​A week had already passed, and my confinement was finally over. Throughout those agonizing days, I had kept in contact with Johann through secret, whispered phone calls. I was constantly terrified my father would confiscate my phone, or that his bothersome wife, Hanna, would overhear and meddle—after all, she was the reason I had been barred from using my own car for a whole month.

​The moment I stepped out of the palace, I headed straight to our meeting spot: a narrow alleyway separating the shopping mall from an adjacent building. Johann’s face lit up with a smile the instant he saw me.

​"Max! Man, you look like a bird that's just been released from its cage."

​Flustered by his praise, I smiled like an absolute idiot. I stepped closer, throwing my arms around him without a care in the world. The rest of the universe ceased to exist when I was with Johann. "This bird missed his partner. Deeply."

​"And his partner missed him just as much." Johann cupped my face with his strong hands, his thumb tracing my jawline with a soothing tenderness that made me close my eyes in pure bliss.

​"Oh God... please don't stop."

​"Haha, I won't stop, sweetheart." He stole a swift, hidden kiss and gave my cheek a playful pinch.

​"Hey! I meant don't stop stroking my face with your fingers."

​"Come on, Max, don't be so sensitive. It's just a little pinch between lovers."

​"Fine, it's okay. I'm sorry... So, where are we planning to go?"

​Johann glanced around, a calculative gleam in his eyes. "What do you say we do a little shopping? I'm positive you’d want to buy a gift for someone very special... perhaps?"

​"Someone special?" I wondered to myself. Who could he mean?

​"Me!" Johann answered, letting out a soft laugh as he slung his arm over my shoulder.

​"Is it your birthday? I didn't know—"

​He cut me off. "Nooo, my birthday is in October. But it is a very special day."

​"What day, Johann? I don't like complicated questions."

​He sighed, tossing his hand dramatically over his forehead in an exaggerated gesture. "I cannot believe you love me and know absolutely nothing about Valentine's Day."

​"Valentine's Day?" I muttered. Then it hit me. We were already on the 12th of February. "Oh my god, I forgot it's in two days!" I clutched his hands excitedly. "It's going to be a huge day for us! We'll spend the entire day together, with no interruptions from anyone."

​He smiled confidently, interlocking his fingers with mine. "Absolutely, darling."

​We walked into the bustling mall, my mind racing with excitement over what to buy for him. Our very first Valentine's Day. But what did he actually want? I knew he loved motorcycles, metal music, and pet fish. Should I get him a new fish? No, that was stupid. He deserved something better.

​"What are you thinking about?" his voice broke through my thoughts.

​"Nothing, just trying to figure out what to get you."

​He smiled down at me. Under the bright, expansive lights of the mall corridors, his face looked so bright and gentle, like an angel walking among mortals. "Thank you for caring about me, Max," he said softly.

​My face flushed a deep, embarrassed red.

​"My parents never cared for me like this... You are the best person I've ever met in my life... Hey, are you okay?"

​I turned my head away in sheer embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm fine, totally fine... Don't worry. I think the air in here is just triggering my allergies."

​"Really? I don't smell anything... But come on, let's grab some coffee over there." He pointed toward a café behind him. I nodded, squeezing his hand tightly as we walked together.

​To be continued...