The airport.
Isla Prescott moved against the oncoming stream of people, carefully protecting the cake in her hands, a flutter of excitement mixed with her nerves.
Today was Silas Lockwood's birthday. She had timed her arrival perfectly to meet his flight, wanting to give him a surprise.
The cake was the fruit of a week's worth of lessons from a friend who owned a dessert shop. It featured a plane with outstretched wings, its fuselage marked with "Zenith Airlines B-7879."
B-7879 was the model of the first aircraft Silas had flown as a captain.
Just as Isla crossed the airport terminal, she saw Silas walking out with his flight crew.
In his deep blue captain's uniform and four-bar epaulets, the distinguished Silas Lockwood was a singularly striking presence, even in the bustling crowd.
Isla wanted to raise her hand to greet him, but seeing his colleagues with him, she hesitated.
In the few seconds she hesitated, a woman suddenly popped out from behind a large pillar in the hall. She had a graceful figure, and a head of beautiful, dark curls draped casually over her shoulders, giving her a touch of Hong Kong-style glamour.
It was Lydia Sinclair, the blind date Silas's mother had arranged for him.
"Surprise!" Lydia Sinclair, holding a cake and a bouquet of flowers, leaped in front of Silas. "Happy birthday, Captain Lockwood!" she said with a brilliant smile.
Silas stopped in his tracks, and before he could even react, his colleagues were already hooting and cheering.
Isla's expression froze.
She couldn't believe Silas was still in contact with Lydia Sinclair. He had promised her he wouldn't pursue anything with her.
"Isla!" Silas's first officer, Flynn Yardley, approached from the other side of the hall, walking right toward her. "Long time no see! Are you here to see your brother?"
Flynn had a booming voice, and it successfully drew Silas's attention.
Silas bypassed the airport information desk and walked toward Isla, with Lydia following close behind.
"Isla, what are you doing here?" Silas asked.
Before Isla could answer, Flynn had already jumped in. "Do you even have to ask? She's holding a cake, so she's obviously here to celebrate your birthday. Wow, Lockwood, with a beautiful girlfriend and a beautiful sister both giving you birthday surprises, you've really won at life. I'm so jealous!"
Lydia Sinclair beamed, clearly relishing the "girlfriend" title.
Silas offered no explanation. He simply said to Flynn with a deadpan expression, "Stop joking around. The control tower is looking for you everywhere. They even called my phone. Go see what's going on."
"Alright, I'm on my way! Oh, right, remember to save a piece of cake for me!"
After Flynn left, the three of them stood behind the information desk. The atmosphere was a bit strange.
"Isla, it's Silas's birthday today. Our two families are getting together for dinner tonight. Why don't you join us?" Lydia Sinclair said with a warm smile.
On the surface, it was an invitation, but the words "our two families" subtly excluded Isla.
"I can't. I have to work my part-time job tonight. I don't have time," Isla said.
Lydia feigned surprise. "Part-time? Aren't the Lockwoods supporting you? Why would you need to work? Are you that short on money?"
Isla realized that Lydia Sinclair truly had a way with words, effortlessly exposing her predicament without raising her voice.
"I'm an adult now. I can't rely on the Lockwood family forever."
"But part-time jobs are so tough. If you're short on spending money, you can just tell me. I'll give you some! After all, Silas's sister is my sister."
"No, thank you," Isla replied.
Lydia looked like she wanted to say more.
Silas stepped forward. "Lydia, you should head back first. I'll take Isla."
Lydia was reluctant, but she didn't want Silas to think she was being difficult. "Alright. I'll see you at the hotel later, then."
--
Isla and Silas went to the underground parking garage.
Along the way, Silas gave the cake from Lydia to his flight crew to share, keeping only the one Isla had given him.
Once they were in the car, Silas placed the cake box on his lap and studied the writing on top.
"Did you make this yourself?" he asked.
"Mhm."
Silas took her hand. "I didn't know you could bake."
"I just learned."
"Especially for me?"
Isla nodded.
A smile touched Silas's lips, and he seemed to cherish the cake even more.
But Isla's mind was filled with thoughts of Lydia Sinclair.
"Have you and Miss Sinclair been in touch this whole time?" After a moment of deliberation, she couldn't stop herself from asking.
"We haven't. She messages me, but I never reply."
"Then did you tell her you have a girlfriend?"
Silas fell silent.
A chill crept into Isla's heart. "When the Sinclair and Lockwood families meet, is it for the parents to discuss marriage?"
"No, Isla, don't get the wrong idea. Tonight is just a normal dinner."
"And if they bring up your marriage tonight, will you tell them you already have a girlfriend?"
Mrs. Lockwood was keen on setting up Silas and Lydia. It was only a matter of time before marriage came up.
"Isla, my dad hasn't been well lately. It's not a good time to announce our relationship. Please, don't overthink this, okay? You know you're the only one for me." He squeezed her hand. "Once my dad is feeling a little better, I'll have a serious talk with my family about us."
Isla lowered her gaze and didn't pursue the topic.
"Let me celebrate your birthday, right here in the car," she said.
"Okay."
Isla took the matches and candle from the side of the cake box. She placed the candle on the cake and lit it.
Silas closed his eyes.
The dim yellow candlelight, like aged moonlight, softened his features, making him look tender and affectionate.
She watched him quietly, her eyes beginning to sting.
Isla was only ten when she first came to the Lockwood household to learn dance from Mrs. Lockwood. Suddenly transported from a poor mountain village to the magnificent Lockwood villa, the little girl felt like she had entered another world, and she became keenly aware of the vast disparity between people.
Every day at the Lockwood residence, she worked tirelessly and cautiously, terrified that her dancing wouldn't be outstanding enough, terrified that Mrs. Lockwood would cast her aside.
Silas was a ray of light in her high-pressure life. He was gentle, attentive, and looked after her, protecting her at every turn. He had even been the one to change her name to "Isla." Her original name was Zoe Prescott.
Isla slowly fell in love with Silas, but due to the huge gap in their statuses, she never dared to reveal her feelings.
She treated her love for Silas as her own foolish fantasy, hiding it away year after year.
Unexpectedly, Silas was the one who confessed to her first.
Six months ago, on Isla's twentieth birthday, Silas had rushed to her school to celebrate. That day, too, they had blown out candles and made wishes in his car. The moment Isla opened her eyes after making her wish, she saw Silas gazing at her with deep affection. He asked if he could borrow her birthday to ask for a wish of his own.
Isla said yes, and then she heard Silas say, "Isla, my wish is for you to be my girlfriend."
The moment she learned Silas liked her back, it was as if a treasure she had coveted in a shop window for ages had suddenly fallen into her palm. She was so happy, so happy she wanted to proclaim it to the world, but Silas said their relationship had to remain a secret for the time being.
At first, Isla understood his decision.
After all, in the eyes of the Lockwoods, she and Silas had always been like brother and sister. She, too, hoped he would find the right moment to tell everyone about their relationship. But she had waited for six long months. She waited as he went on a blind date, waited as he met his date's family, but she never got to see him make their relationship public.
She thought, 'In the end, I'm just not the treasure chest meant to hold such a prize.'
"Silas Lockwood, let's break up."