Page 112 of Arianna

Not so much.

Besides, something about the bubbly blond heiress irks me.

Sebastian understands I don’t want to talk about it and lets it go. “Let’s move along, then.”

And we do.

We carry on touring the city and all it has to offer.

By the end of the day, Benjamin carries dozens of bags from every store we shopped at while Sebastian holds a sleeping Ellaiza.

And me?

I carry this beautiful day in my heart, hoping it lasts.

To whatever high force is out there, I ask… please let me keep this.

Let it last.

ARIANNA

Your World

“It is your world, darling girl.

Make of it what you wish.” – B

The cold wind hits my face softly and blows my hair as I breathe in. “This is just…” I can’t even find the words to express how over-the-top and sweet this gesture is. When Sebastian asked me what I wanted to do today, and I responded by telling him something that he has never done before. I would have never imagined this is what he would pick.

What he hasn't done.

Something inside of me warms when realizing that this is his first time, and he chose to experience it with me.

A hot air ride balloon overlooking the city in the late afternoon with the sun ready to set and allow nightfall to take over.

I thought riding hot air balloons in the winter was uncommon because of the cold weather, but yet again, this determined man made it happen.

Suddenly a flashback hits me of my little sister, Mila. “Did you know that hot air balloons played an integral role during the Civil War?” For the first time in a long time, I smile instead of feeling heartbreak when remembering my sister.

I wish you were here, Mila. I think to myself.

Carefully moving forward, I hold onto the strings at each side, the same ones the nice man guiding us through the air told us to hold on to if it was needed. Christ, from up here, it feels as if I could kiss the sky.

“Perfection?” Sebastian says roughly behind me, choosing the right word to describe this view and this moment for me.

Holding tightly to the balloon’s basket, I look down, not even a little afraid but excited. Almost like a little girl on Christmas morning. Joy fills every crack in my heart, making it anew.

“Yes, perfect would be the word to describe it.” I breathe out, look over my shoulder at Sebastian, and find him staring straight at me, not at the beauty around us. He has an intense look in his eyes that leaves me breathless. Shadows play across his striking face as he pierced me with that gaze. His cheeks were sharp, and his jaw sharper.

He looks so handsome like I have never seen him, in a sleeveless white button-up and cream-colored dress pants paired with some Gucci loafers. Today, he looks as handsome as ever but less intimidating. He looks even younger and more…free.

Dare I say, happy?

Forgetting that we are not alone, everything fades as I watch Sebastian move closer to my body with a determined look on his face. My heartbeat slows, just like the world around us, until there is only him.

Only me.

Only us at this moment.

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