It was 2 a.m. when he parked the car in front of my apartment. The street was quiet, the kind of quiet that makes everything feel too exposed, too honest. Yellow light spilled from the lamppost near us, drifting through it as if the night itself was slowing down to watch.
Neither of us moved at first. The engine hummed softly, a low reminder that the moment was ending whether I was ready or not. My chest felt tight, filled with words I couldn't bring myself to say. When I finally stepped out, the cold air kissed my skin, sharp and grounding. The pavement felt cool beneath my feet, real and present.
Sylus followed, close enough that I sensed him before he touched me. His hand rested at my waist, not possessive or hesitant, just certain. He seemed to know exactly how close he could be. He turned me toward him slowly, giving me time, always giving me time.
The city blurred around us. He lifted his hand, his knuckles brushing my cheekbone first, almost by accident, before his palm cupped my face. His touch was warm, steady, and reverent. His thumb traced just beneath my eye, where tears had dried hours ago, as if checking that I was still holding it together.
"Take care," he said quietly.
The words were simple. The way he said them wasn't his gaze softened, something unguarded slipping through.
"I'm waiting for the answer... hmm?"
My heart stuttered. I swallowed, but nothing came out. He didn't push. He never did.
Instead, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead—slow, intentional, lingering just long enough to feel like a promise he wasn't ready to voice. It wasn't demanding or rushed.
It felt like trust. When he pulled back, his eyes stayed on me, dark and searching, as if he was memorizing how I looked standing there under the streetlight. It felt like letting me go cost him something.
I turned toward my building, keys cold in my hand, every step heavier than the last. At the door, I paused for just a heartbeat before slipping inside.
The door closed softly behind me. I leaned back against it, the silence rushing in all at once.
My cheek was hot and still felt warm from his touch. My forehead still burned where his lips had been. And as I stood there in the dim hallway, my breath uneven, my knees buckled as I slid down, sitting on the cold wooden floor, heartbeating so loud in my ears I couldn't ignore it anymore.
The kiss felt like a vivid dream.
I shared the kiss? My first kiss?. My hands shook as I traced the corner of my lip. Memory playing like a broken record in my mind, " Oh my fucking god...." dragging myself to stand again, I walked to bed still wearing his hoodie on my body, it smelled like him.
Aromatic-woody fragrance with ambery and musky notes. A sensual interpretation, in which ambery cedar notes and sandalwood lend it elegance.
I couldn't get a wink of sleep that night, playing the music softly in the quiet, windy night as city light glowed softly. Asking myself over and over
"Is this happiness mine?"
"Can I accept it? What if some thing happend? "
"Why is someone like him so interested in me? "
He is successfully working for an investor who looks cold and aloof, but girls can never take eye off him...."He could have gotten anyone... why me?"
"I am just a nobody...working part-time in a flower shop, living in an apartment given out of generosity, trying too hard for 3 years just for entering the modeling industry."
Sadness and confusion washed over me. "UGH," I sat up on the bed. It was 3 am, I changed out of his hoodie, changed my clothes, switched to my headphones, and started deep cleaning the room, taking out the jars and cleaning the shelf.
Three Hours passed by everything was spotless. Bed sheets cleaned, everything organized, sunlight was glazing the sky in a beautiful orange hue already. I took a shower, changed into a plain beige top and trouser sliding over the jacket. I grabbed coffee off the table, cold as ice in a cold winter. I find it hard to believe it was February ending already. Walking on cold pavment chilling wind hitting hard, I finally reached the flower shop as the bell chimed, fragrant flowers filled my senses as I began my work.
I tied my apron around my waist and started working without overthinking. Thinking felt risky. My hands, however, knew exactly what to do. I trimmed the ends of roses, with petals brushing my fingers like whispers. I lined up buckets, refilled water, and wiped down the counter where leaves had fallen yesterday. The repetition was calming. Clean. Honest.
I rearranged the tulips by color, placing pale pinks next to whites and yellow flowers catching the light. I worked carefully and slowly, making sure each stem was in its right place. I fixed any little flaws until everything felt just right.
It felt good to fix small things. Water sloshed softly as I rinsed vases, with droplets sparkling in the sunlight coming through the front window. Dust motes danced in the air. Outside, a bus passed by, and I heard laughter as life went on.
Later, during my break, I texted Selene to meet at the café, our usual spot. 3 dots appeared
"On my way." Smile creept on my lips as I departed the shop.
Soft music played in the background when we sat down, creating a calm atmosphere. She held a hot caramel latte like it was emotional support. I went straight for a strong espresso shot, no sugar, no mercy.
She took a sip and squinted at me. "So," she said casually, "what happened to you?"
I didn't ease into it. "He asked me out."
She blinked. "Who? Asher? I knew he liked y—"
"Sylus," I interrupted.
She choked. Like, violently.
"AH—" she coughed, slapping the table. "MY MOUTH—" She winced, sticking her tongue out. "I burned my tongue—what the hell?"
I slid my water over. "Drink. "
She gulped, eyes watering. "Okay. No. Repeat that. Slower."
"The Sylus," I said. "Alex's buddy."
Her eyes widened comically. "Yeah… okay… WHEN did that—happ—" She froze.
"WHAT THE HELL DID I MISS?"
I shrugged, trying to look casual and failing. "Well… the day before yesterday, he took me to a masquerade gala."
She leaned back. "As one does."
"As a date," I added.
She made a strangled noise. "EXCUSE ME?"
"And then," I continued, staring into my espresso, hoping it might save me, "something happened later. He was comforting me."
Selene leaned in, whisper-shouting. "Comforting how?"
I swallowed. "He kissed me."
Silence. Then— She slammed her palm on the table. "NO. WAY."
"Yes way."
She stared at me like I'd just announced I was moving to Mars. "You went from plant shop employee to mysterious rich gala guy in forty-eight hours?!"
"I didn't plan it!" She shook her head, half-laughing, half-in shock. "Girl. You are living a Wattpad plot against your will."
I groaned. "Please don't say it like that."
"Oh, I'm saying it louder," she grinned. "So… are you saying yes?"
I looked down at my cup, my heart racing. "I don't know," I admitted. "But he is someone, maybe I can give a chance to..." The words slipped out before I could stop them.
"But I'm scared…"
Selene's teasing smile faded instantly.
"What if he leaves me?" I whispered, fingers tightening around my cup. "Why me? Out of everyone, Selene… why me?" My voice cracked. "I'm just an orphan. I don't have anyone. I'm nobody."
I laughed softly, but it sounded hollow. "It's messing with my head."
Selene didn't interrupt. She just watched me for a moment, really watched me, then reached across the table and took my hand.
"Hey," she said gently. "No. Stop right there."
I looked up. She shook her head, her eyes serious now. "First of all? You don't get to call yourself nobody. Not in front of me."
I swallowed. "But—"
"No," she cut in, not harshly, just firmly. "Being an orphan doesn't make you disposable. It doesn't make you less. It means you grew up without a safety net and still turned out kind. strong. That's not nothing."
I stared at her, my throat tight.
"And listen," she continued, softer now, "being scared doesn't mean something bad is going to happen. It means you're finally standing somewhere that matters to you."
I rubbed my thumb over the rim of my cup. "What if he realizes I'm too much?"
Selene snorted. "Have you met that man? He looks at you like he can't get enough off seeing you in every gaze. I noticed at the karaoke bar."
"How lazy tension was there between you two, how his gaze was not leaving you."
I watched the steam rise from my cup. "It feels like if I let myself want this, I'll lose it."
She sighed softly. "Yeah. Welcome to liking someone."
I released a weak breath that was almost a laugh. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "You keep asking 'why me?' like it's a crime that someone noticed you and chose you."
I frowned. "But I don't have anything. No family. No history that matters."
Selene tilted her head. "Ella, you have you. You have the way you take care of everyone without even realizing it. The way you flinch at loud noises but still show up. The way you make a room feel calmer just by being there."
My throat tightened.
"You think people like Sylus don't notice that?" she continued. "He didn't pick you out of pity. Men like that don't do pity. They do it with intention."
I swallowed. "What if I mess it up?"
She shrugged lightly. "Then you mess it up. Like a human being. That's not a failure."
I looked up at her, my eyes burning. "I don't know how to be someone's… choice."
Selene's voice softened. "Then let this be practice. Not a test. Not a forever decision. Just one honest step."
I nodded slowly. That earned me a shaky smile.
She squeezed my hand. "If he leaves — and I'm not saying he will — that won't be because you weren't enough. It'll be because he wasn't meant to stay." I exhaled slowly.
"You're not unlovable," she said quietly. "You're just not used to being chosen."
That hit hard. Selene leaned back, softer now, but steady. "Take it one step at a time. You don't have to give him your whole heart tomorrow. Just… answer honestly."
I nodded, blinking fast.
"Okay," I whispered.
She smiled, warm and certain. "That's my girl."
For the first time since the thought entered my head, the fear felt a little less overwhelming.
My phone felt heavy in my hand. I stared at it for a second too long, my thumb hovering. My heart thudded so loud I was sure Selene could hear it. She didn't rush me. She just watched, calm and steady, as if she already knew what I was about to do.
"Okay," I whispered to myself.
Then I called him. It rang once. Twice. I almost hung up.
"Ella?" His voice came through low, familiar, instantly grounding. It felt like he'd been waiting.
My breath caught. "Hi."
"Hey," he said softly. "Are you alright?"
That simple question nearly unraveled me.
"Yeah," I answered, even though my voice shook. "I just… wanted to talk to you."
"I'm listening," Sylus said, with no impatience or pressure. He was just there.
I swallowed, my fingers tightening around my cup. Selene leaned back to give me space, but her eyes stayed on me—encouraging.
"I've been thinking," I said slowly. "A lot. I was scared and overthinking and—" I let out a shaky breath. "But I didn't want to sit with that anymore."
There was a pause on the other end. It wasn't silence; it was attention.
"So…" I continued, my heart racing, "about what you asked me."
Another beat.
"I wanted to say something… um." I laughed nervously, then stopped trying to sound brave. "My answer is yes."
The quiet on the line stretched for a second. Then I heard him exhale. Not relief. Something deeper. Controlled. Careful. Real.
"Yeah?" he asked softly.
"Yes," I repeated, firmer this time. "I want to go out with you."
His voice dropped a little, warmer. "Thank you for telling me yourself."
I smiled without meaning to. "I didn't want to text it. It felt… important."
"It was," he said simply. "You don't know how much." I closed my eyes, feeling lighter and terrified all at once.
"I'm nervous," I admitted. "I know," Sylus replied. "We'll go slow."
That did it. My chest tightened.
"Okay," I whispered.
"Okay," he echoed, like a promise.
When I ended the call, Selene was already grinning at me. For half a second, I stared at my phone. Then we both lost it.
"Oh my GOD—" she shrieked. "I DID IT—" I squealed back.
We grabbed each other's hands across the table, laughing so hard that people started looking over. I didn't even care. My chest felt too light, too full, like something unclenched after years.
"YAYAYAYAYAY," Selene whispered, bouncing in her seat. "I cannot believe you actually called him."
"I KNOW," I laughed, half in shock and half dizzy. "Oh my God, I can't believe I did that. I literally called him. With my voice."
She clutched her chest dramatically. "Character development."
I dropped my head onto the table for a second, still laughing. "My hands are shaking. I think I ascended." Selene leaned in, her eyes sparkling. "Okay, but—how did he react?"
"He was so calm," I said, smiling without realizing it. "Like... steady. He said we'd go slow." She groaned. "Ugh. That's illegal behavior. Men aren't supposed to be emotionally competent and hot."
I laughed again, breathless. "I'm freaking out. But like… the good kind."
She squeezed my hand. "You should tell me everything. Dates. Texts. What he wears. What you wear."
I nodded, still smiling and buzzing. "I feel stupidly happy." Selene softened, her voice quieter now. "You're allowed to be."
I leaned back in my chair, my heart racing, cheeks warm. The fear was still there—but smaller now. Manageable. It faded behind laughter and coffee and the fact that I chose something for myself.
---
Sylus's Pov~
I was at my desk, sitting straight, fully focused. Files were aligned, numbers looked good, and my mind was clear. Just another controlled morning, another version of me that didn't crack.
Then my phone rang. It was Ella. I picked it up, expecting… nothing. Just her voice. Maybe some hesitation, some distance.
"Hey," I said calmly. Then she said,
"Yes."
That word hit me so hard that the file slipped from my hand. Papers scattered across the floor as if I'd lost my grip on reality.
"Yeah?" I asked, sounding strangely calm for a man whose heart had just exploded.
"Yes."
Oh. My. Fucking.God.
She said yes.
My chest tightened. I sank back into my chair, staring at the ceiling as if it had betrayed me. The widest smile I'd worn in years spread across my face—uncontrolled, boyish, genuine.
She said yes.
I ended the call a minute later, still breathing like I'd just run miles. I was still smiling like an idiot when Alex walked in, a file tucked under his arm.
He stopped in his tracks.
"…What happened to you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in a knowing, amused way.
I looked at him.
"She said yes."
"Huh?" I jumped to my feet.
"ELLA SAID YES."
I didn't even think. I crossed the room and pulled him into a tight hug, gripping his shoulder like I needed something solid to keep me balanced.
He laughed, surprised. "Damn!"
"She said yes," I repeated, quieter now, as if I needed to hear it again to believe it.
Alex pulled back, grinning. "Took you long enough."
Alex laughed and shook his head, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Finally," he said. "The cold stone melted away. Who knew I'd live long enough to see this?"
I glanced at him, but there was no anger in my look. I couldn't muster it, even if I wanted to.
"Shut up," I muttered, bending down to pick up the scattered files, still smiling like a fool.
Alex straightened up and studied me with a hint of sincerity. "You care about her."
It wasn't a question. I stood there for a moment, I looked at him. "Care?"
"I am obsessed with her.
Not in the joking way people think.
In the way habits form. In the way hunger rewrites logic. "
"She is the light my darkness learned to crave, and now it doesn't survive without it. "
"She didn't save me. She ruined me for anything that isn't her. And I would choose that ruin every time. "
"I want her the way addictions want blood, constant, consuming, never enough. She lives in my head like a pulse. Every quiet moment fills with her name. Every part of me leans toward her without permission. "
"I tell myself this is an obsession. But the truth is worse. It's addiction dressed up as devotion, and I've stopped pretending I want to be cured. "
"Care like vigilance. Like restraint. Like wanting to protect something delicate without ever trapping it. "
Alex exhaled. "Damn. I guess miracles do happen." I set the files back on the desk, finally gaining some control, although my pulse was still pounding in my ears.
He crouched down to help, a smirk still on his face. "No, seriously. You look… unhinged."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair, trying and failing to calm the storm in my chest.
I wasn't reckless. I wasn't impulsive. I dropped a file, lost my cool, and smiled as the world had finally tilted in my favor. Finally, maybe the universe she had faith in showed me some ounce of grace.
All I could think was, I'll be careful with her. I'll be steady. I'll be everything she's never had… without making her feel like she owes me anything.
She chose me, and I wasn't about to waste that.