The Night Ended!

Serene asked Killian as they entered the largest library in Amsterdam.

— "Do you like reading books, Mr. Killian?"

The library, quiet in the evening with only a few patrons, offered a serene contrast to the bustling city outside.

Serene's voice had a steady, calming tone, a shift from the noise they had just left behind. Killian, glancing around the vast rows of bookshelves, responded,

— "I haven't read much yet."

Serene smiled and suggested,

— "I think you should get a book here in Amsterdam. One that tells you about the city."

— "Is there any book like that available?"

Killian asked, his curiosity piqued. Serene immediately moved towards a section of the library. After a few minutes of searching, she returned with a white book in her hand.

— "This is a historical book. It's not entirely about Amsterdam, but it presents the city in a vibrant way. I don't know if you'll like it, but at least you could give it a try."

Killian took the book, still looking around at the library's vast collection. After a moment, Serene suggested,

— "So, that's all! I think we can have coffee now."

— "Wait a minute, let me paid for it."

— "I already paid for it. No need to worry. Remember, you are in my country."

Serene said with a playful smile. Her gesture, simple yet thoughtful, filled the space between them with a warm, unspoken connection.

The atmosphere in the library, with its quiet corners and endless stories, seemed to reflect the unfolding narrative of their own lives.

As they headed towards the café, the evening air carried a mix of anticipation and the comfort of newfound companionship.

Serene started walking, and Killian watched her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

She was more mature and well-mannered than he had initially thought, and he couldn't help but silently praise her. After a long day of exploring, they headed to a café for two cups of coffee.

Silence enveloped them as they drank, neither feeling the need to fill the quiet with words.

This time, Killian insisted on paying for their drinks. By the time they finished, it was already 7:30 at night.

They had completed their tour of Amsterdam, and Serene, though happy to revisit her city, was visibly exhausted. Her heels had taken a toll on her, and she couldn't walk any further.

Her face had grown pale, and her ankles were swollen and red from the four and a half hours of walking.

Though she had been good at hiding her discomfort, the pain had become unbearable.

Recognizing her struggle, Killian and Serene took a taxi. Serene, as usual, sat next to the driver, and Killian didn't object or show any emotion about it.

He simply sat in the backseat, holding onto the seat as the taxi made its way to her café. Within a few minutes, they arrived.

Before Serene could reach for her purse, Killian paid the fare. She didn't protest but stood there quietly, her face reflecting a mix of pain and contentment.

It was about eight o'clock, and the night was settling in. Killian prepared to leave, Serene, despite her exhaustion, managed a small smile and said,

— "It was an ecstatic night with you, Mr. Killian. Thank you very much."

Killian, returning her smile with a sincere one of his own, replied,

— "Same here."

As Killian's taxi disappeared into the distance, Serene stood on the street, watching until it vanished from sight.

She then turned her gaze to the moon, a  smile gracing her lips, and headed towards her home.

When she arrived, Lady Bellaruby was waiting, ready to tease her about her day, but Serene handled it coolly, knowing there was nothing more than fleeting companionship between her and Killian.

Their paths had crossed twice, and though she appreciated Killian's quiet observation and introverted nature, she understood there could be no deeper connection between them.

After a long, cold shower, Serene wiped the water from her hair, gazing out the window. Her mind replayed the day's events with Killian, yet she didn't dwell on any perceived rudeness.

She knew that sometimes people act differently under the influence of their thoughts and feelings.

Sitting on a chair, she picked up a poetic book but felt uninspired. Placing it back on the bookshelf, she took a piece of paper, her smile complex and introspective as she began to write.

Serene was a typical girl born in Osaka, Japan. From birth, she was a beautiful child, but fate dealt her a harsh hand when her parents passed away in a car accident.

Lady Bellaruby, visiting Japan out of curiosity for its disciplined culture and warm manners, found Serene in an orphanage.

Feeling an inexplicable connection, she adopted Serene and brought her to the Netherlands, where she was a citizen.

From the start, Lady Bellaruby had been unimaginably kind and supportive, shaping Serene's life in profound ways.

Serene's thoughts drifted to her early days in the Netherlands, the cultural adjustment, and the bond she formed with Lady Bellaruby.

Despite the tragedy that marked her early years, she found solace and a sense of belonging in her new home.

Lady Bellaruby's unconditional love and support had been her anchor, allowing her to grow into a resilient and introspective woman.

Now, as she sat reflecting on her life and her recent encounter with Killian, she realized that every experience, no matter how brief or seemingly insignificant, had contributed to her journey.

Her musings turned back to Killian, their shared moments, and the unexpected connection that had formed between them.

Lady Bellaruby's intervention spared Serene from a life of hardship, allowing her to grow up in a loving home and live comfortably. Serene felt blessed in every way. Her dreams and thoughts were as pure as her heart.

From an early age, Serene had always aspired to achieve everything she desired, and though she might not get everything, she always aimed for most of it.

Meanwhile, Killian, upon reaching his hotel room, collapsed onto his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

A realization struck him suddenly: since they left for the library, he hadn't thought of Lana.

Even now, his mind was occupied with Serene, and he found this profoundly unsettling.

Meeting Serene had subtly but distinctly begun to change him, and this frustrated Killian, even though Serene had done nothing intentionally to bring about this change.

She had always kept her distance. How could two days have such a profound impact on him? Lana, his girlfriend, had given him heartbreak and betrayal, but he couldn't betray her in return.

Yet, his thoughts were consumed by Serene. Killian spent hours overthinking, wrestling with his emotions and the unexpected shift in his feelings.

When he finally noticed the time, he realized that Serene must have started her work again at the café.

The answers she had given to his questions were clear indicators of her purity and soft heart. Closing his eyes, instead of seeing Lana, it was Serene's image that filled his vision.

Killian kept his eyes closed, but his mind painted a vivid picture of Serene.

He saw her perfectly composed, her dress and soft lips enticing, yet he recalled the discomfort she felt in her heels.

The image of her swollen ankle, clear in his memory, stirred a deep desire within him to help her, though he hadn't acted on it.

Serene's ability to manage her pain and maintain a smile intrigued him. How could someone possess such patience?

It was evident to Killian that Serene wasn't accustomed to wearing heels, suggesting she had worn them solely for their visit. This realization added another layer to his curiosity about her.

Killian found himself torn between thoughts of Lana and Serene. The image of Serene's face kept intruding, prompting him to reflect on his life before Lana.

He pondered the significance of certain encounters, how they might seem ordinary at first but can come to mean everything.

Some people enter our lives and light up our universe like stars, even if their stay is brief, while others are meant to stay forever, fulfilling desires we never fully realized we had.

The realization struck him: some meetings are destined to be fleeting, leaving indelible marks on our hearts, while others are meant to be enduring, showing us that the person standing before us is the one we've longed for.