"Wow, it's so beautiful here," Scarlett murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, captivated by the serene scene unfolding before us. The water glistened like diamonds, each ripple catching the fading light of the sun. The trees around the lake stood tall, their leaves bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, while a few early stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, adding a magical touch to the scene.
Scarlett leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the tranquil waters. There was a faraway look in her eyes, and I could sense she was lost in thought. "I can't stop thinking about those daggers," she confessed, her voice soft, almost wistful. "They're perfect... and I can't believe I can't afford them."
I smiled, watching her with affection as she gazed at the lake, her eyes distant but shining.
Her eyes lit up for a moment, but then she sighed, shaking her head. "I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up," she murmured. "They're just too expensive."
"Scarlett..." I said softly, taking a step closer, my heart pounding.
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts. This was the right time. "Actually, I have a surprise for you."
Scarlett turned to me, a curious spark in her eyes. "A surprise? What is it?"
I reached into my bag, my heart racing with anticipation. The moment felt suspended in time as I pulled out the carefully wrapped box. "Here," I said, offering it to her with a smile that barely masked my excitement. "This is for you."
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took the box from my hands, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. "Noah, you didn't!"
"I did," I replied, my voice steady even though my pulse was thundering in my chest. "Go ahead, open it."
With a mixture of disbelief and excitement, she carefully unwrapped the box, her eyes scanning the contents. When the black and red daggers were revealed, her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was frozen, unable to speak.
"Oh my God... Noah! These are the ones I saw!" she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
"I know how much you liked them," I said, watching her reaction closely, feeling my chest swell with a strange mix of satisfaction and nervousness. "I wanted you to have them."
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at me, the joy on her face a blend of gratitude and disbelief. "But... this is too much! I can't accept this!"
"Scarlett, please," I urged gently, my heart aching with the sincerity of the moment. "You mean a lot to me. I just want you to have something that makes you happy. Please... take them."
She shook her head, the conflict in her eyes clear. "I can't. It's too generous. I don't deserve something like this."
"Of course you do," I insisted, stepping closer, my voice firm but kind. "You've always been there for me. Let me do this for you."
She stood there for a long moment, her emotions swirling as she fought with her pride. Finally, her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she let out a shaky breath. "Okay... if you really want me to have them."
A radiant smile spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of disbelief and pure joy. "Thank you, Noah. I can't believe you did this for me!" she said, her voice filled with emotion.
As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, the sky above turned into a breathtaking canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, mirroring the vibrant colors of the lake. The air was cool now, but the warmth of the moment lingered.
Scarlett turned her gaze back to the water, the daggers now cradled carefully in her hands. "They're so beautiful," she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "I can't believe you thought of me like this."
"I'll always think of you," I said softly, my heart swelling with unspoken words. "You're special to me, Scarlett."
She turned to look at me, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. "You have no idea how much this means to me," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the lake. "I'm so grateful."
Before I could respond, she stepped forward and kissed me on the cheek, her lips brushing against my skin in the gentlest of gestures. The warmth of her kiss lingered, sending a rush of emotions through me that I couldn't quite name.
"Thank you, Noah," she said softly, her voice trembling with excitement and something else, something deeper. Then, in a flurry of motion, she turned and dashed off, her laughter ringing in the air as she disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
I stood there, stunned and a little breathless, as her figure retreated into the distance. My heart raced in my chest, a mix of confusion and exhilaration surging through me. The soothing sounds of the lake—its gentle waves lapping against the shore—were a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
"Scarlett!" I called out, but she was already fading into the shadows, her laughter echoing in the distance.
I touched my cheek where she had kissed me, still feeling the warmth of her lips on my skin. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I stood there, taking in the beauty of the moment. The daggers were just a gift, a physical token, but the connection we shared here—by the lake, under the stars—was something I would cherish forever.
As the last of the daylight faded and the stars blinked into existence overhead, I knew this was only the beginning. Something beautiful was starting between us, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us next.