I've always been the type of person who speaks whatever truly rests within my heart.

Sitting beneath the shade of an old oak tree, I watched countless children run around the playground, their laughter filling the warm afternoon air. A faint smile tugged at my lips as I watched them. The scorching sun painted their cheeks a delicate shade of pink, giving them an innocent glow that seemed almost magical.

At this hour, most parents would probably keep their children indoors, away from the relentless heat. Yet even I couldn't stop my own niece from running around the swings with her friends, completely unbothered by the blazing sun above. All I could do was sigh and let my thoughts wander once more.

After all this time, I had never met someone capable of making my heart flutter this often.

My gaze drifted toward the girl sitting beneath another oak tree nearby. She was quietly reading a book, seemingly lost in her own little world. The gentle breeze played with her hair, causing a few loose strands to dance across her face. The shadow of the oak tree sheltered her perfectly from the afternoon sun, as if nature itself had chosen to protect her from its harsh rays.

I couldn't stop myself from admiring her.

There was something about her presence—something calm, something beautiful—that made the world around me seem quieter.

A small smile formed on my lips.

How wonderful, I thought, it would be to sit beside her beneath that tree, sharing the silence while reading our books together. No words would be necessary. Just her presence alone felt enough to make the afternoon perfect.

I stood rooted to the ground, silently praying that Cupid would lend me the courage to speak to the angel before me. Every step felt impossibly heavy, as though my own heart was pulling me back, urging me to remain where I was and admire her from afar rather than risk becoming a part of her life.

But I couldn't bring myself to listen.

A strange feeling gnawed at me, whispering that if I let this opportunity slip away, I might never see her again. My heart pounded wildly against my chest, each beat louder than the last, until it felt as though it would burst at any moment.

As I finally gathered the courage to move closer, another boy suddenly rushed toward her. A faint blush coloured his ears, and the hopeful look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

In that instant, I realised I had already lost my chance.

The words I had rehearsed vanished from my mind. The courage I had spent so long collecting crumbled away without a fight. With a quiet sigh, I abandoned the thought of approaching that beautiful angel and returned to my usual spot.

Yet my heart refused to stay silent.

It tormented me with endless accusations, calling me a fool for hesitating, reminding me that fear had stolen an opportunity I might never have again. And as I sat there, watching her from a distance, I couldn't help but wonder whether this would become one of those memories that would haunt me for years—a moment when I stood so close to something beautiful, only to let it slip through my fingers.

I forced my feet to carry me back to my usual spot. My vision blurred slightly as I watched the boy timidly ask for a chance to get to know her. A gentle smile blossomed across her face, and she softly patted the grass beside her, inviting him to sit.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, I quickly looked away. A dull ache settled in my chest, but I straightened myself and called out for my niece.

"Maya, it's time to say goodbye to your friend."

My voice was gentle, yet loud enough for her to hear.

Maya, my sister Alexa's daughter, turned toward me with bright, sparkling eyes and nodded enthusiastically. After giving her friend a warm hug and a cheerful farewell, she ran straight into my arms.

I smiled and scooped her up effortlessly, letting her sit comfortably on my arm as we made our way toward the parking area.

Just as I was about to leave, I stole one last glance in the girl's direction.

My breath caught in my throat.

She was already looking at me.

For a brief moment, ***our eyes met***.

Heat rushed to my face, and I immediately looked away, unable to hide my embarrassment. All I could manage was a small nod before turning around and walking toward my beloved BMW S1000RR.

After helping Maya climb onto the passenger seat, I fastened her helmet securely before putting on my own.

Yet, despite my best efforts, I found myself glancing back one final time.

She was still there, her figure illuminated by the warm afternoon sunlight, looking almost unreal—as though she had stepped straight out of a dream.

I quickly started the engine, and the deep growl of the motorcycle filled the air. Moments later, we were speeding down the road, leaving the park and its memories behind.

But no matter how far I rode, I couldn't leave her behind.

Her smile remained etched into my mind, lingering like a beautiful melody that refused to fade. Even as the houses blurred past us, all I could think about was the girl whose name I never got the chance to learn.

.

.

.

As I turned into the driveway of my castle-like home, the iron gates swung open automatically, as though welcoming us back. The grand mansion stood proudly beneath the fading afternoon sky, its towering walls casting long shadows across the vast front yard.

I parked my motorcycle near the entrance and helped Maya down first. The moment her feet touched the ground, she darted toward the house with the boundless energy only a child could possess. Her nanny quickly followed behind, making sure she didn't trip over herself in her excitement.

I tossed my keys toward the waiting butler.

"Thanks. Could you park it in the garage for me?"

"Of course, Young Master."

With that, I stepped through the front door and let out a quiet sigh. The familiar silence of the mansion greeted me. I had only taken a few steps toward the staircase when a voice called out from behind.

"Alex, when did you get home?"

I paused and turned around.

Standing in the living room was my mother, Alaine. As the wife of one of the country's most influential business tycoons—a man whose empire spanned luxury jewellery and five-star hotels—she carried herself with effortless elegance. Yet despite her graceful appearance, time had begun to leave its marks upon her.

Fine lines framed her warm smile, and faint wrinkles rested at the corners of her eyes. She looked slightly older than I remembered, and beneath her gentle expression lingered a weariness she could no longer completely hide.

"Just now," I replied casually.

She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something more, but I was already making my way upstairs.

My room occupied the western wing of the second floor, far enough from the rest of the house to offer the solitude I often craved.

The moment I entered, I headed straight for the bathroom. A cold shower washed away the heat of the day, but it did little to clear my mind.

A few minutes later, I stepped out with a towel wrapped loosely around my waist and another draped over my shoulders as I dried my damp hair. Droplets of water slid down my skin and disappeared beneath the fabric.

After getting dressed, I walked toward the large window overlooking the city skyline. The golden hues of sunset painted the horizon, yet my thoughts remained elsewhere.

Somehow, despite everything that had happened today, my mind kept drifting back to a girl sitting beneath the scorching afternoon sun.

The girl I had never spoken to.

... The girl whose smile I couldn't seem to forget....