In a small town tucked between mountains and rice fields, Mila grew up with a simple life. Her mornings were filled with the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery down the street, the gentle hum of neighbors chatting, and the sight of fireflies dancing in the fields at dusk. Everyone knew everyone in her town, and nothing much ever changed.
But Mila had big dreams. She longed for the city lights and the hum of life that never seemed to sleep. So, at 18, she moved to the bustling city of Aurelia, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and the streets thrummed with people and opportunity. She adapted quickly, balancing her time between college classes and part-time jobs. Despite the chaos, she never forgot her small-town roots—always warm, always smiling.
One rainy evening, while hurrying through the city streets, Mila collided with another woman, almost slipping in a puddle. The stranger, catching her by the arm, was like a sudden gust of icy wind. Her name was Rei—tall, poised, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through Mila's usual cheerfulness. Mila quickly apologized, but Rei's expression remained unreadable.
Days turned into weeks, and by some twist of fate, they kept crossing paths—at a local coffee shop, in the library, even at the grocery store. Mila, curious and drawn to Rei's aloof nature, took it as a sign. She decided to approach her, offering a small, sincere smile every time they met. At first, Rei barely responded, giving short, curt answers, as if she was guarding herself behind a wall of ice.
Yet, Mila persisted. She started sharing small parts of her life: stories from her hometown, her love for baking, the fireflies she missed. Rei listened, though she never seemed moved. Mila thought of giving up several times, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that beneath Rei’s cold exterior was something waiting to thaw.
One particularly stormy night, as Mila sat in their usual coffee shop, Rei finally spoke more than a few words. She told Mila about her past—about losing her family in a fire when she was young, about being shuffled through foster homes, and how she’d learned to keep people at a distance to protect herself. It was the first time Mila saw a crack in Rei’s icy demeanor, and she understood why Rei kept her heart hidden behind so many layers.
As the weeks passed, Mila and Rei grew closer. Their coffee shop chats became longer, their silences more comfortable. Mila realized she had fallen for Rei’s mysterious charm, and Rei—despite her best efforts—couldn't help but be drawn to Mila’s warmth. Slowly but surely, Rei’s walls began to melt.
Then, one evening, as they walked through the city park where the trees glittered with holiday lights, Mila confessed her feelings. Rei’s eyes softened, and for the first time, she reached out, taking Mila’s hand. But just as a smile spread across Mila's face, Rei pulled back, her expression turning somber.
"I'm sorry, Mila. I want to be with you, but... there’s something I haven’t told you," Rei whispered.
Mila, confused, encouraged her to share. Rei took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I'm leaving for another country. My company is relocating me... I didn’t know how to tell you because I knew it would hurt."
Mila's heart sank. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, just when they had found each other. But she took a deep breath and looked up at Rei with a determined expression. "Then let’s not waste any time. If we only have a little while, let’s make the most of it."
They spent the next few weeks together, exploring every hidden corner of the city, sharing stories, and laughing until dawn. And when the day came for Rei to leave, she hugged Mila tightly, the warmth of her embrace lingering like a memory that would never fade.
Months went by without a word from Rei. Mila returned to her daily routine, trying to fill the void left behind. She never expected to hear from her again.
One day, as Mila was baking a batch of bread to remind herself of home, her doorbell rang. When she opened the door, she found Rei standing there, a suitcase at her side, cheeks flushed from the cold.
"I came back," Rei said softly, her voice trembling. "Because home... it’s not a place anymore. It’s you."
And in that moment, Mila realized that sometimes, even the coldest hearts could find warmth, and even the most unexpected endings could be the beginning of something new.
Enjoy reading ❤️
