Sara stopped near Manor Bridge in Ilford and looked at him. David glanced at his Phone - 5:30 AM.
"This is the last place. You've seen Ilford without people. With people, it's even more amazing," she said softly.
"But it's good without people," he replied, then thought with a small smile, 'Enough. It's you that makes it good.'
"You know, Mr. David, this city looks simple. But it has hidden wonders tourists never see," she said, eyes shining.
"Actually, my friend suggested this place. Even he doesn't know Ilford completely. We planned to hire a guide. But you... you showed me everything," he replied, voice low.
Sara gave him a small, proud smile.
"Hey, you didn't tell me anything about yourself yet. Tell me about you," he asked.
"Finally!!" Sara's face lit up.
"At home, there's me, Mom, Dad, and my dramatic brother," she started.
David tilted his head, waiting for more.
"I'm doing my Bachelor's in BA. And I dream of getting into Imperial College for my Master's, through a scholarship," she said. Her eyes lit up as she spoke. David noticed - her whole face changed when she talked about her dream.
"All the best," he said quietly. Sara smiled again.
David looked into her eyes. 'Man, her eyes. Why can't I control myself? It's our first meet, but why do I feel... different? Control yourself, David. Have some standards, man,' he thought, jaw tightening.
Sara met his gaze. Her heart started racing. For a second, their eyes spoke everything words couldn't. Then birds chirped loudly. They both looked away, startled. Sara's cheeks flushed. 'Oh God, save me from this handsome man, Sara. Look at his face, his height, his build', she thought, exhaling slowly to calm herself.
_
In the hotel room, Leo collapsed on the bed, exhausted. He stared at the ceiling and remembered what happened.
_Flashback - In the washroom:
"Baby, why did you bring me to the washroom? Are we... doing something?" he asked, leaning in with a teasing grin.
Mia looked at him, then pulled him into a hug. Leo froze for a second, then hugged her back, confused. "So... what's next?" he whispered.
Mia locked the door. She placed both hands on the door beside his head. "You do what I ask, right, baby?" she asked in a husky voice.
"Yeah," he replied, eyes closing.
"You'll only tell the truth?" she pressed.
"Sure. For my nugget, always," he smiled.
Mia gave him a devilish grin. "So tell me about your friend David."
Leo's eyes snapped open. "What?"
"Yeah. He went out with Sara, my friend. I can't trust him completely," she said sharply.
"Nugget, wait. Why are we talking about David now? I'm in a good mood. Can't we talk about something else?" he asked, trying to change the topic.
Mia shook her head. "I want to know about him. For Sara's sake. Are you going to tell me or not?" she demanded.
Leo sighed. "Fine. He's single, a gentleman, never interested in girls until he met your friend Sara. Family: cold-hearted father, sweet and fashion designer mother, devil sister," he listed.
Mia listened carefully. "He never dated anyone. But I think he feels something for Sara," Leo added, thinking.
"That's why I asked," she replied, satisfied.
"Yeah, but he's nothing like his father. His father always forces him to follow orders. Now he wants David to run his company. But David's dream is different, Nugget. His passion is teaching. He wants to be a professor. His father hates that idea - they had a huge fight at home. Me and Ethan brought him here to relax.... He's soft, but only with close people. Otherwise he's just... an introvert," Leo explained.
"Hmm. Interesting. Tell me more," she insisted.
"Nugget, can we talk about him tomorrow? I've missed you for months," he asked innocently, his fingers trailing down her arm.
She slapped his hand lightly. "You'll answer all my questions."
Leo nodded, defeated. Mia grilled him for an hour. By the end, Leo was drained. Mia noticed his tired eyes.
"Okay, that's enough for today. We'll talk tomorrow. Good night, baby," she said, kissing his cheek.
Leo groaned in frustration.
_Flashback ends._
Leo glanced at Ethan, who was sleeping peacefully. "You're lucky, man. You're not committed yet. Don't get a girlfriend, or you'll end up like me," he muttered.
_
7:00 AM. Sara entered her home. Sunlight spilled across the open kitchen, lighting up the breakfast bar. The rooms were quiet down the hall. No one was in the living room, but a delicious smell of cocoa cookies drifted from the kitchen.
Her mother, Emily, 40 but still youthful, had flour on her cheeks. Her apron was full of spoons and napkins. "Emily Hawkins, what are you cooking? Are those my favorite cocoa cookies?" Sara asked, hugging her from the side.
"Where did you go? Where were you all night?" Emily asked, turning sharply.
Sara paused. "Didn't Mia tell you? I stayed at her place last night," she said, voice uncertain.
Emily glared at her.
"Yes, she said you were staying there and playing games. But I missed my Princess Sara Hawkins on her birthday," a gentle male voice said from behind.
Sara and Emily turned. Steve Hawkins, 42, walked in from a jog, sweat soaking his T-shirt. Sara smiled and ran to hug him. "I missed you too, my King Steve Hawkins. I told Mia that my king was waiting for his princess, but she wouldn't let me come," she complained playfully.
Steve laughed. "I know, Sara. It's your 20th birthday. I wanted to make it special. We always celebrate at home. Mia always wants you to celebrate with her, so I let you go with her," he said, ruffling her hair gently.
Emily glared at both of them. Sara and Steve looked at her. "Dad... Mom's angry," Sara whispered.
"I know. We'll cool her down," he replied with a wink.
"But how?" she asked.
Steve signaled her to wait. "Darling, what did you make for breakfast? I'm starving after that jog. Let me taste - it smells amazing," he said, pretending to be extra hungry to distract Emily.
"Why do you always support her? I know she's your princess. But she should've come home yesterday. Do you know how worried I was? I barely slept. And now you're defending her?" Emily said, her voice shaky with worry.
Steve and Sara hugged her from both sides. "I missed you too, Mom. I know you were worried. I'm sorry. I won't do this again," Sara said, voice emotional.
"Me too," Steve added. All three hugged tightly.
"You missed me again," a young boy's voice rang out behind them. Liam, 15, Steve's younger son, stood there - handsome and smirking.
"Come on, my little prince. Hug her too," Steve said.
All four hugged. Emily's eyes filled with happy tears. "I love all of you," she said softly.