A Blueprint for Love

C1 News and flashback

Heidi Pham stood in her studio, a cozy sanctuary atop a high-rise in downtown Chicago, gazing at the bustling streets below. The sun poured into the city like liquid gold, brushing the rooftops of Chicago with warmth. The bay window framed a slice of the city, where sunlight danced over the rooftops and cast playful shadows across her wooden worktable. Inspiration hung in the air, mingling with the heady aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Unknowingly, her lips curved into a smile when she hold the blue mug. 

 And she let a moment of calm wash over her. 

But beneath this tranquil surface, an undercurrent of anxiety bubbled. 

She was mentally cataloging her schedule for the day, which was about to take a dramatic turn. 

She was being paired with Luther Kim, her college sweetheart, on a major redevelopment project in the historic district. Yes, as an up-and-coming interior designer, she thrived on challenges, but this collab project with Luther Kim a very reputable name in industry just too much for her for so many reasons like first, working with your ex-lover who you broke up without any closure sounds emotionally exhausting and second, knowing short-tempered Luther and his different perspective in colors and design will make it worst cause last time she remembered, when they work together, they both could not come to a conclusion.

Heidi sighed,  just the thought of Luther sent her heart racing, as familiar nostalgia clashed with the weight of the past. In the stillness of her studio, her mind flickered back to the last time they'd shared a space—their college reunion five years ago.

"Luther?" she had called out, the voice unmistakable even amongst the crowd that filtered through the campus halls. Their eyes met across the room, and time unraveled; memories cascaded like vibrant sketches on white paper. She recalled how he wore that familiar lopsided grin, the one that pulled her in every time. Yet, when they approached each other, laughter momentarily healed their fractured years apart, but the weight of unspoken words had lingered.

"You're doing great things, Heidi," he had said, his voice warm with sincerity. "I read about your recent projects. I'm impressed."

"Thanks, I was just... trying to make my mark, you know?" she replied, her insecurities burrowing their way into her confidence.

Luther's gaze held hers for a beat longer, the depth of emotion palpable between them. "You've always had an eye for beauty. I hope you still believe in your vision."

Stirred by his words, Heidi had felt both exhilarated and terrified—an intoxicating cocktail of feelings that left her breathless. But the night had ended, and like the open pages of a book, they turned to the following dawn, each pursuing their separate futures.

Five years ago where their path crossed, where old connections sparked painfully to life. The last time she had seen him was at a reunion five years ago, where their brief conversation had ignited a cocktail of nostalgia and unresolved tensions. Conversations danced around them like electric sparks, leaving her aching for more. Luther'd changed; Heidi had changed. But one detail remained constant: the chemistry they once shared. They had been inseparable in college, sharing dreams and late-night coffee-fueled study sessions until life pulled them onto separate paths. Luther had pursued architecture, while she sank her heart into design, crafting spaces that resonated with emotions. 

Fast-forward five years, Heidi unwavering passion had bloomed into a budding career. Heidi had developed a reputation for transforming spaces into soulful reflections of their inhabitants. Yet, the impending collaboration with Luther—a man who had once seen her soul laid bare—invoked layers of uncertainty within herself. What had she become since their paths parted? Would Luther still see Heidi who dreamt of designing spaces that echoed stories, or had Heidi become just another name in an ever-crowded industry?

Now, with a design concept board spread out in front of her, she attempted to focus. Heidi's fingers trailed over the fabric swatches before her, the texture offering little comfort. Would the years have changed him? Would their past alter the way they worked together now? Maybe they were just colleagues now. After all, choosing to team up on a historic project—a passion that had once united them—had only complicated things.

A/n: Is this okay? Is it okay to continue?