Chapter 59

Bella.

In the past few months, there had been countless places on my travel wishlist. However, due to my hectic work schedule and the fear of going alone, I hadn't been able to explore any of them. So when Daniel mentioned surprising me with a place he thought I would enjoy, I didn't think much of it.

But now that I was here, I realized he wasn't wrong about my liking the surprise.

I had casually mentioned my fondness for aquariums during one of our conversations, sharing how the serene beauty of underwater creatures captivated me. It was a passing remark, and I never expected Daniel to remember, let alone bring me to a place like this.

The fact that he not only brought me to an aquarium but also included a museum and an art gallery indicates that he has been paying close attention to my words. I couldn't help but be impressed by his thoughtfulness.

"So, what do you think? Are you enjoying being here, or would you prefer to leave?" Daniel's voice broke through my thoughts, causing me to turn and look at him.

I shot him a playful glare, aware that he was teasing me on seeing how much I was enjoying myself and the breathtaking view.

"Do you really want to ruin the moment by asking such a question? Clearly, I'm enthralled by the view, and I have no complaints. Don't try to annoy me, or I might just storm off without exploring the other areas," I playfully threatened, feeling a bit childish. Daniel shook his head in response.

I wasn't intentionally being immature, but I noticed that I tend to act like a child around him throughout the day. Even when I become aware of it, I can't seem to resist the urge to let go and embrace my playful side. It's as if his presence brings out my carefree nature, no matter how hard I try to act maturely.

"Just let me know when you're ready to move on to the next stop. I'm glad you're enjoying it," he said, and since I didn't have any more words, I simply nodded and continued exploring, my eyes fixated on the mesmerizing fish tank.

Engulfed in an awkward silence, I felt the need to initiate a conversation with him. However, we both seemed at a loss for words, unsure of what to say. Eventually, a topic emerged in my mind, though I wasn't entirely certain if it was the appropriate moment to bring it up. Regardless, I decided to broach the subject, as silence was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"I know it's not my place to ask, and you might find it uncomfortable, but I'm a bit curious about how things are going with your rumored wedding. I still see news about it in the tabloids, and you haven't addressed the rumors yet," I blurted out, hoping he wouldn't take offense to my inquiry.

My intention wasn't to probe because I felt a certain way about being around a man who was supposedly engaged. I brought it up because I couldn't think of any other topic to discuss, and I didn't want the silence to linger, as it became increasingly uncomfortable. Additionally, I didn't perceive him as someone who particularly enjoyed being in such places, and I wanted to ensure he wasn't bored.

"Do you feel uncomfortable around me because you believe I'm an engaged man?" he responded, catching me slightly off guard with his direct question.

"If I had an issue with you being engaged, or rather, supposedly engaged to someone else, I wouldn't be here right now. I would have declined your offer for a date right away. I asked about it out of curiosity, wanting to know how you plan to handle the situation since the rumors are still circulating," I clarified swiftly.

I didn't want him to think I had a problem with him personally, but it did bother me that he hadn't addressed the engagement rumors. I couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if being seen with him in public might make me appear as though I were dating someone else's fiancé.

"Well, it's not like I haven't an effort to debunk the rumors or anything like that. I did mention before that dealing with my father can be quite challenging, and he has already prepared countermeasures to prevent me from addressing the news about my marriage with Christina. While I do have some control over the media, my father holds much greater authority, making it difficult for me to take action," he explained, surprising me with his revelation.

I had never imagined Daniel being in a position where he couldn't assert control over the media. Although I never held him in an overly elevated regard, I did assume he would have some influence over the news surrounding him. Learning that his father's authority prevented him from doing so came as a genuine surprise to me.

"To be honest, I'm genuinely taken aback by what you're telling me. I could never have imagined that your father would wield such power, preventing someone like you from having control over the media. It seems you come from a highly influential family," I remarked, and he chuckled.

"I won't deny that my family holds significant power, but I'd rather not delve into that topic. I've spent most of my life resenting the fact that I was born into such a family," he admitted.

on hearing his confession about resenting his family, my curiosity piqued, and I couldn't help but draw parallels to my own feelings of resentment towards my own family. I wished I had been born into a more ordinary family rather than the one I had unfortunately been born into.

"May I ask why you resent being born into your family, or is it too personal a question for you to answer?" I inquired.

He remained silent for a while, contemplating whether or not to share his reasons. As curious as I was, I didn't want to pressure him into revealing anything he wasn't comfortable discussing. It was evident that he harbored deep resentment toward his family, particularly his father, and I didn't want to reopen any wounds.

After briefly clearing his throat, he finally responded, though he chose not to delve into too much detail.

"I won't delve into specifics, as I don't want to dampen the mood for tonight. Let's just say that my resentment toward my family stems from how we were treated while growing up and the unreasonably high expectations placed on us," he shared.

"I don't know if you can fully understand what I'm talking about, but growing up in a family that constantly had the world's attention, waiting to see what we would do next, we were denied the chance to simply be children. We had to mature far earlier than most, striving for perfection in everything we did to avoid the judgment and criticism of people who didn't truly know us," he explained, and his words evoked a sense of emotional resonance in me.

I couldn't possibly compare my family to Daniel's, as we lacked their fame and wealth. However, I could deeply relate to his experiences, for I too grew up in a family that placed excessive expectations on me due to their desired reputation.

Like him, I had to mature far earlier than my peers, as being a child and embracing that innocence was seen as a path to failure in my family.

"I may not have experienced it to the same extent as you, but I genuinely understand where you're coming from. Being forced to abandon the joys of childhood and embrace adulthood prematurely can have a profound impact on a young mind. I can only imagine how challenging it must have been within your family," I shared, empathizing with his struggles.

"It was undoubtedly frustrating, and I assure you, it did take a toll on me for a while. However, I eventually broke free from that mindset, realizing that I couldn't remain trapped in the past or lead a life filled with frustration. That's why I was determined to make a name for myself beyond the confines of my family's influence. I wanted to reclaim control over my own life," he expressed.

His words resonated deeply with me, and I began to realize that we shared more similarities than I had initially thought. Unbeknownst to him, his words brought me immense comfort, validating my decision to distance myself from my own family and pursue my dreams of becoming a renowned artist.

It reassured me that I wasn't making a mistake and that achieving worldwide recognition wasn't an impossible feat.

Now I understood that my recent lack of motivation stemmed from the emotional impact of being disowned by my parents, solely because I chose to pursue a career I loved rather than following their prescribed path.

While I longed for their support and celebration of my achievements, I knew deep down that they might never acknowledge me, regardless of my accomplishments. It weighed heavily on my spirit. However, hearing Daniel's story and realizing that I wasn't alone in this struggle brought a renewed sense of hope and motivation.

Without fully realizing what I was saying, the words slipped out: "Can I hug you?" Only afterward did I grasp the implications of my words and the potential misunderstanding they might cause.

"What?" he asked, a look of surprise on his face.

Since I couldn't retract or deny what I had said, I simply acted on my instinct. Pulling him into a comforting embrace, I sought solace not only for him but also for myself, finding reassurance that everything would eventually be alright.