Chapter 553

Chapter 553:
A slow, secretive smile played behind Myron’s mask as he lingered before her. With their faces hidden, only their eyes met—each searching the other, finding an unspoken spark reflected back.
Though not a drop of wine had touched her lips that night, Millie felt an odd, heady dizziness, as if the world around them had tilted slightly out of focus.
A sudden craving for mulled wine crept up on her—rich and comforting. Before she could voice it, Myron steered her through the bustling crowd, pausing at a small stall where steam curled over pots of mulled wine. He pressed a warm cup into her hands, anticipation glimmering in his gaze.
Even with the heat of the day, Millie welcomed the drink, lifting it to her lips without hesitation. The wine was gentle—more soothing than strong, layered with flavors—and she let it linger on her tongue.
“Is it to your taste?” Myron’s voice drifted over her shoulder, low and coaxing. Millie nodded, her eyes lingering on the red liquid swirling in her cup. She murmured, “Yeah. I like it.”
Myron glanced at his watch, the movement almost secretive, then shot a quick look across the street. A knowing grin tugged at his lips.
“Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”
Setting her cup aside, Millie fell into step beside him, curiosity prickling at her skin.
He led her around the corner—where an enormous hot air balloon, vibrant and otherworldly, hovered, ready for takeoff.
Myron turned to her, his eyes dancing. “How about a ride?”
“Of course,” Millie replied, slipping into the basket alongside him.
They were alone, enclosed by the curved wicker and the faint tang of propane. Myron deftly worked the controls, and the balloon surged upward, rising above the patchwork streets and distant rooftops.
The higher it rose, the smaller the world became. Yet Millie noticed a figure below on the ground, jumping furiously, their identity lost in the distance.
She turned toward Myron, catching the glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
“Who was that down there?” she asked, her voice light.
“Egbert,” Myron answered, his lips curving into a crooked grin. “He tried to cut us off, but I had someone tip me off the moment he set foot on the island.”
The memory of Egbert’s wild thrashing made Millie break into helpless laughter, the sound bubbling up and carried off by the wind.
Egbert stood on the ground below, glaring up as the hot air balloon drifted higher. Frustration burned in his chest. He could do nothing but watch it rise beyond his reach.
Inside the balloon, Millie looked out over the island, watching it slowly unfold beneath her. Then, she saw what Myron had prepared. The entire island shimmered with lights, arranged to form one glowing word—”Millie.”
“Wow,” she whispered, staring as the island grew smaller below.
She turned toward Myron, who stood beside her, his hands now off the controls. He still wore a half-face mask, his gaze fixed on her. This update is available on.net
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