Chapter 47: Mr Secret

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm embrace over the cityscape; Adrian gazed out at the city skyline, his heart racing with nervous excitement and anticipation.

The wind gently rustles his hair as he waits for Aria, his secret admiration for her had gotten stronger since the first time he saw her.

He stood atop the Sterling Grand Hotel, and the pulse of the city beneath his feet.

He understood very much so that she loved shiny things and was very high maintenance. He was willing to give her anything to make her belong to him.

After Jeanne, no lady had taken up a special spot in his heart. There had been many, many ladies, but none of them pulled a string in his heart.

But Aria….ohhh, Aria pulled a couple of strings.

He was captivated by her beauty, both inside and out, and admired her wits and was floored by her beauty.

His Mum had given him a very tough time about his expenses. The black card he was entrusted with was for emergencies, not buying a diamond bracelet for a girl.

He rolled his eyes at his mother's nagging. It was not as if he bought a yatch, he could if he wanted to.

The diamond bracelet costs a pretty penny, but he needed to get Aria's attention. And the dress cost a couple of ten thousands, but it wasn't a big deal.

Aria deserved the best.

The rooftop, adorned with a carefully set table and the twinkle of candles, awaited the arrival of a very special guest.

With each minute that ticked by, Adrian's mind wandered, envisioning the different ways the night could start or end.

The flowers and lavish presents were his way of extending an invitation, a whisper in the wind that said he wanted to be a part of her world.

His gesture of expressing his affection, hoping that she would notice and be open to the idea of a deeper connection between them.

He had watched from the afar, entranced by her elegance, her grace, and the mystery that surrounded her. It was easy to know what made her tick.

As the moments ticked by, his eyes were fixed on the entrance to the roof, his heart racing with the rhythm of his eager thoughts.

He had chosen this rooftop, this special arrangement because he hoped it would be special enough for the beginning of something beautiful.

He hoped that Aria would see in his gestures and the sincerity of his intentions, the genuine desire to know her, to be a part of her life.

His heart fluttered as the chauffeur who brought Aria over called to inform him that she was on her way up. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, ready to reveal himself as her secret admirer.

The door swung open, and there she was, her presence like a beacon in the evening's embrace.

She looked stunning in her dress, just like he had hoped. Aria's steps were a melody of grace, each one bringing her closer to the table.

Her eyes, a meld of wonder and curiosity, took in the scene before her, the flickering candles, the elegant dinner, and the rooftop that seemed to be a world of its own.

As their eyes met, time seemed to slow, the world around them narrowing to the connection that was sparking between them.

Adrian's nervousness melted in the warmth of her gaze. He was sure the night would turn out great.

Aria's steps took her to the table, and as pulled the chair for her to seat, he could feel the unspoken words hanging in the air.

Adrian knew that this was his chance, his moment to extend his heart's invitation, to say that he was keen to explore the path ahead together.

The rooftop, with its twinkling stars and the glow of city lights, would build their connection, a connection that had been nurtured by gifts and gestures, and was now ready to bloom into something more real.

Adrian held her gaze, his heart filled with hope and a touch of vulnerability. The rooftop, the dinner, the city, all of it was an expression of the words he was about to speak, the feelings he was about to profess, and the journey he hoped they could embark upon.

"So it's you?" she started. She recognized him the moment she stepped on the roof. She did her best to conceal her excitement; she was glad it turned out to be him. He was very handsome and young, not an older man.

"It's me," he responded.

"You surprised me. I didn't think much of you the first time I saw you," she said.

"Things aren't usually the way they seem," Adrian said.

She takes a moment to absorb his words before responding.

"Is that right?" she asked with a little smile forming at the corner of her lips.

"Yep," he responded, raising his eyebrows.

"This is nice," she said, looking around admiring the set-up.

"I'm glad you like it."

"The rooftop though..." she said, standing up. "How can you be certain I'm not acrophobic?"

He stood up and walked with her to a railing by the edge of the building.

The city's lights began to shimmer like distant constellations, and the sounds of the bustling streets below seemed to fade into a gentle hum.

"You don't strike me as someone who's afraid of anything."

"Hmmm….I'm not," she said truthfully, thinking about the hurdles of her past.