Every love story has a chase.
This one just happened to take fifteen years.
The ballroom was filled with familiar faces and unfamiliar lives—old classmates, awkward hugs, polite laughter. Stella Vienne Tuazon walked in with the kind of poise only years of runway training could teach. She was supposed to be over this. Over him. Over everything they once almost were.
But her body betrayed her the second their eyes met.
Vince.
He was leaning against the far wall, a drink in hand, sleeves rolled, his hair still the same kind of messy she used to hate in college. His expression didn't shift. He just stared. Not with shock. Not even with regret.
But like he'd been waiting.
Stella swallowed the lump in her throat. Five years since their last conversation. Five years since she saw him asleep beside that girl in someone else's bed. Five years since she ran.
Her heels clicked louder than the music. Her heart, louder still.
He smiled. That stupid, infuriating, familiar smile.
And just like that—
The past caught up to her.
Because no matter how far she ran, one truth remained:
Some boys never stop chasing.
And sometimes...
Some girls were never meant to be caught until they're ready to stay.
🌿---🌿---🌿