Chapter 28 - Inches apart

As they exited the restaurant, the evening sun was nearing its set. Emir instructed the driver, "You can go on a holiday." The driver inquired, "Who will drive then?" Emir responded, "Me." The driver objected, "No, Sir, you can't."

Emir led the driver to a corner, thinking that Ember hadn't overheard their conversation, but she had. The driver stated, "I'm not allowed to lend you the car." Emir tried a pleading look, with puppy eyes, right in front of the driver, saying, "Please! I want to take her alone, please! Please!" The driver relented, "Okay, but if something happens, you are responsible." Emir replied, "Okay, I swear."

Then Dylan approached the car door, opened it for Ember, and said, "Come." She playfully asked him, "You know how to drive?" teasing him with a smile. He retorted, "Don't you trust me?" She responded, "That's not what I mean," lowering her head looking somewhat upset. He reassured, "I have my driving license, don't worry."

As she raised her head and saw his eager expression to drive, she replied, "Okay," with a smile, and got into the car. He instructed, "Buckle your seatbelt," to which she replied, "I think my seatbelt is stuck." He offered, "Let me help you."

He leaned in to assist with the seatbelt, their eyes met, and their faces were just inches apart. She could feel his breath, and her heart began racing. She sensed the temperature inside the car rising. He teased, "Why are you turning red?" with a smile, and pulled back. She denied, "No," but he insisted, "Yes."

She explained, "I feel like the temperature in the car is getting hotter." He got closer and whispered in her ear, "You know why the car is too hot?" Anticipating, she asked, "Why?" He playfully replied, "Because I am too hot, don't you think?" She pushed him back onto his seat and instructed, "Just drive." He agreed, "I'll turn on the AC." She said, "Okay."

When he started the car, he seemed to be driving like he was in a race or a racer himself. Emir asked, "Is it fast?" He inquired, and she answered, "No, not at all, but it's not the usual way home." She thought the speed was too fast. He responded, "Yes, just enjoy. I'm giving you a car tour of my city."

"Can you drive more slowly?" "Are you scared?" She replied, "No! If you slow down, I can see outside more clearly and get a better sense of how your city looks." He agreed, "Yes, you're right," and adjusted the speed to normal...

After a while, they reached a flyover, and the scene was exceptionally beautiful. Emir asked, "Did you like my city?" She praised, "Yes, it's truly beautiful." He promised, "Next time, I'll give you a tour of every single place." She responded, "Okay, I'm really looking forward to it." Her excitement was evident.