Year 1994
Mia was a 24 year old finance employee working in a shoe factory tucked away in the industrial heart of the city. Her small office was part of the warehouse where stacks of shoeboxes were stored, packed, and prepared for shipment. She could glimpse the small factory building where the shoes were made next to it through a narrow window.
Tuk... Tuk... Tuk…
She leaned back in her chair while tapping her shoe against the cement floor.
"Isn't it lovely, Jessia?" she said while turning slightly toward her coworker who sat at the desk beside her.
Mia lifted her foot higher to angling it so Jessia could see the details of her shoe. "It's a rejected item from the factory. I bought it for next to nothing."
Jessia leaned forward as she examined the shoe. "It looks fine. What's wrong with it?"
"Some stitching on the inside is uneven. It's barely visible."
"Was it quality checker time already?" Jessia eyes lingered on the shoe just as invested in the conversation.
Mia nodded, she was now already sorting through a stack of documents on her desk. She placed them neatly in a folder and grabbed a small stack of checks. "I need to go to the bank before Manager Arthur gets back."
"Take care on your way."
"Thanks," Mia tucking the checks securely into her bag as she stepped out of the office into the cool industrial air.
The awkward distance between the factory and the bank was neither here nor there, it was too far for comfort on foot yet too short to take a bus ride. Today she decided against taking the usual bus as she was still riding the small joy of her new shoes.
The narrow streets stretched out before her with rows of the red brick buildings full of small workshops and storefronts displaying hand carved furniture, freshly baked bread, and rows of colorful fabrics. The sound of tools in the background blending with the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted out from a small cafe.
Leeds in 1994 was not a city of grand romantic gestures but rather of quiet moments under the iron arches of the Corn Exchange, the warmth of a shared cup of tea in a corner cafe, and the comfort of watching the rain outside a tram window.
Suddenly, a large thin wheel rolled and toppled to the ground in front of her with a clatter. She was startled and stepped back instinctively.
A man rushed forward bending down to pick up the wheel.
"Miss, I'm so sorry," he said quickly while not even glancing at her as he lifted the wheel upright.
It was Adrian in his 28 years old, unaware that this moment would change his life. As he steadied the wheel in his hands, he finally looked up to see the woman standing before him.
"I'm really so—" He tried to repeat his words yet it was caught in the middle the moment his eyes met hers.
Her blue eyes.
He had seen plenty of beautiful women before but there was something about her gaze that rendered him speechless.
Mia chuckled softly. She also had been captivated by the man the moment she saw him bow down to lift the wheel. Her lips curved into a small smile and she gave him a smoldering look that sent his heart into overdrive.
"That's fine," she said.
Adrian fumbled to find his words and still held the wheel awkwardly. Mia glanced toward the workshop behind him where she noticed a half finished flower wagon parked just outside.
"I built that," Adrian blurted. He gestured toward the wagon while feeling an inexplicable need to explain yet he continued. "It's a client's request. She's picking it up tomorrow."
Mia tilted her head, "It's pretty, will look amazing filled with flowers."
She turned her attention back to him, her smile widening. "I want to try gardening too, just don't have much space for it right now."
Adrian could only nod. He was now fully mesmerized by her long curly blonde hair that was tied in a loose low knot at the back, and the peach colored dress she wore, and her long legs and shoes…
A moment of silence passed between them as if both wanted to say something but couldn't quite bring themselves to speak.
"I need to get to the bank. My manager will be furious if I don't get back on time." Mia finally said.
"Do… Do you want to ride my bike with me?" Adrian wanted to slap himself the moment the words escaped his mouth.
"Would it bother you?" Mia chuckled softly. "I would love to."
"No.. No.. It's fine. Please wait here!" Adrian quickly wheeling the flower wagon back into the store. He raised a hand to his coworker to signal that he needed some time off.
His coworker who had observed the entire thing only smirked knowingly and waved him off with a teasing there you go man gesture. Adrian ignored it and rolled up on his big wheeled bicycle where its frame weathered from years of use. He patted the seat behind him signaling Mia to climb on.
Mia adjusted her dress and sat sideways. She had to hold onto Adrian to keep from falling as the bicycle didn't have any handles for support. But instead of simply gripping his waist or shirt, her fingers lightly trailed along his back, moving slowly from the base of his spine, upward, until they settled on his shoulders.
–Gulp.
Adrian gripped the handlebars tightly and pedaled the bike with his heart racing so fast. He was acutely aware of Mia's hand resting on his shoulders, while her other hand wrapped gently around his waist, and every so often she would flick her fingers against him playfully.
Today something had changed.
While Mia had been in and out of relationships multiple times.
Adrian had never been this close to any woman before, let alone in any kind of romantic situation.
She had frequently gone to pubs and clubs mostly on weekends.
He was always too consumed by his work.
Men had often been drawn to Mia which she had found more annoying than flattering.
It wasn't that no one had shown interest in Adrian, he was just as gorgeous as her.
Most of her relationships had been shallow and none had lasted more than three months.
He had always deflected interest from other women with awkward gestures and unsure how to respond.
Adrian's shyness was something entirely new to Mia.
And his gesture toward her today was something entirely new to him.
The ride took about 12 minutes and they finally stopped in front of the building society. Mia bit her lip to suppress a giggle. "Thank you for the ride."
Adrian shrugged awkwardly while gesturing for her to go ahead.
She couldn't stop herself from glancing over her shoulder more than twice as she walked into the bank. Each time she saw Adrian still there waiting for her with quiet patience until she disappeared inside.
After nearly an hour and a half of waiting and processing the payment in the bank, she finally stepped out of the building.
And to her surprise, Adrian was still there.