Chapter Eight: Dream
At 19, Ethan was a bright-eyed medical student, still feeling the thrill of his new path. He had just finished a grueling shift at the hospital and found a moment to breathe in the break room. Pulling out his phone, he opened the conversation with Sophie Carter, a name that had lingered in his mind since their brief encounter.
"Yo, what's that? Your girlfriend?" Max, his 19-year-old friend, leaned over, peeking at the screen.
"Shut up," Ethan shot back, his frustration bubbling to the surface. Yet he couldn't help but smile as he typed another message, filling her in on his day, his studies, and the interesting cases he had witnessed.
"Seriously, just give up already, huh? Sophie Carter? THAT SOPHIE CARTER?" Max exclaimed, his voice rising.
Ethan quickly covered Max's mouth, glancing around to ensure no one overheard. "Shhh! What the hell, can't you keep it down?"
Max chuckled, pulling away. "Hmmm, did you get scammed into getting this phone number or what? She clearly does not respond to you, especially if she's that Sophie Carter."
Ethan sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. "I know her! We did interact, okay? It wasn't just a random encounter."
Max raised an eyebrow, trying to be supportive. "Look, man, I'm just saying… you might need to focus on your studies instead. You've got your whole future ahead of you, and there are plenty of other girls out there."
Ethan nodded, though the words felt heavy. Deep down, he knew Max was right, but letting go of the idea of Sophie felt impossible. "I just thought… maybe she'd reply one day," he admitted, the hope fading from his voice.
"Just focus on your dream, dude. You're gonna be a great surgeon," Max encouraged, clapping Ethan on the shoulder. "You need to work hard and build your future. If it's meant to be, it will happen."
Ethan's Perspective: Now at 30
Now, at 30, Ethan had fulfilled his dreams. He was a renowned surgeon, respected in his field, with a bright future ahead of him. Yet, even with all his success, he found himself thinking about Sophie. The memories of their time together still lingered, though they felt like a distant echo now.
He had stopped reaching out long ago, finally accepting the silence. He often saw her name in newspapers, caught glimpses of her at charity events on television, and admired her from afar. The ache of unfulfilled possibilities tugged at his heart, but he had learned to push those feelings aside.
Every time he scrolled through his social media, he felt a bittersweet nostalgia. "Maybe in another life," he would tell himself, recalling their brief connection. Deep down, he knew he had moved on, but a part of him would always hold onto the hope that they could have had more.
As he stood in the hospital, preparing for another surgery, Ethan realized that while he had achieved his dreams, the path he had taken had changed him in ways he hadn't expected. Maybe he would never hear from Sophie again, but the memories of her would always be a part of his journey.
Sophie's Perspective: Now at 29
At 29, Sophie Carter had transformed into a fierce and determined leader. As the President of Carter Enterprises, she commanded respect in the boardroom and was known for her sharp wit and quick decisions. But despite her success, she hadn't completely lost her mischievous side; she simply channeled it differently now.
Sophie leaned back in her sleek chair, surveying the office with a discerning gaze. Her secretary, Clara, was diligently typing away, trying to keep up with Sophie's demands.
"Clara, do you have the revised budget report ready?" Sophie asked, her tone sharp but playful.
"Almost there, just finishing up the last few numbers," Clara replied, glancing nervously at her boss.
Sophie smirked, leaning forward with a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You know, if you don't finish it soon, I might just have to implement a new policy—mandatory coffee runs every hour!"
Clara laughed, relief washing over her. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, wouldn't I?" Sophie shot back, her expression mock-serious. "I have the power to make your coffee habits a corporate standard!"
Just then, her phone buzzed with an incoming message, interrupting their banter. It was from her father, summoning her for an important discussion. Sophie rolled her eyes but knew she had to oblige.
In her father's office, the atmosphere was more serious. Mr. Carter looked at her with a blend of concern and expectation. "Sophie, I've been thinking. It's time for you to consider an engagement. There are several suitable candidates I believe would complement our family."
Sophie crossed her arms, a defiant smile playing on her lips. "Dad, I appreciate the thought, but I'm not ready for that. I have too much on my plate right now."
"Sophie, you're the President now. It's time to secure your future," he pressed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Sophie leaned forward, ready to make her case. "You want me to consider marriage? How about I present a compelling argument against it instead?"
Her father raised an eyebrow, curious but skeptical.
"Alright, let's see what you've got," he replied, folding his arms.
Sophie pulled out a presentation in her tablet- prepared by Clara, of course. "I present to you: 'A Thousand Reasons Why I Should Not Marry Right Now.'"
Her father chuckled, half-amused and half-concerned. "You're joking, right?"
"Nope!" Sophie said, flipping through the slides with a flourish. "Slide one: I'm building a global empire. Slide two: I need to travel and expand our business. Slide three: there's no time for wedding planning between board meetings!"
With each slide, her father's expression shifted from amused to impressed. Sophie was relentless, passionately detailing her points, mixing facts with her signature wit.
"Slide 987: I've never seen a groom help with a merger," she quipped, and the two shared a laugh.
By the time she reached the end, her father was shaking his head in disbelief. "Alright, alright. You've made your point," he conceded, a proud smile breaking through. "Just remember, the right person will come along when the time is right."
Sophie leaned back in her chair, satisfied. "I know, Dad. But for now, my focus is on my career and making this company the best it can be."
As she returned to her office, Sophie felt a rush of empowerment. Balancing her fierce ambition with her mischievous spirit allowed her to navigate the challenges of her life with ease. She was determined to carve her own path—one that would not be dictated by expectations, especially not when it came to love or marriage.