Sophia always remembered his voice. How could she forget the sound that drifted into her heart like drifting blossoms on a soft March breeze? It wasn't just a voice; it was a lifeline that pulled her out of the shadows when she thought she'd never see the light again.
Back then, Sophia was teetering on the edge of despair, convinced that hope wasn't meant for her. But Ethan's voice had changed everything. It became her guiding star, the only light in her darkest hours.
If she could choose, Sophia wouldn't even be herself. She would rather be Ethan's shadow—forever by his side, silently understanding him. She longed to know his thoughts, feel his joy, and share in his moments, both big and small. That would be enough for her.
***
Ethan sat in his office, the expansive view of the city stretching out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. He leaned back in his leather chair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk as his thoughts wandered. He couldn't stop thinking about what he had said to Sophia the night before.
He replayed the moment in his head, wondering if she would stay by his side if he truly gave her "that thing." Was she ready? Was he ready? The uncertainty gnawed at him.
The sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts. A young man in a tailored suit, sharp and polished, stepped into the office.
"Boss, I need to take the morning off," the man announced, his tone brisk but respectful.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's so important that it can't wait?"
The man's smile was relaxed, even playful. "You forgot? It's the fifteenth anniversary of the day I left the orphanage."
Understanding flickered in Ethan's eyes, and he nodded. "Only you would remember something like that, Zane."
Zane softly, waiting for Ethan's approval. Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, then." As the door closed behind him, Ethan leaned forward, resting his chin on his steeple fingers. The word "orphanage" lingered in the air like a ghost. His thoughts drifted back to Sophia. "Do I still have a chance to be part of your past?" he murmured to himself.
***
Sophia sat on the riverbank, her knees drawn to her chest as the gentle flow of the water mirrored her quiet thoughts. The morning had stretched into noon, but she hadn't noticed. She hadn't eaten, yet she didn't feel hungry.
The rhythmic sounds of the river were interrupted by a soft laugh. Startled, Sophia looked up and found someone sitting beside her. It was a man, his familiar smile lighting up his face.
Sophia blinked in surprise. "Zane?"
He grinned at her. "What are you thinking about, Sophia?"
Hearing her name spoken so casually by him brought a wave of nostalgia. Zane had been a constant in her childhood, the boy who had been her rock during the most uncertain years of her life.
"Nothing much," Sophia replied, her voice calm despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "I just needed a quiet place to think. What about you, Aze? Why are you here?"
Zane leaned back, his posture as relaxed as his tone. "It's been years since I left the orphanage. I thought it was time to give back, so I asked Ethan for a morning off to visit."
The mention of Ethan's name sent a ripple through Sophia's thoughts, but she quickly masked her reaction. If Zane had taken leave, it meant Ethan wasn't nearby. That realization brought a strange mix of relief and disappointment.
"I see," she said softly. "The kids must be happy to see you."
"They're always excited for visitors," Zane said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But you know how picky they are these days. If it's not butter candy, they won't even touch it."
Sophia laughed, her tension easing. It had been a long time since she felt this relaxed, free to speak her mind without fear of judgment or expectation.
"That's true. I remember a certain little girl who was just as picky," Zane added, his tone teasing. Sophia rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "I wasn't picky. I just… missed something else." Zane tilted his head, waiting for her to elaborate.
Sophia sighed, her gaze softening as memories flooded back. "It wasn't really about the candy. I just missed how my parents used to give it to me. Every New Year, the house would come alive with laughter and warmth. My mom would peel the candy wrappers for me, and my dad would hold my hand as we played silly games. It was the happiest time of my life."
Zane's teasing expression softened. "And the orphanage didn't have that kind of warmth," he said gently.
Sophia nodded. "I didn't know how to explain it back then. I thought if I cried and made trouble, somehow it would bring them back."
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the past settling between them. Then, Zane reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tin of candies.
"I brought these for the kids," he said, holding the tin out to her. "But I think you deserve the first one."
Sophia laughed as she took a candy, her heart feeling lighter. "You haven't changed at all, Zane."
"And neither have you," Zane replied, his smile warm.
But even as Sophia savored the sweetness of the moment, she couldn't shake the thought of Ethan. He was never far from her mind, no matter how hard she tried.