Atasha's POV
The next morning felt different—warmer, lighter. Maybe it was the traces of last night's laughter still humming in my veins, or the fact that Luna was back, even if just for a while. I was still brushing my hair when I got the message:
> "Get ready. We're picking you up in 10." – Antonio
Before I could reply, another ping popped up.
> "Girl, wear something comfy. You'll thank me later. – Luna
A grin played on my lips. It was happening. A real day out. Not just me and Antonio, but the trio we were never supposed to be. I slipped into my favorite white sneakers, threw on a casual wrap dress, and tied my hair in a loose ponytail. My heart was already racing.
The familiar roar of an engine echoed outside. I stepped out to find Antonio leaning coolly against a jet-black BMW M5, sunglasses perched on his nose, while Luna waved excitedly from the backseat. The way he looked at me—as if I was the only thing that mattered in that moment—still gave me chills.
"Morning, sunshine," he said, holding the door open for me.
I slipped in beside Luna, who instantly launched into her plans. "We're hitting all the good spots: the lakefront, the cliff-side café, and Antonio swears by this hilltop garden he found. Today's going to be magic."
And it was.
We drove with the windows down, wind tangling our hair, music playing softly as the city unfolded around us. Antonio's hand occasionally brushed against mine when he shifted gears, and though we said little, it was the silence that felt whole—not empty.
The lakefront glistened under the sun. Luna and I dipped our feet in, splashing like kids, while Antonio captured candid pictures of us. At the café, we tried too many pastries and laughed until our cheeks hurt. Then, as the sun dipped below the horizon, we climbed the hilltop garden—a quiet haven of blooming lavender and winding paths.
I caught Luna watching us, a knowing smile on her lips.
That day, I wasn't just Atasha or Selene. I was someone in between—whole, grounded, loved.
And in Antonio's quiet glances and Luna's spontaneous laughs, I realized I didn't need to chase happiness anymore.
It had found me.
As twilight wrapped its velvet arms around the hilltop, the world slowed down. The garden's lights blinked on—tiny fairy bulbs strung between the trees—casting a soft golden glow over the winding paths. It felt like something from a dream, suspended in time.
Luna had wandered off, camera in hand, eager to capture every flower, every breeze. That left just the two of us—me and Antonio—seated on the low stone ledge overlooking the city lights below.
I hugged my knees to my chest, breathing in the mix of wild lavender and something else I couldn't place—him.
"You're quiet," I murmured, glancing sideways at him.
He looked at me, his eyes darker in the low light, but gentle. "I just… I didn't expect this to feel so easy again. Being with you. Like the silence is finally good."
I smiled, shyly. "I know what you mean."
For a moment, we said nothing, letting the breeze carry our shared thoughts. My fingers found a loose thread on my sleeve, nervously twisting it. Then, without thinking, I asked, "Did you always plan today? The places, the timing, everything?"
He didn't answer right away. His hand reached out, brushing that same thread away gently from my wrist, his fingers lingering. "Only the best for you," he whispered, eyes locked with mine.
My heart skipped—not in chaos, but in rhythm.
He leaned in slowly, so slowly, I could feel the electricity stretching between us. His hand cupped my cheek.
When our lips met, I felt the butterflies in my stomach.
And in that kiss, under fairy lights and fading sun, I felt so passionate.