The airport was unusually crowded that afternoon.
People moved in every direction, dragging suitcases behind them while others stood near the arrival gate, impatiently checking their phones and watches.
The constant announcements from the speakers mixed with the sound of conversations, footsteps, and luggage wheels rolling across the polished floor.
Among the crowd sat a young woman who looked completely out of place in the chaos.
Lillian Moore sat gracefully on one of the airport chairs, her handbag resting neatly on her lap.
Her legs were crossed, and one hand held her phone while the other occasionally adjusted the strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek.
She looked delicate.
Very delicate.
Her petite figure, soft features, and calm expression made her seem like someone who would have trouble even raising her voice at another person.
But appearances could be deceiving.
Lillian glanced at the time on her phone.
“Ethan is late.”
She sighed softly.
Her family had arranged her marriage to Ethan Carter several years ago.
The arrangement had been made when she turned eighteen, but Ethan had spent most of his time abroad studying and building his own life.
Because of that, they had barely spoken.
Today was supposed to be different.
Their families had decided that since the wedding was expected to happen later that year, the two of them should finally spend some time together and get to know each other.
Lillian wasn’t particularly excited about the arrangement, but she wasn’t completely against it either.
She believed that if she was going to marry someone, she should at least know what kind of person he was.
She was about to put her phone away when a loud argument caught her attention.
“Let go of me!”
A woman’s voice came from a few meters away.
Lillian looked up.
A man was holding a young woman’s wrist.
“Stop making a scene,” the man said angrily.
“You’re hurting me!”
“I told you you’re coming with me.”
The woman struggled harder.
People around them looked over, but most simply watched.
Lillian’s brows drew together.
She stood.
Without hesitation, she walked toward them.
“Let her go.”
The man turned.
He looked Lillian up and down.
Then he laughed.
“What?”
“I said let her go.”
The man looked at her petite frame and scoffed.
“Little girl, mind your own business.”
Lillian’s expression changed.
“Little girl?”
The woman looked at her desperately.
“Please help me.”
Lillian didn’t hesitate.
She grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted it sharply.
He immediately released the woman.
“What the hell!”
Lillian kicked the side of his knee.
The man stumbled.
Before he could regain his balance, Lillian caught his arm and twisted it behind his back.
He groaned.
“Let me go!”
Lillian leaned slightly closer.
“Do you still want to continue?”
The man’s face twisted in pain.
“No!”
“Good.”
She released him.
The woman immediately moved behind Lillian.
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly.
“Thank you so much.”
Lillian turned toward her.
“Are you okay?”
The woman nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then go somewhere safe.”
The woman nodded again.
A short distance away, a tall man had watched everything.
Adrian Sterling stood beside his assistant, Daniel.
His dark suit was perfectly fitted, and his expression remained calm as he watched the petite woman who had just dealt with the man.
Daniel stared.
“Sir.”
Adrian didn’t look at him.
“What?”
“Did you see that?”
“I have eyes.”
Daniel cleared his throat.
“She looks…”
“Fragile?”
“Yes.”
Adrian’s lips curved slightly.
“She isn’t.”
He continued watching.
“She doesn’t need help.”
Daniel glanced at him.
“She really doesn’t.”
Adrian’s attention remained on Lillian.
There was something amusing about her.
One moment, she had looked like the most harmless person in the airport.
The next, she had taken control of the situation without even raising her voice.
Airport security finally arrived.
The man immediately began complaining.
“She attacked me!”
Lillian’s expression suddenly changed.
Her eyes became watery.
She lowered her head and hugged her handbag against herself.
“I was scared,” she whispered.
Daniel almost laughed.
Adrian’s lips twitched.
The woman Lillian had helped immediately stepped forward.
“That’s not true.
She helped me.
He was forcing me to go with him.”
The security officers listened to both sides before taking the man away.
Lillian wiped her eyes.
She looked completely innocent again.
Adrian quietly chuckled.
Lillian’s eyes briefly moved toward him.
Their gazes met.
For some reason, she felt embarrassed.
She quickly looked away.
A few minutes later, a man approached her.
“Lillian?”
She looked up.
“Ethan?”
The man smiled.
“Hi.”
She stood.
“Hi.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
They had seen pictures of each other before, but meeting in person felt completely different.
“You’ve changed,” Ethan said.
“So have you.”
He smiled.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay.”
They began walking toward the exit together.
After a moment, Lillian spoke.
“Ethan.”
“Hm?”
“Since we’re supposed to get married this year…”
She paused.
“I think we should actually get to know each other.”
He glanced at her.
“You mean…”
“Dating.”
Ethan was slightly surprised.
“You want us to date?”
“Yes.”
She smiled politely.
“I don’t think we should marry two people who barely know each other.”
Ethan thought about it.
Then he nodded.
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
Neither of them knew that their simple agreement would soon become complicated.
As they continued walking, Adrian passed them from the opposite direction.
Lillian didn’t notice him.
Adrian did.
His eyes briefly settled on her before he continued walking.
Outside the airport, Daniel opened the car door for him.
Adrian entered.
Just before the door closed, he glanced back toward the airport entrance.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
“Where are you?”
“At the airport.”
“You’re finally back.
Come out tonight.”
“I’m tired.”
“It’s important.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Important?”
“Very.”
Adrian sighed.
“Fine.
I’ll come.”
He ended the call.
Daniel looked at him through the mirror.
“Where are we going?”
“Home first.”
Adrian leaned back.
“Then I’ll go out tonight.”
The car drove away.
Inside the airport, Lillian was already leaving with Ethan.
Neither knew that their ordinary afternoon would soon become the beginning of something neither of them had planned.