Morning light spilled through the curtains, guided by the soft movement of the wind, and I stirred awake.
My body felt lighter, well-rested.
I stretched slowly, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar room. It took a moment for my mind to catch up with reality — I was at Aunt Jenna's house.
The moment my feet touched the floor, I found myself walking out, curious to see if anyone else was awake.
My gaze lingered on the large wall clock in the living hall as I made my way down the stairs.
The early sunlight caught along its golden edges, making them glow softly as I checked the time.
Six in the morning.
The soft clinking of crockery drew me toward the dining area while the rest of the house remained still.
My feet padded lightly against the floor as I followed the sound.
A rich, bitter aroma reached me first, and I could tell someone had made very strong coffee… and then I paused.
Adam was sitting at the table, absorbed in his own world. Focused.
My eyes lingered on his side profile, taking in a softness I was noticing for the first time. He was always composed and calculated… but never this relaxed.
A small smile settled at the corner of my lips as I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I had barely been standing there a moment when his voice cut through my thoughts, deliberately low but not lacking its familiar edge.
"Six in the morning. Barefoot." His eyes flicked briefly toward me. "Are you trying to steal my coffee?"
"Huh?" A quiet, startled sound escaped me before my eyes dropped to my feet.
I was barefoot indeed. Maybe too eager to explore the early stillness of the morning, I had forgotten my slippers.
The marble suddenly felt colder. Still tolerable.
He answered for me, his tone carrying that familiar hint of teasing.
"Well… that explains someone who slept through dinner last night."
I realised he wasn't wrong. The journey had drained me enough that I hadn't even woken up to eat.
I chuckled lightly, my gaze drifting between him and the floor.
When I looked up again, his eyes were already on mine.
Something shifted faintly in my chest. I brushed it off and pulled out the chair across from him, taking my seat.
His gaze followed me, not drifting away even for a second.
"You're up early," I said, letting the words come out casually.
I had been so focused on him that I hadn't even noticed what he was doing.
A pomegranate?
So early in the morning, while the whole house was still asleep.
"Pomegranate… with coffee?" I asked, my curiosity slipping out before I could stop it.
He let out a small laugh.
"You sound like I'm assembling a weapon," he said, amused. "Relax. It's just a pomegranate."
I rolled my eyes at his words but couldn't hide the amused grin forming on my lips.
"You're really good with words, you know that?"
He pretended to think for a second before replying, "Maybe…"
A smirk tugged at his lips as he added, "…or maybe I just like what curiosity does to you."
I paused.
A realization of something I had known from the moment I met him.
He could read right through me.
I decided to take my chance.
"Are you always this guarded?"
His hands paused mid-movement. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to mine, his expression giving nothing away.
And I realised, like always… I still couldn't read him.
His gaze softened just enough to make my heart falter.
"What if I'm just careful," he said quietly, "about falling into the trap of someone who looks innocent but knows exactly what she's doing?"
I was caught off guard, my heart beating faster than its usual rhythm.
I opened my mouth, but didn't know what — or how — to answer.
His gaze didn't waver. He waited, calm and silent, but the restless tapping of his foot against the floor betrayed him.
And for the first time, I could read the hint of eagerness in those eyes.
The faint drag of slippers against the floor cut through the tension that had begun to thicken between us.
I looked away almost too quickly, grateful for the interruption.
Noah.
He stood there, groggy, his curly hair slightly disheveled, eyes still heavy with sleep. My slippers dangled from his fingers while his other hand rested casually in the pocket of his sweatpants.
Adam's gaze followed mine a second later, flicking once between Noah and me.
Then he stood up.
"Stay," he said calmly. "I'll get you a cup of coffee."
Noah walked closer, his eyes fixed on my feet.
"Why are you barefoot…" he muttered, his voice carrying a tired edge.
"Didn't you sleep well?" I asked, studying the heaviness in his face.
He bent down, placing the slippers near my feet. "Wear these first."
I slipped into the slippers, the warmth replacing the cold marble beneath my feet.
The coffee machine hummed softly behind us.
Noah took the seat where Adam had been sitting just a moment ago.
His arm rested along the back of the chair as he turned toward me.
"I tried waking you up last night, but you were sleeping like a koala," he said.
"I was just tired… you know," I said, scratching the back of my head, suddenly a little awkward.
"But you look like you didn't sleep well," I added, my eyes lingering on his face.
"New place, new bed…" he replied, leaning forward, his hand resting on the table.
I had always known it took him time to adjust to new places, new things… and even new feelings.
Adam set the two coffee mugs down, one in front of me before sliding the other toward Noah.
"This should help," he said, stepping back.
Noah crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the chair. A faint frown lingered between his brows as his eyes settled on Adam.
My gaze followed his to Adam, who avoided looking at either of us.
"I'm going for a walk," Adam added casually, though something unreadable still lingered in his eyes.
And in that moment, I didn't want to leave his earlier words hanging. I wanted to say something… maybe even ask if I could join him.
But when I opened my mouth, all I managed was,
"Thanks for the coffee."
My eyes followed Adam until he disappeared from sight.
Noah focused on the table instead, his jaw tightening slightly.
"Why is he acting like that lately…" he muttered, almost to himself.
I looked back at Noah instantly. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Noah let out a small chuckle, but there was no amusement in it.
"He never makes coffee for anyone…"
His fingers traced the rim of the mug as he spoke, his tone turning thoughtful.
His words stayed with me longer than I expected.
The day began with new schedules and the excitement of the upcoming events.
It only grew busier with every passing hour.
But Noah's words kept pulling my thoughts back to Adam.
Is he different because of me?
Or is it just for me?
Later that day, I was sitting with my parents while they chatted with Aunt Jenna, but hardly any of their words registered in my mind.
I was lost in the thoughts of him. Adam.
I couldn't help but feel the curiosity growing stronger inside me. My gaze scanned the hall, searching for any sign of him.
"What if I'm just careful…" Nora murmured absentmindedly, examining the wedding outfit that had just arrived.
My heart skipped a beat at her words.
Something inside me snapped, and before I even realised it, I was already on my feet, my eyes fixed toward the dining room.
Adam's words from earlier kept making me restless.
What if I'm just careful… about falling into the trap of someone who looks innocent but knows exactly what she's doing?
I didn't know where I would find him, but my feet were already moving.
"Elina… where are you going?" my mother called out, but I barely heard her as I quickened my pace.
The air felt cooler when I stepped outside the mansion.
The faint fragrance of soil, plants, and flowers filled the air.
My gaze drifted from the fountain to the backyard, searching for him.
Then I moved toward the gate, my fingers curling around the cold iron bars as I leaned forward to look outside.
And there he was.
On a call, one hand pressed to his ear while the other traced thoughtless patterns along the car beside him.
A wide smile formed on my lips as I finally spotted him.
And in that moment…
I didn't question my own amusement.
I didn't question the strange warmth rising in my chest either.
The soft wind played with his hair just enough to make him strangely captivating, and for once, I didn't even think about looking away.
Minutes slipped by unnoticed as I kept my eyes fixed on him, everything else fading into the background.
Only him. His voice drifting from a distance. The way he moved… every small movement.
Adam looked around casually until his eyes found mine. A half-curious glint crossed his face before he started walking toward me.
He hung up the call mid-step, and the seconds it took him to close the distance felt like a lifetime. Until he was close enough, the only thing between us was the gate I was holding onto like an anchor.
"You're here…" he murmured, gripping the iron bars close enough that his fingers brushed mine, and suddenly the cold metal didn't feel so cold anymore.
I didn't want to stay quiet today. Not when he was this close. This approachable.
My heart raced as I searched for the right words, trying to give shape to what I was feeling.
"I…" I began, but before I could find the courage to continue, Nora's voice broke through.
"Elina…"
It took me a moment to look away from Adam. His jaw had tightened, just enough for me to notice.
"Elina… I need your help," Nora said as she walked closer, completely unaware of what she had just interrupted.
I forced a small smile. "Tell me…"
"You're coming with me," Nora said. "Last-minute shopping… and please don't say no."
Adam pushed the gate open as he walked in. "You're infuriating," he said, his tone rough but controlled.
Nora gave him a death stare, but there was no real anger in it — just her usual energy.
"I'm not arguing with you. Not today."
Adam scoffed, half amused, half annoyed.
"You really have to make a fuss about everything," he muttered, shaking his head slightly. "How annoying."
Nora shot back immediately.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one getting married."
"God… this is exhausting," she muttered, rubbing her forehead.
I placed a hand on her shoulder, sensing her nervousness even through her easygoing demeanour.
"It's okay… I'm free. I'll come with you."
"Besides, last-minute shopping is part of the wedding experience," I added with a small chuckle, hoping to lighten her mood.
"Alright then," Nora said, shaking her head lightly. "Let's go."
Adam spoke up despite his earlier irritation.
"I can drive you if you want."
"No need."
Noah's voice cut through the moment. Our gazes shifted toward him at the same time.
"Nora already asked me to take them," he added casually.
Adam didn't say anything.
He just slipped his hands into his pockets, his expression unreadable again before he simply nodded and stepped back.