After a long conversation with Mr. Howard, Mike Carter finally realized that being an heir to the Huntington family wasn't as simple as it seemed. It was no wonder his father had to temporarily leave the family back then. The responsibilities and challenges were immense.
Once he selected an outfit suitable for his evening plans, Mike decided to head to a classroom to do some self-study.
As he opened one of his books, a small folded paper star tumbled out. These little stars had been appearing in his textbooks since he started dating Jessica Lee. At first, Mike thought they were from her, a simple gesture of affection. But now, after their breakup, the stars continued to appear.
It didn't add up.
Jessica was far too vain and self-centered to spend time folding paper stars. Yet, Mike couldn't think of anyone else who might have done it. Feeling curious, he decided to unfold one for the first time.
The small note inside read: "To love someone is to lower yourself into the dust, and then bloom like a flower."
Mike froze, more shocked than when he discovered his ties to the Huntington dynasty.
For years, he had carefully saved every star in a jar, never opening or questioning them. Now, as he unfolded more of them, he realized each contained a handwritten message, the ink faintly scented with lavender. The handwriting was elegant and delicate, showing immense care in every stroke.
The first star: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are."
The second: "Today, you had something stuck in your teeth, but your smile was still dazzling."
The third: "Your courage makes the ordinary extraordinary."
By the time Mike finished reading all the stars, his heart was pounding. Each message, small and subtle, had been written with an intimate understanding of him. These weren't generic platitudes; they were personal. And whoever had written them had been observing him closely, day after day.
The discovery left Mike in a whirlwind of emotions. Someone out there had been silently cheering for him, offering support and admiration through these tiny paper stars. But who? For the rest of the day, Mike's thoughts were consumed by this mystery.
By the time evening rolled around, it was time for Mike to head to Arc de Triomphe for dinner. Realizing he was running late, he rushed to hail a cab, but the evening traffic was unrelenting.
As Mike scanned the street for an alternative, his eyes landed on an elderly man waiting beside a weathered motorcycle. The man, in his fifties, looked like he'd been sitting there for hours without a single fare.
Mike approached him. "Excuse me, sir. Are you available?"
The man perked up immediately. "Yes, of course! Where to?"
"Arc de Triomphe. How much?"
The man hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's quite far. Five dollars sound good?"
Mike blinked in surprise. Five dollars for a trip that would cost triple in a cab? "I'll give you twenty," he said. "It's worth the trouble."
The old man waved him off. "No need for extra, young man. Five dollars is fair."
With that, the man revved up his motorcycle, and they were off.
At the entrance of Arc de Triomphe, Sophia Rivers stood waiting with her friend, Sarah Lane.
"Sophia, what's the occasion?" Sarah teased, nudging her playfully. "You're treating me to dinner at this place? Are you trying to impress me?"
Sophia giggled, her rosy cheeks lighting up. "Not exactly. I'm meeting a couple of… acquaintances here tonight. I didn't want to come alone, so I brought you as backup."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Acquaintances? Or potential suitors?"
Sophia rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "Let's just say… one of them invited me, and the other sort of invited himself."
Sarah grinned mischievously. "Well, well. Who are these lucky gentlemen?"
Before Sophia could answer, a sleek Audi A7 pulled up. Jason Miles stepped out, radiating confidence in his designer jacket and polished shoes.
"Sophia, lovely as ever," Jason greeted with a charming smile. His eyes flicked to Sarah. "And who's your friend?"
Sarah offered a polite nod but didn't seem impressed. Jason's over-the-top demeanor wasn't her style.
"One down," Sarah muttered under her breath. "And the other?"
Sophia hesitated before answering. "Mike Carter."
At the mention of his name, Sarah's playful demeanor vanished. Her expression darkened. "Sophia, please tell me you're joking. You mean the Mike Carter? From your class?"
Sophia nodded. "What's wrong with Mike?"
Sarah looked exasperated. "Sophia, do you have any idea what people say about him? He's… he's a nobody. Worse, he's infamous for… things."
"That doesn't sound fair," Sophia said quietly. "Mike's kind. He's just had a rough time."
Sarah groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Moments later, the hum of a motorcycle engine grew louder. All heads turned as Mike arrived, riding pillion on the old man's bike. The sight of him stepping off the modest vehicle drew a mixture of laughter and disbelief from the onlookers.
Jason smirked, leaning toward Sarah. "This is who Sophia's waiting for? I'm almost insulted."
Mike ignored them. He handed the old man a crisp $50 bill. "Thank you, sir. For the trouble."
The old man shook his head. "That's too much. I can't take this."
"Please," Mike insisted. "Consider it a token of appreciation."
Reluctantly, the man accepted, his eyes shining with gratitude. "You're a good kid. Thank you."
Mike watched as the man rode off, then turned toward the restaurant. Despite his modest arrival, he walked with a quiet confidence, his tailored suit commanding attention.