"Oh, no," Elio muttered, Ember shifting uneasily on his shoulder. "I had completely forgotten about that."
Tarec, who had noticed the sudden tension in Elio, followed his gaze. A knowing smile spread across his face.
"Ah, matters of the heart, eh?" he joked, giving Elio a friendly nudge. "Well, it seems your date has arrived."
Before Elio could protest, Tarec raised his voice. "Hey, miss! Your knight has arrived!"
Elio felt his face flush, Ember chirping in apparent amusement. "Tarec, it's not what..."
But Tarec was already walking away, an amused smile on his face. He gave Elio a thumbs up before disappearing into the crowd, leaving him alone to face Lila.
Elio took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. This wasn't the conversation he had planned to have this morning, but he knew he couldn't postpone it any longer. He had made a promise, even if in a moment of frustration, and he had to keep it.
