[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-430":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},430,82,"Chapter 82: The Bouquet He Refused to Release","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna rolled down the car window.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The summer breeze drifted in, heavy with the scent of lilies and the faint, sweet perfume of roses. The petals shivered in the draft. As the car merged onto the highway, Maxwell leaned back against his seat, perfectly still.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The wind tousled his hair, leaving it a mess, but he seemed entirely oblivious. His focus was fixed entirely on the bouquet in his lap, staring at it with an intensity that bordered on reverence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna kept her eyes on the road, though she risked a quick glance at the rear-view mirror. \"You can put the flowers on the seat beside you, Maxwell. You don't have to hold them the whole way.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He nodded, murmuring an acknowledgement, but he didn't let go. He kept a firm, gentle grip on the stems until the moment the car finally came to a stop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had been acting strangely all evening—quiet, withdrawn, and almost unnervingly subdued. Usually, he was the one to bridge the gaps in conversation, but tonight, the burden of talk fell entirely on Arianna. Sometimes, even when she offered him a conversational thread, he would just look up at her with a dazed, empty expression, as if he hadn't heard a word.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna began to wonder if this was really the same Maxwell King—the man who was usually so effortlessly confident and unrestrained. How had he become so... adorably dense?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they reached their destination, Arianna didn't wait. She hopped into the backseat, settling into the space right next to him. She rested her elbows on the center console and looked up at him, her voice soft. \"What is going on with you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you upset because I came to pick you up?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell shook his head. \"Not upset.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then what is it?\" Arianna studied his face. \"You’ve been acting completely out of character.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell pursed his lips, searching for the right words. \"It just feels...\" He paused, his gaze drifting. \"Like I’m dreaming. It feels too surreal.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, that was it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. She reached out and brushed a finger against the flowers in his lap. Her heart rate was climbing, a frantic rhythm against her ribs. Maxwell looked down, watching her pale, slender fingers weave through the velvety blue and white petals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, she moved her hand lower, slowly closing her fingers over his.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How about this?\" she asked, her ears turning a deep, burning crimson. She was doing this for the first time, and it felt clumsy, but she forced herself to sound casual. \"Does this make it feel any more real?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell felt the warmth radiating from her skin. His hand went rigid; he didn't dare move an inch. He closed his eyes, his sharp, defined Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When he finally looked at her, his expression was weary but overflowing with a kind of desperate contentment. \"What am I supposed to do, Arianna? This just makes it feel even more like a dream.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna froze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She pulled back, but Maxwell caught her hand, tangling his fingers firmly through hers. The heat of his palm pressed against her skin, making her pulse jump. She blinked, muttering, \"I thought you said it felt like a dream.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then I hope this dream lasts a long time,\" Maxwell said, gently squeezing her fingertips. \"I hope I never have to wake up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They stepped out of the car, and Maxwell finally realized where they were. Throughout the drive, he had been so fixated on the flowers that he hadn't paid any attention to the route. They were parked in a sprawling, elegant courtyard surrounded by neatly lined luxury cars.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He turned to Arianna, his brows raised in question. \"This is...?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't hide the flicker of triumph in her eyes. She waved her phone, her expression bright and mischievous. \"Come on. I booked a table upstairs.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s lips tugged into a smile. \"When did you arrange this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This afternoon.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He took a look around. \"A romantic bistro?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, and no.\" Arianna refused to give him a straight answer. Before he could press her, she linked her arm through his. \"No more questions. You'll see when we get there!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had reserved a window table. A massive floor-to-ceiling glass panel offered a sweeping view of the city, the night lights glittering like a sea of diamonds against the dark. It was a place designed for lovers. The menu was extensive—prime cuts of steak, delicate appetizers, and decadent desserts. The place even offered a high-end delivery service.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After the meal, Arianna blocked Maxwell as he started to stand up. \"Don't move. I'm taking care of the bill.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell chuckled, his eyes softening. \"There’s no 'yours' and 'mine' between us.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's different,\" Arianna insisted, her voice stubborn. She sounded like she was pouting, a playful complaint that was really more of a flirtation. \"I’m the one treating you today. I can't let you buy your own birthday dinner, that makes no sense!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She followed the waiter to the front desk, but not before leaning back to whisper, \"Stay right here. I’ll be back in a second.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright,\" Maxwell promised.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He watched her walk away, his smile deepening until it reached his eyes. He pressed a hand to his chest, right over his heart. From the moment he’d seen her tonight, his pulse hadn't stopped racing. One surprise after another had completely blindsided him. The way she had ordered the couple’s set menu without blinking an eye had left him dizzy, unable to tell where reality ended and the fantasy began.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stared at his reflection in the polished silver fork on the table, thinking he must look like an absolute fool right now.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At the front desk, Arianna grabbed a thick menu filled with pictures of cakes. She skimmed through them and pointed to one. \"I'll take this one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Certainly,\" the waiter said, handing her a slip. \"If you could provide an address, we can have this delivered to you later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How long will it take?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Two to three hours, ma'am.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded, satisfied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The waiter smiled. \"Is this a birthday cake? Would you like to include a message on the card?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna thought for a moment, then scribbled a note on the paper. \"Just write that, thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course. Please keep your phone nearby, and our courier will call you upon arrival.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The cake wouldn't arrive for another two hours. If they went home now, they would have already finished dinner, and the night would likely end with them retreating into their separate rooms. The cake wouldn't be much of a surprise then.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back in the car, Arianna gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing. Maxwell had moved to the passenger seat, still clutching the bouquet. He was quiet again, staring out the window at the passing city lights.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna searched for a distraction. As they passed a massive shopping plaza, a spark of inspiration hit her. \"Want to go to the supermarket?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden suggestion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We're out of snacks,\" Arianna lied, doing her best to sound convincing. \"And the fridge is empty. We should stock up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In truth, their housekeeper handled all the grocery shopping, but Maxwell didn't point that out. He simply nodded, ready to follow her lead. \"Sure, let's go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was peak hour, so the street parking was packed. Arianna steered the car into the underground garage, and they took the elevator straight up to the store.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">An hour later, thanks to Arianna’s tactical stalling, they emerged carrying several shopping bags.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the car, Maxwell organized their haul, placing the ice cream and frozen goods into the portable cooler.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where else should we go?\" Arianna asked, glancing at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hm?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is there anywhere you want to go?\" she quickly corrected.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell couldn't understand why she was so keen on dragging out their evening. It wasn't just the supermarket; they’d spent time at a third-floor cafe sipping green bean smoothies, too. The Arianna he knew wasn't usually like this. But whatever the reason, as long as she was willing to spend the time with him, he was content.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Across from the shopping plaza was a small park.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How about a stroll through the park?\" Maxwell suggested.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was exactly what she wanted. Arianna unbuckled her seatbelt, her voice bubbling with excitement. \"Yes, let's go! There's a night market behind it, too. We should check it out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell smiled, watching her. \"Sounds like a plan. Whatever my wife decides.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272908838]