That evening, after work, Nathan picked Leia up from her office and took her to a quiet restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. The place had a charming, intimate ambiance—dim, golden lights hung overhead, casting a soft glow over the mahogany tables. The gentle hum of background music mixed with the occasional clinking of glasses, creating an atmosphere meant to soothe.
Yet, as Leia sat across from Nathan, her heart pounded so hard she was certain he could hear it.
She had never been this close to him before. Not in high school, not ever. Back then, he had always seemed so distant, so far out of reach. But now, here he was—sitting directly across from her, sleeves rolled up just slightly, his watch glinting under the warm light. His posture was composed, his expression unreadable, but something about his presence made the space between them feel unbearably small.
She shouldn't have felt nervous. She was a grown woman, confident in her career, no longer the shy girl who could only admire from afar. Yet, beneath his steady gaze, she felt an old kind of hesitation creeping back in—the kind that made her stomach twist and her fingers instinctively curl into the hem of her napkin.
They ate mostly in silence.
Leia wasn't sure if it was the awkwardness or if this was simply how Nathan was—calm, quiet, someone who never felt the need to fill the air with meaningless chatter. Every now and then, she stole a glance at him, but each time, she quickly looked away, afraid he would catch her staring.
Nathan, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. He moved with a natural grace, each gesture precise and unhurried. His fingers wrapped effortlessly around his glass as he took a sip of water, his expression contemplative as he cut into his food.
But every so often, his eyes flickered toward her.
Leia could feel it—the weight of his gaze lingering for just a second too long before he returned to his meal. And when she finally gathered enough courage to glance up, her breath hitched as their eyes met.
Her face instantly heated.
She quickly looked down, pretending to adjust the napkin in her lap, but it was useless—her pulse was already racing, and she could feel the warmth creeping up her neck.
Nathan tilted his head slightly, an almost amused glint in his eyes.
"You're quiet," he observed.
Leia hesitated, then forced a small, polite smile. "I guess I just… don't know what to say."
Nathan's gaze didn't waver. "We have a lot of time to catch up."
Leia swallowed. Catch up.
How did you catch up with someone who had once been a fleeting presence in your life but somehow never left your heart?
Desperate to change the topic, she carefully set down her utensils and asked, "I didn't see you at the graduation ceremony. You never showed up. Did you end up going to Qilin University?"
Nathan leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Yeah."
Leia nodded, trying to appear casual. "I went to Zhenhua."
Nathan's fingers tapped lightly against the table, his eyes darkening with an emotion she couldn't quite place. "So, you went to Zhenhua…"
For some reason, the way he repeated it sent another rush of warmth to her cheeks. Was it just her imagination, or had he… thought about this before?
She opened her mouth to say something else, but Nathan smoothly changed the subject.
"Did you like it there?"
Leia blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, um—yes. It was a good experience. I met great people, learned a lot." She paused. "And you? Did you enjoy your time at Qilin University?"
Nathan nodded slightly. "It was what I expected."
What I expected.
Leia almost laughed. That response was so… him. Always logical, always composed.
And yet, the Nathan before her now—this version of him—felt different. He still carried that same quiet confidence, but there was something else beneath it now. Something heavier, something that made her feel like there were stories left untold.
After finishing their meal, they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool evening air brushing against Leia's skin. She exhaled softly, feeling slightly more relaxed now that they were outside, walking side by side along the dimly lit streets. The city hummed around them, distant car lights reflecting off the pavement.
"Right, you said you had something to tell me," Leia finally said, glancing up at him.
Nathan's steps slowed. His hands were tucked in his coat pockets, his expression unreadable as he looked ahead.
Then, with a quiet exhale, he finally spoke.
"My mom passed away when I was in my second year of university." His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. "Cancer."
Leia's breath caught.
Her body stilled, her heart sinking like a stone.
For a moment, the world around her seemed to blur.
"Auntie…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The emotion hit her like a tidal wave.
Her chest ached, her throat tightened, and before she could stop herself, her vision blurred with tears. They welled up, spilling over without warning, hot streaks trailing down her cheeks.
She turned away, trying to wipe them quickly, trying to hold them back, but the grief—the sheer, overwhelming sadness—rushed in all at once.
Nathan remained still, watching her quietly. And then, after a beat of silence, he did something unexpected.
He stepped closer.
Slowly, cautiously, as if giving her the chance to pull away.
But she didn't.
Instead, she let herself be drawn in as he wrapped an arm around her, his touch warm, steady. His other hand lightly rested against the back of her head, fingers threading gently through her hair.
Leia closed her eyes, pressing her forehead against his chest, her tears dampening the fabric of his coat.
Nathan let out a quiet breath, his voice softer this time. "It's okay."
Leia shook her head slightly. "I—I should've known. I should've been there."
"You didn't know," Nathan murmured. "And you're here now."
Leia swallowed hard, her body trembling against him. She had never imagined their reunion would unfold like this—wrapped in grief, bound by the pain of someone they had both cherished.
After a long silence, she whispered, "Nathan… I want to visit Auntie. I have things I want to say to her."
Nathan's grip on her tightened slightly before he nodded. "Okay. I'll take you this weekend."
Leia pulled back just enough to look up at him. She was still crying, but she managed a small, tearful smile.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Nathan stared at her for a moment, his dark eyes searching hers. Then, slowly, almost hesitantly, his hand reached up, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear from her cheek.
Leia's breath hitched.
Her cheeks burned instantly, and she knew—she knew—that her face must have turned an embarrassing shade of pink.
Nathan's lips curved just slightly, the smallest hint of amusement in his gaze.
"You cry too easily," he murmured.
Leia scowled, swatting his hand away. "I do not."
Nathan let out a quiet chuckle, and for a fleeting second, the weight of sadness lifted between them, replaced by something lighter. Something… new.
Leia turned away quickly, biting her lip, still feeling the warmth of his touch on her skin.
And as they continued walking, she realized something.
The boy she had once admired from afar…
Was now the man standing right beside her.