Dylan turned to Ember with a charming smile. "Get dressed. We're going on a city tour today."
Ember's eyes lit up with curiosity. "So, we're not meeting Emir?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"No, not today. His birthday is tomorrow, so let's skip it until then."
"Okay!" she replied, excitement bubbling in her voice. Without wasting a moment, she hurried off to get dressed.
After a short while, both of them were ready. Ember stepped out, looking like a vision from a fairy tale. She wore a vintage-inspired gown adorned with a breathtaking blue and white floral pattern, reminiscent of fine porcelain. The flowing silhouette, delicate bell sleeves, and intricate lace trimmings gave her an air of regal elegance—perfect for today's outing.
On the other side, Dylan exuded effortless charm in a deep blue patterned button-up that subtly complemented Ember's dress. He paired it with dark denim jeans, striking the perfect balance between casual and refined. A black watch, stylish sunglasses, adding a modern edge that matched Ember's timeless elegance.
As they stood side by side, their outfits seemed to tell a story of harmony—two souls effortlessly in sync, ready to explore the city together.
As Ember stood in front of the apartment, waiting as Dylan had instructed, the distant purr of an engine caught her attention. Her breath hitched when a stunning LaFerrari in a striking shade of hot red pulled up before her. The way the sunlight reflected off its glossy finish made it look almost unreal—like something straight out of a dream.
The tinted window rolled down, revealing Dylan, a smirk playing on his lips. "Come on, let's go," he said smoothly.
Ember didn't waste a second. She rushed to the car, slipping into the seat, her fingers grazing the sleek dashboard in awe. "Dylan, it's so beautiful," she whispered, still mesmerized. "You're really making my dream of riding in a sports car come true."
Dylan chuckled, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I'm really happy you like the first surprise for our date today."
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. "First surprise?" she repeated, excitement bubbling inside her. "Are there more? I can't wait!" Without thinking, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before tightening her seatbelt.
"Let's go," Dylan said with a grin as he revved the engine.
Their date had officially begun.
The first destination was the breathtaking Blue Mosque of Haliçis. As they walked side by side, taking in the grandeur of the place, Dylan kept trying to hold Ember's hand. But she was too enchanted by the mosque, rushing ahead every time he reached for her. The hand-painted İznik tiles, in mesmerizing shades of blue, caught her attention, their intricate designs giving the mosque its legendary name.
Dylan watched her with amused affection. She was like a whirlwind of curiosity, her excitement infectious. While he admired the beauty of the mosque, he couldn't help but admire Ember even more.
After some time, Ember realized that Dylan had fallen behind while she was admiring the breathtaking architecture. Concerned, she turned around and rushed back to him, slipping her hand into his.
"Dylan, come with me," she said, tugging him gently. "Let me tell you something—this is one of the most significant religious sites in Haliçis. It offers deep insight into the Ottoman Empire's Islamic heritage. Inside, it's adorned with over 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles, which is why it's called the Blue Mosque. Do you know how I know all this?" She looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "How?" He assumed she must have done some research beforehand.
Ember grinned mischievously. "Do you think I'm a genius?"
Dylan chuckled, shaking his head.
"Don't laugh!" she huffed playfully. "I'll tell you my secret—come closer."
Dylan leaned in, curious. Ember cupped her hands around his ear and whispered, "I just overheard the tour guide explaining it to everyone." She burst into laughter, her giggles filling the air.
Dylan smirked and gently patted her head. "You're so silly and way too cute."
As they continued their tour, Ember noticed Dylan snapping pictures of the mosque. She walked up to him and leaned in with a bright smile.
"Why don't we take some together? We don't have any pictures, and it would be a beautiful memory."
Dylan nodded at her suggestion. "Okay."
Excited, Ember took Dylan's phone and tried to take a selfie of them together. But as she lifted the phone, she quickly realized a problem—her height barely allowed her to capture anything above Dylan's chest. She stretched on her toes, trying to adjust the angle, but it was no use.
Dylan watched her struggle, a soft laugh escaping his lips. "My cute little pocket-sized love, give me the phone. I'll take the pictures."
Ember pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. She looked up at him with an exaggerated sulk. Dylan chuckled, leaned in, and snapped a few pictures of her in that very pose.
"Too adorable," he commented, admiring the photos.
"That was too ugly! Delete it!" she protested, trying to snatch the phone from him. But with his height, he easily kept it out of her reach. She stretched, trying harder, but it was hopeless. In the end, she huffed in defeat and plopped down onto a nearby bench.
Dylan sat beside her, still grinning. "Sorry, but I'm not deleting it. You look way too adorable in it." Then, noticing the way she sighed softly, he added, "Are you tired? Let's go grab some lunch."
Ember perked up at the idea and nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's go!"
With that, they got up and continued their adventure, hand in hand.
By the time afternoon rolled around, Dylan and Ember drove to a beautiful restaurant by the beach—somewhere with delicious food and breathtaking views. The sound of waves crashing against the shore created a soothing backdrop as they arrived.
Before heading to their table, Ember excused herself to the ladies' room. As she was washing her hands, a girl suddenly approached her with a friendly smile.
"Hey, I'm Leora."
Ember glanced at her, surprised by the sudden introduction, but returned the greeting politely. "Hello."
Leora hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Actually, I'm a huge fan of Dylan. I saw you coming with him, and I hope you don't mind me asking… are you his girlfriend?"
Ember was taken aback by the question. For a brief second, she didn't know how to respond. Finally, she smiled, choosing her words carefully. "No, I'm not. Actually, we're just friends." She didn't want to reveal anything about their relationship without talking to Dylan first.
Leora's eyes widened slightly. "Oh! I'm so sorry—I must have misunderstood."
"It's okay," Ember reassured her with a small smile.
Leora hesitated again before speaking. "Can I ask for a favor? I'd love to get his autograph, but I don't want to disturb him. Could you ask for me? I'm sitting at table number 10, just beside yours."
Ember thought for a moment before nodding. "I'll try, but I can't promise anything."
Leora beamed. "Thank you so much!" she said gratefully before walking away.
Ember took a deep breath, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't sure how Dylan would react to this, but she knew one thing for sure—being around him always came with surprises.
As Ember returned to the table, she noticed it was already set beautifully. Dylan stood up and, like a true gentleman, pulled out the chair for her. Her heart fluttered at the simple yet thoughtful gesture. As she settled into her seat, he slid his chair closer, their proximity making her pulse quicken.
They began their lunch, savoring the moment as much as the food. Dylan took a bite, then picked up another and held it out to her, his eyes locking onto hers. Without hesitation, Ember leaned in, parting her lips as he fed her. A soft smile played on his lips as he watched her take the bite. Her cheeks warmed, but she decided to return the gesture. Picking up a small piece, she brought it to his lips, and he accepted it, his fingers brushing against hers in the process.
They continued, feeding each other, sharing glances filled with unspoken emotions. The air between them crackled with an intimate tenderness, as if the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only the two of them in their own little universe.
Just as they finished their meal, a group of waiters approached, carrying a beautifully decorated cake. Ember's eyes widened in surprise.
"It's so beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Dylan leaned in, his voice low and warm. "This is our first official date anniversary cake."
Her heart skipped a beat. First official date. The words echoed in her mind, making her chest tighten with emotion.
After cutting the cake and sharing a piece, Dylan reached into his pocket and placed a small, elegantly wrapped box in front of her.
"For you," he said, his voice soft but filled with meaning.
Ember's hands trembled slightly as she unwrapped the gift. Inside, nestled in a delicate velvet case, was a stunning gold necklace with interlocking hearts. Her breath hitched. The design was simple yet deeply meaningful—two hearts entwined, a symbol of connection, of something unspoken but undeniably present between them.
Ember was completely mesmerized. Her breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively covered her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed by the emotions rushing through her. The moment felt surreal—like a dream she never wanted to wake up from.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she stared at the beautiful necklace resting in her hands. But even as her heart swelled with happiness, a part of her was waiting—waiting for the three words she longed to hear the most.
But Dylan didn't say them. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his gaze searching hers as he asked, "Did you like it?"
Ember blinked, momentarily caught off guard. That wasn't what she had expected him to say. Her heart had been racing in anticipation, and now it stumbled, thrown into an unexpected halt. But when she looked up at Dylan—his eyes filled with warmth, his expression waiting for her reply—her lips curled into a soft smile.
"Yes, I love it." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the emotion behind it was unmistakable.
Dylan took the necklace from her hands and moved closer. He gently brushed her hair aside, his fingers grazing the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Slowly, he clasped the delicate chain around her, then took a step back to admire it.
"It looks perfect on you," he murmured, his voice thick with admiration.
Ember swallowed the lump in her throat. The weight of the necklace against her skin felt warm, comforting—almost as if it carried a silent promise between them.
"Thank you so much," she whispered, before wrapping her arms around Dylan in a warm embrace. He held her close, his heartbeat steady against hers, making her wish time would stop right then and there.
After a long moment, Ember pulled back slightly, a playful glint returning to her eyes. "Dylan, can you sign an autograph for me?" she asked suddenly.
Dylan raised an eyebrow, surprised. "An autograph?"
She nodded eagerly.
Though still a little puzzled, he borrowed a pen and paper from the reception. With a smirk, he began writing, the scratch of the pen filling the air. When he handed it back to her, Ember's eyes widened as she read his words:
"With all my love and care, to my cute little pocket-sized love, my only love—Ember. From the love of your life, Dylan. Forever yours."
Her heart skipped a beat. The way he wrote it, so effortlessly, so naturally—was this his way of saying what he hadn't said aloud?
A deep warmth spread through her chest. Without thinking, she pressed a soft kiss onto the paper, cherishing his words.
Dylan watched her with an amused expression. "I assume you liked that one?" he teased.
Ember giggled, then remembered something. "Dylan, can you sign one more? But make it formal—don't use 'love' or anything."
Dylan narrowed his eyes playfully. "And why would I do that?"
She hesitated before answering, "There was a fan girl who asked me for your autograph earlier, but I don't want to give her this one."
Then, under her breath, she muttered, "If it were up to me, I wouldn't let him sign anything this sweet for anyone else."
Dylan heard her and chuckled. Amused, he took another piece of paper and wrote in his usual, professional style:
"Thank you for being my fan. – Actor Dylan."
Ember read it, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. She looked over at the table where the girl had been sitting, but she was no longer there. Not wanting to keep it with her, she handed the autograph to the reception. "Please give this to the girl who was sitting at table number 10," she said.
Dylan watched her, smirking. "Possessive, aren't we?"
Ember huffed, turning away to hide the warmth creeping up her cheeks. But before she could respond, Dylan leaned in close, his lips just inches from her ear.
"Don't worry, Ember," he whispered, his voice sending a delicious shiver down her spine. "No autograph could ever compare to the mark you've left on me."
Her breath hitched. She turned to him, their faces mere inches apart, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
And just like that, the world around them disappeared again.