They say life is full of surprises, and I had been waiting for one.
The life I had lived so far was filled with love, expectations, and unfathomable decisions—something that came with being the only heir of Mezani Capital. My parents loved me dearly. I was their only child, and that love came wrapped in responsibilities and expectations I had been prepared for long before I understood them.
From my education to my career choices, everything had been planned for me the day I was born.
I studied finance instead of philosophy.
At least, that was the bare minimum I could do for my parents, who had given me such a good life.
It was Saturday, 5:00 p.m., at my favourite library, with my favourite frappuccino on table number eight, just beside the collection of incredible fiction and a large window with direct lighting falling on a vintage wall clock.
I was untroubled by the real world, buried in my books, losing track of time. One? Two? Or three?
Habitually, I was past reading three parts of the newly launched collection.
I found comfort in fiction rather than chaos. At least fiction held meaning in every little thing—gestures, actions, and love.
The real world was messy yet calculated, where every relationship, protection, and admiration felt impulsive, disguised as meaning in an incomprehensible, performative life.
The wall clock chimed seven times, pulling me back to reality. I realised how long I had been reading and quickly picked up my phone, which I had kept on silent. The moment I unlocked it, I was met with twenty-three missed calls and messages from Noah.
"Oh no!" I startled, realising I was late.
I quickly packed my stuff and stormed out of the library, hurrying towards home. My driver dropped me there.
I walked in, scanning the living room, realising my parents had already left. I went straight to my room and found my outfit laid out neatly on the closet rack. Lily had already prepared everything, as she always did.
She stepped in after hearing my hurried movements. I hugged her briefly, comforted by her thoughtfulness.
"Thank you," I said.
She chuckled, reminding me to hurry up.
By the time I arrived, the celebration was already in full swing. The soft fabric of my dress brushed against my legs as I stepped inside, pale enough to blend into the warm lights of the room rather than stand apart from them. I smoothed the hem absentmindedly, taking a breath before letting myself be carried into the noise, the laughter, the familiarity of faces I had known for years.
My mother noticed me instantly and took me along to introduce me to new faces I was seeing for the first time. They talked, even bragged at times, and I chuckled along politely.
As they spoke, my eyes wandered around the room, noticing how accustomed everyone seemed to their manic, hectic lives.
My eyes landed on a painting I had seen casually many times before, but amid the noise, I found myself walking closer to it without realising.
The sea twinkled in the darkness of a beautiful night, and there was the silhouette of a man lying on the waves, half on land and half in water, his arms spread open.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I realised how much meaning it carried.
I had never noticed it before.
As I stood there admiring the artwork, I didn't realise Noah was standing behind me until he knocked on my skull as if I were a door.
"Knock, knock."
I shrieked dramatically. "Ugh! You—"
Noah chuckled as I turned to face him fully, rubbing my head lightly.
"Grow up a little," I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest. "You're turning twenty-two today."
He grinned. "Grow a little taller," he shot back, "so I don't have to look down while arguing with you."
I punched him lightly. "You little—"
His eyes flicked to the painting, and he paused, his grin softening into a smile.
My gaze followed his, and I spoke in a cautious tone. "No one knows except me, right? That you painted it."
He nodded.
"I never realised this painting carried such a deep meaning," I continued.
His eyes dropped to my face, lighting up as he smiled. "A deep meaning?" he asked, leaning slightly against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "Let's see what your prediction is."
I chuckled at his nonchalant reply, even though I knew he was dying to hear compliments.
I studied the painting dramatically before answering. "Indecisiveness."
I looked back at him, his expression softening.
"The sea represents the vast flow of opportunities.
The night represents the darkness in your life.
And when the night reflects on the seawater, it makes it twinkle." I paused.
"Does the sea make the night feel better?" he asked.
I shook my head and continued, "Maybe. Or maybe not." I looked back at the painting and added, "But it does make it twinkle."
He scoffed and chuckled lightly before shooting back, "And what about the man lying between the land and the sea?"
I turned to face him fully.
"The man represents us. He represents the indecisiveness of our hearts."
His expression softened painfully.
I smiled and stepped closer. "Life is merciless. Sometimes it leaves us with choices, but not the courage to make a decision."
Noah opened his mouth to say something, but my mother's voice cut through the moment.
He glanced at me and smiled, a hint of eagerness still lingering in his eyes, before gesturing to me. "Shall we?"
I moved toward the hallway, and he followed silently, where everyone had begun gathering for the cake-cutting ceremony.
Once we reached there, Noah looked at me and I whispered, "Happy birthday."
"Thank you," he said, placing a hand over his chest, before moving ahead to join his friends.
They said something that made Noah smile widely before he finally cut the cake.
I was clapping when my eyes fell on the gifts, and I gasped softly, realising I had forgotten to bring his present. "Oh no!"
My mother turned to me, noticing my sudden reaction. "What happened?" she asked, frowning.
"I'll be back in a moment," I declared, rushing out.
"Elina," she called after me.
But I was already heading toward the elevator.
My hand shot out to press the button and collided with someone else's. I pulled back instinctively, letting him press it instead.
We waited. I mean, I waited.
I couldn't help noticing how good he smelled. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, taking in how well dressed he was. A brown leather jacket, understated, paired with black from head to toe. His shoes weren't casual either. He looked effortlessly classy. He wore sunglasses, even though it was night.
His head tilted slightly in my direction, and I realised he was looking at me. I straightened up immediately, fixing my gaze on the closed elevator doors.
I shifted casually, putting a little more distance between us. I glanced at him and smiled, brushing off the awkwardness. He returned the smile, but it looked more smug than genuine.
The elevator dinged open.
I stepped in, unlocked my phone, and started typing a text to Lily. Before I could make myself comfortable, he leaned against the elevator wall in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest. I looked up from my phone.
"Thief," he muttered, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Excuse me?" I asked, dumbfounded.
He finally took off his sunglasses, and there was something about his intense yet calm eyes that made mine widen slightly. My gaze followed his as it shifted to the keychain on my handbag.
I frowned, but before I could wonder, he spoke again.
"You picked it up at a fair, right?"
"Uh…" I hesitated, then answered, "I don't remember clearly. I was only four," I added with a small chuckle.
"Sure," he said, stepping a little closer. "But I remember." He paused, studying my face. "I was ten."
I looked at him, an amused grin forming on my lips as realisation dawned on me. "Adam."
He smirked and nodded before asking, "What was your name again… Elina?"
I nodded eagerly. "You're back."
The elevator dinged open. He glanced over his shoulder at the doors, then turned to leave.
I followed.
Before I could ask anything else, my phone rang. It was Noah. I answered as I noticed Adam walking away toward his car.
"Where are you, Elina? I've been looking—"
"I'm so sorry," I cut him off. "I forgot to bring your present."
"Great," he said, sounding more serious than teasing.
"I'll—" I started, but he cut me off.
"No problem. We can meet tomorrow," he said casually. "Don't worry too much. It's noisy in here anyway."
I nodded, understanding.
I went back home, and honestly, it felt better that way. I wanted to give him the gift when I had his full attention.
I changed into my night clothes and lay down, staring at the ceiling.
"Adam…"
I didn't remember him much. I was quite young when he was sent abroad to study. Noah had talked about him sometimes, but I don't think he ever really had much time to spend with his brother either.
I fell asleep with curious questions in my head, ones I was definitely going to ask Noah the next day.
The next morning, I woke up to the soft rustling of Coco, my cat, climbing onto my bed. He nuzzled against my arm, and I smiled as I woke.
"Good morning, Coco, my baby," I murmured, picking him up onto my lap as I sat on the bed, kissing him with cute aggression.
Lily came in and told me to get ready for breakfast.
A few moments later, I walked downstairs and found my mom and dad talking about something with amused seriousness.
My dad pulled out my chair. "Morning. Sit down, princess."
My mom got straight to the point. "We need to talk to you about something, Elina."
I nodded, giving them my full attention, but my father cut her off. "Let her eat first."
"What's the matter?" I asked, taking a bite of my toast.
"Your dad was thinking that you should start learning more about the business," my mom said.
"Okay," I replied, looking at my dad.
He nodded and added, "Look, you'll be taking care of our business after me someday. I just want you to join the company and learn something every day. No pressure."
"The company…" I paused, processing the information. It made me curious to learn something new, but also nervous. It was all unfamiliar territory.
My mother noticed my expression and said gently, "We trust you," placing her hand over mine.
My father continued, "After all, it's a big opportunity for you to gain business knowledge directly from Valor Group."
I frowned, not fully understanding. "Valor Group? You mean Noah's dad's company?"
"Yes," he explained. "Our company holds twenty percent of their shares, and I want you to join them as the stakeholder representative."
"I know what you're trying to say," he said, understanding my point.
"But listen, Elina. Life teaches you the most when you step out of your own territory."
Something in his words made me pause.
He added, trying to reassure me, "And you've known everyone at Valor Group since you were young. Noah will be joining the company soon too—he'll help you."
"Noah is joining the company?" I asked, my eyes widening.
My mother smiled proudly. "He's going to be the future CEO of Valor Group, so of course he's joining."
After breakfast, I went back to my room with so much new information that my mind was still trying to process it. I decided to call Noah.
We talked and agreed to meet.
We met at the beach.
For a few minutes, we sat there quietly, watching the waves roll in. Noah handed me a bottle of packaged juice, then poked the straw into his own and took a sip, keeping his gaze on the sea.
"You're joining the company," I said, breaking the silence.
He nodded, his expression distant.
I nudged his shoulder, making him look at me. "So you've decided?"
He scoffed lightly, "As if I have a choice", he said softly.
"Me too," I added, looking down.
He took a deep breath, then slowly stood up and walked toward the sea, sitting down exactly where the waves met the land.
I stood up and followed him, knowing he was too lost in thought to be careful.
He lay down, looking up at the sky as the slow waves rushed in, gently drenching his clothes.
"Indecisiveness," he muttered.
I let out a small breath. "Are you the man in the painting?"
He looked at me, his eyes carrying unspoken emotions. I shifted slightly, blocking the direct sunlight from reaching his eyes.
I extended my hand to help him up, and he took it, standing. "You're too positive about life," he said. "You know that?"
I chuckled, looking back at the sea. "I just want to twinkle in the darkness."
His expression softened, a genuine smile forming on his lips, but he still teased me. "That won't save you in the company, little one."
"I will," he completed with a smirk.
"You—" I punched his arm lightly, but he dodged it, taking a few steps back.
"Let's see who's going to save you now," I said, running after him.
He took off too.
I laughed. He laughed.
And I realised life wasn't that bad either.
It was just the uncertainty of it that our little hearts weren't ready for.
Later that evening,
Noah was driving me home when I pulled out a small envelope.
"What's this?" he asked, glancing at it before returning his focus to the road.
"Your birthday present," I said softly.
He pulled the car over to the side and turned off the engine, then faced me. "Show me."
I handed it to him.
He opened it and read.
"What—" He looked up. "Elina…" he said quietly, his throat tightening as emotion surfaced in his eyes.
I shook my head before the intensity of his gaze could pull a reaction from me.
"It's just a small, private gallery slot for your paintings," I said, taking a breath before continuing.
"You don't need an audience to show off your talent," I paused, then added, "but you do need one to express your heart."