Chapter 1: The Water

Tiffany had always believed in fairytales. As a ten-year-old girl living in a quiet little town, she saw the world through the softest shades of hope and wonder. She loved stories of princes and princesses, of love that was destined, of promises that never broke.

And deep in her heart, she believed—one day, her prince would come.

Chapter 2: Could This Be Love?

That’s when Tom appeared.

He was the new kid at school—taller than most, with eyes like the ocean and a grin that could make anyone feel at ease. From the moment Tiffany saw him, something inside her whispered: Could it be him?

Her heart raced every time he looked her way. But was it love? Or just the sweet illusion of a childhood dream?

Chapter 3: Sunset on Mercury

Tom, on the other hand, was a dreamer of a different kind.

He wasn’t looking for love. He was chasing adventures, always searching for the next thrill. His world was made of endless possibilities, and he didn’t want to be tied down—not by rules, not by expectations, and certainly not by feelings he didn’t understand yet.

To him, life was a game. And love? Just another mystery to solve later.

Chapter 4: As Long As You Love Me

But Tiffany wasn’t ready to give up so easily.

She found little ways to make him notice her—small gestures, fleeting glances, the kind of things only a young heart would believe could make a difference.

Maybe if she tried hard enough, one day, he’d see what was right in front of him.

Chapter 5: Almost Told You

The truth was, Tom did notice.

There were moments when he wanted to say something, moments when he caught himself looking at her for too long. But every time he got close, doubt crept in.

What if he was wrong? What if he ruined what they already had?

So instead, he stayed silent.

Chapter 6: Not Done

Two years passed.

Tiffany still held onto the feelings she had for Tom, but something inside her was changing. She was tired of waiting for something that might never happen.

At the school’s year-end party, she showed up in a white dress, her hair cascading down like silk. For the first time, Tom saw her—not just as the girl who had always been there, but as someone breathtaking.

Under the golden glow of twinkling lights, they shared a kiss.

And the next day, Tom was gone.

No explanation. No goodbye. Just… gone.

Chapter 7: Young Love

Fifteen years later, Tiffany had become a woman who turned heads when she walked into a room. She had grown, changed, loved, and lost.

But deep down, some part of her still carried the memory of that boy, that night, that kiss.

Chapter 8: Love at First Sight

At a corporate party, she moved through the crowd with effortless grace.

Men tried to catch her attention, but she was no longer the girl who believed in fairytales. She was focused, driven. Love wasn’t a priority.

But one man, from a partner company, wasn’t willing to give up so easily.

Chapter 9: How Long Until I Find You

Tiffany sat in a familiar café, the kind of place that smelled like warm vanilla and carried whispers of a thousand untold stories. She turned the page of her book absentmindedly, but her thoughts weren’t on the words.

The past had a funny way of resurfacing when she least expected it.

Then, the bell above the café door chimed.

She glanced up—and froze.

The man who had just walked in carried himself with effortless confidence, his presence commanding attention without trying. His sharp features had matured, his suit was crisp, and his demeanor was composed.

But those eyes.

Tiffany’s breath hitched.

She knew those eyes.

It was him.

Tom.

Her fingers curled slightly against the book cover, holding back the surge of emotions threatening to break free. But she didn’t move. She didn’t speak.

She simply watched.

And waited.

Chapter 10: Do You Think of Me?

Tom took a seat across from her, unaware of the storm raging in her chest. He focused on his coffee, checking his phone, flipping through documents.

He didn’t recognize her.

Tiffany forced herself to stay calm, listening to his voice as he exchanged pleasantries with their business associates. It had changed—deeper, more controlled.

But she still heard traces of the boy who had once laughed beside her on summer afternoons.

She wanted to say something. To ask him if he remembered.

But she couldn’t.

Not yet.

Because if he didn’t…

She wasn’t sure her heart could take it.

Chapter 11: With You

The days passed, and Tiffany found herself crossing paths with Tom more often. Their work required them to interact, and each meeting became a test of her patience.

He was charming, intelligent, effortlessly composed.

Yet, to him, she was just another colleague.

One evening, as they walked out of a meeting, she stepped onto the street without thinking.

A car came speeding towards her.

In a blur, an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back just in time.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up—straight into Tom’s eyes.

For a split second, something flickered in his gaze.

But then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"You should be more careful," he said, releasing her.

Tiffany swallowed the lump in her throat.

If even this couldn’t shake his memory, what could?

Chapter 12: You Could Be the One

She told herself it didn’t matter.

That she didn’t care if he remembered or not.

But she was lying.

Late at night, she would stare at the ceiling, wondering: Did he ever think of me? Did he ever look back?

And if he did…

Why couldn’t he see her now?

Chapter 13: Falling for You

The tension built between them, lingering in the spaces between words left unsaid.

One evening, as they shared a drink after a long negotiation, Tiffany finally let the words slip.

"You remind me of someone I used to know."

Tom looked at her, curiosity flickering in his expression. "Oh?"

She swirled her glass, feigning indifference. "Yeah… someone from a long time ago. But I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore."

A silence stretched between them.

And for the first time, she saw uncertainty in his eyes.

Chapter 14: Like Yesterday

It wasn’t until that fateful evening, under a sky painted in shades of dusk, that the final piece fell into place.

They had just finished a company gala, stepping outside into the cool spring air.

Tiffany turned to leave, but Tom spoke first.

"You remind me of someone too."

Her breath caught.

"Someone I lost a long time ago," he continued. "Someone I never got to say goodbye to."

Tiffany’s fingers curled into fists. "Then why didn’t you?"

He frowned. "What?"

"Say goodbye." Her voice wavered. "Why did you leave without a word, Tom?"

Silence.

Then, his eyes widened—slowly, painfully, as realization dawned.

His breath left him in a quiet exhale.

"...Tiffany?"

She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Took you long enough."

The weight of the years crashed over him in an instant.

He reached for her, but she stepped back.

"I waited, you know," she whispered. "I waited for an explanation. A letter. Anything."

His jaw tensed. "I did write."

Tiffany froze.

"I wrote to you," Tom said. "The night we left. But I guess you never got it."

Her mind reeled.

She had spent years believing he had abandoned her. But all this time…

She had never known.

Tom’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"I wasn’t done with you, Tiffany." His gaze softened. "And I don’t think I ever will be."

Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren’t just from sadness.

Because despite everything…

Maybe, just maybe, they still had time.

Spring Waltz

Spring had returned once more, carrying with it the scent of renewal.

This time, as the wind whispered through the blossoms, Tiffany didn’t just hear a song from the past.

She heard a melody still waiting to be written.

And for the first time in years, she was ready to dance again.