Chapter 13 -Sunset

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the rooftop garden where I had often found solace. Ryan and I somehow managed to carve out a rare moment of peace from our hectic schedules, and we decided to escape to this quiet corner of the world. The garden was our little secret, a hidden gem where I could breathe, feel the breeze, and pretend, just for a while, that the world wasn’t so overwhelming.

I stood by the edge, staring out over the city as the lights began to twinkle in the distance. Ryan was behind me, pressing my head with gentle force. I love how he cared about me. My head leaned back on his chest melting in the head massage. I turned back and hugged him closing my eyes. That’s it, this what I needed to boost up my energy.We didn’t say anything; we didn’t need to. The silence was full of unspoken words, of shared moments and stolen glances. The soft hum of the city and the rustle of leaves filled the air around us, but I was only aware of him, of us.

We stood there for what felt like an eternity, the world around us fading into the background. I could feel the warmth of his hand,patting my head smoothly , and it made me feel... safe. There was something so intimate, so profoundly tender in the way he held me. It spoke of trust, of quiet devotion, of a connection that went beyond words.

A gentle breeze tousled my hair, sending a few strands across my face. Without saying a word, Ryan reached out with his free hand and tucked the hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my cheek, and I felt a flutter in my stomach, like a thousand butterflies taking flight all at once.

I looked up at him, my breath catching as our eyes met. The way he looked at me, with such tenderness, made my heart swell. He didn’t need to say anything; his eyes said it all. The connection between us was undeniable, a silent promise we didn’t need to put into words.

Just then, the rooftop door creaked open, and the moment shattered as Eva and Daniel stepped out, their laughter filling the air. They stopped in their tracks when they saw us, their gazes inevitably drawn to our joined hands.

Eva teased, a grin spreading across her face. “Look what we have here.”

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, but Ryan just remained hugging me“I didn’t realize we had an audience,” he replied lightly.

Eva’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she stepped closer. “Oh, don’t mind us. We’re just here to enjoy the view—and it looks like we’re in for a show.”

Daniel, who had been quietly observing, finally chimed in, his voice full of good-natured teasing. “I never pegged you two as the romantic rooftop types, but I have to say, it suits you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension melting away in the presence of my friends. “We’re just enjoying the evening,” I said, trying to play it cool, even though my voice was a little breathless.

Eva raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Sure you are,” she said, her grin widening.

For a moment, the teasing stopped, replaced by genuine warmth and approval from our friends. I felt a surge of gratitude—these were the people who had stood by me through so much, who had watched Ryan and me dance around each other for what felt like forever. It felt good to finally let them in on the secret, to share this happiness with them.

But Eva, never one to let a moment get too serious, quickly changed the tone. “Alright, lovebirds, we’ll leave you to your romantic sunset,” she said with a wink. “Just don’t forget to come back down to earth eventually.”

Eva and Daniel laughed, offering their own teasing goodbyes before following Mia back inside. As the door closed behind them, the silence returned, but now it was filled with a sense of shared joy.

Ryan turned back to me, his eyes still twinkling with amusement. “You okay?” he asked softly, his fingers remaining busy in tucking my hair behind my ear

I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. “Yeah. I’m more than okay.”

Ryan’s smile softened, and pressed a tender kiss on my lips.The gesture was so simple, yet it sent another wave of warmth through me, making me feel cherished in a way I hadn’t before.