I can feel him stealing glances at me while I firmly keep my head turned to the right, looking over the window, since we left the airport. My stomach roars.

"Are you hungry?" Daniel asks.

I clutch my stomach. "No, I'm okay," I respond, lowering my gaze towards my rumbling belly. "Something I ate on the plane didn't agree with me," I lie.

He hums softly and taps his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. "Would you like some music?" Daniel asks, stealing another nervous glance at me.

"Sure" I shrug.

Daniel turns on the radio and allows music to fill in the silence between us. I go back to looking at my right and admire the city. Suddenly, I'm jolted by a prolonged honk. Daniel's hand is pressing the small button on the right side of the wheel incessantly while bawling a mix of curse words in German and English at the car ahead of us.

I stare at him and notice how different he looks. Not necessarily that he looks different physically, but his demeanour... something changed. He looks nervous, almost as nervous as my resident stomach cat.

He notices me staring at him and offers me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. That guy really got on my nerves."

"You could say that again. I thought you were going to leave the car and pound him to the ground. I'm glad Emily couldn't make it or otherwise, I would have missed a show."

We both chuckle and for the first time in the evening, the nervous tension between us diffuses.

"About Emily..."

I waft my hand softly to dismiss what he's about to say. I read the thousands of messages she sent me, talking about a surprise, and that she had arranged someone to pick me up from the airport, conveniently leaving the Daniel mention in all of this.

"So, what is this surprise exactly? And how does Emily have your number?"

Daniel chuckles at my surprise. "Well, to cut the long story short. Her surprise is Gunther... you remember Gunther?"

"Of course, I remember him... wait, what? How? I have so many questions whizzing through my brain!"

"I can see that." Daniel laughs. "Gunther has been exchanging texts with your friend, and he came with me to surprise her. When he appeared at her hostel, she told him she was on her way to the airport to get you... and he called me."

"Oh... you didn't have to pick me up... I could have gotten a taxi."

"I'm happy to come and get you. I haven't spoken to you in forever..." his volume softens as he steals an embarrassed glance at me while taking a left turn.

"You were busy last week. We both were, and then I went..." I almost say Scotland but stop myself. "back home," I finally say.

"So, you weren't avoiding me?"

I shake my head in response. I think vocalising a lie will only make the cat angry.

"And you're not upset with me?"

I gulp. Was I upset with Daniel?

"Why would I be upset with you?"

"Because I couldn't spend much time with you at the party. And, the following days, you always left earlier than me, or stayed later... It felt like you were avoiding me."

"I just didn't want to be a third wheel." I surprise myself at my words. Oh shit. I don't think I should have said this.

"Did I make you feel you were?"

"No" I respond.

"Did Ada say something to you?" he probes.

My brain freezes. Should I tell him the truth? He won't believe you. Don't be silly.

"Of course not," I reply.

He huffs frustratedly. "She said something to you, didn't she?"

"No" I insist.

He shakes his head. "I can hear it in your voice, Natalie." He grips the steering wheel angrily. "Whatever she said, she shouldn't have. I'm sorry. Ada is... possessive and jealous. She thinks every girl I interact with it is seeking to get me."

"Okay," I respond, unsure of how to proceed with this conversation and wishing with every fibre of my being that the hotel was just around the corner.

"Please don't do that..." he whispers.

"Do what?" I ask.

"Shut down like that. You did that before with the poem. And, you're doing it again since Ada told you whatever it was she said..." He sighs. "I can't stand it."

His disclosure makes my heart stop. I stand still without knowing what to say. Ada's words still sit with me.

"I don't want to cause any issue between you and your girlfriend," I finally have the courage to say.

"What did she say?" He raises his voice slightly, allowing his frustration to be felt.

"It doesn't matter. I hear what you say, but the truth is she is your girlfriend. Someone that has been with you for such a long time. I don't want to come in between you two."

"You're not."

"But, clearly I am if I get warnings to back off..." Oh, no. Me and my big mouth.

"Was?" he raises his voice. (What?)

"Nothing. Just forget I said anything." Where is this damn hotel? In the Alps or something?

"I can't just forget. My girlfriend is making threats to my friend."

And there it was. A word I didn't expected to hear, although I know it is the truth. We are friends... only friends.

"So, you just need to reassure her. I kind of get her."

Daniel darts his head towards me. "You do?"

"I guess I do. I'm this random helpless girl. A girl that is living in your house, at a ridiculous rent that is clearly not market based, and that has you as a personal German tutor, weekend companion and apparently now her personal chauffeur. So yeah, I think I get it."

Daniel roars with laughter. "That's one way to put it."

We both chuckle softly.

"You know, I like to help you out, right? It's not an obligation..."

I nod. "I do. And, I'm so grateful for everything you have done so far, but like I said, I don't want to cause friction between you and Ada. We are friends. We will still be friends, but if some distance helps your relationship, then so be it."

Daniel stays quiet, taking in my words. The music from the radio fills in the small space between us.

"How was your trip back home?" Daniel finally asks the dreaded question.

"It was okay, I guess." I ponder if I should tell him the truth.

"Just okay?" he probes. "Seeing your mom must have been nice."

Right, my mom. Markus didn't tell him where I was heading. Which I guess it's what I wanted.

"I didn't see her," I decide to disclose the truth. "I was in Scotland with Harry."

"Oh," he responds. "And how is he?"

Daniel pulls up the car in front of a hotel parking lot. We are finally here.

"Couldn't care less. Hopefully, as shitty as I am." I say and open the car door.

Daniel reaches across and closes it. I stare at him inquisitively.

"What happened?" he asks with a surprising demanding tone.

"We decided we should be no more," I sigh. "I guess we have come to the inevitable conclusion that we haven't been working out..."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm okay. I feel sad but also relieved, so I guess that is a good sign, right?"

Daniel nods almost imperceptibly and looks at his lap.

"Now, have you finished your questioning, or are you going to close this door again if I try to open it?"

"As long as you are okay..." he stares into my soul.

"I'm fine. Looking forward to spending some time with Emily, kicking ass this week and secure some funding and learn some more German with my personal tutor..." I wink.

He smiles softly, "Don't forget the chauffeuring around..."

I open the door. "How could I?" and chuckle while I go back to retrieve my suitcase from the booth.

The next day, the team was ready for the event. Markus and I rendezvous the night before after I checked in at the hotel and created a plan to set up our stall at the showcase event. The next morning, we both were the early birds out first and the next days I spent most of my time with Markus. Daniel was also occupied with Lukas. Rarely, we would see them on the floor unless they were walking around with potential investors.

My evenings were as busy as my days. With our visit coinciding with Oktoberfest, every night I would meet Emily at the festival grounds. On a couple of occasions, Markus tagged along.

The festival completely enthralled me, and I was loving every minute. With our last day in Munich, I was determined to make my night memorable. When we were packing up the booth, I invited Markus to come to the festival, but he told me he had brought forward his ticket and would leave that night back to Dusseldorf. He was missing his family and wanted to see his kids after a long week of being absent.

I texted Emily, who informed she was already at the festival grounds with Gunther, and once we dropped off everything at the hotel, I changed clothes and made my way to the festival.

Oktoberfest is full of bright colours, wooden stalls and lots and lots of beer. Dressed in my traditional Bavarian outfit that Emily got for me, I saw her with Gunther sitting at a long table inside the tent. Some soft music was playing in the background, mostly what seemed like traditional German folklore songs.

I could spot immediately Emily's braided hair and Gunther's large back in his Lederhosen outfit. My white and red dress was a contrast with Emily's blue attire and it would definitely make for a good Insta pic. As I approach the table, I see there is someone else sitting with them.

Daniel looked silly and, yet ridiculously attractive. The hat on his head was probably the most unflattering attire I ever saw on him, but his shorts with the suspenders and the white shirt completed neutralised the horrid hat. He takes a moment to take me in. For the first time, I see him glaring at me from top to bottom. My breath comes to a halt with his intense gaze.

Emily jumps from her seat to envelop me in a tight embrace.

"You're finally here!" she finally releases me.

Daniel slides to the side to allow me to sit next to him.

"Hello there," he greets me.

"Hey," I respond timidly.

I can see by his tainted cheeks that the Maß in his hands is definitely not his first one.

"I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you would be with Lukas."

He shakes his head and takes another gulp. "Enough of schmoozing for a while. Can't tell you anything officially but we will have some good news soon," he winks.

Gunther raises his hand at the girl distributing beers. She places four Maße at ours.

"Ich habe hunger" I say. (I'm hungry)

Gunther roars with laughter. "Sehr gut!" (Very good) He turns to the girl with a wide grin across his face before ordering a bunch of food that ten minutes later is on our table, along with another four jugs of beer. I can feel the hungover tomorrow coming from miles away.

The food on the table varies. There are pretzels along with some white sausages that at first both Emily and I frown at, but once we taste them, find them divine. But the roasted chicken really hits me in the right spot and is one of the yummiest foods I had in Germany so far.

"You were really hungry," Daniel quips.

I swallow my chicken with a small gulp of beer. "We didn't have time to eat anything. So I only had a coffee and a bagel holding down the fort."

He chuckles. "How was your week?"

I shrug. "Busy, but quite good. I love working with Markus, to be honest. It almost makes me want to do this for a living."

"This?"

"The marketing thing..."

"So, you would stay back at the company if you could?" Daniel asks and eyes me curiously.

"I don't know really what I want to do in five months' time." I answer.

Gunther clears his throat and gives an awkward stare at Daniel. "So Natalie," Gunther gives me a curious look. "I hear that there's no more boyfriend."

"I'm sorry, what now?" Emily gasps.

My head turns immediately to Daniel that buries his face in his beer.

"You didn't tell me?" Emily asks me with her mouth hanging open.

I keep staring at Daniel that avoids my gaze by focusing on his Maß.

"I wanted to find the right moment. Which I guess is now..." I stare angrily at Daniel.

"Don't be mad at him. He can't keep his tongue quiet when he's had a few drinks... And, he only told me,  like thirty minutes before you arrived." Gunther excuses Daniel.

"Es tut mir leid" Daniel says.

"It's fine, I guess..." I turn to Emily, that still has her eyes wide open in surprise. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I will tell you everything. I promise."

Emily glares at both me and Daniel for a moment and frowns slightly before going back to her usual carefree self. "No worries. You can tell me all about it when we're on our way back to Dusseldorf."

I raise an eyebrow at the remark.

Emily giggles uncontrollably. "See, I can also keep secrets!" She leans towards Gunther and lays her head on his shoulder. "This guy convinced me to spend some more time in Dusseldorf before my visa runs out, so I'll be heading back with you guys tomorrow."

My face lights up and I scream in excitement. Having Emily back in Dusseldorf becomes the highlight of my night.

We spend the rest of the night singing badly, eating, and drinking to the state where there is very little coherency, particularly from Gunther and Daniel. Emily drags Gunther to teach her to dance folklore, leaving me for the first time that night alone with Daniel.

His face is now completely red. His eyes are bloodshot and his laughter has increased decibels. I've never seen him this drunk before.

"You want to go?" he asks, pointing at where Emily is with a very drunk Gunther that barely can stand while trying to swirl around the dancefloor.

"To do that with you in your state?" I shake my head vehemently. "Hard pass."

He chuckles before turning very serious while staring at the bottom of his beer mug.

"Are you okay there?" I take his hat and put in on my head and ruffle his blonde hair to distract whatever dark thoughts cross his inebriated mind.

"No distance," he finally blurts out.

"No distance?" I'm completely clueless about what he wants. "What does that mean, no distance?"

"Ich kann nicht von dir weg sein," he says. (I can't be away from you)

"Hold there, soldier. I just learnt how to say I'm hungry. I have no clue what you just said."

He looks at me and holds my hand. "Du bist alles" (You are everything)

I stare at Daniel uncomfortably. "Daniel, you need to speak in English. I don't understand what you are saying."

He looks down and starts drawing small circles in the back of my hand. He shakes his head as if struggling with inner demons.

"Daniel, what is the matter with you?"

He looks into my eyes. I can feel the alcohol exuding from every pore in his body.

"Als du gesagt hast, dass du dir wünschst, dass ich keine Freundin habe... Ich wünsche es mir auch." (When you said that you wished I didn't have a girlfriend... I wish it too)

I can't understand a word of what he is saying and yet the intensity of his voice signals something that I'm uncertain I want to be disclosed.

"You're very drunk." I try to diffuse the intensity of his words.

"Nat?" he says in the softest of tones but with a sharp accent that I haven't heard before.

I hum in response, unsure how to proceed. Clearly his spiel will continue in his drunken state in Germanic.

"Ich glaube, ich bin verliebt." (I think I'm falling in love) He sighs and softly touches my right cheek. "Nicht mit Ada, mit dir." (Not with Ada, with you)

"Not with Ada?" I repeat the few words I understand.

"Okay, I think this guy needs some air." Gunther interrupts Daniel's words and my probing question. He pulls him up and holds Daniel steady, that still lingers his eyes on me. "We'll be right back."

"What is happening?" Emily asks, re-joining me at the table.

"I have no freaking clue." I respond.