Love And Pleasure

1

**Chapter 1: Past and Present**

Ring, ring, the alarm chimed, pulling me from the depths of sleep. I groggily reached over and silenced it, then sat up in bed. The room was bathed in a soft morning glow, and a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Today was the day, the day I had been waiting for.

With a yawn, I stretched and glanced at my PC. There it was, a message that had arrived while I slept, waiting for me to discover it. It was from Cave Cottage College.

"Hey, Mom," I whispered, my voice quivering with emotion as I wiped away the dust from the small picture frame on my nightstand. The photo inside captured a moment from ten years ago, a moment when my mom had lifted me up in her arms, her smile radiating warmth and pride. "I did it," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. "I got into the college I wanted to go to."

Ten long years had passed since that day when my mom had filled me with dreams of attending Cave Cottage College. Now, in the present, those dreams had become a reality. I could hardly believe it.

One year ago, I had reflected on that day. October 18, 2022, was the day my world had changed forever. It was the day my mom had passed away, leaving a void in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. Just three weeks later, I faced another devastating blow. The girl I had believed loved me had betrayed me in the cruelest way. Her abandonment left me in shock and disbelief. She said she couldn't handle being with a depressed man, and with that, she walked out of my life.

As I stood before my mother's grave, I couldn't help but feel the weight of all the pain I had endured in the past year. But today was different. I was 17 now, and I had finally achieved the dream my mom had nurtured within me.

With a sense of determination, I placed the fresh white rose by her headstone, whispering to her memory, "I hope you're proud, Mom. I'll carry your love with me every step of the way."

Leaving the cemetery, I felt a mixture of emotions. As I walked down the street lost in thought, I encountered a young woman who appeared to be around 19. She approached with a warm smile and asked, "Mind if I sit here?"

Her presence was unexpected, but something in her eyes held a familiarity that drew me in. I nodded, offering a seat at my table, and as she sat down, I couldn't help but wonder if this chance encounter might be the start of something new and unexpected in my life.