On the other side of town, Martin was driving Serena around, feeling as if he were living in a dream. It all seed surreal.
Serena had texted him earlier: [Let’s hang out.]
At first, Martin thought he’d read the ssage wrong. It wasn’t until after he’d reread it dozens of tis that he believed it was real.
This was the first ti Serena had ever asked him out!
And it was the first ti she had responded to his long-standing affection for her.
"Serena, where would you like to go?" Martin asked gently, glancing at the girl in the passenger seat.
Serena appeared indifferent. "I don’t care."
She was just bored of hanging around her aunt’s house and was looking for sothing to kill ti.
"Feeling down?" Martin picked up on her mood. "Is sothing bothering you? Did soone upset you?"
Serena didn’t want to answer, and Martin didn’t press. Instead, he suggested, "How about we go to the lavender fields?"
Serena rembered how, a long ti ago, Louisa suspected her of having improper thoughts about Roo. To dispel any doubts, Martha had lied, claiming Serena had a boyfriend.
To keep the lie from unraveling, Serena had even hinted to Martin that there was a new movie she wanted to see.
At that ti, Martin was dealing with so business at Dawnstar’s subsidiary and, upon hearing her suggestion, had imdiately flown back.
He had asked her over the phone if she liked Dawnstar and ntioned that he wanted to take her to see the lavender fields there soday, but Serena had given him a non-committal answer.
Now, Martin was bringing up the lavender again, which surprised Serena. She looked at him. "You rembered?"
"I said I would take you," Martin affird, rembering his promise like it was written in crystal.
But Serena’s eyes dimd. How wonderful it would be if Roo treated her the sa way.
At the Dawnstar lavender fields.
After parking the car, Martin gently tugged on Serena’s sleeve, careful not to hold her hand in case she didn’t like it.
Even though he was being a perfect gentleman, Serena couldn’t help but feel a bit repulsed, though she didn’t show it.
As they approached the entrance, a security guard inford them, "Sorry, the fields are privately booked today."
Serena was taken aback. How could such vast lavender fields be booked out just like that?
Glancing inside, she saw a dozen bodyguards standing by, and amidst the lavender, there was only one couple—Roo and Rosemary, by their silhouettes and postures!
Especially Rosemary, who was wearing the sa outfit as she had that morning!
Serena’s expression changed instantly. What were they doing here on a date?
A few photographers ran towards them, seemingly discussing photo arrangents.
They booked such an expansive field of lavender just for a photoshoot?
Martin conversed fluently in French with the security guard, trying to negotiate. He offered to pay the sa private booking fee to use just a small corner of the field, wanting only to take a walk with his girlfriend.
The guard explained it was impossible because the person who had booked the field had a prestigious status, and they couldn’t afford to offend them.
Martin didn’t want to give up and continued to discuss with the guard.
anwhile, Serena overheard Roo’s voice coming through the loudspeakers:
"Rose, this piano piece is composed just for you. I’ve said it many tis, but at this mont, I still want to tell you—I love you."
Serena stood frozen, disbelief etching her features as she overheard Roo’s declaration of love to Rosemary, accompanied by a composition he had crafted just for her.
This was so unlike him!
"I love you so much I want to shout it from the rooftops, yet I’m scared too many eyes might covet your brilliance—fear you might beco soone else’s daydream. Rose, I love you, and I want you by my side every single day."
The gentle lody of the piano ebbed and flowed with the scent of lavender in the air.
It was a recording Roo had made in advance.
A smile brimd in Rosemary’s eyes. "Didn’t you already write a song? What made you think of crafting another?"
"When I’m with you, I’m filled with joy, and I just want to capture that feeling," Roo murmured, leaning down to tenderly stroke her face. "Can you hear what my heart is saying?"
Nodding, Rosemary couldn’t help but laugh, "I can hear it, though it’s a bit showy, isn’t it?"
"It’s just us here, no tourists," Roo chuckled along. "Maestro lody, you haven’t given your verdict on this piece yet."
"It’s not bad," she laughed.
"Maestro lody, what do you decipher from it? A heart-skipping fondness? Or a longing that fills every thought?"
"It’s your love, overflowing."
Martin, aware that a romantic scene was unfolding inside, tried unsuccessfully to persuade the security guard at the entrance. Not wanting to force the issue, he turned to Serena.
"Shall we find another spot?"
Serena, eyes locked on the distant sight of Roo and Rosemary kissing, remained silent, filled with a sense of defeat.
Determined not to let her down, Martin persisted in negotiating with the guard, suggesting they could pay double the price or et any other request the private party might have, as long as it was within his power.
The guard, moved by his sincerity, reluctantly went to consult the head of security.
The head of security, unable to make the decision, jogged to the center of the flower field and waited for the couple’s tender mont to end before asking:
"Boss, there’s a couple from Solterra who want to co in. He’s with his girlfriend. They’re offering double the price and promise not to disturb you."
"Let them in," Rosemary said, looking up at her partner, her arms still wrapped around his waist. "Aren’t we heading sowhere else shortly anyway?"
"If my fiancée says so, then that’s what we’ll do," Roo said, gazing adoringly at Rosemary and planting a kiss on her forehead. "I’ve also arranged for a hot air balloon."
"Did you get that idea from browsing online, or did you co up with it yourself?"
"A bit of both," Roo admitted, watching for her reaction. "Is it not romantic enough?"
As long as it was his doing, Rosemary adored it. "As long as it’s from you, I love it."
The security chief relayed the ssage, and soon Martin and Serena were allowed entry.
Martin bead. "Serena, we finally get to go in."
Serena watched as Roo and Rosemary ascended in the hot air balloon, her eyes darting to the photographers swarming the field, capturing the mont.
Martin sensed the envy and disappointnt in her gaze and softly asked, "Would you like to ride in a hot air balloon, or take photos?"
Serena wanted to roll her eyes. She had no desire to share a hot air balloon or a photo shoot with him.
She just retorted, "Can’t you think of sothing original? Why always copy soone else’s ideas!"
Martin was puzzled by her sudden outburst. In a soothing tone, he asked, "What would you like, then?"
He was willing to fulfill any wish she had.
Serena shot him a cold glare in response.
"What’s the point if I have to co up with it myself? Look at her boyfriend — a private event, a special composition, a heartfelt confession, a hot air balloon ride, and even a horde of photographers to capture it all."
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