Chapter 263

I watched him, his face flushed, a couple of beads of sweat on his nose. I couldn't help but smile. He turned away, clearly trying to compose himself, so I focused on the road, deciding not to push my luck. The whole "hard" thing had left us both speechless.

After a few awkward minutes, remembering his suggestion to spend time together, I broke the silence. "So, where do you wanna go?"

"Do you have plans this afternoon?" Hayden asked.

"Nope!" I answered, perhaps too enthusiastically.

Hayden's serious expression melted into a smile. "Cool. I've got somewhere I want to take you."

I remained quiet this time, attempting to play it cool.

"I'll set the navigation. Just follow it," he said, as if agreement was a given.

We ended up on the outskirts of town, in a remote area with nothing but overgrown grass and a shimmering lake in the distance.

"What are we doing here? Thinking of clearing some land and starting a farm?" I joked.

Hayden looked around and, to my surprise, said, "Yeah."

I laughed. "You should probably stick to playing with your wires and making that million-dollar salary."

He smirked and started walking. I followed, but a small, fast creature darted through the grass. I screamed, "Ah-!"

Hayden instantly turned, rushing back to me. Before I knew it, I was clinging to him, arms around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist. Back in school, I could barely clear the high jump, but this was a perfect ten. I latched onto him like a koala, determined not to let go.

Hayden caught me, his hands supporting my waist. "What happened?" he asked.

"A snake! There's a snake!" I yelped, my voice trembling.

I wasn't even sure if I'd seen a snake, but that's what my gut told me. And seriously, what else could be slithering around in this wild, overgrown field? I was terrified of those creepy things; even a caterpillar could send me running.

Hayden held me steady and walked away from the grass. "My bad."

He didn't specify his apology, but he carried me until we reached the lake. I was still in shock, clinging to him, until he asked, "Wanna dip your toes in the water?"

That's when I realized I was practically strangling him, my arms leaving red marks on his neck. I quickly let go and slid down, my face burning with embarrassment. "Sorry," I mumbled, hurrying to the lake's edge, trying to appear nonchalant.

Hayden followed closely. "Yuna said you wanted a paradise like hers."

"Yeah, with mountains and water, a little garden with flowers…" I trailed off, suddenly understanding. I spun around to look at the barren land. "Hayden, don't tell me you're planning to—"

Before I could finish, he nodded. "When we get married, I'll turn this into your own hidden paradise."

I stared, completely stunned. I never imagined he'd be thinking so far ahead.

"Do you want it?" Hayden asked.

"Yes!" I blurted out.

Hayden smiled. "Alright."

He turned back to the empty field, already picturing our home there.

Our home? The thought hit me like a truck, and I froze. Wait… did he just propose to me? And did I just… accept?

"Hayden, you're pretty sneaky," I said.

He smiled and kept walking. I tried to catch up, but he ran. The faster he ran, the more determined I was to catch him. He stopped suddenly, and as I reached him, ready to playfully smack his arm, he scooped me up.

The world spun. "Honey," Hayden whispered, his hands steady on my waist as he twirled us. His soft, low voice sent a shiver down my spine, his words echoing in my ear.