Ayla didn't answer immediately.
Silas didn't ask again.
That was what made it harder.
She spent two days turning the idea over in her mind, not because she wanted to go, but because she feared what refusing might mean. Not to him, he had already said it was optional, but to herself. Every refusal carved her world smaller. Every no tightened the walls she already lived inside.
In the third morning, she found him in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, quietly making coffee. She was stunned for a moment forgetting to blink as she admired him. Yes, she wants to go, she wants to go out with him.
She stood there for a long moment before speaking.
"When are we leaving?" she said.
He didn't look surprised. He didn't look relieved either. He just nodded once.
"We can leave anytime," he replied.
Not if it gets overwhelming. Not if you panic.
Anytime.
That mattered more than reassurance.
They drove out of the city toward a quieter area, the noise thinning into trees and open space. Ayla sat rigid in the passenger seat at first, fingers laced tightly together, watching the road instead of him. She went out after a while and she didn't hate the feeling.
Daniel was already there when they arrived, standing outside a small countryside café with wooden railings and hanging plants.
And beside him, she noticed the woman immediately.
She wasn't imposing. That was the first thing. Not overly polished, not intimidatingly beautiful. She wore a soft pink sweater, hair loosely tied back, eyes calm and observant without being sharp.
"Hey," Daniel said easily. "You made it."
"This is my wife," he added, turning slightly. "Lena."
Lena smiled, not wide, not forced. Just enough.
"I've heard a lot about you," she said to Ayla.
Ayla's instinct was to retreat. "I hope… nothing bad."
Lena laughed softly. "Only good things. Mostly about how stubborn you are."
Ayla blinked, startled.
Silas shot Daniel a brief look.
Daniel raised his hands. "I might've exaggerated."
Something loosened. Just a little.
They sat at a corner table outside. The place was quiet, tucked away, far from traffic. Ayla noticed how Silas chose the seat where she could see the exit without craning her neck. She pretended not to.
Conversation flowed easily between Daniel and Silas. Work, plans, small talk. Ayla listened, answering only when she was asked about her opinion over the topics.
Lena didn't push. She just smiled at her, calm and reassuring. That, more than anything, made Ayla aware of her.
When the waiter brought drinks, Lena leaned slightly toward her. "If you don't like it, we can change it. No pressure."
Ayla nodded. "It's fine."
Later, Daniel excused himself to take a call. Silas followed, murmuring something about reception. That left the two of them alone. Ayla stiffened instantly. Lena noticed but didn't comment.
Instead, she gestured toward the small enclosure nearby. "Have you seen the kittens?"
Ayla looked up. "Kittens?"
"Mm. The café owner rescues them. They let them roam outside during the day."
Something flickered in Ayla's eyes before she could stop it.
"They're… allowed to be touched?"
Lena smiled. "If they come to you."
That was enough.
Ayla stood, movements hesitant at first, then quicker as she approached the enclosure. One of the kittens, a tiny white ball, wobbled toward her, curious.
She crouched slowly. Her shoulders softened. Her breathing changed.
Lena watched from a short distance, saying nothing.
The kitten climbed clumsily into Ayla's lap. Ayla let out a sound, small, unguarded.
" So cute," she said, almost to herself.
Lena sat beside her, keeping a respectful space. "They usually are."
"They're not scared," Ayla murmured. "Even though they're so small."
"Someone probably made them feel safe," Lena replied lightly.
Ayla's fingers trembled slightly as she stroked the kitten's back. "I wish people were like this."
Lena didn't ask why.
Instead, she said, "Some are. They just don't show it the way we expect."
Ayla's throat tightened.
A moment later, Daniel returned, glancing at the scene. "Looks like you've been adopted by the kitten."
Ayla smiled faintly without looking up.
While Ayla was distracted, Lena stood and walked a few steps away, to where Silas had rejoined Daniel.
She spoke quietly. Carefully.
"She's very aware of her surroundings," Lena said. "And very afraid of being a burden."
Silas didn't respond.
Lena continued, just as softly. "Crowded places would overwhelm her. Sudden changes too."
A pause.
"She relaxes when she feels in control," Lena added. "Even small choices matter."
Silas nodded once. That was it. No more.
When they returned to the table, Ayla was calmer than she had been all day. The kitten slept in her lap, small chest rising and falling.
"You can take it home if you like it," Daniel remarked.
Ayla shrugged. "No, this is their home.,."
Silas watched her quietly.
On the drive home, she leaned against the window, exhaustion settling in, but not the painful kind.
"I like them," she said suddenly.
He glanced at her. "good."
After a moment, she added, "Lena is… easy to be around."
"She is," he agreed.
That night, lying in bed, Ayla stared at the ceiling, the memory of kitten still lingering in her mind.
For the first time, she felt like the world had expanded just a fraction, without demanding anything in return.
And that frightened her almost as much as it comforted her.