Undo [ Second Edition ]

Part 1, Chapter 2: Where It All Started

She lived in a white concrete building with commercial spaces in front. By just looking, I could tell the owner was a businessman who cared only about money. She lived alone and worked at the coffee shop inside that building.

I saw her emerge from the gray gate on the far left side of the building. I was right about the spot. Her long black hair shone under the streetlight. Those loose navy blue sleeves suited her well. Her Mickey Mouse pajamas made her even cuter. She's tall and slender, though I'm a few centimeters taller. She recognized me. I trembled inside but stayed outwardly calm. She was right in front of me—just one "hi" and that angelic smile.

I had fallen. Damn, that smile.

We walked along a quiet, empty street under the moon and stars. She talked about work, life, and family. I listened, but my eyes were only there to capture every angle of her—every gaze, every smile her eyes made. Eventually, we ended up in an empty park—so empty we could have owned it ourselves. We sat and talked about life and random funny things that made us laugh. We stayed until joggers came by. We even made fun of the people, giving them funny lines and inventing fake conversations. Spontaneous, silly things that might have made no sense but, done at the right moment, made everything memorable.

I loved making her smile. Her eyes disappeared as rosy-pale cheeks rose to meet her perfect white smile. At that moment, I vowed to the moon and stars I'd do whatever I could to make this girl happy.

After our first meeting, we grew closer. We became inseparable both online and in real life. Sweet messages, all-night chats—anyone could tell something was blossoming between us, and it deepened with every moment we indulged in each other's company. My visits became more frequent. We walked the same streets and ended up in that same park again and again. We'd walk and talk, walk and talk. We never ran out of things to say. It felt like we'd known each other for decades. She was someone I never thought I'd find online—someone I genuinely liked and who truly understood me. What we had felt like a dream.

"Dream" Therefore, not true.

I'm not the type of person to confess feelings out loud. Instead, I showed her how I felt. I gave her the Sun—a long green stalk—every chance I got, not just because the sun wasn't visible at dawn but because it was as beautiful as she was. When that wasn't enough, I gave her my warmth when the cold breeze swept through my jacket and hugs. I sent voice messages with songs she liked. I told her how beautiful she was every day. I kept her safe, always steering her away from the dangerous side of the street when we walked together. I opened every door she was about to enter. I brought her food she loved. I made sure she felt special every chance I got. I had messed up most of my past relationships, so I told myself it was finally time to do things right.

One freezing dawn, on our way back from the empty park, we reached the gray gate where I usually dropped her off. I hugged her to say goodbye. She stopped and stared at me.

I was like I was exactly where I wanted to be. I loved who I had become. I'd give anything just to stay this way, for a lifetime.

Too early...

But wait, it gets better.

She kissed me.

The mouse on the mousetrap...

I kissed her back.

Has bitten the cheese, ladies and gentlemen.

She opened the gray gate and pulled me in, our lips never letting any gap slip through—and the rest was history.

Like kids with a newly bought toy, we couldn't get enough of each other. I'd visit her at the same time every day, sometimes even earlier. She'd always be ready—fresh and clean the moment I arrived. She'd greet me with that same smile, and I'd pull a sunflower out of nowhere. She'd smell it, then give me that look:

"You put on your perfume in here again, didn't you?"

She noticed. I didn't see it coming, but I just nodded. She said I shouldn't—it would kill the flower. She had a point, but I just wanted to leave a part of myself in every sunflower I gave her. Then she'd pull me into a tight hug and kiss all over my face.

"I love you, Joe."
"I love you more, Ariel"

She'd gather my things, put them in a corner, and drag me into her room. I'd only known her for weeks, but it felt like years had brought us to that very moment—an intertwining of chain reactions brought by good and bad decisions in our lives that warped us into this exact bed. Held fast between those two long, lovely arms. Sent those kisses to every corner of my heart. Everything was magical—unreal.

I wouldn't see the sun's rays, but I'd hear my alarm go off. Then I'd realize it was morning. I'd quickly silence it and check if it woke her. I'd watch her sleep—her face a calm sea, her eyelashes the gentle waves. I could stare at it all day, but I had to get up and get ready for work. So, I'd leave and go home first. She'd wake up, give me her tightest hugs, and send me off with her sweetest kisses.

I had the faintest idea that it was all too good to be true—but I let myself be swept away completely.

Until that night came...

[𝚃𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚍]