The night was calm, but the air hummed with a tension only she could feel. Alina stood on the edge of the park, her heart pounding as she clutched the small, silver pendant around her neck. This was it. The moment she'd been preparing for all these years, the moment when everything would change. At twenty-five, she was about to do something she’d only read about in books—step through time itself.

The device in her pocket hummed softly, a gift from her mentor, the eccentric Professor Dorian. He had warned her about the risks, the potential consequences of meddling with time. But this wasn’t just about changing the past for the sake of it. This was personal. She was going back to meet him—to meet Adrian when he was just seventeen years old.

Her mind raced with thoughts of what she might find, of the boy who would one day become her husband. Would he recognize her? Would he even believe her? Alina took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her mission settle heavily on her shoulders. This wasn’t going to be easy, but she had to do it. Adrian’s future—and their future together—depended on it.

With a final glance at the modern city skyline that had become her home, Alina pressed the button on the device. A soft, blue light enveloped her, and the world around her began to shift and blur. Time seemed to fold in on itself, and for a brief moment, everything was a whirl of colors and sensations.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the light faded, and Alina found herself standing in the same park—but it was different now. The towering skyscrapers were gone, replaced by a skyline of smaller buildings and quaint houses. The air was fresher, crisper, and there was an undeniable sense of youthfulness all around her. She had made it. She was back in time.

Alina looked down at her hands, marveling at how real everything felt. She wasn’t just a visitor from the future; she was fully here, fully present. The park was almost empty at this early hour, save for a few joggers and a couple of teenagers hanging out by the swings. Alina’s eyes scanned the area, searching for him. For Adrian.

And then, she saw him—a young man, just a boy really, sitting on a bench under a large oak tree. He was scribbling something in a notebook, completely absorbed in whatever world he was creating on the page. His hair was slightly messy, and he wore a worn-out jacket that looked a size too big for him. But it was him. Adrian, at seventeen.

Alina’s heart skipped a beat. She had prepared for this moment, rehearsed what she would say a thousand times. But now, standing just a few feet away from him, all those carefully planned words seemed to vanish from her mind. How was she supposed to introduce herself? How could she explain who she was and why she was here?

She took a tentative step forward, her shoes crunching softly on the gravel path. Adrian looked up, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Alina saw the flicker of curiosity in his gaze, the same look he’d given her the first time they met in the future. Her heart ached with the knowledge that he didn’t recognize her—not yet.

“Hi,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Mind if I sit here?”

Adrian blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden interruption. But he nodded, moving his notebook aside to make room. “Sure, go ahead.”

Alina sat down beside him, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She had to play this carefully, make sure she didn’t scare him off. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

Adrian glanced up at the sky, then back at her. “Yeah, I guess so. Do I know you from somewhere?”

Alina felt a pang of longing, but she forced herself to smile. “Not yet,” she replied, her voice soft. “But I think we’re going to get to know each other very well.”

Adrian looked at her, clearly puzzled. “Okay… That’s kind of a strange thing to say.”

Alina chuckled, trying to ease the tension. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m Alina.”

“Adrian,” he responded automatically, though she could see he was still wary.

She nodded, savoring the sound of his name on his lips, so familiar yet so different. “What are you writing?” she asked, gesturing to the notebook in his lap.

“Oh, just some stories,” Adrian said, his tone suddenly more guarded. “It’s nothing, really.”

Alina smiled, remembering the countless stories he had shared with her over the years. “Stories are never just ‘nothing,’” she said gently. “They’re a window into who we are, who we want to be.”

Adrian looked at her, really looked at her this time, as if he was trying to figure out what to make of her. “You’re not like other people, are you?”

Alina’s heart swelled with affection. “You have no idea,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “But I promise, you’ll understand everything soon.”

Adrian tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “You talk like you know something I don’t.”

“Maybe I do,” Alina teased, feeling a rush of hope. “Maybe I’m here to help you find something—or someone—you didn’t even know you were looking for.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “You’re full of mysteries, aren’t you?”

Alina’s smile widened, and for the first time since she’d arrived, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was going to work. She was going to make sure of it.

“I suppose you could say that,” she replied, leaning back against the bench. “But stick with me, and I promise, you’ll get all the answers you’re looking for.”

As they sat together, the morning sun rising higher in the sky, Alina knew that this was just the beginning. There was so much more to come—so much more she had to do to ensure their future. But for now, she was content to just be here, in this moment, with the boy who would one day become her everything.

And as she watched Adrian return to his writing, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile, she couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to turn out just fine.

After their conversation, Alina excused herself, claiming she had some errands to run. She could see the curiosity in Adrian’s eyes as she left, but he didn’t press her for more details. She had been careful not to reveal too much, not even her name. That would come later—when the time was right.

As she walked away from the park, Alina’s mind raced. She needed to stay close, to keep an eye on him without raising suspicion. But she also needed to blend in, to live in this world without drawing too much attention. For now, she decided to take a walk through the town, getting a feel for the place that had been Adrian’s home during his teenage years.

The town had a quaint charm to it, with its tree-lined streets, small shops, and the occasional friendly face offering a nod or a smile. Alina found herself drawn to a small café near the town square, its windows filled with the warm glow of afternoon sunlight. It seemed like the perfect place to sit and gather her thoughts.

She ordered a coffee and found a seat by the window, where she could watch the people passing by. It was strange, being here, knowing so much about the future while everyone around her went about their lives, unaware of the changes that lay ahead. But Alina had a purpose, and she couldn’t afford to lose sight of it.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the town, Alina decided to head back to the hotel she had booked for the night. She had chosen a modest but comfortable place on the edge of town, a place where she could blend in and not attract too much attention. It was important to keep a low profile while she worked on her plan.

When she arrived at the hotel, Alina checked in and made her way to her room. It was simple, with a bed, a small desk, and a window that overlooked the quiet street below. She placed her small bag on the bed and sat down, letting out a sigh of relief. The day had been exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

As she prepared for bed, Alina’s thoughts returned to Adrian. She had made progress today, but there was still so much more to do. The future depended on her actions, and she couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. But as she lay down to sleep, Alina felt a small glimmer of hope. She was here, with Adrian, and she would do everything in her power to make sure their love story unfolded the way it was meant to.

Before drifting off to sleep, she made a mental note of the steps she would take next. The time for truth would come, but for now, she needed to continue building that trust, to guide Adrian without overwhelming him. With a determined smile, Alina closed her eyes, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.

The day after their first encounter, Alina found herself once again in the park, eager yet nervous about seeing Adrian. She had spent the night replaying their conversation, wondering if she had said too much—or perhaps too little. The morning air was cool, and she felt a flutter of anticipation as she approached the bench where they had met.

Adrian was already there, the same notebook in his hands, his head bent over the pages. This time, however, he didn’t look as absorbed in his writing. Instead, he seemed to be waiting for something, or someone. Alina’s heart skipped a beat as she realized he might be waiting for her.

Back so soon?” Adrian’s voice broke through her thoughts as he looked up and smiled at her. There was a glint of curiosity in his eyes, the same curiosity that had drawn her to him in the first place.

Alina smiled, sitting down next to him. “Couldn’t stay away,” she joked lightly, though there was a truth behind her words. She couldn’t stay away, not now, not when she was beginning to see the boy who would become the man she loved.

So,” Adrian began, closing his notebook, “are you going to tell me what’s really going on, or are you just going to keep being all mysterious?”

Adrian blinked, clearly caught off guard. “And you know this how?”

Alina bit her lip, considering her words carefully. She needed to build his trust, to forge a connection without overwhelming him with the truth. “Let’s just say… I’m here to help you with something important.”

Like what?” he asked, his tone skeptical but intrigued.

She hesitated, then decided to give him a small piece of the truth. “You’re going to meet someone soon—someone who will change your life. I’m here to make sure you’re ready.”

“Let’s just say I have a good sense about these things,” Alina replied, leaning back against the bench. “Think of me as… a guide, of sorts.”

“A guide?” Adrian echoed, his brows furrowing. “For what?”

“For your future,” Alina said simply, watching his reaction closely. “I know it sounds strange, but you’ll see. Everything will make sense in time.”

Adrian looked at her, really looked at her, as if trying to see past her words and into her mind. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Dead serious,” Alina replied, her gaze steady. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sounds of the park—children laughing, birds chirping—filled the silence between them. Adrian seemed lost in thought, as if trying to piece together the puzzle she had laid before him

Finally, he let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, I’ll bite. What do I need to do?”

Alina smiled, relieved that he was willing to listen. “Just keep being you, but maybe keep an open mind about the things that happen around you. Trust your instincts, and… trust me.”

Adrian chuckled softly. “That’s a lot of trust to ask for someone I just met.”“I know,” Alina admitted. “But it’ll be worth it. I promise.”

Adrian’s expression softened, and he nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll trust you. For now.”

They spent the rest of the morning talking about simpler things—his writing, her favorite books, the things they both loved about the world. Alina could feel the connection between them growing, a bond that transcended time. She knew there were challenges ahead, difficult moments that would test them both. But for now, she was content to just be here, in this moment, with the boy who was already starting to become the man she knew so well.As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting warm light over the park, Alina knew she had taken the first step towards securing their future. And with Adrian by her side, she was ready for whatever came next.Later That Day