The following morning, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor. Ariana stirred, slowly waking up to the warmth of the sun and the comforting presence of Tae beside her. She turned to face him, a smile creeping onto her face as she took in the sight of him still sleeping peacefully. His tousled hair fell over his forehead, and his lips were slightly parted, giving him an innocent look that contrasted sharply with the intensity of the previous night.

She couldn’t help but lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Tae stirred slightly, a sleepy smile spreading across his face as he opened his eyes. “Good morning,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

“Good morning,” Ariana replied, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a baby,” he said, propping himself up on one elbow, his gaze locked onto hers. “You?”

“Me too,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Last night was… incredible.”

Tae’s eyes sparkled with warmth and mischief. “It was, wasn’t it? I think I could get used to waking up next to you like this.”

Ariana felt her cheeks heat at the implication, but she also felt a thrill of excitement. “Me too. It feels right.”

He leaned in closer, brushing his lips against hers softly, igniting the warmth in her stomach. “Want to do something today? Just us?”

Ariana nodded eagerly. “Definitely! What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s have a little adventure,” he suggested, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “We could go for a hike or explore a nearby town. Just be together.”

“I love that idea!” she replied, feeling a rush of exhilaration at the thought of spending the day with him outside of the mansion.

After a quick breakfast, they changed into comfortable clothes and sneakers. Ariana wore a light sweater and jeans, while Tae opted for a fitted t-shirt that accentuated his toned physique. As they prepared to leave, Ariana grabbed a backpack, filling it with water, snacks, and a couple of blankets.

“Ready?” Tae asked, holding the door open for her.

“Ready!” she chirped, stepping outside into the fresh air. The morning was crisp, the sky a brilliant blue with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily. They hopped into Tae’s car, the music playing softly as they drove through the serene countryside.

The landscape rolled past them—fields of wildflowers, lush greenery, and distant hills that beckoned with promise. Ariana felt a sense of freedom wash over her, the worries of the past fading into the background as she focused on the present moment with Tae.

“Do you have a specific place in mind?” she asked, turning to him with a curious smile.

“There’s a beautiful trail not too far from here. It leads to a waterfall. I think you’ll love it,” he replied, glancing at her with a grin.

“Sounds perfect!” she exclaimed, feeling a rush of excitement. The thought of discovering a hidden gem in nature with Tae made her heart race.

As they arrived at the trailhead, they stepped out of the car, taking a moment to absorb the beauty around them. The air was fragrant with pine and wildflowers, and the sound of birds chirping filled the atmosphere. Tae grabbed the backpack and slung it over his shoulder, then took Ariana’s hand in his.

“Let’s go!” he said enthusiastically, leading her down the path.

The hike was invigorating, and they walked side by side, chatting and laughing as they navigated the trail. Ariana felt alive, the sun warming her skin as they trekked through the forest, the sounds of nature surrounding them.

Tae pointed out various plants and trees, sharing his knowledge of the area. “This one is a red maple. The leaves turn the most beautiful shades of red in the fall,” he explained, plucking a leaf to show her.

Ariana admired his passion, captivated by the way he shared his interests. “You know so much! I love it,” she said, genuinely impressed.

As they continued walking, the path gradually sloped downward, and the sound of rushing water grew louder. The excitement in the air was palpable, and Ariana quickened her pace, eager to see the waterfall.

Finally, they emerged from the trees, and before them lay a stunning waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool below. The sunlight danced on the water, creating rainbows in the mist. Ariana gasped at the beauty, her heart swelling at the sight.

“It’s gorgeous!” she exclaimed, stepping closer to the edge of the pool, where the water splashed against the rocks.

Tae stood beside her, a proud smile on his face. “I knew you’d love it. It’s one of my favorite places.”

Ariana turned to him, her heart fluttering as she saw the joy in his eyes. “Thank you for bringing me here. This is amazing.”

“Only the best for you,” he said, his voice sincere as he gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Feeling a sudden rush of spontaneity, Ariana grinned at him. “Let’s go for a swim!”

Tae raised an eyebrow, surprise flashing across his face. “Here? Right now?”

“Why not? It’s hot, and the water looks perfect!” she replied, already pulling off her sweater.

“Okay, but you’re going to regret this!” he laughed, shedding his shirt and revealing his toned body.

Ariana’s breath caught in her throat for a moment, unable to tear her gaze away from him. “Wow,” she muttered, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.

“Come on, don’t just stand there! The water is amazing!” Tae called, already wading into the pool.

With a burst of laughter, Ariana followed him, the cool water sending a shock through her body. It felt refreshing against her skin, and she squealed as she submerged herself completely, emerging with her hair plastered to her face.

“See? It’s not so bad!” Tae said, splashing water in her direction with a playful grin.

Ariana retaliated, sending a wave of water back at him. The two of them fell into a playful splashing match, laughter echoing through the air as they chased each other around the pool.

Eventually, they tired and found a quiet spot by the edge of the water, where they sat on a flat rock, their legs dangling in the pool. The sound of the waterfall was soothing, and they sat in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other.

“I can’t believe how perfect today is,” Ariana said, her heart swelling with happiness. “Thank you for everything.”

Tae turned to her, his expression serious. “I mean it when I say I’ll always be here for you, Ari. I want you to feel safe and happy. You deserve it.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, overwhelmed by his sincerity. “I’m so grateful for you, Tae. You’ve been so amazing, especially after everything I’ve been through.”

He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. “You’re strong, Ariana. You’ve come so far. I admire you more than you know.”

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, the world around them faded away. Tae leaned closer, brushing his lips softly against hers, a gentle reminder of the connection they shared. Ariana felt herself leaning into the kiss, savoring the sweetness of the moment.

When they pulled apart, both slightly breathless, she smiled up at him, feeling a sense of joy she hadn’t experienced in a long time. “This day has been incredible.”

“And it’s not over yet,” he replied, his voice low and teasing. “We still have the whole afternoon ahead of us.”

Ariana’s heart raced at the implication of his words. “What do you have in mind?”

Tae grinned mischievously, standing up and pulling her to her feet. “How about a picnic? I packed some snacks before we left.”

“You did? That’s perfect!” she exclaimed, feeling excitement bubble inside her.

As Tae set up the picnic by the water’s edge, Ariana watched him with affection, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. He moved with a certain grace and confidence, and she couldn’t help but admire the way he took care of her.

Once the blanket was spread out and the snacks laid out, they settled down, enjoying the view of the waterfall as they ate. They shared stories, laughter, and bites of food, the atmosphere filled with joy and warmth.

Ariana couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so carefree. She glanced at Tae, who was animatedly talking about his latest mafia endeavors, his passion shining through every word. It was infectious, and she found herself captivated by him.

“You’re really good at this,” she said, gesturing to the spread of food. “I didn’t know you had such hidden talents.”

Tae smirked, leaning back on his hands. “What can I say? I’m a man of many skills.”

“You definitely are,” she replied, her tone playful. “What else are you hiding from me?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ll just have to stick around to find out.”

As the afternoon wore on, they continued to talk and laugh, sharing stories about their lives before