I'm yours, always

I'm yours, always
The sun rose over the bustling market district, awash in gold. Their hotel was only a short walk from the city’s beating heart—a labyrinth of stalls packed tightly under patchwork awnings. Aromatic clouds curled through the alleyways, lush with spices and grilled meats, mingling with laughter and shouts in several languages. Evelyn felt at home in the chaos, her cheeks flushed with anticipation as she tucked one arm through Hunter’s and pulled him along.

Hunter wore his favorite linen shirt and a pair of worn jeans, but his usual corporate seriousness seemed to have melted away with the morning sun. He gamely let Evelyn lead the way, smiling at her delight. Market sellers called out from their stalls, waving fragrant teas and vivid silks. They weaved between a crowd of locals haggling, tourists gesturing at maps, and children darting past with sticky sweets clutched in their hands.

“Look at these colors!” Evelyn exclaimed, pausing at a table bursting with dyed scarves and beaded bags. She picked up a turquoise scarf, running her fingers over the fine embroidery. “Wouldn’t Grandma love this?”

Hunter grinned, reaching for the wallet in his pocket. “You’re determined to buy something at every stall, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” she answered, grinning mischievously. “What’s the point of traveling if not to support local commerce?”

He chuckled, handing the vendor a bill and slinging the scarf over his shoulder along with the bag of ceramics from the last stall. “Between you and Grandma, I’ll have to upgrade our checked luggage.”

“You know, you volunteered for bag duty,” Evelyn teased, passing him another gift-wrapped bundle.

Hunter pretended to stagger under the weight, mock-exasperation in his voice. “My wife has expensive taste. Menacing for my wallet and my biceps.”

“Oh, hush.” She nudged him with her elbow, then reached for a stick of roasted meat from a passing street vendor. She paid and held out the steaming skewer, declaring with a flourish, “For the world’s strongest pack mule.”

He accepted the snack, looking skeptical. “Are you sure this isn’t too spicy?”

“Only one way to find out.” She fed him a bite, her thumb brushing his jaw as he leaned in.

Hunter chewed, his eyes watering a little. “That’s… wow, that’s got a kick.”

“How bad?” Evelyn giggled.

“I may need rescue,” he replied, swallowing hard. “Quick, give me a piece of bread. Or another souvenir. Anything to distract me.”

She smirked and slipped a piece of flatbread into his hand. “Want to risk dessert?”

They continued their stroll, sampling fruit ices from pushcarts—mango for her, coconut for him—and pausing to admire hand-painted ceramics. Hunter squinted at a blue-glazed plate, its edges fluted like a sea shell.

“You know, I never took myself for a souvenir hunter,” he said, “but with you, it feels right. Like I’m finally a proper tourist.”

Evelyn tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, brimming with affection. “You’re excellent at being on vacation. If you carry all the bags, you might even qualify for a medal.”

He leaned in, pretending to whisper, “Do I get a kiss if I survive until lunch?”

She rolled her eyes but kissed him anyway, quick and soft on the cheek. “We’ll see what else you earn.”

Midday approached, bringing a rush of heat and chatter among the crowds. They ducked into a courtyard café, woven chairs nestled beneath flowering vines. Evelyn ordered lemon iced tea for both of them, and they watched locals playing cards under the shade while the market thrummed outside.

Hunter set their bundles under the table, gazing at her across the rim of his glass. “I’ve been thinking… we haven’t had moments like this in too long. It’s always work, deadlines, the next crisis.”

Evelyn smiled, her gaze gentle. “I know. I missed this Hunter—the one who’s not fighting wars in boardrooms.”

He shrugged, bashful for a moment. “I missed you, plain and simple.”

She reached for his hand, squeezing. “Promise me that when we go home, you’ll keep some of this ease. I like it.”

His fingers traced lazy circles over her wrist. “I think I can do that. Especially for you.”

They lingered in the shade, then plunged back into the market’s dizzying maze. At every turn, Evelyn tugged him toward new wonders: a jewelry stall glowing with gold and gemstones; a basket of hand-carved figurines; plump apricots and jars of honey stacked in pyramids.

She paused at the jewelry stall, her eyes caught by a delicate silver necklace featuring a small, blue glass pendant, the color of summer twilight.

Hunter watched her, noticing the wistfulness with which she fingered the chain. “Do you like it?”

Evelyn nodded, embarrassed. “It’s beautiful. But I have so many already.”

“That’s never stopped you before,” he teased. “Besides, it’s tradition. You get a necklace on every trip. I’m not about to break tradition now.”

He negotiated quietly with the vendor, fishing out notes and handing them over with a smile. Then, with exaggerated ceremony, he slipped behind her and gently clasped the necklace around her neck. The glass pendant sparkled against her skin.

Hunter bent forward, his lips brushing Evelyn’s nape. “For my queen of expensive taste.”

She laughed, turning to kiss him full on the lips this time, heedless of passers-by. A few people grinned; the vendor applauded softly. “Perfect fit,” the merchant said, beaming.

Evelyn gazed at the little pendant, tracing its edges. “I’ll wear it every day.”

“Until next year,” Hunter teased. “Then I’ll buy you another.”

They continued on, touring the local monuments: climbing the steps of ancient temples, marveling at mosaics in sun-drenched courtyards, stumbling upon hidden gardens where birds sang. At each site, Hunter insisted on taking photos together—Evelyn standing against crumbling walls, Hunter’s arm slung playfully over her shoulder. She protested at first, not wanting to take too many cliché tourist shots, but soon gave in, laughing at his serious attempts to frame the perfect image.

At one famous landmark, a sprawling palace with arched windows and turquoise tiles, an elderly man offered to take their picture together.

Hunter handed the camera over. “Thank you, sir. Please make us look like we’re actually in love, not just suffering under the weight of these shopping bags.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes but snuggled close, her arms wrapped around him. The man snapped the photo. Hunter immediately checked the screen, then showed Evelyn. She burst out laughing.

“We look ridiculous. But happy,” she said.

“That’s all I care about,” Hunter replied. “Ridiculous, happy—and far, far away from that other life.”

They explored the city for hours, their conversation meandering as freely as their path. Every so often, Hunter would glance at Evelyn and shake his head, grinning. “How did I get so lucky?”

She grinned back. “You bribed me with jewelry and street food. Classic romance.”

He squeezed her hand, voice suddenly serious. “No, really. I don’t say it enough. I wouldn’t survive that world—our relentless family, my business nightmares, all the betrayals—without you keeping me grounded.”

Her gaze softened, touched by the openness she saw in him. “You’re stronger than you think, Hunter. But I’m glad I get to help.”

He caressed her cheek, the city fading to a quiet hush around them. “This trip—we should promise each other that we’ll remember it when things get hard. Every laugh, every silly photo, every snack. Especially the spicy ones. Deal?”

“Deal,” she agreed, sealing the promise with a kiss.

As evening crept in, they found a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. Lanterns swung between olive trees, and a quartet played gentle music. Evelyn and Hunter ordered a simple meal, lingering over wine and appetizers while the city glowed beneath them.

Evelyn leaned back, the new necklace cool against her skin, and looked out at the horizon. “Do you want to talk about the business stuff? Or should we pretend it doesn’t exist tonight?”

Hunter shook his head. “Not tonight. Tonight we’re just two people in a strange place, falling in love again.”

She squeezed his hand. “I like that. Let’s stay lost.”

He nodded, and they both fell into a comfortable quiet. Later, as the stars emerged, he pressed the camera into her hand. “Don’t forget to take one last photo. Just you and me, and the city behind.”

She snapped a quick selfie, her smile bright as the lantern glow. “It’ll go next to the necklace, on the dresser. Proof that we were happy—even when the rest of the world tried to pull us apart.”

He tucked a rogue curl behind her ear, smiling softly. “I’m yours. Always.”

They finished their evening wandering the quieter streets, arm in arm, their laughter echoing as they took in the sights. The day had been filled with color—scarves, trinkets, food, and photos—but the warmth lingered longest in their joined hands. For a moment, neither was a CEO nor a caretaker nor a survivor. They were simply Evelyn and Hunter, two souls far away from home, rediscovering each other beneath distant stars.

And as they walked back toward the hotel, weighed down with souvenirs yet light with joy, Hunter leaned over and whispered, “Ready for another adventure tomorrow?”

Evelyn nodded, smiling. “As long as there’s street food and questionable jewelry.”

“Deal.” He laughed, pulling her close, the city’s music trailing after them like a promise that, no matter what waited in the world beyond, they would always find their way back to moments like these.