"Why doesn't anything ever go my way? Not even once," she muttered weakly, her words barely escaping her lips. Her chest ached with every breath, the weight pressing down heavier and heavier as the flashing red and white lights blurred above her. She could feel hands gripping her, lifting her onto the stretcher, but they felt distant—like they belonged to someone else. The sirens wailed, sharp and urgent, yet muffled against the haze closing in around her. She wanted to hold on, to scream, to tell them she wasn't ready—but her voice faltered, swallowed by the darkness edging in. All she could do was lie there, helpless, as silence crept closer, heavier than anything she had ever known.
---
The restaurant was quiet, more intimate than Elena had expected for a Friday evening. Warm amber lights hung low from the ceiling, bathing the polished wooden tables in a soft glow. A faint melody played in the background, barely noticeable over the hum of conversation, yet she could hardly hear it—her heart was beating too fast.
Across from her sat Adrian Hayes, her fiancé. The boy she had known as a child, now a man she barely recognized. Broad-shouldered, composed, with a calm confidence that seemed to radiate from him. His smile was familiar, almost comforting, yet the man sitting here was undeniably new—polished, poised and undeniably handsome.
"It's… been a long time," Adrian said, his voice smooth but tentative, breaking the silence. "I didn't expect our families to bring us together like this."
Elena smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Neither did I. I guess they planned better than we ever could."
Their conversation flowed from memories to current life. She talked about her office work, the endless reports and the small victories she clung to. Adrian shared snippets of his life abroad and now as a detective, careful not to go into anything too heavy. Yet, in every word, there was a quiet sincerity that made her heart beat faster.
"So," Adrian asked, leaning slightly forward, "do you still like… reading? I remember you used to finish every book in the library by the end of the month."
Elena laughed again. "Some things don't change. I still read when I can, though I don't have as much time these days. What about you? Still play the piano?"
He hesitated a moment, then smiled softly. "I try. Not as often as I should. Life… gets busy."
She nodded, understanding the unspoken weight in his tone. "I get that. I suppose we all grow up eventually, don't we?"
He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a heartbeat longer than necessary. She felt a flutter in her chest, that old, forgotten feeling, now resurfacing with a sharper intensity.
When dinner ended, Adrian insisted on driving her home. The ride was quiet but not awkward; the silence carried a strange comfort. Occasionally, soft conversation surfaced, memories of the past blending with tentative discussions of the present.
"You haven't changed much," Adrian said suddenly, glancing at her. "Still… thoughtful. Careful with your words."
Elena blushed slightly. "You too haven't changed much. Umm...Maybe more serious now!"
He smiled faintly. "Life has a way of doing that to people."
When they reached her apartment building, Adrian stopped and turned toward her. "It was really nice… meeting like this," he said, his simple words carrying a weight she couldn't ignore.
"Yes," she replied softly. "It really was."
He gave her a small, reassuring smile before driving away. Elena lingered on the curb for a moment, watching his car disappear into the night, her chest fluttering in a way she hadn't felt in years.
---
At home, the apartment smelled of familiar warmth—her mother's cooking, faintly sweet, comforting. Margaret Lancaster was in the living room, chatting quietly with her dad Daniel Lancaster, while her younger sister, Lila, lounged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.
"You're back," Margaret said, her eyes bright with curiosity. "How was it?"
Elena's cheeks warmed. "It was… nice," she replied, setting down her bag carefully.
Lila looked up, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Nice? Come on, Elena, don't try to hide it. You've had a crush on him since middle school. You weren't exactly subtle back then."
Elena froze. "Lila!"
Daniel chuckled softly. "Well, your mother and I think he's a good young man. Polite, steady… exactly what we'd hope for. You could do far worse."
Lila's grin widened. "Well, even Dad approves."
Elena groaned softly, pressing her face into her hands. "You're impossible."
"Am I?" Lila teased. "Honestly, you're glowing. You didn't eat half your dinner because you were too busy staring at him, did you?"
Elena's face turned crimson. "I—No! I was… thinking."
"Thinking?" Lila raised an eyebrow. "Sure. You're adorable when you're flustered."
Margaret called them to dinner before Elena could argue further. Around the small table, they ate together, sharing laughter and chatter. Afterwards, she and Lila helped clean the kitchen, drying dishes and wiping counters.
"You know," Lila said quietly while folding a napkin, "this apartment feels smaller now that everyone's here."
Elena nodded, glancing around the cozy, compact space. "It does. I used to live here alone, but now… it feels different, almost crowded with everyone here."
Lila smirked. "Crowded, sure. But warm. You'll miss it when you move out."
The thought hit Elena unexpectedly. Moving out. Building a life with Adrian. The idea both thrilled and terrified her.
Later, when the house grew quiet and the lights dimmed, Elena lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts refused to settle. Over and over, she replayed their meeting, the curve of his smile, the way his voice carried that calm, quiet assurance.
He hadn't changed much. Handsome, confident, polite and now her fiance and soon to be her husband, almost too good to be true. She felt lucky… and yet, a shadow crept into her thoughts.
She remembered the girl who had been engaged to him before—a tragic accident had ended that story. The thought lingered, sharp and uninvited, threatening to cloud her happiness.
Did Adrian still think of her? Did any part of him still carry that memory?
Rolling onto her side, Elena hugged her pillow tightly. She couldn't know. And yet, beneath the fear, a quiet, hopeful part of her whispered…
Maybe, just maybe, she was falling for him all over again.
---
The morning sunlight spilled through the sheer curtains of Elena's apartment, painting golden stripes on the wooden floors. The smell of sizzling eggs and fresh bread drew her to the kitchen, where her mother, Margaret, was already bustling, humming softly.
"Good morning, Mom," Elena said, stretching and rubbing sleep from her eyes. "You're up early."
Margaret glanced over her shoulder, a smile lighting up her face. "Morning, honey. I thought I'd get breakfast ready before the day gets hectic. You don't want to start the day rushed, especially with the wedding approaching."
Elena rolled up her sleeves and joined her mother. The two of them worked side by side, cracking eggs and flipping omelets with a practiced rhythm. They layered sandwiches with fresh vegetables and cheese, chatting about small things: the weather, the neighbors, and minor office gossip.
After preparing breakfast, Elena went to wake her younger sister, Lila, still groaning under her blanket. Lila was notorious for refusing to get up early. Elena tugged the blanket off.
"Hey! Stop! I was comfy!" Lila shrieked, flailing her arms.
"You need to get up! Breakfast is waiting, and I'm not going to eat alone," Elena teased.
"I'm a human, not a robot!" Lila protested, swinging a pillow.
"And I'm a ninja!" Elena ducked, snatching the pillow and swinging it lightly.
"You're cheating!" Lila shouted, rolling off the bed.
"Not cheating—just fast," Elena grinned.
The two tumbled into a heap, laughing until Lila surrendered. Finally, she stumbled to the bathroom, muttering about how "Elena was the worst sister alive."
At the table, their teasing continued:
"You always take the bigger slice of toast," Lila complained, pointing a fork.
"I eat slower—it balances out," Elena replied, smirking.
"You're impossible," Lila muttered, rolling her eyes.
Elena kissed her parents goodbye, buckled Lila into the car, and drove her to school. Back at home, Margaret whispered to Daniel, "Maybe she should ask for a day off now that the wedding is so close."
Daniel chuckled. "Elena? She'd still go to work even an hour before the wedding."
---
Elena arrived at the office, greeted by colleagues and the hum of computers. She walked to her desk, where Julie Evans, her friend from college, leaned over with a wide smile.
"Elena! Congratulations!" Julie said. "Your fiancé must be amazing. Tell me everything."
"He is… kind, polite, and somehow calm no matter what," Elena said, smiling. "But I'm trying to focus on work first."
Julie grinned. "Of course, always the responsible one. Speaking of work, did you finish the Harper report? We need it for the client meeting."
"I started yesterday. Just need to finalize the summary and send it over," Elena said. "Want me to go over it with you before sending?"
Julie nodded. "Perfect. And then you can tell me more about your fiancé. Don't leave me hanging!"
As they worked together, Elena typed quickly, double-checking figures and clarifying points with Julie. Their conversation moved seamlessly between work and playful teasing.
---
A few days later, the wedding arrived. The chapel glowed with sunlight streaming through stained glass. Elena walked down the aisle in a flowing ivory gown, her heart racing at the sight of Adrian at the altar. His navy suit fit perfectly, and his eyes softened as they met hers.
They exchanged vows in hushed intensity, promising love, loyalty, and trust. When the officiant said, "You may kiss the bride," the world seemed to shrink until only the two of them existed.
At the reception, chandeliers sparkled above tables filled with family and friends. Elena and Adrian shared a private dance, fingers intertwined, hearts beating in perfect rhythm. He whispered, "You look breathtaking tonight."
Elena's eyes met his, shimmering with a mixture of surprise and delight. A warmth spread across her cheeks, and her heart seemed to skip in time with the soft music. She pressed her hand lightly to her chest, trying to steady the sudden flutter inside her, but the truth was—she was completely undone by the way he looked at her, by the way his words lingered in her ear.
---
A week later, Elena and Adrian arrived in Santorini, Greece. The sun dipped behind whitewashed buildings, and the sea reflected shades of gold and turquoise. Lanterns flickered along the cobblestone streets, and the scent of flowers and saltwater mingled in the air.
They spent the day exploring winding streets, tasting pastries, and laughing as they tried to take selfies against cliffside views. He tilted his head, letting his gaze linger on her, and a soft smile played on his lips as if he were memorizing every detail of her.
"You always look so radiant," he said softly.
Elena blushed. "You're just saying that."
"No, I mean it. You make everything brighter," he murmured, wrapping his arm around her as they walked.
---
As night fell, the streets settled into a hushed calm, the distant hum of the city fading into the soft whisper of the wind. Lanterns flickered along the cobblestones, casting golden pools of light that danced across the walls, while shadows stretched and twisted longer than usual, as if the darkness itself were watching. Hand in hand, they wandered slowly back to their hotel, savoring the quiet intimacy between them, when Adrian suddenly came to a stop, his gaze fixed on something unseen in the shadows.
"Someone's following us," he whispered.
Suddenly, a masked figure lunged from the shadows, knife raised, aiming for Adrian. He reacted instantly—sidestepping, grabbing the attacker's wrist, twisting sharply, and landing a punch to the their abdomen. The attacker staggered back.
Two more masked figures appeared. One swung a knife at Adrian's side. He parried, twisted, and delivered a precise kick to the attacker's knee. Meanwhile, the third lunged at Elena.
She ducked, rolled under his swing, and delivered a sharp elbow to his chest. Adrian's eyes widened slightly, a faint teasing smile forming.
"Wow… you're strong," he said.
Elena smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Did you forget? I was in the martial arts club in high school. And our captain was terrifyingly strict—way too strict for anyone to mess with."
The fight escalated. Adrian blocked a knife strike, countered, and struck with precision. Elena twisted under a blow, landed a roundhouse kick, and sent her assailant sprawling. Another attacker charged—she grabbed his arm, flipped him over her shoulder, and followed with a swift kick.
Minutes later, all three assailants were groaning on the ground. They removed their masks, revealing unfamiliar faces.
"Robbers, maybe?" Elena suggested cautiously.
They called the local police. Officers quickly arrested the men. Elena and Adrian were taken to the station to file statements. Hours later, exhausted but safe, they returned to their hotel room.
Back at the hotel, Elena sank into the soft sheets, exhausted. Adrian sat beside her.
"Not exactly the honeymoon I expected," she murmured.
"Unforgettable, though. And we handled it together," Adrian replied, holding her hand.
Elena rested her head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "You'll never have to find out."
---