"When will I meet my prince on a white horse who will sweep me off my feet?" Sophia Turner, an exceptionally beautiful young woman, sighed wistfully as she gazed out at the horizon.
The wind gently tousled her long, chestnut hair, and for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the fantasy she had cherished since she was a little girl.
At 18, now a freshman in college, Sophia was still dreaming of the man who would one day capture her heart completely, just like in the romance novels she devoured and the love stories she watched on screen.
Sophia had always been a romantic at heart, her shelves lined with well-worn books filled with tales of love and passion.
Ever since she could remember, she had been captivated by stories of true love, of soulmates who were destined to find each other against all odds.
It was this longing for a love that was pure and enduring that kept her dreaming, even when reality often fell short of her expectations.
It wasn't that Sophia hadn't had boyfriends before—she had, many in fact. Her beauty and charm had always attracted attention, and she had never lacked for admirers.
But despite the number of relationships she had been in, she had yet to find someone who truly understood her, someone who could match the ideal she held in her heart.
As she looked back on her past relationships, she could only shake her head at the immaturity she had encountered.
The boys she had dated were often more interested in boasting about their games online than in building a genuine connection.
They seemed to care only about getting into her pants or pressuring her into doing things that made her uncomfortable.
Their shallow pursuits were a far cry from the tender, respectful love she read about in her books.
Sophia often felt disillusioned after these encounters, her disappointment deepening each time she realized how far reality was from the ideals she cherished.
Her friends often teased her for being so particular, for holding out for a love that might never come. But Sophia couldn't help it—she wanted something real, something lasting.
She had always believed in waiting for the right person, the one who would see her for who she truly was and love her with all his heart.
This was why, despite the opportunities she had had, she was still a virgin. It wasn't out of a sense of moral obligation or fear, but rather a choice she had made for herself.
She was saving herself for someone who would appreciate her, not just for her beauty, but for her mind and soul as well.
And so, Sophia continued to dream. She dreamed of the day her one true love would finally arrive, sweeping her off her feet with a love so profound and pure that it would make all the waiting worthwhile.
Until then, she would keep believing in the magic of love, holding on to the hope that one day, her prince would come.
"Hmph! Another foolish girl ensnared by the illusions of today's entertainment facade. There's no Prince Charming coming for you, girl. They're all out there chasing after someone with a brain, and sadly, that's not one of your traits." A mocking voice pierced through Sophia's daydream, dragging her back to reality.
She spun around, irritation flaring in her eyes, but the retort she had ready died on her lips when she saw who had spoken.
The man before her looked like he'd stepped straight out of a movie scene—tall, with sharp, chiseled features and a presence that demanded attention.
His piercing gaze seemed to see right through her, as if he could uncover every thought and secret she'd ever tried to hide.
The air around him seemed to crackle with an energy that made her heart race, and there was no denying it: this man was easily the most handsome she had ever laid eyes on.
Sophia felt a lump form in her throat, and she had to swallow hard several times before she could even think of responding.
Her mind was reeling, caught between the embarrassment of being called out and the sheer shock of encountering someone so utterly captivating.
"Excuse me?" she finally managed, her voice coming out a little sharper than she intended. "I don't know what you're talking about. Who even wants a Prince Charming these days? They're just fairy tale nonsense." She attempted to sound nonchalant, but it was hard to keep her cool under the weight of his gaze. Her eyes, almost involuntarily, kept flicking back to him, taking in every detail of his appearance.
This man didn't belong on a college campus, that much was clear.
His perfectly tailored business suit spoke of power and authority, the kind of confidence that came from being in control, from knowing exactly who you were and what you wanted.
His dark hair was styled just enough to look effortlessly perfect, and his posture was straight and commanding, as if he was used to people looking up to him—literally and figuratively.
Sophia's face heated with a blush as she realized how ridiculous she must have looked, caught daydreaming while this impossibly striking stranger stood behind her, eavesdropping.
She couldn't help but feel a wave of self-consciousness, a nagging thought that she had just been judged and found wanting by someone who seemed far too good to be true.
Her mind raced to find something more to say, something that could salvage the situation, but words failed her.
"Nice try, girl. But I can see right through you. In fact, I heard you loud and clear earlier, dreaming and wishing for a handsome Prince Charming to sweep you off your feet." The man's voice carried a teasing edge, but it was his smile that truly disarmed Sophia.
It was as if the whole world had stopped moving, leaving only the two of them in a suspended moment.
Her heart hammered in her chest, the sound deafening in her ears, and her mind scrambled to come up with a response.
She parted her lips to speak, but nothing came out—no witty retort, no sharp comeback. Instead, she found herself utterly tongue-tied, unable to muster a single word.
Nervously, she licked her lips, hoping the simple action would buy her a second to collect herself, to regain her composure.
But the moment her tongue brushed her lips, she saw a flicker of something in the man's eyes, something that made her pulse quicken even more.
The playful glint in his gaze shifted, and for a brief, electrifying instant, the air between them seemed to thrum with an unspoken tension.
"Don't tell me you've already fallen for me after just one meeting. Typical. Keep dreaming, girl." His words were laced with arrogance, but there was a smooth, almost hypnotic quality to his voice that made them hard to dismiss.
Before Sophia could even process what was happening, he took a step closer, his hand reaching out as if on a whim.
His fingers brushed against her cheek, tracing a line down her skin that left a trail of warmth in its wake. The touch was so light, so fleeting, that it felt almost unreal, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
Sophia stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat as she watched him turn and walk away, the echo of his words lingering in the air between them.
The world around her seemed to rush back into focus, but she was left standing there, dazed and bewildered.
She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her cheek, a sensation that refused to fade, and her senses were overwhelmed by the faint, intoxicating scent he had left behind.
It was a scent that was entirely his—distinctive, alluring, and utterly unforgettable.