Amanda lay on her bed, thoughtfully gazing at the ceiling while holding her phone. She had just concluded her call with Richard, and her heart buzzed with a lingering energy from their conversation. His voice was warm, steady, and inviting—refreshingly different from the insincere compliments she had often encountered. There was a genuine quality about him that ignited a sense of hope within her.
A soft ping interrupted her thoughts as her phone lit up with a WhatsApp message:
Richard: "I hope I didn't disturb your evening. Sleep well when you do."
Amanda smiled, feeling uplifted by the simple message. It had been a long time since something so small had made her heart flutter. With resolve, she decided to respond:
Amanda: "Not at all. You actually made my evening brighter. Goodnight, Richard."
She sent the message without overthinking it, placing the phone on her chest, allowing the warmth of the moment to fill her.
---
The next morning, Amanda woke up with renewed energy and purpose. As she prepared for work, she found herself humming, buoyed by the memory of Richard's voice. Stepping outside, she was pleasantly surprised to discover a bouquet of fresh roses resting by her gate.
Her gatekeeper smiled knowingly. "Madam, these were delivered early this morning. There's no name on them, though."
Curious, Amanda picked up the bouquet, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals. Tucked between the flowers was a small card with three simple words written in neat handwriting:
"For your smile."
Her heart skipped a beat. She wondered if Richard had sent them or if it was another admirer. Regardless, she felt a sense of possibility. Placing the flowers in the passenger seat of her Camry, she allowed herself to hope that they were from Richard.
---
At work, Amanda found her focus shifting as numbers and reports began to blur. Instead, her mind danced with thoughts of Richard, a man she had just begun to know. When lunchtime arrived, her phone buzzed again.
Richard: "Are you free after work today? Maybe I can take you out for a quick coffee… nothing serious, just to get to know you better."
Amanda considered the message, her pulse quickening. Despite her initial hesitation, she remembered her commitment to embrace new relationships. With a clear mind, she typed back:
Amanda: "Coffee sounds great. Where should we meet?"
Almost immediately, his response came:
Richard: "There's a small café just outside Greenline Estate. 7 p.m.?"
Feeling a sense of excitement, Amanda smiled. This was a promising beginning.
---
That evening, Amanda arrived at the café in a soft lilac dress, her hair cascading over her shoulders. She balanced a healthy mix of nerves and excitement—emotions she had not allowed herself to experience in years. Richard was already there, seated by the window in a simple white shirt that made him look comfortably confident.
When their eyes met, his face lit up with a welcoming smile that warmed Amanda's heart. He stood and pulled out the chair for her, a thoughtful gesture that showed he cared.
"Thank you for coming," he said, his voice warm and inviting.
Amanda returned the smile, her voice steady. "Thank you for inviting me."
As they engaged in conversation, laughter flowed easily between them, creating a connection that felt genuine. In that moment, Amanda realized: perhaps this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. Maybe… just maybe… she had finally met someone worth letting in.