Olivia sat at her cluttered desk, sifting through a mountain of documents, her focus wavering as she became acutely aware of Sebastian's intense gaze. He’d been fixated on her for the past five minutes, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Despite the silence enveloping the room, his presence loomed large, a palpable weight that demanded her attention. With a resigned sigh, she looked up from the papers scattered before her. “Sebastian, do you need something?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and annoyance. Seated across the room at his own well-organized desk, Sebastian propped his chin on his hand, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “No,” he replied casually, his voice smooth and teasing, as if their earlier distraction had been nothing but a lighthearted game. She narrowed her eyes, a playful glint flickering in her gaze. “Then stop looking at me like that.” “Like what?” he replied, feigning innocence, though the corners o
Sebastian and Olivia found themselves seated across from each other on the tranquil rooftop of their office building, a serene oasis high above the bustling city below. Sebastian had meticulously arranged this private lunch, seeking a moment of respite from their typical fast-paced workday. The sprawling skyline framed by the late afternoon sun provided a striking backdrop, where the gleaming glass facades of towering buildings clashed with the soft hues of the sky, painted in shades of orange and lavender. Distant sounds—a symphony of honking cars and faint voices—seemed to fade, wrapped in the warm embrace of the cool breeze that danced around them. The table between them was elegantly set, adorned with simple yet stylish plates of perfectly grilled salmon, glistening with a light drizzle of lemon butter, and vibrant salads laced with heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs. The delightful aroma wafted around them, mingling with the crisp air, inviting them to savor not just their meal b
SEBESTAIN'S POVI tap my fingers rhythmically against the polished mahogany desk, my gaze drawn beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the sprawling city skyline. The golden hues of the setting sun drape the buildings in a warm, ethereal light, casting elongated shadows that dance across the pavement below. Yet, despite the beauty of the view, my thoughts are far removed from the bustling streets and twinkling lights. They are consumed by one person—her.Olivia.Tomorrow marks her birthday, and the weight of that thought settles heavily on my shoulders.I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking softly beneath me as a sigh escapes my lips. The desire to make the day perfect wraps around me like a vice, squeezing out any semblance of calm. She deserves more than just a celebration; she deserves a moment that transcends the ordinary—a memory that will lift her above the shadows of her past, transforming the day into a beacon of hope and renewal. I don’t want her to view this
Olivia sat beside Sebastian, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her gaze fixed on the television screen, yet her mind drifted far from the laughter echoing from the characters on Friends. As the familiar theme song played, she felt the weight of disappointment pressing down on her, an insistent reminder of the day’s unspoken truth. He forgot my birthday. The thought twisted in her mind like a thorn, sparking a tangled web of frustration. She stole a sidelong glance at him, noting how effortlessly he immersed himself in the episode. His eyes danced with mirth, and a faint smirk crept across his face whenever Chandler delivered one of his trademark sarcastic jabs. How could he be so utterly relaxed? So blissfully unaware of the significance of today? It was as if they were living in two parallel worlds—his filled with humor and lightheartedness while hers was clouded with disappointment and a sense of overlooked importance. Olivia felt a surge of hurt wash over her, the kind that l
Her heart swelled with a surge of emotion that took her completely by surprise. In that moment, standing before him, she realized she’d never imagined he was capable of such profound thoughtfulness, doing something so special just for her. Overcome with gratitude and joy, she lunged forward and enveloped him in a tight hug, her arms wrapping around him as if to shield the moment forever. The force of her embrace caused him to shift the cake slightly to the side, but in that instant, he felt as if nothing else mattered. As she clung to him, he could feel the warmth and weight of her presence against his chest. It took him a beat to realize that her unspoken happiness had given way to tears, and they were now slowly soaking into the fabric of his shirt. The salty droplets mingled with the sweetness of the moment, a testament to the deep connection they shared. Gently, he set the cake aside, its rich frosting glistening under the soft glow of the overhead lights. With a tender touch, h
Olivia blinked awake, her senses gently stirred by the delicate touch of soft rose petals fluttering onto her skin, each one whispering a sweet allure of morning. As she sat up, her surprise turned to wonder, watching in awe as deep red petals cascaded gracefully from the ceiling fan above, twirling like dancers in slow motion. A small, delighted smile bloomed on her lips—this unexpected shower of roses felt ethereal, intimate, almost as if she had stumbled from the realm of dreams into a waking fantasy. Her gaze wandered to the bedside table, where a meticulously arranged tray awaited her. The warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air, mingling harmoniously with the rich scent of her favorite coffee, still steaming in a beautifully crafted mug. A bowl of perfectly sliced fruits—vividly colored strawberries, succulent oranges, and plump blueberries—sat invitingly, a feast for both the eye and palate. Yet, what truly captivated her was the elegant note res
The car rolls to a stop, and an enveloping silence descends around them, punctuated only by the gentle rustling of leaves in the soft breeze. The hum of the engine dies away, leaving a tranquil stillness in its wake. He exits the vehicle first, the cool air brushing against his skin, and strides purposefully to her side.With a practiced elegance, he opens the door, his hand extending toward her like an unspoken promise. “Come,” he invites, his tone laced with a calm authority.For a brief moment, she hesitates, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air between them. But then, drawn by an inexplicable trust, she places her hand into his, feeling the warmth of his grip as he gently guides her out. The world around them is alive with the sweet whispers of nature, the faint floral scent wrapping around her like a delicate shawl. Yet, before she can fully take in the vibrant hues of the blooming landscape, he produces a silky blindfold from his pocket.“Trust me?” His voice is smooth,
The air between them hung thick with unspoken words and raw emotions, charged with a tension that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. It was as if the very atmosphere crackled with the weight of what they had both avoided acknowledging until this pivotal moment.Olivia’s vision blurred, tears welling up as she gazed at him, truly seeing him for the first time. Every line of his face, every subtle shift of his expression, resonated with the depth of his feelings. She had always sensed the intensity of his obsession, the relentless devotion that seemed to bind him to her. Yet, standing before him now, everything crystallized into sharp focus; she understood something profound and undeniable.A small part of her had been in denial, fiercely resisting the emotional pull he had on her heart. But as she observed his chest rising and falling unevenly, the sweat glistening on his brow, and the way his hands clenched tightly at his sides—straining against the urge to bridg
“I’ll call Ethan,” Salvatore said, his voice thick with growing concern as he extracted his phone from his pocket. Beside him, Isabella stood with her arms crossed tightly, her brow furrowed in worry, her normally bright eyes dimming under the weight of the situation. The room was enveloped in a dim glow from a single floor lamp in the corner, casting long, uneasy shadows that danced menacingly across the walls. An undercurrent of tension hung heavily in the air, palpable and suffocating, as Salvatore’s fingers swiftly navigated to Ethan’s contact.The phone rang once… twice… three times—still no answer.Salvatore’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching subtly as he sighed heavily. Without breaking eye contact with the screen, he hit redial.Again, it rang. Each chime pierced the quiet, echoing through the stillness of the room, amplifying the unspoken worry that loomed between them. Four rings. Five. Voicemail.He lowered the phone, staring at the screen as if willing it to somehow light
In the far corner of the dimly lit room, partially obscured by a tall, cluttered shelf, sat a girl who seemed to exist within her own serene world. Her posture was unnervingly still, reminiscent of a statue carved from exquisite marble, yet there was an unmistakable aura of quiet intensity that surrounded her. She wore a form-fitting white bodycon dress that hugged her silhouette with delicate elegance, the pristine fabric untouched by the dust and grime of her gritty surroundings. Her hair tumbled down in soft, cascading waves, the strands catching the faint glimmers of light that managed to pierce the room's shadows—each one shimmering like spun silk.She appeared completely absorbed in her own thoughts, oblivious to the presence of others around her. With her head slightly tilted downward, her gaze remained fixed on the worn wooden floor, as if it held secrets only she could decipher.Not far away, hidden in the embrace of the room’s partial darkness, stood Salvatore. He felt his b
The bass thumped relentlessly through the walls of the dimly lit hall, its reverberations creating a pulsating heartbeat that matched the frenetic energy of the scene. Colored lights danced and flickered across the enthusiastic crowd of students, whose laughter mingled with the beats of the music as they swayed, twirled, and captured moments in selfies. The Fresher’s party was in full swing—a vibrant whirlwind that welcomed the new batch of students into the exhilarating world of campus life. Salvatore and Ethan stepped through the entrance, momentarily pausing to absorb the electric atmosphere. Salvatore exuded a confident air, his neatly styled hair and tailored outfit setting him apart from the casual crowds, while his amused smirk hinted at his eagerness to dive into the festivities. Beside him, Ethan adjusted his glasses, his eyes wide with a mix of trepidation and curiosity, clearly both enchanted and slightly overwhelmed by the chaotic interplay of music and conversation swir
It had been a week since college began, and the city buzzed with excitement—tonight was finally the night of the Freshers' Party, an event that promised to be a whirlwind of introductions and new friendships.Salvatore stood in front of the mirror, his heart racing as he carefully adjusted the collar of his navy-blue shirt. The fabric felt crisp against his skin, and the faint scent of his cologne—a fresh blend of citrus and cedar—lingered in the air, filling him with a sense of confidence. As he gave himself one final look, he ran his fingers through his hair, ensuring every strand was in place.From the kitchen, the soft clattering of pots and pans accompanied Olivia’s warm, encouraging voice as she reminded him not to forget his wallet. Her tone was nurturing, a blend of motherly concern and excitement for the night ahead. “You’ve got your wallet, right?” she called out playfully.“I’ve got it!” Salvatore replied, his voice eager. He grabbed the wallet from the desk, feeling its fa
The next day at school, Salvatore strolled through the bustling hallways with his usual calm demeanor, the noise of excited chatter filling the air alongside the faint, lingering aroma of cafeteria coffee. He scanned the crowd and soon spotted his friends—Ethan, Liam, and a few others—gathered near their lockers. They were animatedly discussing the upcoming Freshers party, their voices rising and falling in enthusiasm.“Dude, it’s next week!” Ethan exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels, his eyes alight with anticipation. “The theme's gonna be epic! Just picture us strutting around in bell bottoms and flashy shirts!”“Or picture you embarrassing yourself on the dance floor again,” Liam retorted with a playful grin, the banter sparking laughter among the group.Salvatore chuckled softly at their banter as he approached them, feeling a sense of belonging. But the moment was interrupted by an unexpected sensation that made him pause.Across the hallway, near the staircase, Isabella
The dining table was set as it always was, exuding warmth with steaming dishes, gleaming cutlery, and the gentle flicker of candlelight casting playful shadows on the walls. Yet, there was an unshakeable sense that something was amiss.Salvatore occupied his usual spot at the table, but his demeanor was noticeably off—his back rigid, and his gaze far away, as if he were peering through the window into another world. His fork moved listlessly across his plate, tracing circles rather than delivering food to his mouth.Sebastian, seated beside him, sliced into his meat with deliberate precision, studying Salvatore in silence. Across from them, Olivia offered a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting both warmth and concern.“Long day?” she ventured, trying to keep her tone light and conversational, but the tremor of worry underlined her words.Salvatore blinked, coming back to the present as if surfacing from a deep sea of thought. “Yeah. Just tired,” he replied, his voice a little too monoton
The class had commenced, but Salvatore's mind remained adrift. He sat at his desk, elbow propped up, his eyes half-focused on the front of the room, where the professor’s voice melded into a monotonous hum that played in the background, drowning out any sense of engagement. His thoughts clung to a moment that had unfolded just before—the moment she walked in. Isabella. She hadn’t made a grand entrance; there were no dramatic flourishes, no shaky nerves or bright smiles typically found among freshers. Instead, she had entered with an almost ethereal calmness, her posture poised and unyielding, her expression an unreadable mask that intrigued him. His friends were quick to notice her, as they always were in this first week of university life when the thrill of ragging was in full swing. They peppered the newcomers with questions designed to elicit embarrassment, but it was clear they were merely testing the waters, nothing vicious or malicious. Then, it was her turn. Just her voi
The laughter around the bench intensified, a vibrant mix of stories and ideas flowing among the boys, each tale more outrageous than the last. Their excitement seemed to sizzle in the air, building palpable energy with every second. Meanwhile, Salvatore leaned back, stretching his legs out and letting his gaze drift skyward, where fluffy clouds lazily meandered across the blue expanse.Ethan nudged him playfully. “So? You in or what?”Salvatore popped his gum, the sound sharp against the growing chatter, and replied with a casual flip of indifference, "If you guys want to, then fine. Do what you want."That reluctant permission was all they needed. With a wild cheer that echoed off the walls, the boys sprang up like wolves released from a cage, rubbing their palms together in eager anticipation as they made their way toward the row of benches near the auditorium—where freshers nervously gathered, unsure of their new surroundings and awaiting the assignment of their orientation groups.
The morning sun poured over the sprawling school grounds, casting a warm, golden light that danced across the cobbled courtyard. Students buzzed around in animated clusters—some engaged in lively conversations, others rushing to their classes, while a select few lingered in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of one person: Salvatore. Then, as if on cue, the heavy gates creaked open. Salvatore stepped inside, exuding a natural charisma that turned heads effortlessly. He stood tall, with dark hair slightly tousled by the breeze, lending him an air of casual sophistication. His crisp white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong, muscular forearms that could make half the school’s population momentarily forget how to breathe. The school blazer hung carelessly over one shoulder, and a leather strap from his backpack was slung over the other, accentuating his relaxed demeanor. Instantly, a chorus of gasps erupted from the surrounding students. “He’s here!” one girl exclaim