Chapter 2: The Pull of Destiny
Over the next few weeks, Aiden became a regular at the bookstore. He always had a reason to drop by—a book recommendation, a casual chat, or simply to linger in the cozy atmosphere. Reina tried to keep her guard up, but his easy charm and genuine interest began to wear her down.
"Why books?" he asked one evening, as they sat on a bench outside the store. The golden light of the setting sun painted the world in shades of amber.
"Because they're safe," Reina admitted. "They let you experience emotions without the risk. No heartbreaks, no disappointments. Just stories."
Aiden regarded her thoughtfully. "But isn't the risk what makes life beautiful? The chance to feel something real?"
His words stayed with her long after he left. She realized she had built walls around herself, convinced that safety was the same as happiness. But Aiden was slowly chipping away at those walls, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it.