The tension had reached its peak.
Every glance.
Every touch.
Every quiet moment.
Everything felt like it was building toward something impossible to ignore. ✨
That evening, they found themselves alone in the hidden garden again.
The lanterns flickered softly.
The air was warm.
And the world felt smaller than ever.
"Ariana," Kian said, stepping closer, "I need to tell you something."
She swallowed, heart racing.
"What is it?"
He lifted a hand to her face 🎀
slow, trembling, reverent.
His thumb brushed her cheek, sending a shiver through her.
"I've tried to stay calm," he whispered.
"I've tried to stay collected."
He leaned in—
their foreheads touching
their breaths mixing.
"But every time I look at you," he breathed,
"I feel everything at once."
Ariana inhaled sharply.
"Kian…"
She placed her hands lightly on his chest.
He covered them with his own—
holding her there, against him.
He leaned closer, lips almost touching hers,
barely a breath apart;
the tension electric, consuming.
His voice broke into a whisper:
"Tell me to stop… or I won't."
Ariana's heart pounded.
"I don't want you to stop."
Kian's breath trembled against her lips.
He leaned in that final inch...
But the garden door creaked open.
Footsteps.
Voices.
Kian froze, pulling back just enough to break the moment;
but the emotion in his eyes burned hotter than ever.
"Ariana…" he whispered, voice thick.
"This isn't over."
And she knew;
it wasn't.
Not even close. 🎉