Don’t Scare Me Like That Morning arrived sooner than either of them expected.
The Hawthorne Grand Hotel was alive with excitement.
Today was the wedding.
Staff members hurried across the lobby carrying bouquets, adjusting decorations, and making last-minute checks.
Ava walked briskly through the hallway with a clipboard in one hand and her phone in the other.
“Table seven is missing two chairs.” “The florist is on the second floor.” “And someone please confirm the cake arrives before noon.” She spoke with surprising confidence.
Employees who had once underestimated the quiet flight attendant now listened to her without question.
Across the ballroom, Ethan couldn’t help but smile.
Daniel noticed.
“You’ve been staring at Miss Bennett for the last five minutes.” “I have not.” “You smiled.” “…Did I?” “You did.” Lucas appeared beside Daniel as if summoned by magic.
“I saw it too.” Ethan sighed.
“You two really need hobbies.” — By noon…
Everything was finally ready.
The bride arrived.
She looked breathtaking in a white gown that shimmered beneath the ballroom lights.
The groom couldn’t stop smiling.
Guests filled every seat.
The ceremony began beautifully.
Even Ava found herself smiling.
“I love weddings,” she whispered.
Ethan, standing beside her, glanced at her instead of the ceremony.
“…Me too.” She looked at him.
“You weren’t even watching.” “I am now.” Ava immediately looked away, pretending she hadn’t heard him.
— The ceremony ended with loud applause.
Everyone moved to the reception hall.
Music echoed through the ballroom.
Laughter filled every corner.
Everything was perfect.
Until…
The lights suddenly flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then a loud crash echoed from the upper decoration rig.
Someone screamed.
“Ava!” She looked up instinctively.
One of the large crystal decorations had broken loose from its support.
Time seemed to slow.
Without thinking…
Ethan ran.
“Ava!” He grabbed her wrist with all his strength and pulled her toward him.
The heavy decoration crashed onto the marble floor exactly where she had been standing.
Glass exploded across the room.
Guests gasped.
The music stopped.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Ava stood frozen against Ethan’s chest.
She hadn’t even realized what had happened.
Her hands were gripping the front of his suit.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Fast.
Much faster than she’d ever heard before.
Then…
Something unexpected happened.
Ethan wrapped both arms tightly around her.
So tightly that she could barely move.
“Ava…” His voice shook.
“…Don’t ever scare me like that again.” She blinked.
Slowly…
She realized…
He was trembling.
Not from anger.
From fear.
She gently looked up at him.
“Ethan…” He closed his eyes for just a second.
“I thought…” His voice caught.
“I thought I lost you.” Those words struck her harder than the falling chandelier ever could.
Without thinking…
She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I’m okay.” She whispered it so softly that only he could hear.
“I’m here.” Neither of them noticed the dozens of people watching.
Daniel quietly dismissed the guests to another section of the ballroom while maintenance rushed to secure the area.
Lucas stood a few feet away.
For once…
He wasn’t smiling.
He had never seen his brother look so terrified.
— A few minutes later…
The ballroom had calmed down.
The bride and groom insisted on continuing the reception.
Thankfully, no one had been injured.
Ava sat alone on a bench outside the ballroom, still trying to process everything.
The door opened behind her.
Ethan quietly sat beside her.
For several moments…
Neither of them spoke.
Finally…
“I’m sorry.” She looked at him.
“…Why are you apologizing?” “I should’ve checked the decorations myself.” She shook her head.
“That wasn’t your fault.” “I know.” “But…” He looked down at his hands.
“I’ve never been that scared before.” She reached out without thinking.
Her fingers gently found his hand.
She held it.
Not tightly.
Just enough.
“I’m okay.” He looked at their joined hands.
“…I know.” She smiled softly.
“And thanks to you…” “I’ll continue being okay.” Ethan turned his hand over, quietly intertwining their fingers.
This time…
Ava didn’t pull away.
She simply looked down at their hands.
Then smiled.
A small smile.
But a real one.
Across the garden, hidden behind a pillar, Lucas nudged Mia with his elbow.
“You seeing this?” Mia sniffled dramatically.
“I’m not crying.” Lucas looked at her.
“…You’re literally crying.” “It’s romantic!” She wiped her eyes.
“He was shaking!” Lucas chuckled.
“I think my brother finally understands.” “Understands what?” “…That loving someone means being terrified of losing them.” The evening breeze carried soft laughter from the ballroom.
Inside…
The wedding celebration continued.
Outside…
Two hearts quietly moved closer than ever before.
Neither of them said “I love you.” They didn’t have to.
Sometimes…
The tightest embrace said everything words never could.