Chapter 30 First Kiss
It had been two days since Carson rescued me from the wicked people. The bruises on my skin were healing slowly, but the fear in my heart was leaving even faster—because he was always with me and that's sometimes all I needed.
He didn’t leave my side. Not even for a second and somehow, just sitting next to him… made everything feel okay again.
That morning, I was sitting by the balcony, watching the sun rise when Carson walked in with two mugs of hot chocolate.
“You’re up early,” he said, handing me one.
“I couldn’t sleep much,” I replied, smiling as I took the cup. “But this helps.”
He sat down beside me, close enough for our arms to touch.
For a few minutes, we just sat in silence, listening to the birds, feeling the breeze.
I glanced at him and smiled. “You haven’t even asked how I feel,"I said.
He looked at me. “I didn’t need to. I’ve been watching you,”he said.
I chuckled softly. “That sounds a little creepy,"I said.
He laughed. “Okay, maybe. But I meant… I’ve been paying attention. You try to look strong, but your hands still shake sometimes."He said.
I looked down at my hands. He was right.
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered.
“I know,” he said gently. “But until then, I’ll stay right here.”he added.
I turned to him again, and our eyes met.
Something about the way he was looking at me made my heart beat faster.
“Why do you care so much?” I asked quietly.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out and gently tucked my hair behind my ear.
Then he smiled and looked at me with an intentional look.
“Because I love you,”he said.
My heart stopped for a second.
I blinked. “What… Did you just say?”i asked.
He looked straight into my eyes.
“I love you, Annabel. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I just didn’t know how to say it,”he said.
My lips parted, but no words came out. I just stared at him, my chest rising and falling faster now.
“I know it’s probably too soon,” he said. “Or maybe it’s too late. But I’m not saying it because I have to. I’m saying it because it’s the truth,”he said again.
Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them because I was shocked or maybe happy, or maybe a mixed feeling.
“Say it again,” I whispered.
He smiled, softly and warmly.
“I love you.”he said softly.
My tears fell….not from pain, not from fear.But from something I hadn’t felt in a long time—pure happiness.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He froze.
“You do?” he asked.
I nodded slowly. “I do. I really do.” I said.
We were both quiet for a moment enjoying the moment. Then, slowly, Carson leaned closer but I didn’t move away.
His hand found mine, warm and gentle.
And then, softly… he kissed me.
It wasn’t rushed but It was soft, calm, and full of emotion.
It was my first kiss with Carson, and I felt it deep in my chest, and just for some reason I felt I wanted more.
When we pulled away, we were both smiling.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he said.
“I’m glad you did,” I replied.
He held my face gently with both hands.
“You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” he said.
“I’m not,” I whispered. “Not with you."I added.
We spent the whole day together, doing nothing special—but it still felt like the most beautiful day.
He made me pancakes, and I made fun of how bad they looked.
“This one looks like a sad turtle,” I said, pointing to one.
“It’s modern art,” he said, pretending to be proud.
We laughed, sat on the floor watching old movies, and shared a blanket. We argued about which ice cream was better—vanilla or chocolate.
“But chocolate is the king,” he said.
“Vanilla is the queen,” I shot back.
“Fine,” he grinned. “We’ll rule the world together.”he said.
I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway.
Later, he fell asleep with his head in my lap.
And as I looked down at him, peaceful and calm, I felt a warmth within me that I couldn’t explain.
I ran my fingers through his hair slowly.
“I love you,” I whispered again.
His eyes opened slightly, and he smiled.
“I heard that,” he murmured sleepily.
I smiled. “Good.”
That night, we went up to the rooftop.
The stars were shining so brightly, like they had waited just for us.
We lay side by side on a blanket, staring up.
He reached for my hand again.
“Tell me something,” I said.
“Anything.”i added.
“What was the first moment you knew?” I asked.
He thought for a moment, then turned to me.
“When you stood up to Bridget at the charity ball,” he said. “I saw something in you that night… strength, grace, fire. I couldn’t stop thinking about you,”he added.
I blushed.
“I thought you were just a stubborn billionaire,” I teased.
He laughed. “I was. Until you walked into my world and ruined all my plans.”he said chuckling.
I smiled at him.
“And I’m glad I did,"I said.
We didn’t need more words after that. We stayed on the rooftop, watching the stars, hearts full.
It wasn’t dramatic, It wasn’t loud.
But it was everything.
It was our moment.
And I knew, without a doubt, that my heart had finally found home. It doesn't matter if it won't be all peace, what matters the most is you have someone right beside you that will be with you through it all.
“Cheers to us”I said.
“Yes !!!, cheers to us, cheers to something new and beautiful “he added.
And just like that , we cheered for our new life because we finally confessed our feelings to each other and that's really a bigger step ahead.
And again I say cheers!!!!!.