Gemotions

Eliza nearly bounced as she approached the door, humming a jaunty tune. Inside, Liam was meticulously arranging flowers in a vase, a task he usually left to her. He’d been unusually quiet all evening, engrossed in something on his laptop. He looked up, a nervous smile playing on his lips.

"So," he said, clearing his throat. "I have something to tell you."

Eliza practically vibrated with anticipation. "Oh? What is it?" She noticed a notebook on the coffee table, filled with what looked like Mandarin characters.

He swallowed hard. "我... 我爱你," he blurted out, then flinched, expecting laughter.

She froze, stunned for a moment, then a wide smile spread across her face. Her hands flew to her mouth. "You... you're learning Mandarin? And you said... you love me?" The world seemed to tilt on its axis. She started giggling and ran to hug him, overcome with an inexplicable joy.