Chapter 3: Falling Fast

The chill of early autumn had settled over London, casting the city in a golden hue as leaves danced on the wind. Noah couldn't help but feel like his life had changed with the seasons, growing more vibrant and alive since meeting Aveline. Their relationship had blossomed into something unexpected yet undeniable. It wasn't just the thrill of attraction; something deeper kept pulling him toward her, even when logic told him to slow down. Noah found himself walking through Regent's Park, the familiar path lined with trees that had witnessed many of their recent dates. He was heading to Aveline's flat for dinner, another spontaneous evening they had decided on the night before. That was one of the things he loved about Aveline—her spontaneity. For someone who lived such a structured life as a CEO, she had a way of turning simple moments into adventures, making even the ordinary feel extraordinary. As he approached her building, he thought about the past few weeks. 

They had spent nearly every spare moment together—coffee in the mornings before her work meetings, afternoons when he didn't have classes, and late nights talking or just being together. Noah had never connected with someone so quickly or so intensely. Aveline was everything he hadn't known he was looking for: strong, independent, and successful, yet underneath that polished exterior, there was a vulnerability she rarely showed others. He was captivated by how she balanced those parts of herself, and he couldn't deny how drawn he was to her. But there was a complication: they danced around without really addressing it—telling people about their relationship. Despite how perfect everything felt together, Noah couldn't shake the nagging thought of how others might react. 

The age difference, while not an issue for him or Aveline, would undoubtedly raise eyebrows. His friends would have questions, and he wasn't sure how his family would take it, especially given the difference in their worlds. Aveline hadn't told her friends or family either. She hadn't said it outright, but Noah could sense that she, too, was hesitant. She had hinted once or twice that her family might not understand, that her professional circle had expectations of her—dating a much younger man probably wasn't one of them. As Noah reached Aveline's door, he shook off the creeping doubts. For now, none of that mattered. What mattered was how he felt when he was with her; the truth was, he was falling for her. Hard.

Aveline opened the door, a warm smile lighting up her face. She looked effortlessly stunning, as always, in a casual yet chic outfit—a light grey sweater tucked into fitted jeans, her brown hair falling in loose waves. Noah felt that familiar rush in his chest when he saw her. "You're early," she teased, stepping aside to let him in. "I couldn't wait," he replied, kissing her cheek. "Smells amazing in here." She led him into the kitchen, where the scent of herbs and roasted vegetables filled the air. "I figured we'd stay in tonight. I've had a long week and just wanted something... relaxed." Noah watched her as she moved about the kitchen, pouring two glasses of wine. It amazed him how she could shift from the high-stakes world of business deals and boardrooms to moments like these, where she seemed entirely at ease, just like any other woman who enjoyed cooking dinner for someone she cared about. "Relaxed sounds perfect," he said, sitting at the kitchen island.

Aveline handed him a glass and raised hers in a silent toast. "To spontaneity." "To spontaneity," he echoed, clinking his glass with hers. They settled into an easy rhythm as they ate, the conversation flowing as naturally as it always did. They talked about everything—their days, their plans for the weekend, the latest book Noah was reading for his history class. It was easy with her, effortless even, and Noah found himself more relaxed with Aveline than he had ever been with anyone else. She had a way of making him feel seen, really seen, and he couldn't help but admire how genuine she was with him. But as the evening wore on, Noah could sense a shift in the air. 

Aveline grew quieter, her eyes flickering with something he couldn't quite place. After dinner, they moved to the living room, sitting close on the couch and whispering. Noah leaned back, feeling the warmth of the wine spread through him, but his attention was fixed on her. He could tell there was something on her mind, something she hadn't yet voiced. Finally, she broke the silence. "Noah, can I ask you something?" "Of course," he said, turning to face her fully. Aveline hesitated momentarily, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "How do you feel about... us?" The question hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Noah's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't falter. He had been waiting for this conversation, knowing it would eventually come. "I care about you, Aveline," he said, his voice steady. "A lot. More than I expected to when we first met." She smiled at that, but there was a sadness in her eyes. "I care about you too, Noah. More than I thought I would." "But...?" he prompted gently. Aveline sighed, setting her glass down on the coffee table. "But we haven't told anyone about us. And I can't help but wonder if it's because we're both afraid of how people will react." Noah sat up straighter, his brows furrowing. "It's not that I'm afraid," he said carefully. "I just... I don't know how to explain us to people. The age difference, the fact that we met on a dating app... I'm not sure how they'll take it." Aveline nodded slowly. "I feel the same way. 

My friends and my family have certain expectations of me. I've always been responsible, the one who has it all together. And I don't know how they'd react to me dating someone younger. Someone who's still in university." Her words stung, even though Noah knew she didn't mean to hurt him. "Do you think it's wrong? Us being together?" She looked at him then, her eyes softening. "No. I don't think it's wrong. I think it's... unexpected. But not wrong." Noah reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Then let's not worry about what other people think. What matters is how we feel, right? I don't care about the age difference, and I don't care what anyone else says. I'm falling for you, Aveline." Aveline's breath hitched at his words, and for a moment, she looked vulnerable in a way he hadn't seen before. "Noah... I'm falling for you too."

They sat silently for a moment, the weight of their confession settling between them. Noah felt a surge of emotion, making him want to pull her close and never let go. But there was still a hesitation in Aveline's gaze, a flicker of uncertainty that he couldn't ignore. "I know this is complicated," he said softly, "but I don't want to hide us forever. I want to be with you openly. When you're ready." Aveline leaned into him then, resting her head on his shoulder. "I want that too," she whispered. "But it's not just about the age difference, Noah. There's more to my past than you know. Things I haven't told you yet." Noah's heart skipped a beat. He had sensed that Aveline was holding something back, but he hadn't pushed her. Now, though, he couldn't help but wonder what secrets she was carrying. "You can tell me," he said, his voice gentle. "Whatever it is, I want to know."

Aveline was silent for a long moment, her fingers tightening around his. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. "Noah... I used to date someone close to you. Someone you know." Noah's mind raced as he tried to make sense of her words. "Who?" Aveline pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze with fear and regret. "Your father." The world seemed to tilt on its axis, the room spinning around Noah as her words sank in. His father? How could that be possible? He stared at Aveline, trying to process what she had just said, but his mind was a blur of confusion and disbelief. "You... you dated my dad?" His voice was barely more than a whisper, as if saying it aloud would make it less accurate.

Aveline nodded, her expression filled with regret. "It was years ago, Noah. Long before I knew you. I didn't even realize who you were when we first started talking. But then, after we met... I remembered." Noah's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger, confusion, and betrayal coursing through him. His father had never mentioned dating anyone after his mother's death, let alone someone as crucial as Aveline. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I wanted to," Aveline said, her eyes pleading. "But I didn't know how. I didn't want to scare you off. I didn't want to ruin what we had before it started." Noah stood up, running a hand through his hair. His mind was racing, a thousand thoughts colliding at once. How could this have happened? How could the woman he was falling for have been involved with his father? Aveline rose to her feet as well, reaching for him. "Noah, please. I never meant to hurt you. 

I care about you more than you know." He backed away, his heart pounding in his chest. He needed time to think, to process everything she had just told him. "I... I need some air," he said, grabbing his jacket from the chair. "Noah, wait—" Aveline started, but he was already out the door, the sound of it closing behind him echoing in the silence. The cool night air hit Noah's face as he stepped outside, his mind still reeling from Aveline's revelation. His father. How could she have dated his father? Noah wandered through the streets, his feet carrying him aimlessly as his thoughts swirled in his head. He didn't know where to go or what to do. All he knew was that he needed space and time to figure out how he felt about everything. He had fallen for Aveline. There was no denying that. But now, knowing she had a past with his father, everything felt... complicated. Could he move past this? Could he look at her the same way, knowing she had once been with the man who had raised him?

To be continued...