Follow My Lead
I Thought You Were My Forever
Ria
Same restaurant, same table, same everything. Even wore the dress you said made me look like "your dream."
Sid
Took me forever to find you in this crowd.
You really wore that?
Ria
You don’t like it? It’s the one you picked out for me online. Modest… like you said you liked?
Sid
*looking at her mockingly*
Sid
Yeah, I said that when we were 19. You're 23 now. Still dressing like some village girl?
Ria
Sid… I left home today. For you. My parents said they’d never accept our love. So I walked out.
Sid
Wait, what? You left home for me?
Ria
I thought… we could be together. Start fresh. Live our dream. You always said you’d take me away, right?
Sid
Ria, don’t be stupid. This? This is exactly why I can’t do this anymore.
Ria
*looking at him with disbelief*
Sid
You don’t belong in my world. You still act like love is a fairy tale. You're sweet, yeah… but too sweet. Too plain. Too much of everything I don’t need!
Her heart cracked. She stared, frozen.
Sid
*scrolling through the phone*
Ria
I gave you my everything… And you’re ending it like this?
Sid
*looking at her with disgust*
Sid
Don’t cry. It’s embarrassing. You should’ve known this wouldn’t last. Grow up, Ria.
She stood, her knees trembling.
Sid didn’t even look up.
Outside, the clouds wept before she did.
Rain soaked her thin shawl. Each drop stung like betrayal.
Ria
(I loved you. I left my whole world for you. And you broke mine.)
She staggered down the street, no umbrella, no strength left.
The streetlights blurred. So did everything else.
And then—
Darkness.
A sleek car screeched to a stop.
Joel
*getting down from the car*
Joel
Whoa, angel down. Did I just rescue a fallen goddess?
And just like that… her heartbreak collided with someone else's chaos.
Waking Up to Trouble
Warm sheets. Soft pillow. Unfamiliar ceiling. The scent of sandalwood. Ria’s lashes fluttered open — confused, dazed. Where was she?
Ria
*looking at the unfamiliar man*
Joel
Oh good. Sleeping Beauty wakes. I was starting to think you'd never open those big, innocent eyes.
Ria
*staring at him warily*
Ria
Who are you!? What happened?!
Joel
Name’s Joel. Handsome, charming, and your accidental savior. You fainted like a wilted flower in the middle of the road. Lucky me — I picked you.
Ria
I... I don’t remember anything… Wait—my clothes!? Why am I wearing this shirt!?
Joel
*looking at her with mischief*
Joel
Oh that? Yeah, about that... I might have changed them.
Her cheeks turned crimson. She clutched the oversized shirt against her chest like armor.
Joel
Relax, country girl. I said might. Maybe Grandma did. Maybe I did. Guess you’ll never know.
Ria
You—! You’re shameless!
Just then, the door burst open. A cane struck Joel’s head.
Grandma
SHAMELESS INDEED! Changing a girl’s clothes while she’s unconscious? Did I raise a wolf!?
Joel
Ow, ow, OW! It was a joke, Grandma!
Grandma
Out! Get the doctor. Bring Liam here. Right now!
Joel grumbled as he rubbed his head and walked out. The old woman sat beside Ria, her sharp eyes surprisingly kind.
Grandma
Don’t worry, child. You’re safe here. My idiot grandson has a big mouth, but he means well.
Ria
Thank you… I-I didn’t mean to trouble anyone.
Liam
What’s her condition?
Ria turned… and stopped breathing. The man in the doorway wasn’t just handsome. He was dangerous. Cold. Intense.
Liam
Fever. Dehydrated. She needs fluids, rest… and peace.
His hand brushed her wrist as he checked her pulse. His fingers were cool. But her skin burned.
Ria
(Why… does a stranger’s touch feel safer than my lover’s ever did?)
The Devil’s Touch
Liam’s fingers lingered on her wrist. Cool skin. Steady grip. But his eyes — those unreadable, midnight eyes — made her heart skip.
Liam
Her fever’s dropping. She should be fine by tomorrow.
Grandma
Thank heavens. Ria, sweetheart, you stay here till you’re fully recovered.
Ria
I… I can’t. I’ve already imposed too much.
Liam
*looking at her coldly*
Liam
You’d rather collapse again in the street?
His tone was flat, but the words sliced deep.
Ria
You don’t even know me.
Liam
Exactly. And yet I’m the one making sure you don’t faint a second time. You should be grateful.
Ria
I didn’t ask for your help.
Liam
And I didn’t offer it. Grandma did.
The tension crackled. Joel peeked from behind the door, grinning.
Joel
Ohoho… is it getting hot in here, or is that just her fever?
Grandma
One more word, Joel, and I’ll make you chew your tongue.
Ria sank back into the pillow, her pride dented. Liam stood, adjusting the collar of his white coat like a king preparing for war.
Liam
If she feels worse, call me. Otherwise, keep her away from drama. She already looks like she’s had enough of that.
And just like that, he was gone — a storm in a lab coat. But for some reason, her heart… didn’t want him to leave.
Ria
(He’s rude. He’s arrogant. He’s nothing like Sid. But… Why does my chest ache where his fingers brushed?)
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