One love, two eras

chapter 4

He stood there, a vision of mesmerizing beauty, the moonlight casting a silvery glow that accentuated every angle of his face.

I was utterly spellbound, as if time itself had frozen in that enchanted moment, our eyes locked in a silent exchange that felt timeless.

He is so breathtakingly beautiful.

“Miss?” His deep voice rumbled through the stillness of the night, pulling me back from the dreamlike haze that enveloped me.

It was a reality I longed to escape, a world I wished to forget, yet it lingered like a haunting melody in my mind, impossible to erase.

Are you okay? I could hear the panic in his voice, almost like he was waiting for me to crumble and cry.

But can I really do that in front of a stranger? I doubt it.

It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, torn between wanting to let it all out and the fear of showing my true self.

The moment felt heavy, and I was caught between the urge to cry and the need to stay strong.

Suddenly, I felt a jacket drape around me, and a wave of warmth spread across my body, wrapping me in a sense of unknown comfort that embraced me beautifully, like a gentle whisper in the dark.

"I'm okay," my voice betrayed me as I tried to maintain the facade of strength, but the tremor in my tone revealed the truth.

"It's okay, let it all out," was all I heard before a single tear slipped down my cheek, a silent testament to the turmoil within me.

It hurt more mentally than any physical pain I had ever known, like a thousand unspoken words clawing at my heart.

Maybe I was overreacting, or perhaps it was the storm of emotions I had desperately tried to control since I arrived here, a tempest brewing beneath the surface.

I wanted to be strong, but in that moment, I felt like a mere weak girl, adrift in a vast ocean of uncertainty, with no job, no money, and no anchor to hold me steady.

The weight of my struggles felt heavier than the world itself, and I realized that sometimes, vulnerability is the bravest thing of all.

He kept standing there, saying nothing, but his presence alone was more comforting than any words could ever be. The silence wrapped around us like a soft blanket, easing the tension that had filled the air.

Once my tears subsided, I finally looked up at him, feeling a little more composed. "I'm sorry if I must have made you uncomfortable with my little breakdown. And by the way, thank you so much for what you did earlier. Really, you don’t know how much that means to me,

He looked at me intensely, almost as if he were trying to unravel the layers of my soul, searching for the truth hidden beneath the surface.

Then, with a gentle curiosity, he asked, "Do you have a home?"

My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden question, and I felt a pang of vulnerability.

"If I had one, I wouldn’t be sleeping here, you know," I replied laughing a bit

"Live with me," he responded almost too quickly, making me trip a little in shock. His hands instinctively reached out to my waist, steadying me as I stumbled.

Our faces were too close, and I could feel the warmth radiating from him, sending my heart racing.

"Oka—wait, what?" I stammered, fumbling over my words, my mind racing. "I mean, why?"

Is he nuts? Why is he inviting a stranger into his house, especially in the middle of the freaking night?

"Alright, big guy, did you really mean that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, if I was going to die, I might as well do it in someone's house instead of a public place. Can you imagine the morning drama? 'Oh, look, there’s a body on the sidewalk! What a way to start the day!'"

He grumbled, "I don’t like to repeat myself twice."

"Okay, jeez! I'll live with you just because you literally begged me for it!" I shot back, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably.

He rolled his eyes dramatically, like I’d just suggested we go skydiving without parachutes.

"Fine, come on then," he said, motioning for me to follow him.

After a 15-minute walk, we finally reached the cottage, and it was so cute—almost like a scene straight out of a fairytale dream.

"You have a lovely house," I whispered as he opened the front door, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the space beautifully.

Inside, a warm fireplace crackled invitingly, surrounded by a few cozy chairs

. The brick walls were adorned with delicate vines creeping over them, adding a touch of nature to the charm.

A stunning red carpet lay on the wooden floors, making the small space feel incredibly warm and inviting.

It was small yet so wonderfully cozy, like a hidden sanctuary waiting to be cherished.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely above a hush, as if he was sharing a secret with the cottage itself.

"Oh right, your jacket!" I said, grabbing it and tossing it onto the couch. "Thanks again for all of this!"

But he said nothing. The only sound was the soft crackling of the wood in the fireplace, like it was trying to eavesdrop on our conversation.

I sighed dramatically, "Well, you have lots of questions, don’t you? You can actually ask me anything; it’s not like people can spread things on the internet anyway!"

"Anything?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as I nodded enthusiastically. "But before that, can I get something to eat?"

I knew I was being shameless, but c'mon, what can a girl do when she's hungry?

He nodded, a smile creeping onto his face, and then he brought out some bread and soup like he was presenting a gourmet meal.

He scratched the back of his head adorably—seriously.

I might add, this is what I have for now.
I'll buy food tomorrow, he said, almost embarrassed.

Awh, my heart! I smiled and said, "No worries, this is more than enough. C'mon, sit!" I gestured for him to sit next to me like it was my house, and then I literally stuffed my mouth with the bread.

"This is heaven!" I exclaimed.

"Now can I ask you some questions since I gotta know my new home-sharing buddy?" he said, making me laugh.

"Of course! Go on, ask me about anything—just as long as it’s not my body count!" I replied, giving him a playful grin. "I mean, some secrets are just too sacred to share, right?"
_________

Guys how was it? I feel like I messed up the chapters lmao 😭