Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

By the time we reached the summit, everyone except the young lad was gasping for breath, completely worn out. Aubree even needed Matthew's help a few times along the way. But standing atop the mountain, watching the sun peek over the horizon in fiery hues, it felt like every step was worth it. The group of youngsters started cheering, waving their jackets around in the air. The breeze that swept through the trees carried the essence of youth and freedom.

Aubree joined in, taking off her jacket and waving it above her head. The sun slowly moved across the sky, casting rays so bright it was hard to keep our eyes open. We started setting up camp, ready to grab a bite. In that moment, Aubree felt a deep sense of calm. Even though it was her first time meeting these young people, the conversation flowed easily, free from any awkwardness or questions about her celebrity life. Instead, we chatted about food and beautiful places, a refreshing change from the usual adult conversations she was used to.

Maybe someday, these young folks would talk about stocks or business deals, but right then, their talk about freedom was truly enchanting. Aubree had never really thought about the meaning of life before. For years, she'd been chasing after Andrew, always hoping he'd turn around, nursing her wounds alone at night. After everything that happened, she struggled with severe anxiety, feared the dark, and dreaded finding someone in her bed, waking up from nightmares in the middle of the night. But at that moment, surrounded by such stunning natural beauty, she felt cleansed of all her worries.

She glanced over at Matthew. Despite being only eighteen, he handed her a bottle of water. "Aubree, have a sip," he said. She thanked him, moistening her lips. With no restrooms nearby, it was best to drink sparingly to avoid any awkward situations. She just wet her lips and refrained from drinking more. Matthew diligently heated up a ready-to-eat meal and handed it to her. "Eat something. We won't be heading down until the afternoon. You'll get hungry."

Even though Matthew was much younger, she felt taken care of. She smiled at him. Slowly, she started eating. Afterward, we split up to forage for wild fruits. Naturally, Aubree teamed up with Matthew. The mountain was full of wild berries. It was her first time discovering that strawberries and cucumbers could grow in the wild. Matthew's eyes lit up as he told her about them. With every tree they passed, Matthew would introduce it, his voice calm and steady.

Aubree couldn't help but compliment him, "You really don't seem like you're eighteen." Matthew grinned, "Maybe if you get to know me better, you'll see I can be pretty childish too." Aubree found that hard to believe. They returned with two kinds of fruit, rinsed them with bottled water, and everyone shared and enjoyed them. By the time we reached the bungee jumping spot, it was noon. No one had eaten because eating before a jump could be a disaster.

Aubree felt hesitant, especially with the breeze from the cliff making her legs shake. Matthew geared up too, and the staff strapped them together. Being so close to such a handsome young man, Aubree felt genuinely shy. Thankfully, her acting skills helped her seem calm. Matthew held her close, "Aubree, let's jump." As soon as he said it, they leapt. Aubree screamed, instinctively clinging to his neck. "Ah!!!" Her scream echoed through the valley, mixed with Matthew's stifled laughter.

Eventually, Aubree's fear faded, replaced by a feeling of the world flipping and righting itself. The breeze at the bottom carried the scent of fresh grass and the chirping of unknown insects. She felt utterly transformed. Afterward, her eyes sparkled, clearly captivated by this new experience. As we headed downhill, Matthew shared a thought. "There's so much more to see, Aubree. The world really is a beautiful place." His casual remark struck a chord with Aubree.noveldrama