Prologue:

“Darling, have breakfast first before you leave!” her father called from the kitchen.

Kacee quickly clipped a red hairpin into her hair before carefully applying a touch of lip tint on her lips. She grabbed her newly bought baby foundation and dabbed some on her face, finishing off with a light shade on her eyelids.

“What are you doing? It’s taking you so long!” her father called out again.

Once she was done getting ready, Kacee hurried out of her room and went downstairs to the kitchen.

“What’s on your face?” her father asked with a frown.

“Am I beautiful?” she asked playfully.

“Darling, you’re beautiful even without makeup,” her father said in a gentle tone.

“Of course! My baby is beautiful with or without makeup,” her mother added warmly as she poured water into the glasses on the dining table.

Kacee walked over to them, kissed both their cheeks, and then happily took her seat at the table. The family enjoyed a cheerful breakfast together before her father drove her to school.

Being an only child, Kacee was showered with love and affection. She was especially spoiled by her father, but she didn’t mind—it only made her feel more loved. Despite being an only child, she never felt lonely because she had Briana, her best friend since childhood. They went to the same high school and were now studying at the same college, though they pursued different courses. Briana, who loved to cook and bake, was taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management, while Kacee, who preferred paperwork and organization, was enrolled in Office Administration.

Both were in their second year of college, and even with their busy schedules, they always found time to be together.

“Kacee!” a familiar voice called out. Kacee turned and saw Briana waving excitedly at her.

“Brie!” she replied, walking toward her with a big smile.

“So, when did you learn to put on makeup?” Briana asked teasingly, raising an eyebrow.

“Do I look pretty?” Kacee giggled.

“Of course! You have to teach me how to do that,” Briana said.

“Sure! Later, after class. It’s perfect—it’s Tuesday, and we finish at the same time today,” Kacee replied cheerfully.

“Alright! Let’s hang out at your place later so I can also visit Aunt Myrna and Uncle Ian,” Briana said.

 “Sure!” Kacee replied cheerfully.

The day passed quickly, and in her excitement to meet up with Briana, Kacee accidentally left her notes in the classroom. She only realized it when she was already at the school gymnasium, waiting for Briana to arrive.

Fortunately, they didn’t have a quiz the next day, so she decided to just retrieve it in the morning. She wasn’t too worried—it had her name and phone number written on it, so no one would dare touch it.

A few minutes later, Briana arrived, and the two of them left the gymnasium together.

“Did you tell your parents that you’ll be hanging out at my place first?” Kacee asked as they walked.

 “Yeah. I’ll just have them pick me up from your house later,” Briana replied. Her attention was suddenly caught by an elderly man selling dirty ice cream outside the campus. “Ice cream!” she exclaimed excitedly before running toward the vendor.

“You never get tired of that, do you?” Kacee said, following her.

 “You want some?” Briana offered. Kacee nodded, and Briana immediately bought her one.

“So, just the two of you?” a familiar male voice asked. Both girls turned to see who it was.

“Manuel!” Briana greeted happily.

 “Brie’s treating me,” Kacee said teasingly.

“Sir, one more for my friend, please,” Briana told the ice cream vendor cheerfully.

Manuel was one of their friends. In fact, he and Briana had been close long before Kacee came into the picture. They were neighbors and had grown up together since they were kids.

As soon as Manuel got his ice cream, Kacee's father arrived to pick her up.

“Hey, darling,” her father greeted as he rolled down the car window.

 “Hi, Uncle Ian! Can I come with you?” Briana asked with a bright smile.

 “Of course, Briana. Get in,” her father said kindly.

“Wait, why just you two? I’ll come too,” Manuel said, half-joking.

 “But we’re going to do a girls’ thing,” Kacee replied.

 “That’s okay, Kacee. Let’s just bring Manuel along,” Briana said with a grin before turning to her friend’s father. “Is that alright, Uncle?”

 “Yes, of course!” Uncle Ian replied with a smile.

In the end, Kacee had no choice but to agree. She couldn’t help but shake her head as she climbed into the car, noticing Briana’s bright, giddy smile—something she had grown used to whenever Manuel was around. She knew all too well that Briana had a crush on him.

Kacee's mother warmly welcomed her guests. She even prepared snacks for them, and both her parents were clearly delighted whenever Briana and Manuel were around. They often joked that it felt like they had more children, and they were happy that Kacee had such good friends.

The three of them went up to Kacee's room. Manuel immediately started playing on her PS4, while Kacee and Briana sat in front of the mirror, busy experimenting with makeup and laughing at themselves.

“Why do you girls even have to do that?” Manuel complained, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Because Briana and I are going to have boyfriends soon,” Kacee teased.

“What?” he blurted out. “You’re both too young to have boyfriends!”

“We’re seventeen! We’re old enough,” Briana argued.

“You’re not allowed to have a boyfriend yet, Briana. Just let Kacee do that,” Manuel said seriously.

“And why can’t Briana have one?” Kacee asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Just because,” he muttered. Kacee noticed the faint blush spreading across Manuel’s cheeks. Okay, so the feeling was definitely mutual between those two.

Their playful banter was interrupted when Kacee's phone suddenly vibrated. She picked it up and saw a message from an unregistered number.

From: 09*********

Hi, Kacee.

She frowned and quickly replied.

To: 09*********

Who’s this?

A few seconds later, her phone vibrated again with another message from the stranger.

From: 09*********

I’m your future—Ryan Dyllan :)

What the—?