Eleanor and lan walked side by side out of the property. The morning air was
incredibly fresh, carrying the scent of damp earth and grass from last night's rain. The neighborhood was quiet, with only a few elderly residents out for their morning exercise.
They headed toward the community's public gardens. Enjoying the scenery without the need for conversation, they fell into an effortless rhythm.
Princess ran happily ahead, occasionally looking back at them.
Walking peacefully together like this felt like stepping back in time to years ago.
Except the girl who once carried a youthful naivety now exuded a confident, unshakeable calm, standing entirely as his equal.
Things weren't the same as before.
Yet, somehow, it felt like a brand new beginning.
Suddenly, Eleanor felt a large, warm hand envelop hers.
The man looked down, observing her reaction. The morning light danced on her long lashes. She frowned slightly but didn't pull her hand away, keeping her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
lan had only been testing the waters, but her lack of rejection made his eyes shine brighter. He tightened his grip, fully encasing her hand in his, and casually continued walking forward.
He shortened his long strides to match Eleanor's pace, entirely relishing this hard- earned morning tranquility, a smile touching his eyes.
It was an early autumn morning. The wind rustled through the trees, and sunlight filtered through the leaves in dappled patches. They strolled slowly through the quiet garden, hand in hand.
Eleanor's heart wasn't as chaotic as it had been last night. It felt as though something within her had finally been smoothed over.
"Are you cold?" he turned his head to ask.
"No," she shook her head.
lan smiled. Just then, his grip loosened slightly. Assuming he was going to let go, Eleanor naturally started to pull her hand back.
Instead, he gently supported the back of her hand and slowly, firmly slid his fingers into the spaces between hers.
He wanted their fingers interlocked.
This time, the gesture carried an even deeper layer of intimacy and possessiveness.
Eleanor's fingers instinctively curled inward, but the man had already pressed their palms flush together, leaving no space between them.
Her heartbeat skipped its rhythm. This guy really knew how to push his luck.
Her face felt hot, though she wasn't sure if it was from the sunlight of something else. She looked away, but their intertwined shadows on the ground betrayed the undeniable closeness between them.
After walking a bit further, they suddenly realized Princess was gone.
Eleanor had just seen her a moment ago, but she had vanished.
"Princess!" Eleanor called out urgently.
A bark echoed from behind a cluster of bushes—a panicked, distressed bark.
Eleanor's chest tightened. She exchanged a quick look with lan, and they both sprinted toward the sound.
Behind an unpruned ornamental
shrub was a small decorative pool. It
wasn't large, but last night's heavy rain had filled it to the brim, making the edges slick with mud. Somehow, Princess had fallen in and was desperately paddling, letting out frightened whines for help.
"Princess!" Eleanor gasped, instinctively rushing forward to save her.
A large hand grabbed her arm. "Don't move, you'll slip. I'll get her."
lan pulled her back to safe ground. He took a long stride over the grass, planted his feet firmly on either side of the square pool, and reached down to haul the panicking ang out, of the water.