---The Next Day---
Sophia tapped her pen absently against her desk, her eyes focused on the community center blueprints in front of her. She had been staring at the same section for over an hour, unable to concentrate. The problem wasn't the design. It was Adrian. She kept thinking about him.
Ever since she told him she was willing to give their relationship a chance, she couldn't stop thinking about him. His words, his actions, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the world—all of it had begun to seep into the cracks of the walls she had spent years building around her heart.
She hated how much space he was taking up in her thoughts, but at the same time, a small part of her welcomed it. Adrian wasn't just persistent; he was kind, patient, and utterly genuine. He didn't push her to move faster than she was ready for, and that, more than anything, made her feel safe in his presence.
---
Later that evening, Adrian picked her up for dinner. He had chosen a cozy Italian restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The warm lighting and soft hum of conversation created an intimate atmosphere that immediately put Sophia at ease.
"You know," Adrian began as they waited for their food, "I never thought I'd enjoy working on a project as much as I do this one. And I have you to thank for that."
Sophia arched a brow. "I think you're giving me too much credit. You're the one who envisioned the center."
"Maybe," Adrian said, his lips curving into a smile. "But you're the one bringing it to life. Seeing the way you pour your heart into your work, it's inspiring."
Sophia felt a warmth rise to her cheeks. "I just want it to be perfect. This center means so much to you."
"It means a lot to both of us," Adrian corrected. "And that's what makes it special."
Their conversation flowed easily, touching on everything from their favorite childhood memories to their dreams for the future. Adrian had a way of making her feel heard, as though every word she said mattered.
By the time dessert arrived, Sophia realized she hadn't felt this comfortable with anyone in years.
---
The next few weeks passed in a blur of meetings, site visits, and late-night brainstorming sessions. Sophia and Adrian spent more time together than ever, and with each passing day, she felt herself letting her guard down.
Adrian never missed an opportunity to show her that he cared. Whether it was bringing her coffee during long workdays or surprising her with a bouquet of sunflowers—her favorite—he found ways to remind her that she wasn't alone.
One evening, as they walked through the construction site, Sophia found herself opening up about her past in a way she hadn't before.
"You know," she began hesitantly, "when I first started working in architecture, I threw myself into it because I didn't want to think about anything else. It was easier to focus on work than deal with… everything."
Adrian stopped walking and turned to face her. "Everything, like Ethan?"
Sophia nodded, her throat tightening. "He made me feel like I wasn't enough. Like no matter what I did, I would always fall short. And when it ended, I told myself I'd never let anyone make me feel that way again."
Adrian reached for her hand, his touch warm and steady. "Sophia, you are enough. More than enough. And anyone who couldn't see that was a fool." (He kissed her on the forehead)
His words hit her like a wave, and for the first time, she felt the weight of Ethan's betrayal begin to lift.
---
One Saturday morning, Adrian invited Sophia to a local farmer's market. At first, she was hesitant—she had planned to spend the day catching up on work—but his enthusiasm was contagious.
As they wandered through the stalls, sampling fresh produce and browsing handmade crafts, Sophia found herself laughing more than she had in years.
"Here," Adrian said, handing her a small bouquet of lavender. "Something to brighten your apartment."
Sophia accepted it with a smile, touched by the simple gesture. "You know, you're making it really hard for me to stick to my 'no attachments' rule."
Adrian grinned. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."
---
Despite the progress they had made, there were still moments when Sophia felt the pull of her insecurities. One evening, as she sat alone in her apartment, she found herself scrolling through old photos on her phone.
There was one of her and Ethan, taken during their first year of college. They looked so happy, so carefree. She stared at it for a long time, wondering how something that had felt so right could have gone so wrong.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Adrian.
Adrian: "Just wanted to say goodnight. Hope you're not working too hard."
Sophia smiled at the text, but her fingers hesitated over the keyboard. She wanted to believe that Adrian was different, that he wouldn't hurt her the way Ethan had. But what if she was wrong?
---
The next day, Sophia arrived at the construction site to find Adrian waiting for her with two cups of coffee.
"Morning," he said, handing her one.
"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. "You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to," Adrian replied. "You've been working so hard, and I thought you could use a pick-me-up."
Sophia looked at him, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and fear. He was so thoughtful, so attentive, and it scared her how much she had come to depend on his presence in her life.
As they walked through the site, discussing the progress of the project, Sophia couldn't help but notice the way Adrian listened to her, the way he valued her input. It was a stark contrast to the way Ethan had dismissed her opinions, making her feel small and insignificant.
---
That evening, as Sophia sat on her balcony, gazing at the city lights, she thought about everything Adrian had done for her. He had shown her kindness, patience, and a level of respect she hadn't experienced in years.
For the first time, she allowed herself to consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, Adrian was someone she could trust.
It wouldn't be easy. She still had fears to overcome, wounds to heal. But as she held the bouquet of lavender he had given her, she realized that he had already started breaking through her walls, one small gesture at a time.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of hope—hope that maybe she didn't have to face the future alone.