Sparks Fly Part 1

Portia's P.O.V.

I woke up with the sun gently hitting my face and the scent of summer floating through the air. Levi wasn't beside me again, but on the table, a single tulip rested beside a small note.

"Get dressed and meet me at the Garden Scapes Mansion. Rent a carriage when you step out of the house." – Levi

The note made me blush with excitement. I hurried to the bathroom to get ready, wearing the floral white dress Levi had bought me. I paired it with simple doll shoes and mom's green sapphire necklace—its delicate pendant added a subtle charm to my vintage-inspired look. For makeup, I went with a fresh finish: nude blush and soft lipstick, just enough to enhance the feeling of a summer day.

I made sure the house was securely locked before stepping out. Placing a barrette in my hair, I scanned the street for a carriage. One soon pulled up beside me.

"Looking for a ride, madam?" the coachman asked with a polite smile.

"Yes, sir. Can you take me to Garden Scapes?" I asked.

"Of course, madam." He got down to open the carriage door for me. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

As the door closed behind me, I felt like I was in a different era. "To Garden Scapes!" he called out, and we began our journey.

The ride was enchanting—this was my first time riding in a carriage. I gazed out the window, taking in the vintage charm of the streets around me. When we arrived at the mansion, even the gate looked magical. The scent of fresh flowers floated in the breeze like an expensive perfume.

The coachman opened the door and helped me down. "Thank you for bringing me here," I said, handing him the card Levi had included with the note. He tapped it on the side of the carriage, handed it back, and tipped his hat.

"Have a lovely day, madam."

I stepped into the garden, surrounded by blooms of every kind. For a moment, I got lost in the beauty and almost forgot why I was here—until I remembered I needed to find the gazebo in the middle of the garden.

Spotting a middle-aged woman who seemed to be part of the staff, I approached her. "Excuse me, madam. Could you please tell me how to get to the middle garden gazebo?"

She smiled warmly. "He must be quite the romantic. Head to the field of white roses. When you reach the aisle, turn right—you'll find the lake. Take a boat from there to reach the gazebo in the center."

"Thank you so much," I said with a grateful bow.

I walked through fields of flowers, marveling at the beauty of everything. Eventually, I came across a park filled with swings and benches—but it looked like something out of a magical movie, covered in blooms and vines. In the corner, just as the lady had said, lay the field of white roses. I hurried toward it and followed the sign that read "To the Garden's Lake."

I walked for nearly ten minutes before realizing I was only halfway through the rose field. Thankfully, I'd worn flats. After another ten minutes, I finally caught a glimpse of the lake. My heart fluttered.

The lake was breathtaking. Boats decorated with flowers floated near the dock. Vines and petals adorned everything, and fairy lights sparkled above the water. It felt like a scene from a fairytale.

I walked toward the end of the deck, where a man waited. "Excuse me, sir. Could you bring me to the center of the lake?" I asked.

"You must be Miss Portia. Mr. Levi is waiting at the gazebo," the helmsman replied with a smile.

Instead of a small boat like the others, he guided me to a larger red one—ornate, with lanterns and a carved dragon head at the front. It looked like a royal barge from a storybook.

"Please, make yourself comfortable, madam," he said as he helped me aboard. Moments later, we set sail.

"This boat is bigger than the blue ones," I remarked.

"Yes, madam. This is the only one that goes to the lake's gazebo," he explained.

"So… not everyone can visit the gazebo?"

"They can," he said, "but only one pair at a time. It's meant for love confessions, so privacy and peace are important."

My heart skipped. Does that mean Levi has something important to tell me?

The lake was a dream—giant flowers hung from above with lanterns and fairy lights glimmering like stars. Koi fish darted through the water below, and I caught a glimpse of swans in the distance. Birds and butterflies danced around us freely. I was lost in the moment until the boat docked at the gazebo.

The helmsman helped me off. "Good luck, madam," he said before sailing away.

I stepped onto the flower-covered deck. My heart pounded as I walked along the cobalt stone path, lined with gold trim and glowing lanterns. Wisteria draped from the gazebo beams, casting soft purple shadows. Everything felt magical—like something ancient and sacred.

At the center, waiting like a storybook prince, stood Levi.

Classical music played softly, though I saw no musicians. The whole moment felt surreal. As I took another step forward, I couldn't help but wonder:

What are you planning, Levi…?With a place this romantic and dreamlike, what do you want to tell me?