As the revelation sunk in, Summer found herself stunned into silence, her mind reeling from the realization that the man beside her was a true admirer of her work. Before she could collect her thoughts, Tristan began reciting her poem "Echoes of Heart" line by line, each word infused with the same emotion she had poured into its creation.
Tristan's voice, soft yet filled with longing, echoed through the cabin as he recited the lines of the poem with a reverence reserved for the most cherished of treasures.
"In the stillness of the night,
Where stars gleam with silent might,
I gaze from the highest peak,
Longing for someone I seek."
As the words flowed from his lips, Tristan couldn't help but feel a connection to the sentiments expressed in the poem. It was as if the verses had been written for him, capturing the essence of his own innermost desires and yearnings.
"Lonely echoes in the empty air,
Yearning for someone to care,
At the pinnacle of success, I stand,
But loneliness grips my hand."
With each line, Tristan's voice grew stronger, his conviction unwavering as he shared the depths of his soul with Summer. He felt exposed yet liberated, as if the poem had given voice to emotions he had long kept hidden.
"In the vast expanse of the sky,
I search for a love that can't deny,
A partner to share the highs and lows,
To soothe the ache, to quench the woes."
Summer listened intently, her heart skipping a beat as Tristan continued to recite her poem. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mingled with disbelief at the realization that the man beside her was intimately familiar with her work.
Tristan found himself captivated by the tenderness dancing in Summer's eyes, her delicate features illuminated by the soft glow of the cabin lights as he continued his recitation. His voice carried the weight of his emotions, his heart laid bare with each verse.
"Companionship, a beacon bright,
Guiding through the darkest night,
In the depths of solitude, I find,
A longing for hearts to bind.
For love is a journey yet untold,
A mystery waiting to unfold,
In the solitude of the highest peak,
I seek, I yearn, I speak."
As the final words of the poem lingered in the air, Tristan found himself breathless, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned to Summer, his eyes searching hers for any sign of recognition, any indication that she understood the depth of the poem, more accurately the enunciation of his inner feelings.
Summer, her gaze soft yet unwavering, met his with a warmth that sent a shiver down his spine. She felt a surge of emotion welling up inside her. "You felt the same things?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She couldn't help but reveal the truth behind the poem. "I felt the same things, hence the birth of this poem," she confessed softly, her eyes meeting his in a moment of shared vulnerability.
Tristan's eyes widened in shock and amazement. "Are... Are you?" Before he could finish his sentence, Summer reached for her handbag, her movements graceful yet purposeful. "Trish, can you lend me a pen?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a nod, Tristan handed her a pen, watching in anticipation as she retrieved a postcard from her bag. As Summer scribbled a few words onto the card, Tristan's heart raced with curiosity and excitement. What was she writing? What revelation awaited him?
After a few moments, Summer handed the postcard to Tristan, her eyes sparkling with mischief. As he read the words penned by Alma Bendita herself, a wave of emotion washed over him.
The note read: "To the best admirer of my work. It's an honor to meet you in person. With Love, Alma Bendita."
She signed the postcard with her autograph, confirming her identity as the real poet behind the pen name.
"Thank you so much, Sam—oops, Miss Alma Bendita," Tristan exclaimed, his voice filled with childlike happiness. "This is a great honor and pleasure to receive this from you. I'll always cherish this."
Summer couldn't help but laugh at his innocence, her laughter ringing through the cabin like music, as she reached out to gently touch his hand. "You're welcome, Mr. Admirer," she said, her voice soft yet filled with warmth. "And Sam is just fine."
Tristan was mesmerized by the sight of her, her eyes sparkling with joy, her laughter like a melody he never wanted to end.
As their eyes met in a moment of pure connection, time seemed to stand still. In that fleeting moment, they shared an unspoken bond, their hearts entwined in the gentle embrace of destiny.
Their beautiful eye lock moment, which felt like an eternity, was interrupted by the flight attendant who walked up to them to deliver their meals. Reluctantly, they parted their gazes to acknowledge the attendant and receive their meals. As they began eating, Tristan was particularly attentive to Summer, who could use only one hand due to her sling. Whenever she wanted to drink water between bites, Tristan would help her by holding the straw to her lips.
Seeing his chivalry, Summer was amused, her eyes never leaving his face. "What? I'm a gentleman. Now I've all the more reason to treat you with more gentleness. After all, you're my solace," Tristan said, his tone sincere.
Summer's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. Realizing how his words might be interpreted, Tristan quickly added, "Ahem… I-I mean, your work is my solace. Plus, you can't use your other hand for now. So let me be of your use." He smiled sheepishly with reddened cheeks
Summer smiled and accepted his kindness. After they were done with their meal, Tristan thoughtfully covered Summer with a blanket to help her sleep. As she drifted into slumber, Tristan couldn't help but keep staring at her face intently, as if etching her features into his mind forever. Her peaceful expression, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and the soft curls of her hair framing her face—all captivated him.
Soon it was morning and time for their arrival in Paris. The in-flight announcement woke Summer, who looked utterly annoyed as her sleep was interrupted. Tristan, seeing her expression, teased, "Good morning, Sunshine!"
Summer glared at him. "Stop it, or this sunshine will make your day darker!"
Hearing this, Tristan burst into laughter. He found her annoyed expression extremely cute. He lifted his hands in resignation. "Alright, alright. So we're landing soon. Where are you staying? Maybe you could need a helper or assistant or anything when you go to the gathering." His eyes pleaded, as if saying, "Please take me to the gathering, please."
Summer, understanding his intentions, smirked. "I don't need any help. By now, you should know about my capabilities."
Tristan sighed helplessly and made a puppy face. Seeing his cute reaction, Summer laughed. "I'm staying at Morlow Hotel, and I'll think about taking a plus one with me."
Hearing the name of the hotel, Tristan was shocked. "No way! I'm also staying at Morlow Hotel." Smiling he added "What a beautiful coincidence!"
Summer's eyes widened, and then a realization dawned upon her. "Trish, by any chance, does Max know about your Paris trip?"
Tristan answered casually, "Yeah! In fact, he insisted on planning my itinerary and… wait!" He stopped mid-sentence as the same realization hit him.
"That scheming bastard!" Both Tristan and Summer uttered in unison.