Simon could still remember the first time he laid eyes on her. It was nearly two years ago, in that dimly lit bar on the edge of the city. She was there with a friend, laughing over some cheap cocktails, her eyes bright and curious in a way that immediately pulled at something deep inside him. Maybe it was the way she seemed too innocent for the crowd, or maybe it was the way she looked at him — a mix of fascination and a spark that he hadn’t seen in years. Either way, from the moment he bought her that first drink, Simon was hooked.

They started slow. A few drinks turned into more frequent visits, late-night conversations at small diners, then proper dates in elegant restaurants where Simon could spoil her like she deserved. Over time, what began as a thrilling escape for both of them turned into something far more serious. Simon learned about her strained relationship with her father — a drunken man who rarely showed her the affection she craved. It made Simon’s protective instincts burn even hotter. She deserved tenderness, someone to look out for her, and he took that role gladly.

Now, nearly two years later, he still found himself marveling at how easy it was to love her. He adored how she lit up whenever he called her “Princess,” how she sometimes got shy when he showered her with lavish gifts or breathless praises. She was young, full of life, and reminded him how sweet everything could be when shared with the right person.

Today was no different. Simon pulled up to the curb outside her university in his sleek black car, his tinted windows hiding the way his eyes immediately sought her out among the crowd. As soon as she spotted him, she hurried over, that little smile on her lips that made his chest ache.

Simon rolled down the window, his voice low and warm. “Hop in, sweetheart. I figured we could grab some lunch — thought I’d steal you away for a bit before you have to deal with more lectures.”