed with tenderness, each moment drawing them closer. Celine's hands traced along the line of his shoulders, feeling the coiled strength beneath. Adrian's hands rested on her waist, grounding her, protective and magnetic all at once.
When they finally broke apart for a breath, their foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling, hearts racing in sync. Celine whispered, "I've never… felt like this before."
Adrian's golden eyes softened further, filled with intensity and a hint of wildness. "Nor have I," he admitted, voice low and rough. "You've… awakened something in me. Something I've always had to control."
Her fingers lightly traced along his jaw, marveling at the tension and restraint she could feel in him. "I don't want you to control it," she said softly, almost shyly. "Not tonight. I want… this. You."
Adrian's lips brushed hers again, more boldly this time, carrying heat and intensity, but still tempered with care. He pulled her closer, and Celine felt the world dissolve around them. Every sound, every shadow, every distant light became background to the fire between them.
They entered Adrian's room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm light across the walls. Celine's heart raced as Adrian gently closed the door behind them. For a moment, they simply stood there, gazing at each other, the world outside fading away.
Adrian reached for her hand, holding it with a tenderness that made Celine feel safe despite the storm of emotions inside her. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Every heartbeat seemed to whisper that she was exactly where she belonged.
They talked quietly, sharing secrets, hopes, and fears. Laughter mixed with soft sighs, their hands entwined, fingers brushing, sending shivers down Celine's spine. Adrian brushed a strand of hair from her face and whispered how beautiful she was, and Celine felt a warmth spread through her, a connection deeper than words.
As the night went on, they held each other close, sharing gentle touches and tender embraces. The world outside didn't exist anymore. In that quiet intimacy, love grew stronger between them, a bond so deep that neither could imagine life without the other.
That night marked a new beginning—a closeness that would change everything, planting the seeds of a life that was yet to come.
One month had passed since that night on Adrian's room, and life had settled into a fragile rhythm. Celine and Adrian had grown closer, learning each other's rhythms, understanding the pull of desire and trust that existed between them.
One morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. Celine stirred awake, her body feeling different—lighter, yet filled with a strange warmth that she couldn't quite place. She blinked, taking a deep breath, and felt a fluttering in her stomach that made her pause.
Her mind replayed the closeness of last night with Adrian, the tenderness, the whispers, and the way Adrian held her so protectively. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced, and a small smile tugged at her lips despite the confusion racing through her.
She sat up slowly, feeling both exhilarated and nervous, realizing that something had shifted inside her. Every touch, every embrace from Adrian seemed to linger within her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that last night had changed more than just their hearts—it had left a mark on her very being.
Celine sat quietly on Adrian's sofa, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't shake. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "Adrian… please, take me back home. I just… I need to be there."
Adrian looked at her, concern and hesitation flickering across his face. He could sense the urgency in her voice, the mix of exhaustion and longing. "Are you sure?" he asked gently.
Celine nodded, biting her lip. "Yes… I just need to be there".
Adrian furrows his brow, concern evident in his eyes. "Celine… why do you suddenly want to go back home? Is something wrong?"
Celine hesitates, her fingers fidgeting nervously. She avoids his gaze for a moment before whispering, "No… it's nothing serious. I just… I feel like I need to be there."
Adrian studies her closely, sensing that something is off but choosing to trust her for now. "Alright," he says softly, "we'll go then. But promise me, if there's anything, you'll tell me, okay?"
Celine nods, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension as she takes his hand.
Adrian guided Celine gently, supporting her every step as they made their way to her home. The streets were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, yet Celine's mind raced with thoughts she couldn't voice.
As they approached her doorstep, Adrian paused, looking down at her with concern. "Here we are. You okay?" he asked softly.
Celine nodded, a small, uncertain smile forming. "Yes… thank you for bringing me back," she whispered, her fingers tightening slightly around his hand before letting go and stepping inside.
Adrian watched her enter, his heart heavy with unspoken questions, but he stayed close, just in case she needed him.
Once inside, Celine closed the door gently behind her and leaned against it, taking a shaky breath. The house felt quiet, almost too quiet, and a wave of unease washed over her. Her stomach churned with a strange heaviness, and she instinctively placed her hand over it, trying to ignore the fluttering that didn't feel normal.
She sank onto the sofa, hugging her knees, feeling a mix of exhaustion and confusion. Something inside her felt… different. Her heart raced, and she couldn't shake the strange sense that her life had just shifted in a way she didn't fully understand.
Alone, Celine whispered to herself, "Why do I feel like this? What's happening to me?"
Celine hugged her knees tighter, her mind racing. She whispered to herself, almost in disbelief, "Could it… could it be because of that night with Adrian? Am I… pregnant?"
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she pressed a hand against her stomach. The thought made her heart pound, a mix of fear and wonder twisting inside her. She wasn't ready to tell anyone—especially Adrian—not yet.
By midday, Celine's discomfort worsened. A dizzy spell hit her, her head spinning, her heart racing uncontrollably. Waves of nausea rolled over her, making her clutch her stomach tightly. She sank onto the couch, trembling slightly, unsure if she could stand. Every sound seemed louder, every movement sharper, as if her body was sending urgent warning signals she couldn't ignore.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Celine decided she couldn't wait any longer. Without telling Adrian, she grabbed her bag and quietly left the house ,her mind racing with worry. Every step toward the hospital felt heavy, her anxiety growing with each passing minute. She knew she needed to be checked immediately, but the thought of facing Adrian with her fears made her hesitate.
As soon as Celine arrived at the hospital, she was assisgned in by a nurse and introduced to the doctor. After explaining her symptoms, the doctor immediately ran a series of tests. The results came back, and Celine's heart skipped a beat—she was pregnant.
Celine froze, her hands trembling as she held the paper. The word pregnant echoed in her mind like a drumbeat she couldn't escape. She didn't know whether to cry, laugh, or scream. Fear, excitement, and confusion swirled inside her all at once.
She thought of Adrian—how he would react, how her life was about to change, and the secret she now carried. For a moment, she considered calling him immediately, but a wave of uncertainty held her back. How could she tell him? How would he take the news?
Instead, she sat down in the quiet corner of the hospital, breathing deeply, trying to calm her racing heart. Every beat reminded her of the tiny life growing inside her. She whispered to herself, almost afraid someone might hear, "I'm going to have a baby… my baby…"
After while, Celine arrived home, her steps heavy and her mind racing. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as if the weight of the secret she carried could crush her. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she hugged her knees to her chest and whispered to herself, barely audible, "I can't tell him… not yet. Not now, Adrian…"
Every thought of Adrian made her chest tighten. She wanted to run to him, to share the news, but something inside her held back—uncertainty, fear of his reaction, and the overwhelming reality of what was happening.
Instead, she laid back, closing her eyes, trying to breathe, trying to steady the storm of emotions inside her. The room was quiet, save for her soft, shaky breaths, and for the first time since the news, she allowed herself a moment to feel everything: the fear, the excitement, the hope, and the uncertainty of what was to come.
Her hand rested gently on her stomach, feeling the life inside her, and she whispered again, "Not yet, Adrian… I need time."
After a short while, Celine's phone buzzed on the nightstand. Her heart skipped when she saw Adrian's name light up the screen. She hesitated before opening the message.
Adrian: "Hey, Celine… are you okay? You seemed different earlier. I'm worried about you."
Celine stared at the words, her fingers trembling slightly. She wanted to reply honestly, to tell him everything, but instead she typed slowly:
Celine: "I'm fine, just really tired. I think I just need some rest."
She hit send and placed the phone back down, sighing deeply.
Moments later, another message came through.
Adrian:"Alright… but please know I'm here for you. If you need anything, anything at all, just call me."
A small tear slipped from her eye as she whispered softly, "If only you knew…" before turning on her side, clutching the blanket closer.
Celine's phone buzzed again a moment later. His message read, warm and urgent at once:
Adrian:"Make sure you eat and rest, Celine. But I miss you so much — I really wish I could see you right now."
Celine stared at the screen for a beat, thumb hovering over the keyboard. Her chest tightened at the sincerity in his words. She forced a small smile, tapped a reply and sent it before doubt could overtake her.
Celine: "I'm okay, Adrian. Don't worry. I'm eating and resting — promise."
He read it and for a second the worry in his face didn't fade. He typed, then erased, then typed again.
Adrian:"Good. I'll check in later. Call me if anything changes, even a little."
Adrian paused with his hand on the door. For a heartbeat he almost walked to Celine's building — then he stopped. He breathed out, pushed his phone back into his pocket, and turned away. If she wanted him there, she would ask. She had told him to give her space; he would honor it, no matter how badly he wanted to be at her side.
He slipped his jacket back on and sat at the kitchen table instead. His thumb hovered over the screen, composing a dozen messages and deleting them all. Finally he typed something simple and steady.
Adrian: "I'm here when you need me. Rest, eat something, and call me if anything changes. I'll wait."
He hit send, then made himself a cup of tea, forcing his hands to busy themselves so his mind wouldn't run ahead. He checked the time, paced once, then opened a book he never finished — anything to slow the rush of worry.
At her house, Celine read the message and let out a small, shaky laugh. The ache in her stomach tightened when she thought about telling him. She typed, deleted, then typed again.
Celine:"Thanks. I'll call if I need anything."
She sent it and set the phone face down, staring at the ceiling. Alone, she felt both guilty for hiding the truth and relieved that Adrian had respected her wish. She pressed her palm to her belly, whispering a promise to herself and to the tiny life inside: not yet. She needed time to understand it all before she could let him in.
Outside, Adrian kept his promise. He waited — not leaving, but not forcing himself into her space. He would be ready when she chose to tell him.