False Expectations

Adelina's pov:

We hopped into the jeep, the engine rumbling to life as we began our drive toward the forest. The air was fresh, the scent of pine and earth filling the car as we drove deeper into the woods. After a while, the road began to narrow, leading us to a dead end. Maximus parked the jeep and we both stepped out, with him carrying a large wicker basket, its contents hidden beneath a cloth. We ventured on foot, the forest around us alive with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.

We passed the clearing with the secret rock, a place I had visited once in passing but never truly explored, and made our way to a small, serene lake. A gentle waterfall cascaded over rocks, the water sparkling in the sunlight. It was a sight so beautiful that it took my breath away. I had never seen this place before, nor had I even known of its existence. The water lapped gently against the shore, and the area around the lake was surrounded by lush greenery, with wildflowers in every color imaginable, dotting the soft grass. A few meters away, tall oaks and graceful willows swayed in the breeze.

Maximus chose one of the oaks, its sturdy trunk offering the perfect place to rest. We laid down a tablecloth, setting up the picnic, and I couldn't help but marvel at how perfect everything was. The sun hung high in the sky, bathing the landscape in a warm glow, the temperature just right for an afternoon spent outdoors. Maximus opened the basket, pulling out an assortment of delicious-looking food, each item more tempting than the last. My heart skipped a beat when he pulled out a bottle of white wine. Did he know I loved it, or was it just a lucky guess? I wasn't sure, but either way, I wasn't complaining.

We dug into the food, the sweet, savory flavors making the afternoon even more enjoyable. Maximus poured the wine, and as we sipped it, the world seemed to slow down. The beauty of the day, the peaceful surroundings, and the company beside me all made it feel like I was living a dream. Birds flitted between the trees, their songs creating a perfect harmony with the soft wind that stirred the grass. The sky was clear, a deep blue with only the faintest wisps of clouds. The butterflies fluttered in and out of the flowers, adding a magical touch to the already enchanting scene. If heaven truly existed, this is what it would look like.

Maximus, for the first time since I met him, seemed at peace. He wasn't brooding or aloof; instead, he was smiling, his eyes calm and relaxed as he looked around, as if truly taking in the beauty of the place. For a moment, I forgot about everything else. I forgot about the tension that had always lingered between us. Today, it was just us—this moment, this place, and the strange sense of tranquility that had settled between us.

-"Do you like it here?" Maximus asked, his voice calm, a subtle warmth in his words.

-"It's amazing!" I said, my excitement clear. "I've always loved nature, and this place... it's magical! How did you find it?"

-"I used to come here when I was little," he said, his voice softening slightly, a tone lower, as though the words themselves carried a weight of sadness and longing. "But after my mother's absence... I stopped."

The subtle shift in his tone didn't go unnoticed. It was as if the very mention of his mother brought forth a quiet ache he had learned to bury. His eyes momentarily drifted to the shimmering lake, the sound of the waterfall gently lapping against the shore, as if seeking comfort in the tranquility of the moment.

I could feel the heaviness in the air, and I instinctively wanted to reach out, to say something that might ease the unspoken pain. But I didn't know what to say. It was one of those moments where words felt inadequate.

-"I'm so sorry," I whispered softly, unsure if my words would reach him. "I didn't mean to bring up something painful."

He took a deep breath, a fleeting smile playing on his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's okay," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with an underlying sadness. "It's been a long time. I don't feel sad anymore. I've learned to live with it."