Emilia stared at Adrian, searching his face for some hint that he was teasing her.

Instead, he looked entirely serious.

"You’re taking me somewhere?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I am."

"Where?"

"You’ll find out."

She narrowed her eyes. "That’s not an answer." She let out a quiet huff.

Behind them, her mother shook her head, as she gathered the remaining breakfast dishes.

Her mother glanced at Adrian. "You seem remarkably patient."

Adrian looked toward her with quiet respect. After another few minutes, Adrian checked the time.

"If we’re going to leave," he said, "you might want to get ready."

Emilia blinked. "So we’re actually leaving now?"

He nodded once.

Her curiosity doubled instantly. "Do I need to dress up?"

"Comfortably."

"Comfortably how?"

He checked his wrist watch. "Just be yourself."

She stared at him, opened her mouth, and closed it again.

Her mother hid another smile as she moved I to the kitchen to prepare another tea for herself.

"Go and get dressed before he changes his mind." She yelled from the kitchen.

"He wouldn’t."

Adrian looked at Emilia.

She pushed back her chair and headed upstairs, still glancing over her shoulder every few steps.

She stopped halfway up the staircase. "Is it at least in this city?"

He folded his arms. "Emilia."

"What?"

"You’ll see."

She sighed dramatically.

"I can’t believe I’m voluntarily leaving the house with someone who answers every question the same way."

She disappeared upstairs still muttering to herself.

Her mother waited until Emilia was out of earshot before looking at Adrian. "I haven’t seen her this excited in a long time."

Adrian’s gaze lingered on the staircase. He said nothing.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Her mother smiled gently."You both just met."

He looked at her.

"You’re ten years older," she said quietly. "Do not overwhelm my baby. If you hurt her, I might not be able to break you completely, but I’ll do my best."

Adrian was silent for a heartbeat. Then he inclined his head. "We both know what we’re into."

Her mother nodded.

Upstairs, the wardrobe doors opened and closed.

A muffled voice drifted through the ceiling.

Adrian smiled to himself.

A few minutes later, Emilia reappeared.

She had changed into a simple cream knit sweater tucked into light blue jeans, with white trainers and a small crossbody bag resting against her hip. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and she wore almost no makeup.

She paused at the bottom of the stairs. "Well?" She asked softly.

Adrian looked at her for a long second. His eyes softened. "You look gorgeous. "

She rolled her eyes to hide the smile threatening to escape.

Her mother picked up Emilia’s light jacket from the sofa and handed it to her.

"It’ll get colder later."

Emilia accepted it. "Thanks, Mum."

Her mother adjusted the collar of her sweater then she kissed her forehead. "Have fun."

Emilia smiled. "I will."

She reached for Adrian’s hand without thinking. Their fingers brushed. For the briefest second, they looked at one another.

Neither of them commented on it, and neither of them let go.

Together, they stepped outside into the bright morning, while behind them, Emilia’s mother stood in the doorway, watching until their car disappeared down the street.

........

Emilia had spent the first one hour trying every possible strategy to get information out of Adrian.

"So... if I guess correctly, do I win?"

"You win the satisfaction of being right."

She shot him a look. "This definitely isn’t breakfast."

"You’ve ruled that out already?"

"We’ve been driving for almost an hour. Unless you’re taking me to another country for pancakes."

"I wouldn’t say no to good pancakes."

She smiled despite herself.

Silence settled between them. Not awkward, but comfortable.

Eventually she glanced sideways. "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

She nudged his shoulder lightly. "You know what I mean."

"I do."

"Why all this?"

He kept his eyes on the road. "Birthdays should be remembered."

She looked at him for a long moment, hearing the quiet sincerity beneath the simple words. A few minutes later, the car turned through tall wrought-iron gates that slowly swung open.

Beyond them stretched an estate unlike anything Emilia had ever seen.

Gentle hills rolled away toward a glass-fronted manor. Gardens bloomed in careful patterns, fountains caught the sunlight, and ancient oak trees framed long stone pathways.

Her mouth fell open. "Adrian."

He smiled faintly. "What?"

"This place is..." She searched for a word big enough. "...unreal."

"It’s quieter than the city."

"I wasn’t talking about the silence."

He parked near the main house before stepping out to open her door. She climbed out slowly, turning in a slow circle.

"I feel like I should whisper."

"Nobody would mind if you didn’t."

A distant rhythmic sound reached her ears.

She frowned.

He nodded toward a path leading around the side of the estate.

Curiosity immediately replaced her awe. "What is it?"

Instead of answering, he gestured for her to follow. They rounded the final corner.

Emilia stopped walking.

Set into a wide circular clearing was a private helipad. Resting in its center, sunlight glinting across its polished body, was a sleek black helicopter. Its rotors were still, but two crew members stood nearby completing final checks.

For several seconds, she couldn’t speak. She looked at Adrian.

"You’re kidding."

"I’ve never been more serious."

Her eyes snapped back to the helicopter.

"We’re..." She pointed. "...going in that?"

"If you’re still willing."

She laughed in complete disbelief. "I’ve never even been close to one."

Her heartbeat quickened from excitement.

"This..." She looked between the aircraft and Adrian. "...this is why you wouldn’t give me a hint."

A small smile appeared.

"It would have ruined the surprise."

She stared at the helicopter once more before whispering almost to herself,

"This is the best surprise I’ve ever had."

Adrian watched the wonder on her face and quietly decided that every mile of the drive had been worth it.

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