The morning sun streamed gently through Mia's curtains, filling the room with a soft, golden light. The air was cool, crisp, and carried the faint smell of fresh dew from the garden outside. Mia stretched lazily on her bed, letting out a soft sigh as she reached for her phone on the nightstand.
Her screen lit up with the last message Ryan had sent her the previous night. Don't skip breakfast. You know I'll be back soon. Take care of yourself until then.
She read it twice, her lips curving into a small smile. He had always been like this—bossy in his own way, but beneath it all, there was care. A kind of care that warmed her more than the sunlight spilling across her sheets.
Mia sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. For the past few days, she had tried to ignore the tug in her heart whenever Ryan's name appeared on her phone, or the way her chest tightened when she thought about him being away. But this morning felt different. There was no denying it anymore.
She closed her eyes, and his face came to her—the sharp line of his jaw, his steady eyes, the way he smiled only when she made him. She remembered the comfort of his presence, the teasing, the arguments that always ended in laughter. And suddenly, it all fit together like pieces of a puzzle she had been too afraid to finish.
Her chest swelled, and she whispered to herself, almost shyly, "I love him."
The words slipped out so naturally, so true, that it startled her. She pressed a hand against her heart, feeling the rush of warmth spread through her.
It wasn't just missing him. It wasn't just friendship. She loved Ryan. With all his flaws, his stubbornness, his protectiveness—she loved him completely.
For the first time, Mia let herself sink into the feeling instead of running from it. She smiled, brighter than she had in days, whispering again into the quiet morning, "I'm in love with Ryan."
And this time, she knew it was real.
...
Mia walked into the company building later that morning, her heart still fluttering from the realization she had whispered to herself at dawn. She had dressed with more care than usual—her cream blouse tucked neatly into a navy skirt, hair styled loosely over her shoulders. She told herself it was just another workday, but deep down, she knew she wanted to feel beautiful, because somewhere inside, she was thinking of him.
As she entered the office, a few staff members greeted her warmly. She smiled back, keeping her composure, though inside, her thoughts kept circling around Ryan. What if he knew? Would he laugh? Would he… feel the same?
She shook her head quickly, setting her bag on her desk. Focus, Mia. You can't let anyone know. Not yet.
Her computer pinged with notifications—emails to reply to, reports waiting for her approval. She dove into the tasks, grateful for the distraction, but even as she typed, her mind betrayed her. She caught herself rereading Ryan's last instructions as though his words were written with care just for her.
"Mia, are you okay?" her assistant asked, noticing the faint smile she wore.
"Yes," she said too quickly, straightening in her chair. "Just… focused on work."
But the assistant gave her a knowing look before walking away.
By mid-morning, Daniel passed by her office with his usual charming grin. "Good morning, Mia. Looking radiant today."
Her cheeks warmed unexpectedly, not because of his words, but because Ryan's voice echoed in her mind. Don't skip breakfast. Take care of yourself. His concern meant more to her than Daniel's flattery ever could.
"Morning, Daniel," she replied politely, keeping her tone cool and professional. She couldn't let anyone—especially him—sense the shift in her heart.
When she was finally alone again, she leaned back in her chair, exhaling softly. She had always been good at managing her emotions, but now, every beat of her heart felt like a secret she had to guard carefully.
I'll wait for you, Ryan, she thought silently. But until you come back, no one can know.
She tucked her feelings away like a fragile treasure, hidden behind her calm smile, and returned to her work.