I had a dream.

I thought it was real.

I wish it was real.

I hoped it was real.

Until I woke up.

It was still nighttime. The clock on my nightstand shows that it's just 11.

Great

Although, I feel like I had a goodnight sleep despite waking up at this hour.

I stared at the ceiling as my mind drifted off to my dream.

Just like now, it was also nighttime. I was walking, side by side with Nate, on the fields, enjoying the cold breeze of the evening.

It was like a romantic movie. Nate and I as the main characters, and the stars are our audience.

A walk under the night sky with the moon as our only source of light is probably the simplest yet the most romantic thing in my book.

I closed my eyes as I breathe in and out.

It was a really beautiful dream.

He was wearing a simple white shirt, and some sweatpants while I was in one of my favorite knee-length dresses. The silence around us is enough to know that in that dream nothing matters but that moment.

No work.

No responsibilities.

No worries.

Just us.

Just two people enjoying the beautiful night in each other's company, basking in the moment of comfortable silence.

I sighed again, a dreamy smile placed on my face after recalling such dream.

I turned to face the floor to ceiling window where the sky is visible to my viewing pleasure.

The moon was spilling its light through the window's glass.

The beauty of the sky never ceases to amaze me.

I looked at the night sky from my place before I got up from my bed and decided to walk out onto the balcony.

And what a view it was.

The moon shining down upon the whole vineyard of this place makes a picture-perfect night.

Sigh

Maybe a walk down there won't hurt

I smiled. It would be another crossed out dream from my bucket list. Enjoying the peaceful night without any reserve, that is.

I was about to leave the room when I realized I was only wearing my white nightgown.

Whoops...

Hey, it's 11pm. Just an hour before midnight. Who in this household would be awake?

That's right. They all retired early.

So, it's decided then, I guess I will just wear what I was wearing when I woke up.

I silently made my way downstairs until I reached the backdoor. I pushed it open and voilà. The midnight air welcomed me with open arms.

Now, you're just being dramatic

I walked out of the house and into the garden. Amy must have forgotten to show this part of the house to me because this is something that I wouldn't mind seeing.

There, in front of me is a maze of roses. The only source of light I have is the moon above but it's enough to see that the roses are enchanting. All colors seemed to glow under the light of the moonlight. It must have been beautiful during the day but this, right here, is stunning. I don't know if it's just me, but the white roses seemed to be glow brighter as if reflecting the light of the moon.

Suddenly, I was engulfed by a light. Each lamppost was suddenly lit up. The garden seemed to come alive. There was a fountain near the white roses, which I hadn't noticed before, started running its waters. The flame color of light emanating from the lampposts gives off a romantic feel to the whole setting.

A figure behind a tree emerged.

Nate

I felt the corners of my mouth tug upwards as I saw him approach. And then suddenly, a jolt went straight to my spine as I realized that his presence alone made me smile.

"Can't sleep?" I heard myself ask.

"I could ask you the same thing."

That statement made me snort and chuckle a little.

"Do you mind if I just stay here for a moment?"

He coughed. "Why are you asking me?"

I frowned and answered, "because you own the place?"

"As far as I can remember, I don't even own a piece of this land."

I rolled my eyes. "I apologize. Your grandparents own this place, I know. But still, being their grandchild, you have a say still. And you're the only person here."

"Well, I'm not the only one, seeing as you're here too."

I laughed, and saw his eyes twinkle as if I said something funny.

"But seriously, though. You went out here alone with just the moonlight guiding your feet. I don't think staying here in this garden could be your only agenda," he said confidently. "Why don't you join me for a walk a little. There's still so much to see in this place other than the vineyard and my grandparents' house."

I gave him a smile. "Okay."

With that, I found myself walking side by side with him.

We silently walked through the vineyard.

"So, based on the spark in your eyes earlier, you must have really liked the rose garden, huh?"

"If it isn't obvious, then yes," I said. "It was really beautiful. And I really love white roses. They seemed to glow under the moonlight."

I look up at him and saw him already looking at me. "Your eyes do too."

I flushed at the compliment as he tried to hide his chuckle in a cough. "Yes, they do seem to light up the garden. The roses, I mean."

I fell silent by his side as we continued to walk towards the clearing at the end of the vineyard. A small hill can be seen a few feet away from the clearing.

"So," I started, trying to release the awkward tension in the air. "Tell me more about this place."

"What do you want to know?"

"Other than the story between your father and your grandparents," I said, and my eyes widened at the realization of what I just said.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I cursed myself. He must have thought that I'm prying too much in their lives. Before I could apologize, he said, "my grandparents continued on. They did what they had to do in order to get back on their feet. They realized their dreams and created this. The vineyard is the product of their hard work. The house is the product of their unity and ability to trust in each other. And the rose garden is the product of their unconditional love."

We were silent again as we trudged down the line of trees. The moon is our source of light, and it somehow made our walk romantic, despite the awkward conversation we just had. With a few exchanges of smiles and glances, out of the blue, I finally broke out into a fit of laughter, earning me a weird look from Nate.

"I'm sorry... I just..." I trailed and before I even finished my sentence or my laughter, I found myself suddenly being kissed by Nate. The kiss was simple. With a little bit of pressure on his part to make me feel those butterflies flutter in my stomach. It was only a mere couple of seconds before it ended with his forehead touching mine.

As his green eyes stared into mine with such intensity, I felt myself blushing but somehow able to maintain that eye contact.

Slowly. Very slowly. He lifted his hand to caress my cheek. His eyes flickering from my eyes to my lips. As if wanting to have a taste again. As if wanting to feel that pressure again.

I felt like melting into a puddle as I have never in my whole life experienced someone look at me like the way he's looking at me now.

Then his eyes held mine once more. They stayed there. When he leaned in, I closed my eyes, waiting to feel his lips against mine again. But instead, he kissed me on my forehead. His lips lingered there. And even though it was a chaste kiss on the forehead, I felt something more than those butterflies. I felt his gentleness. His care. His respect.

When I finally opened my eyes, I saw love in his clear green eyes. I realized that it has always been there.

His hand left my cheek to hold my hand. His eyes still not leaving mine.

We walked side by side. Holding each other's hands. Telling each other's past. Telling each other's dreams, wants. Despite our differences, I felt comfortable enough to tell him more about me.

We stopped by a tree that over a hilltop.

The view over the hilltop was even more gorgeous. We found our spot next to the tree as we stare at the vastness of the vineyard together with the house the Westwood calls home.

We were just there. Half lying. Half sitting. Him leaning by the tree with me leaning on his chest.

I feel safe.

I feel comfortable.

I feel loved.

Those are the reasons why I let sleep take over. But before I did, I made the decision to trust him.

"I'm a princess," I whispered, loud enough to reach his ears.

Just a moment before I completely dozed off, I felt him exhale deeply.

"I know."