Everything happens for a reason. Life is a grand adventure that shouldn't be wasted. Give it your all, expand your horizons, and encourage yourself with a resolute, "I can overcome this!" Embrace it with all your heart. ❤️
"When I grow up, I'll marry you," the little boy said, gently smoothing the girl's hair.
"R-really? But—" she hesitated.
"Freya, why do you look so sad?" he asked.
"Will you still marry me even though I'm just an ordinary kid? I'm not rich like you."
Ryle Cyriel chuckled at her concerns. He hadn't realized she would worry about such things. Despite being only ten, Ryle wasn't an ordinary child. His accelerated intelligence had made him a top high school student, yet he still connected easily with kids like Freya, who was in the fifth grade.
"That's not the basis of love, okay? Mom says that status is changeable, and that's why we study hard, right?" He gave her a reassuring thumbs up, and she responded with a bright smile as he patted her head.
"Let's have some snacks at home," Ryle suggested, taking her hand. She simply nodded in agreement.
It was Sunday, a special family day for the Coleman family.
"Mom? Dad? Hi Granny Sha, where's Mom?" Ryle called out.
"Oppa! Hi sissy!" His six-year-old sister, Riena Claire, who was a big fan of K-pop and anime, greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Hi Rie," Freya waved back.
"Hijo, they're in the movie room," their mother directed.
"Thanks, Granny Sha," Ryle said, gently pulling Freya along. However, his sister, Riena Claire, wanted to have some fun with Freya too, so he let them enjoy each other's company. The two girls were quite close, as Ryle often brought Freya to their mansion.
Granny Sha, known as Sharn to Masha and Mother Sharn to Lorence, had no children of her own. The couple decided to have her stay with them as part of their family.
The other servants were given opportunities to work at Raze's company or were assigned roles at the vineyard. They were grateful and happy for the chances provided by the couple.
Ryle knocked on the door, calling out, "Mom? Dad?"
"Hijo, just come inside," Lorence called out. Ryle entered, kissing his parents on the cheek and excitedly announcing that he had brought Freya home again. Lorence, ever the cool mom, was thrilled to see Freya and treated her as if she were her own child.
"Freya, hija, how are you?" Lorence asked warmly as she descended the staircase.
"Hi, Auntie," Freya replied with a bright and charming smile. "I'm fine."
"We baked earlier. Let's have some snacks," Lorence suggested, asking one of the servants to bring them.
"Mommy~" Ryle shouted, chasing after Riena, who had taken his sketchpad.
"Daddy, look! He drew—" Riena began excitedly.
"Shut up! Mommy, she opened my sketchpad without permission!" Ryle complained, displaying the typical behavior of a young child.
Everyone around laughed at the siblings' antics. Freya chuckled sweetly as Riena continued to tease her brother.
"Love, I don't want them to grow up too fast," Lorence suddenly said, leaning against Raze's chest as she watched their children.
"I don't want them to grow fast too, but I'm excited for what's next," Raze whispered, gently stroking Lorence's curly hair. "Maybe it's time to think about a new addition to our family."
"Shhh!" Lorence teased, pinching his cheek playfully before they both laughed together.
"I'll break your phone," Ryle threatened, knowing she loved her phone and had no intention of getting a new one.
"No! Oppa, no! Jebal! White flag! Here!" She pleaded, handing back his sketchpad with a pout. She looked adorably helpless.
They were always like this, teasing each other with a mix of affection and mischief. Ryle was often a strict and protective brother, sometimes a nightmare, but most of the time, he was her shield and knight.
The next day, Ryle headed off to school. His demeanor shifted depending on his surroundings and the situation. After school, he would ask his driver to make a stop at the elementary school to see Freya. They would always get some street food from vendors outside the school before sending her home. This was a routine Ryle cherished, one he only shared with Freya.
They were best friends, and Ryle had thought he was falling for Freya. Yet, the future remained unknown, unpredictable, and uncertain. There's nothing certain in the world, right? Well, perhaps the only certainty is change, which is always constant.
They spent their days together, laughing and crying, truly understanding each other despite their young age—knowing each other's strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. They didn't want to miss a moment with each other. But one day, after several years, they would have to say goodbye. Freya was now a senior in high school, while Ryle was already in college at the early age of sixteen.
"Iya, I don't want you to cry when I leave, okay?" Ryle said, his voice gentle but firm.
"L-leave? Why?" Freya's eyes filled with tears, betraying her effort to stay strong.
"I told you not to cry, yet you're about to cry now!" Ryle said with a smile, cupping her cheeks, which turned red with emotion. How could he act so nonchalant? He was truly different from before.
"I-I don't want you to leave," Freya said, tears streaming down her face. Ryle, struggling to keep his own emotions in check, gently wiped her tears with his thumb and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I've been chosen to be an exchange student in Japan. It'll only be for a short time, so you don't have to be too sad," he tried to explain, though the words felt hollow even to him. His heart ached at the thought of leaving her behind, but he knew he had no choice. His exceptional talents had opened doors he couldn't afford to close, and he had promised himself never to turn down opportunities connected to his gifts.
As the time for his departure drew near, he wished he could stop it altogether. The reality of the situation was unbearable, and the urge to escape from the impending separation was overwhelming.
"Hijo, take care out there, okay?" His dad hugged him tightly. Raze was sweet, gentle, incredibly supportive, and the coolest dad anyone could ask for. They were lucky to have such a hardworking and awesome father—truly a Mr. Full Package.
"Thanks, Dad. I'll see you there."
His little sister looked up with a pout. "Oppa, who will play with me? And who will capture my OOTD? I don't have a photographer for my cosplay either!" She clutched her soft panda, a gift from Ryle when he returned from a regional journalism contest.
"Why don't you just admit you'll miss your handsome brother?" He smiled and ruffled her hair.
"I'll miss you. Take care, okay?"
"Of course," he replied, giving her a warm hug in return.
"Don't forget to hug Mommy, the most beautiful lady on earth!" She called out playfully, opening her arms wide. Despite the busy day, her enthusiasm was as boundless as ever.
"I'll miss you, Mom. Please follow me there quickly!" He said with a warm smile, embracing her in a heartfelt hug.
"We will, sweetheart," she assured him, giving his back a gentle pat. Then they heard a soft sob, Freya was quietly crying.
He pulled Freya into a tight hug, holding her as if it were their last moment together. "I told you not to cry, didn't I?"
Freya nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "I just can't help it. I'm sorry!" She wiped her tears away and managed a brave smile.
"Take care," she said, waving goodbye with the same familiar gesture that Ryle's family always used.
"I'll miss you the moment you're out of my sight. I'm not used to waking up without your noise. You're my alarm clock, my knight, my crazy best friend, my source of happiness, and the owner of my heart. I'll wait eagerly for your return, Ryle," she thought, her emotions a mix of sadness and excitement. She was looking forward to the day he'd come back and hoped it would be very soon.
"Congratulations, Freya!" Everyone cheered, celebrating her achievement as the valedictorian. She was overjoyed, feeling an immense happiness that was tinged with hope.
"I thought he'd come back for my graduation, but he wasn't here!" Freya said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Despite her feelings, she understood his absence.
Meanwhile, Ryle was on his way with a special gift for Freya, a huge teddy bear, a delicate necklace, and a bouquet of flowers. His peach sports car drew admiring glances as it cruised down the street, but his attention was fixed on a group of students, specifically three men and a strikingly beautiful woman among them.
"Dad, can you arrange our plane? I'm heading back now!"
"Why, son? It's her graduation day, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I've already seen her. Goodbye for now, Dad. Thanks!" He said, his tone tinged with sadness. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling of jealousy.
He turned his car toward Freya's house, quickly dropping off his gifts—a large teddy bear, a necklace, and a bouquet of flowers. After a brief conversation with Freya's parents, he left without formally meeting Cazila or seizing the chance to speak with her. His own emotions had disrupted his plans, and despite all the self-talk about how irrational his feelings were, he realized he had missed his chance. He felt like a coward.
"Are you accepting the offer to study here permanently?" his professor inquired.
"Yes, sir!" He responded with determination, even his parents couldn't change his mind.
"We're delighted to hear that, Mr. Coleman. Congratulations to both you and the school for having such a top student," the professor said. He merely smiled, but inside, he struggled with his decision. Seeing Freya in someone else's arms had made returning to Cazila feel less appealing.
Meanwhile, in Cazila, Freya's excitement surged as she heard Ryle's name, hoping he was waiting for her. However, her joy turned to dismay when she found only his gift and a letter.
"Hello? Ryle?"
"Hey, congrats, Iya. Did you receive the gift?" He asked, masking his true feelings.
"Yeah, I did. I thought you'd come. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Do you mind if I end the call now and call you back later?" His request made her feel a pang of sadness, as it seemed like he didn't miss her. It had been years since they'd been together.
"Y-yeah, sure. Just take care, okay?"
"Of course. You too."
Seven years later, their communication had become sparse and irregular. It felt to Freya as if Ryle had temporarily forgotten her, and the connection they once had seemed to have faded.
Ryle, on the other hand, had pursued multiple professions over the years. He had the skills to be a pilot like his father, an architect, or even a dentist, but he chose to focus on being a lawyer. He continued to juggle his various roles as needed and at his convenience.
Now, he was thrilled about returning to Cazila. He was eager to see Freya again and had everything planned out for the visit.
"Ms. Alvarez, I need the report on the latest accident," the director instructed.
"Huh? I'm not a field reporter!" Freya protested.
"I need you there now. Bring Tasha's cameraman with you. Boys, move out!" The director's command left no room for argument, so she and her team headed to the scene.
The area was bustling with activity. Police patrols, emergency responders, and investigators were already present.
"I'm Freya Alvarez from ZZ News. We're reporting live from near Cazila's airport, where an accident has occurred. We'll start by gathering information from the scene," she announced.
"Sir, I'm from ZZ News. May I ask you a few quick questions about the accident?" she asked a nearby official, who nodded in response.
"Sir, what time did the accident actually happen? Were you here when it occurred? The car was seen drifting dangerously close to the cliff's edge. It's terrible," Freya asked.
"I was here, and it happened about 30 minutes ago," he replied.
"30 minutes? Why hasn't the person been taken to the hospital yet?"
"They're still waiting for someone," he said.
"What? That's unbelievable! The responders have been on-site for a while. Thanks for the information," Freya said, shaking her head in disbelief as she moved on to find other witnesses.
"Sir, sir? Are you a resident here?" Freya asked urgently.
"Yes, ma'am," the man responded.
"Did you witness what happened? Do you know the name of the person involved?"
"I heard he's the son of a famous businessman and also a vlogger. His name is…" The man's words seemed to hang in the air, causing Freya's heart to race, her hands to tremble, and her throat to go dry.
"He's Ryle Cyriel Coleman," the man finished. Freya's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the figure standing in front of the crowd.
"Ryle? Ryleeeee~" Freya cried out, her voice breaking as she rushed towards him, tears streaming down her face. A few people were still assisting him as they placed him on a stretcher.
He was covered in his own blood, and Freya felt a terror she had never experienced before.
"Ryle?"
"Miss, please don't touch him!" one of the responders urged.
"No! Ryle! Wake up! Why hasn't he been taken to the nearest hospital?" she shouted, her voice choked with anguish.
"Miss, please stay calm!" the responder pleaded, trying to maintain order amid the chaos.
"Calm? How can you ask me to calm down? Look at him!" Freya cried, her voice rising with desperation. "Let's go now! We need to get him to the hospital!"
Her anguish was palpable. Seeing Ryle again after eight long years, and in such a critical condition, was overwhelming. The situation felt surreal, and her emotions were spiraling out of control.
Amid the chaos, her favorite song, "Love Someone," began to play in the background, adding to the surreal nature of the moment.
"Waaah! R-Ryle? Ryle!" Freya panicked as she saw Ryle's body twitch. Time seemed to freeze as she watched in disbelief. Despite his bloody state, he was still moving, bending slightly in front of her. The sight left her feeling as though her world had stopped.
"There are days
I wake up and I pinch myself
You're with me, not someone else
And I'm scared, yeah, I'm still scared
That it's all a dream" He reached out and took her hand, and for a brief moment, they stood together. Despite the gesture, Freya remained rigid, her mind struggling to process the unfolding events. The reality of the situation seemed too overwhelming to fully grasp.
" 'Cause you still look perfect as days go by
Even the worst ones, you make me smile
I'd stop the world if it gave us time
'Cause when you love someone
You open up your heart
When you love someone
You make room
If you love someone
And you're not afraid to lose 'em
You probably never loved someone like I do
You probably never loved someone like I do"
Freya blinked in disbelief, trying to reconcile the sight of Ryle with her memories. There was no mistaking it—he was really here.
"I need to ask you something," Ryle said, his voice strained but earnest. "Who is the special person in your life that you want to spend forever with?"
He expected a clear answer, but instead, Freya's pent-up emotions exploded. Without warning, she struck him hard in the chest.
"How could you do this to me? How could you make me worry so much?" she cried, her voice breaking as she clutched his shoulders, her hands landing wherever they could as she vented her anguish.
Her tears flowed freely as she pounded his shoulders, her frustration and heartbreak pouring out with each motion. The pain of seeing him in such a state after all these years, combined with the unresolved feelings, made it impossible for her to remain composed.
"Hey, stop that! The whole world is watching, and they might think you're a bad girl," Ryle said with a smirk. Freya glanced around, realizing he was right—cameras were flashing, and an excited buzz filled the air.
"So, Ms. Alvarez, I'll ask again, and I don't want to have to repeat myself. Who is the special person—"
"Can you make it shorter? Why don't you just ask if I love you or not?" she interrupted, brushing away her tears. Despite her annoyance, something deep within her heart had already given the answer.
'Of course it's you, Ryle,' she thought, her emotions finally aligning with her unspoken truth.
"I guess I don't need to ask," Ryle said, his voice filled with sincerity. "If you were to ask me, my answer would be this: I've only ever loved one person—the one who heard my childhood promise, 'When I grow up, I'll marry you.' That person is you."
Freya was lost in the music of her own heart, which seemed to sing Ryle's name louder than anything else around her.
"I love you, Freya!" Ryle declared, his voice resolute.
"I've missed you and I love you so much, Ryle!" Freya responded, her voice breaking with emotion.
As they embraced, the rain began to fall, gently washing away the years of separation and the doubts that had lingered.
The world watched as their story began a new chapter, filled with renewed hope and a deep, enduring love.
"I promise, I won't leave you again," Ryle vowed, his eyes filled with earnest determination.
"I don't want you to leave again either," Freya replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "So, come with me instead. Let's face the waves of life together. I'd rather live our dreams than just see you in them."