It was a bright, sunny afternoon during outdoor playtime when Clara Harper, a shy and soft-spoken ten-year-old girl, sat alone on the swing. It was her first day at a new elementary school, and she hadn't made any friends yet. Her family had recently moved to the city, and the transition was harder than she had expected. Clara missed her old school and her friends dearly, feeling out of place in this unfamiliar environment.
As the other children ran around laughing and playing tag or climbing on the gym structure, Clara stayed on the swing, gently swaying back and forth, lost in her thoughts. She clutched the chains of the swing tightly, her eyes scanning the bustling playground but never quite meeting anyone's gaze. She felt invisible, like a shadow among the vibrant energy of her new classmates.
Suddenly, a strong force pushed her from behind, causing her to lose her balance and tumble forward onto the ground. Clara sat up, her eyes welling with tears as she noticed her right knee was scraped and bleeding. The other children paused to look at her, some giggling, others whispering, but no one stepped forward to help.
Feeling embarrassed and alone, Clara tried to brush herself off and stand up, but the sting of the scrape made her wince. Just as she was about to give up, a pair of warm hands gently lifted her up. She looked up to see a boy with kind eyes gazing at her with concern. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his smile was soft but reassuring. "Come on, let's go to the sick bay and clean your wound," he said, his voice calm and steady, as if he had done this a hundred times before.
From that day on, Clara couldn't help but notice this boy, though she was too shy to approach him. They were in different classes, so she would steal glances at him from afar during recess or in the hallways. The boy was none other than Liam Reynolds, the only son of the Reynolds family, who owned a prestigious chain of luxury hotels.
Despite his family's wealthy status, Liam was unlike the other privileged children at school. He was kind, approachable, and always willing to lend a hand, which made him popular among his peers. Many of the girls at school were drawn to him, not just because he was good-looking, with his easy smile and confident demeanor, but because of his genuine warmth and humility. He didn't flaunt his family's wealth or act like he was better than anyone else. Instead, he seemed to genuinely care about the people around him.
Clara, kept her feelings to herself, content to admire Liam from a distance. She didn't think someone like him would ever notice someone like her. She was the quiet girl who preferred books to playground games, the one who sat by herself during lunch.
One afternoon, during an art event in school, Clara was sitting at a table in the school auditorium, nervously sketching a picture of a tree. The room was filled with the chatter of students and the rustling of paper as everyone worked on their masterpieces. Clara's tree was simple but detailed, with delicate branches and leaves that seemed to sway on the page. She was so focused on her drawing that she didn't notice Liam approaching until he pulled out the chair beside her.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked with a friendly smile, his voice breaking through her concentration.
Clara's heart skipped a beat, but she managed to nod. "Sure," she said softly, her cheeks turning pink as she glanced at him briefly before looking back at her drawing.
Liam sat down and began working on his own drawing. He drew a vibrant landscape with towering mountains, a winding river, and a bright sun shining overhead. Clara couldn't help but glance at his work, impressed by how effortlessly he brought the scene to life. The colors were bold and striking, and the details were so vivid that it felt like you could step right into the picture. "That's really good," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might break the spell of the moment.
Liam looked up, surprised but pleased. "Thanks! I like your tree. It looks so peaceful," he said, pointing to her drawing. His eyes lingered on her work for a moment, and Clara felt a warmth spread through her chest at his compliment.
For a few moments, they worked in companionable silence, the sounds of other children chattering and laughing fading into the background. Clara found herself sneaking glances at Liam, admiring the way his brow furrowed in concentration as he added details to his landscape. She wondered if he could feel her gaze, but if he did, he didn't say anything.
Clara nodded, her words caught in her throat as she watched him walk away, his drawing tucked under his arm. That brief interaction became a cherished memory for Clara, one she would revisit often in the years to come. She didn't win the competition, but she didn't mind. For those few minutes, she had felt seen, and that was enough.
Clara kept her feelings to herself, content to admire Liam from a distance. She didn't think someone like him would ever notice someone like her. But fate had other plans. A few months after their first encounter, news spread that Liam would be moving to the United States due to the expansion of his family's business. Clara was heartbroken, though she had never mustered the courage to speak to him. On his last day at school, she watched from afar as Liam said goodbye to his friends, her heart aching with the weight of unspoken words. She wanted to tell him how much his kindness had meant to her, how he had made her feel seen on that lonely first day, but the words stuck in her throat.
As Liam walked out of the school gates for the last time, Clara whispered a silent goodbye, never imagining that their paths would cross again.
10 years later.
Clara Harper's life took a dramatic turn when she learned that her father had been diagnosed with liver cancer. As the only daughter of the Harper Company, which owned a series of luxury resorts across the country, Clara found herself at the center of a family meeting about her future. Her father, a stern but loving man, had always been her rock, and the news of his illness shook her to her core.
During the meeting, her father decided to arrange a matchmaking session for her, hoping to find a suitable partner who could not only provide her with emotional support but also help manage the family business. Clara didn't refuse. She wanted to be filial and not disappoint her father, especially during such a difficult time. She also knew she couldn't shoulder the responsibility of running the company alone. The weight of her father's legacy rested heavily on her shoulders, and she was determined to do whatever it took to preserve it.
When Clara shared the news with her best friend, Emily Carter, the reaction was immediate and dramatic. "What?! Your dad is setting you up on matchmaking?" Emily exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "Yeah, it's the least I can do for him," Clara replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "I also need someone who can help manage the company. I don't want my father's legacy to fall apart because of me."
Emily frowned, her protective instincts kicking in. "What if he's some old, fat creep? The thought of sleeping with a man like that is disgusting," she said bluntly. Clara blushed at the idea, her mind racing with images of a stranger who might become her husband. "I trust my dad to find someone suitable," she said, though a small part of her wondered if her father's idea of "suitable" would align with her own.
Just then, Clara noticed a familiar figure who had been lingering in the background of her life for the past year. It was none other than Liam Reynolds, the boy who had once been her childhood crush. He had returned to the country to attend college, and though she had not seen him for many years, his presence still stirred something deep within her.
One day during her freshman year at the college, Clara ran into Liam in the cafeteria. She was thrilled to see him again, but just like in the past, she could only watch him from a distance. He was sitting with a group of friends, laughing and chatting effortlessly, his presence commanding the room.
Clara's heart raced as she remembered the boy who had once helped her up on the playground and sat beside her during the art competition. But now, Liam was different. He's taller, more mature and even better looking, and with an air of quiet confidence that made him even more captivating. Emily noticed Clara's lingering gaze and nudged her playfully. "You should talk to him," she urged. "What's the worst that could happen?" But Clara shook her head, her courage failing her once again.
Over the years, Liam had grown into a man who seemed almost untouchable. His demeanor was more serious and reserved, a far cry from the carefree boy Clara had once known. Yet, despite the changes, he still had that same kindness in his eyes, the one that had drawn her to him all those years ago. Every time Clara saw him on campus, she found herself blushing, her heart racing as if no time had passed at all. To her surprise, even after ten years, her feelings for him hadn't faded.
Liam is now a man who attracted the attention of everyone around him. Female students often gathered near him, their laughter and whispers filling the air as they tried to catch his attention. On several occasions, Clara witnessed other girls confessing their feelings to him, their faces flushed with hope and nervousness. Once, she overheard Liam telling one of them that he already had someone he liked. Clara felt the words slice through her, leaving behind a lingering ache of sadness she couldn't shake. She knew all too well that her feelings for him were nothing more than a one-sided crush, a dream she had held onto for far too long.
Emily couldn't resist teasing her best friend. "So, what if your matchmaking partner turns out to be Liam Reynolds?" she asked with a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Clara nearly choked on her tea, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. "Emily, don't be ridiculous," she said, shaking her head as if the idea were utterly absurd. "There's no way my dad would arrange with someone like him. And even if he did, I would never agree to it."
Emily raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying Clara's flustered reaction. "Why not? You've been secretly pining over him for, what, a decade now? This could be your chance!"
Clara sighed, setting her teacup down on the table. "It's not that simple, Emily. Liam is… well, he's Liam. He's kind, successful, and practically perfect. And me? I'm just… me. I could never match up to someone like him."
Emily rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with Clara's self-deprecating response. "Oh, come on, Clara. You're amazing, and you know it. You're smart, kind, and beautiful. If anything, Liam would be lucky to have you."
Clara smiled faintly, appreciating her friend's support, but her doubts remained. "Even if that were true, Liam deserves someone who can stand by his side as an equal. Someone confident, accomplished, and… well, not someone who gets nervous just thinking about talking to him."
Emily leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms. "Clara, you are not too bad yourself. But fine, let's say your dad does set you up with Liam. What would you do?"
Clara hesitated, her gaze drifting to the window as she imagined the scenario. The thought of sitting across from Liam, knowing their families had arranged the meeting, made her stomach twist with a mix of excitement and dread. "I would… reject the arrangement," she said finally, her voice soft but firm.
Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? You'd just say no?"
Clara nodded, her expression resolute. "Yes. Liam deserves someone better, someone who can match his brilliance and confidence. I wouldn't want him to feel obligated to be with me just because our parents arranged it. He should be with someone he truly loves, not someone like me."
Clara never imagined that she would ever have a chance with Liam. To her, he was like a star, bright, charismatic, and forever out of reach. But little did she know, fate had other plans, and their paths were about to cross in ways she could never have anticipated.