As they all settled in, Polaris noticed Sebastian watching her intently. There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, and she sensed he wanted to speak to her privately. When the crowd dispersed momentarily, he motioned for her to follow him outside to the balcony.“Hey, can we talk for a minute?” he asked, his voice sincere.“Of course,” she replied, stepping out into the cool night air. The stars twinkled above them, casting a soft glow on the two of them as they leaned against the railing.“I just wanted to say I’m really sorry about everything that happened before,” Sebastian began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I know things got messed up between us.”Polaris sighed, her heart softening at his honesty. “It’s okay, really. I was just overwhelmed. I know you didn’t mean it the way it came out. I just… I’ve had a lot on my mind.”“I get it. But I want you to know that I value our friendship,” he said earnestly, looking dire
As the celebration continued, laughter and chatter filled the air, weaving a tapestry of warmth and joy. Just as Polaris thought the night couldn’t get any better, Jinro, Daryl’s grandfather, approached her with a smile that radiated kindness. The elderly man was known for his wisdom and generosity, and there was something reassuring about his presence.“Polaris,” he called gently, his voice cutting through the festive noise. The room quieted as everyone turned their attention toward him, curiosity shining in their eyes.“Happy birthday!” he said, beaming at her. “I wanted to give you something special.” With that, he produced a small, elegantly wrapped box from behind his back and handed it to her.Polaris blinked in surprise, her heart fluttering with a mix of gratitude and unease. “Oh, Mr. Kyoto, you didn’t have to,” she stammered, looking at the box as if it were a rare treasure. She felt the warmth of everyone’s gaze, their encouragement urging her to accept the gift.Jinro waved
Sebastian paced the expansive gymnasium, the echo of basketballs bouncing against polished wooden floors providing a rhythmic backdrop to his racing heart. The team had gathered for practice, but his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of one person: Polaris. He hadn’t seen her since her birthday celebration, but the memory of her smiling face lingered like a warm glow in his chest.The practice was intense, but as he shot hoops and executed plays, his mind wandered. Every time he sank a basket, he imagined Polaris cheering him on, her laughter ringing in his ears. He was determined to show her that he cared, to let her see the side of him that was tender and thoughtful. As the practice session began to wind down, he caught a glimpse of her walking outside the gymnasium windows, her ponytail swaying gently as she strolled along the path.“Guys, I need to take a quick break,” he announced, surprising his teammates. Before they could respond, he dashed out of the gym, his hear
The pulsating bass of the music echoed through the dimly lit bar, blending with the laughter and cheers of Sebastian’s teammates. He leaned against the counter, scanning the crowded room filled with boisterous energy. As he lifted his drink to his lips, his eyes landed on a familiar face—Polaris.“Sebastian!” A voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality. He turned to see his friend Jake approaching, his face lit up with excitement. “You made it! I didn’t think you’d show up.”“Yeah, I figured I’d drop by,” Sebastian replied, forcing a smile as he tried to shake off the remnants of his earlier conversation with Polaris. “How’s the party going?”“It’s wild! Everyone’s celebrating Jake’s win. You should join in, man! Loosen up a bit!” Jake nudged him playfully.Sebastian chuckled, but his heart wasn’t in it. Instead, he felt the weight of something more pressing—his thoughts kept drifting back to Polaris. “I’ll catch up with everyone in a minute. Just need to grab anoth
Sebastian stepped out of the bar, the sound of laughter and music fading into the night as he inhaled the cool, crisp air. He leaned against the wall, allowing the momentary chill to ground him. A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind, and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to focus.What had just happened inside? A woman had kissed him, her lips soft against his, and for a split second, he had let himself get swept away. But then—her face, her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled in the light—it had all shifted. In the midst of the kiss, the image of Polaris flooded his mind like a wave crashing over a beach, leaving him gasping for breath. He pushed himself off the wall, running a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the thoughts that lingered like a shadow.“No, no, no,” he muttered to himself, the words tumbling out in frustration. “This can’t be happening. I can’t be thinking about her like this.”His heart raced with confusion, an unwelcome mix of excitement and dread se
William trudged through the front door of the mansion, exhaustion hanging over him like a heavy cloak. He kicked off his shoes, the soft rug beneath his feet providing a welcome contrast to the day’s grind. The office had been a whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and high-stakes decisions, leaving him mentally drained. All he wanted was to find solace in the quiet of his room and perhaps indulge in a little peace and quiet.He headed to the kitchen, the soft glow of light spilling from the overhead fixture illuminating the counter. As he filled a glass with cold water, he caught a whiff of something sweet wafting through the air. Curious, he turned his head toward the source of the aroma and saw Polaris, busily mixing ingredients in a bowl.“Hey, William!” she chirped, her voice light and cheerful, instantly lifting his spirits. “Want to try a cookie? I just made a fresh batch!”He leaned against the doorframe, a smile creeping onto his face. “Are you sure they’re edible? You know my b
The following week was a blur for William, filled with back-to-back classes and team meetings. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, balancing his studies, basketball practice, and his growing feelings for Polaris. It was a Thursday afternoon when he found himself seated at a large table in a bustling café, surrounded by his classmates. They were discussing upcoming projects and assignments, but his mind wandered as he absentmindedly stirred his coffee.“William! Earth to William!” one of his friends, Jake, called, snapping him back to reality. “Are you even listening?”“Sorry, what?” he asked, shaking his head as he tried to refocus.“I said, are you ready for the final presentation next week? We can’t afford to mess this up,” Jake said, leaning forward, concern etched on his face.“Yeah, I’m ready,” William replied, forcing a smile. “I’ve got my part down. Just need to practice with you guys.”The conversation shifted back to assignments, but William’s thoughts drif
As they made their way back into the café, the atmosphere felt different now, lighter and more intimate, even after the tension they had just escaped. William stole glances at Polaris as they walked, hoping to catch her eye and see her smile. But as they approached the entrance, a sudden commotion behind them interrupted his thoughts.“William! Polaris!” a familiar voice called out. It was Dany, rushing out of the café, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. “What happened back there?”William felt a sense of dread wash over him. He hadn’t thought about the aftermath of the confrontation. “It’s nothing, really,” he began, trying to downplay the situation.“Nothing? You just punched that guy in the face!” Dany exclaimed, looking between them. “You know this is going to get you in trouble, right?”Polaris turned to face William, her brow furrowing. “Maybe we should talk to someone about it,” she suggested, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. “I don’t want you to get in trou
The morning light seeped through the blinds, casting long, muted shadows across Polaris’s apartment. The soft hum of the city outside, the far-off sounds of traffic and conversation, filtered in through the cracks, but inside, there was nothing but stillness. She hadn’t moved from her bed yet. Her body felt like it was cemented into the sheets, her limbs heavy, and her mind was miles away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t shake.She thought of Sebastian.And that thought sent an immediate tension through her chest. She hadn’t wanted to think about him, not really, but his face, his voice, his words—they lingered, stubborn and impossible to ignore.It was confusing. Because while she didn’t want to feel anything for him, she couldn’t deny the small, unspoken connection that lingered between them, one that was impossible to ignore. Or maybe she just didn’t want to face the truth—that part of her was still drawn to him.But no. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.Polaris shifted, sitting up and dr
Polaris stared at the phone in her hand, the lingering sound of Sebastian’s voice echoing in her ear. He’d apologized for not being able to introduce her to his family. “I’m sorry, Polaris,” he’d said, his voice warm yet distant. “I just… I wasn’t ready.”She hadn’t wanted to ask why, though she knew. She could feel it in her bones: he was pulling away. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it, not even to herself.“It’s okay,” she had said, though the words felt hollow. They were a lie, and they tasted bitter on her tongue. “It’s fine. I understand.”But as soon as she said it, she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t fine. It never would be.She didn’t give him a chance to say more. “I have to go,” she had added quickly, her voice tight. Without waiting for his response, she hung up.The sharp click of the phone disconnecting echoed in the empty room. She stood there for a moment, the silence pressing in, before shaking herself from the stupor of her thoughts.She needed to get out. She need
Polaris was bent over a stack of fabric samples, her hands flipping through the various textures, when a quiet sob reached her ears. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just the wind playing tricks. But then it came again, sharper this time, followed by the soft shuffling of footsteps.She looked up, expecting to see a colleague, but instead, she saw a young girl standing by the fabric shelf. The girl was no more than seven or eight, her tear-streaked face twisted in confusion and fear. She wore a bright pink jacket, the sleeves slightly too long, dragging on the floor as she shuffled awkwardly on her tiny feet.Polaris’s first instinct was to approach, but she hesitated. She hadn’t been around children much since… well, since a long time ago. But the girl’s sobs grew louder, and Polaris found herself stepping closer, her hands instinctively smoothing over the fabric, trying to calm her own nerves before speaking.“Hey, are you okay?” Polaris asked softly, crouching down to th
The evening wore on, the city lights casting long shadows across the rooftop as the crowd mingled around the bar. Polaris had barely touched her wine, her mind still locked on the unexpected appearance of Sebastian. She had thought of him over the years, of course, but only in fleeting moments, like passing clouds. Seeing him here, in this city, in this moment—it stirred something deep inside her. Something she wasn’t quite ready to face.But she wasn’t about to let old memories dictate her life again. Not now. Not when she was so close to securing her future, to carving out a new identity for herself. So, after a few moments of silent contemplation, she straightened her posture and decided to push through.She glanced back toward the entrance, and this time, her eyes locked with Sebastian’s. He wasn’t looking her way, but when he turned toward the door, their gazes met. He didn’t hesitate; he walked toward her with that same calm, collected stride she remembered so well.“Polaris,” h
Polaris walked into the meeting room, carrying her tablet with the project sketches displayed. The room was sleek and modern, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The client, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, sat at the conference table, flanked by his assistant and a couple of other colleagues. Polaris set the tablet down, taking a deep breath before addressing the room.“Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice steady but confident. “I’m Polaris. I’ll be walking you through our initial concepts for the new office complex project.”The client nodded, his arms folded across his chest, a slight air of expectation about him. Polaris flipped the tablet screen to the first design.“As per your brief, you’re looking for a space that not only meets your functional needs but also offers an innovative, modern design that stands out in this area. This building will serve as both a hub for your employees and a showcase of your company’s values—creativity, sustainab
The soft murmur of voices filled the air as Polaris stood by the entrance of the grand hall, adjusting the strap of her purse. The event was a swirl of lights, laughter, and chatter, a celebration of some local achievement, but to her, it felt like nothing more than a distraction. She wasn’t sure why she had come, but the invitation had arrived, and the idea of getting caught up in the whirlwind of it all seemed oddly tempting. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but she hadn’t expected this.As she glanced around the room, her eyes caught a familiar face across the crowd, a flash of dark hair and a strong, steady presence. It was him—Sebastian.Her breath hitched in her chest as the crowd parted, and he moved in her direction, his usual confident stride making its way toward her like a magnet. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the event fading into the background as memories rushed back—memories of their late-night conversations, their shared laughter, and the moments that had on
Polaris stretched her legs under the table, her fingers idly flipping through the project details displayed on her laptop screen. It was nearing dusk, the city lights starting to flicker to life outside her window, casting a warm glow into the room. She sipped her coffee, half-listening to the sounds of traffic outside, until her gaze fell upon the project location listed at the top of the document.Her hometown.She sat back, heart skipping a beat as she stared at the familiar name, the memories rushing in before she could push them away. She hadn’t been back since she’d left for good, vowing to carve out her own path far from everything familiar. And yet, here it was, pulling her back when she least expected it.The project itself was a career-defining opportunity—a collaboration that combined creativity and community, everything she valued in her work. It was the kind of project she would have leapt at… if it hadn’t been for the location. She let out a slow breath, scanning through
“Did you make it back safe, Polaris? Please tell me you at least took a cab this time,” Camille’s voice buzzed through Polaris’s phone, her concern palpable even across the line.Polaris let out a soft laugh, easing into the familiar warmth of her friend’s worry. “Yes, Camille, I’m home safe and sound,” she assured, dropping her keys on the small, rickety table by the door. “Took a cab, and everything.”“Good! You know I’ll show up on your doorstep if I find out you’re wandering around Paris at this hour alone,” Camille teased, though Polaris knew she meant it.A smile played on Polaris’s lips as she kicked off her shoes, feeling a comfort she rarely allowed herself. “You know I wouldn’t mind that. It’s only been two days, and I already miss our weekly coffee talks.” Her voice softened, the exhaustion from the long journey finally setting in.“Me too, P. It’s way too quiet without you around to shake things up,” Camille sighed. “But I’m glad you’re back and settling in. You really sou
The city skyline stretched across the darkening sky, a mixture of fading amber and deep violet, casting long shadows over the buildings. Polaris stood on the balcony of her apartment, the cool evening air tugging at her hair as she gripped the railing. It had been seven years since she left, seven years since she had said goodbye to the life she once knew, to the people who had helped her become who she was today—and to the ones who had nearly broken her.She thought she had buried the past, but standing here now, she could feel its weight returning, like old wounds reopening beneath a thin layer of scar tissue. Tomorrow, she would see them again—Sebastian, Hero, Daryl, and even Anne, each one holding pieces of a history they all had shared, but which time had distorted, fractured, and remade.The letter from the company had arrived two months ago. “We’re assigning you to a major project in your hometown,” it read, as if her past were simply a location on a map, waiting patiently for