Chapter 1
Ssss…Ssss…
She is lost in thoughts when her phone vibrates. With a sigh and one last look at the autumn leaves swirling outside her window, she gets up and heads to her desk. She drops on the chair and opens the messaging app on her phone. A few new messages flash up. None of them say a word about her birthday. Why? Why didn’t anyone think of her birthday? Her phone vibrates again. It’s a voicemail from her best friend Vivian. Curiously, she listens to the message:
“Hi sweetie,
Wanna come over here? I have a surprise for you. I promise you won’t be disappointed!”
A slight smile crosses her lips. Full of excitement, she goes to the wardrobe to put on her favorite outfit. A knee-length dress with flowers and a jeans jacket, plus her combat boots. Finished, she combs her hair and ties it into a pretty braid. All this in the hope that Vivian is planning a surprise for her birthday. Otherwise, all the dressing would be for nothing.
She grabs her phone and runs out of the room. Her room is in the attic. It’s not particularly big, but it’s all the cozier. There are fairy lights everywhere, lots of plants, old books on hand-painted shelves and a canopy bed. Above it is a huge window in the roof, so she can watch the stars at night. She loves this room. It’s her favorite retreat.
Now she walks down the three floors to the kitchen. Her father sits at the kitchen table, reading the news, barely glancing up.
“I’m going to Vivi,” she says. “Might be a bit later then.”
Her father looks up. “Aren’t you going to stay the night with her?” He gives her a teasing wink. “She’s got plans, doesn’t she?”
She raises an eyebrow. “What kind of plans? Come on, tell me.”
He shakes his head with a mischievous grin. “Not a chance.”
She gives him a mock glare, her eyes wide with curiosity, but he just chuckles. “Better go get your stuff. I’m not saying another word.”
She doesn’t need to be told twice. She rushes back to her room, grabs a few clothes from the dresser, shoves them into a bag, and sprints back to the kitchen.
“All set,” she says, a little out of breath. “I’m off. Bye!”
“Have fun! And don’t drink too much,” he teases. “Dad!”
They share a laugh.
“I love you,” she says, a soft smile spreading across her face.
She turns around and heads to the front door. “See you then.” She opens the door and steps out.
Outside, a sunny day greets her with a warm breeze that tousles her hair. She takes a deep breath, feeling the stress fade away, replaced by nervous excitement. The road to Vivian’s house isn’t long, so she starts walking. There isn’t much going on today. A man, exasperated, is shouting at his dog, who’s more interested in chasing its own tail than listening. A couple is walking down the street, their fingers intertwined, exchanging soft laughs as they pass. She watches them for a moment before turning her attention back to the street. Nothing particularly interesting.
As she walks past a café, the aroma of freshly baked goods reaches her nose. Her steps slow, and an idea sparks in her mind. Without thinking twice, she pushes open the door and steps inside. A cake as a gift wouldn’t hurt. Her friends will be pleased.
The scent of freshly baked goods fills the air as she joins the line. When it’s her turn, she quickly orders seven vanilla muffins and a cheesecake, then pays and takes the bag of pastries. She steps out of the café, the cool breeze brushing her face, making the world feel a little brighter.
But in the blink of an eye, her calm is shattered. A woman rushes past her, jostling her sharply. Stumbling, she crashes straight into a stranger’s chest. The shock makes her freeze for a moment, wide-eyed, staring at the woman’s retreating back. Couldn’t she have at least apologized? Realizing she is still in the stranger’s arms; she jerks away from him. Her heart races, the suddenness of the encounter leaving her momentarily stunned.
“Look at my coat!” he says, his voice tense with anger. “You’ve creased it.”
She stares at him, caught off guard. Creased? What is he even talking about? She can hardly believe what she’s hearing. She forces a smile. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was supposed to mind your precious coat.”
He fixes her with a steady gaze. Wow, those eyes. They’re like a cold winter day, gray and piercing, with an intensity that almost feels like they could freeze you in place. She’s never seen eyes like that before. Or had she?
“So, no apology then?” He cuts through her thoughts, his voice flat.
“Not a chance,” she snaps, a sarcastic laugh escaping.
He furrows his brow. She’s at a loss for words, but finally, she manages to get something out.
“You might get an apology someday, but not from me. Have a nice day, Mr. Charming.”
With that, she spins on her heel, brushing past him. She has better things to do than argue with a stranger over a coat. No more time to waste on this idiot. She can feel his gaze on her back but doesn’t turn around. She heads towards Vivian’s house, but she can’t shake the feeling of those gray eyes still lingering in her mind.
