Harper
As the private jet touched down in Paris, a chauffeur dressed impeccably in a classic black and white suit awaited me, greeting me warmly with a polite smile. He promptly guided me toward the sleek limousine parked just a few steps away from the aircraft.
I had been confined to that flight for so many hours that I managed to keep my emotions tightly controlled, consciously pushing Grayson’s earlier words to the farthest corner of my mind. I wasn’t ready to let them disturb me just yet.
The limousine slowed to a stop outside a restaurant shortly after 7 PM. I smiled softly as I glanced at the restaurant’s name, elegantly scripted in a graceful font. It was the very place Uncle Sebastian had recommended—a reassuring sign that I was one step closer to finally seeing Maddox again.
When the chauffeur opened the door for me, a strange sensation washed over me. Maddox had always been the one to do this. If there had been an occasion when he didn’t, it was fewer than two times. I had grown so accustomed to the ritual: him opening the door, extending his hand, and me taking it without a second thought.
By the end of tonight, I hoped with all my heart that things could return to the way they were—that I would once again experience the simple joy of him opening the car door for me.
The chauffeur led me inside, and the first thing that struck me was the emptiness of the lobby. It felt almost deserted, as if no one was coming or going. The quietness added an odd weight to the atmosphere.
Turning the corner toward the main dining area, I found myself halted in awe. The glass doors separated me from Maddox, but the sight beyond them stopped me cold.
The floor of the room was lavishly covered in red rose petals, their rich color glowing under the soft candlelight placed strategically in the corners. In the center stood a single round table, modest in size, with just two chairs set opposite each other. From where I stood, that was all I could see, and though the scene was breathtaking, my heart ached to actually see Maddox.
Sliding the glass doors open, I stepped inside, my eyes immediately searching to the left. There he was, dressed in a beige suit whose subtle tones perfectly matched his blond hair. He was staring out of the large window, utterly still, not even flinching when the door opened.
Beside him rested a small table, adorned with a large bouquet of red roses.
In the far left corner, a pianist was seated at a grand piano. It was Clara Edevane—one of the most renowned pianists in the world. While I was momentarily mesmerized by her presence and the delicate music flowing from her fingers, my focus remained fixed on Maddox. I longed for him to turn around, to finally meet my gaze. It had been two long weeks since I last saw that handsome face.
“Hey,” I whispered softly as I approached him.
He didn’t respond or look back but raised a hand in a silent gesture, signaling me not to come any closer. I stopped immediately. Even Clara shifted the melody, playing something more suspenseful to suit the mood.
Despite his coldness, I wasn’t upset. Instead, I found myself amused by what he did next.
Without hesitation, Maddox lifted the bouquet, holding it up to conceal his face. Then, slowly, he turned to face me, still hiding behind the flowers as if he wasn’t quite ready to reveal himself. The sight made me giggle quietly.
I knew it was only a matter of moments before he would show me his face fully—he was already moving closer.
When he finally stopped in front of me, I waited patiently, but he stubbornly kept the bouquet in place, obscuring his face. Growing slightly impatient, I gently rested my hand atop the flowers and pushed them downward.
I expected resistance, but instead, he relaxed, allowing me to guide the bouquet down. Our eyes met as the roses lowered to reveal his entire face—and there it was, that familiar smirk I loved so much.
“These,” he said, holding the bouquet out toward me, “are definitely not for me.”
He pressed the flowers softly against my chest, and I took them gratefully, inhaling the sweet fragrance with closed eyes. Clara’s music shifted again, this time playing something tender and romantic.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed nestled among the roses some of the most exquisite chocolates I had ever seen. My eyes widened in surprise.
“They’re beautiful!” I exclaimed, my smile radiant.
“The roses or the chocolates?” Maddox teased, raising an eyebrow as he adjusted his bow tie.
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