She always arrived five minutes late- and always took the last table near the glass window in a cafe located in some part of the city. He was the one who was always present there, watching her arriving late every single day with his same black coffee and the unread newspaper.

He was so  in love with her, which led him to watch her everyday even though he disliked those people filled places.

Yes, for him she was his first love. He just saw her in that cafe a month ago while he came for some business. Fell for her at the first glance itself. Later it became his routine to come and watch her the very single day. He even wondered what's happening to him when he saw her the every single time.

[So here comes our male lead of the story]

DYLAN RHODE - A Perfect man in his 20's who wasn't just a CEO but was the name behind the empire. Built his own company from the forgotten corner of his one room apartment to the top floor of the skyline tower. Sharp suits, sharper decisions, and a voice which barely rose above a calm tone. His schedule was carved to the minute, his expressions unreadable, and his office door always closed. But behind that cold and calm demeanor, there was a man who had soft spot for his loved ones especially for the girl who walked past him to the last table near the glass window.

DYLAN'S POV:-

As always, I'm waiting for her. Even though I hate the crowd cafes and noisy corners of this busting city. I find myself here for the every single day-just...just to see her. She walks in, five minutes late as always, taking her spot near the glass window and orders the her same chocolate milkshake along with a bread toast. The funny thing is that--is that-- I still don't know her name, yet there's something about her that pulls me in. Maybe it's her calm in her eyes, or the way she tucks her hairs behind her ears before taking the first sip of her milkshake. I shouldn't be here. I have a schedule tighter than the skyline which I work in. I run an empire, but for some reason when it comes to her, I find myself stopping there and it seems like my time stopping, just to be there, just to feel....something real.

[Like this a whole month went on by. Him waiting for her....an unspoken bond which grew deeper inside him without telling to anyone not even to the person he loves.]

ONE SUCH DAY:-

[Dylan was waiting for her like everyday. Time went on and on but there was no presence of a parson he's wishing for. His eyes were roaming and searching at the very corner of the cafe. He even ordered some items on the menu to spend his time waiting, for her arrival. After ten minutes...CLINK...CLINK...CLINK...the door of the cafe opens revealing her entering into the cafe as always but somehow it looked like different to him]

DYLAN'S POV:-

Suddenly my heart thumped fast, when she entered the cafe. A Small smile crept on my face without my realization but it vanished out soon..when I got a glance on her face. Her calm eyes somehow felt sad to me. It's not the same feelings in her eyes which I see everyday. Her eyes looked like lonely...much lonely which even made me sad. I composed myself when I saw her getting out of the cafe without her daily breakfast but with a coffee in her hand. I stood up and started to go behind her, not like a stalker but as a man who wants to know about her more. When I stepped out of the cafe, one of my bodyguards started to open the door of my car.  I just told him to wait and started to go behind her. Soon she reached at park and sat on a stone bench staring at her coffee with her lonely eyes. I wanted to go and ask her or go and tell her my feelings towards her...but my mind told me not to, since I didn't know how to approach her. I just stood at a distance and watched her till I got a call from my PA to attend an important meeting. I took a last glance at her and clicked a picture of her... I Know it's wrong to click a picture of a person without her concern but I needed that for my reasons.

END OF DYLAN'S POV

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I hope you guys like it. If any mistakes kindly ignore it, I'll try to improve it.

Thankyou and Happy reading.

At the FEMALE LEAD'S side:-

[She sat in silence, her hand wrapped around a cooling cup of coffee, staring at the swirling surface as if it held all the answers she'd been denied. Her eyes,, once brought up with hope, now only reflected emptiness...and loneliness. Born into a family that celebrated only success but ignored the souls, she had grown up watching love from a distance- never close enough to touch. And even as an adult, she remained the forgotten daughter, overshadowed, unheard, and aching for something real called LOVE]

[So here comes our FEMALE LEAD]

SERENA BROOKS - A Woman in her 20's, beauty out of this world along with her soft and sweet character. She was the kind of woman whose presence feels like a quiet sunrise after the storm. With the heart full of kindness and empathy, and a voice that soothes more than it speaks. With a heart full of empathy and a voice that soothes more than it speaks, Serena moves through life with graceful resilience. Whether she's offering a helping hand or simply listening without judgment, Serena has a way of making others feel seen and safe. Behind her soft-spoken nature lies a mind that’s thoughtful and steady—never rushed, never loud, but always sincere. She believes in kindness not as a weakness, but as a quiet power—and she lives by it, every single

SERENA'S POV:-

(sighs) What am I supposed to do now? Mom’s been on my case again—marriage, marriage, marriage. As if that’s all I’m meant for. I know I’m at the so-called “right age,” but my dreams don’t come with a deadline. I still have so much I want to do—my goals, my work, my passion.I’m not against love. I’m just not ready to settle for something I don’t feel in my heart. But to her, it's not even a question. To her, it's a checklist.

Sometimes, I wonder if being quiet makes people think I don’t have my own voice. But I do. I just choose peace over noise. I choose purpose over pressure. And if that means disappointing expectations, then so be it. I’d rather walk slowly toward something real than rush into something that doesn’t feel right.

[Yes, she was the only daughter — or should I say, the forgotten one. The quiet one who never caused trouble, who blended into the background while the spotlight stayed firmly on her brother. He was just a year older, but somehow, he carried the entire weight of their parents' hopes, while Serena carried only silence. She never fought it. Not because she didn’t care, but because somewhere along the way, she learned that silence was safer. That if no one noticed her, no one could break her. But that didn’t mean she didn’t feel. Every smile she gave was real, even if no one asked why her eyes looked tired.

Still, in that quiet, she built something for herself — something no one could take. A small dream, a calm fire. And one day soon, she’d stop waiting for the world to notice her… and start walking right through it on her own.]

(Soon Serena began to walk towards her office. She works in a company which pays her enough according to her passion towards designing. She always loved art, drawing....and nature which always gave her peace and comfort.

she reached her office by a quick 15-minute walk)

[The office was still half-asleep when Serena stepped in. The soft hum of the AC, the gentle tapping of her shoes, and the faint scent of coffee were the only sounds that filled the open space. She liked it this way — quiet, untouched, peaceful. Her desk by the window welcomed her like an old friend. Sketchbooks stacked neatly on one side, and her favorite dried flower tucked safely into a frame. This was her little world. As she powered up her system, a new email pinged on her screen. Subject line: “URGENT — Creative Merge Briefing at 10 AM.” Her eyes scanned the sender’s name — it wasn’t from her team. In fact, it was from someone far above her pay grade. Someone from Rhode Enterprises — the name echoed faintly in her mind, though she didn’t know why.

(Something was about to change. She didn’t know it yet, but this was the morning her quiet life would start to blur into someone else’s chaos.)

[Soon she greeted her colleagues with a polite and kind smile. She told about the meeting to her higher officials, they congratulated her as it was the victory to her hard work. She started to go to her fixed destination. After a whole half-and-hour, she reached and stepped down at the Rhode's, which was known for it's perfection and popularity. Serena went towards the reception desk and began to speak.]

SERENA    :   Excuse me, myself Serena...Serena brooks. I'm here for the "Creative Merge Briefing". Can I know where's the event is going to be held.

STAFF       : Welcome to the Rhode Group of Company Miss. Serena. The briefing will be held at the 5th floor, as you have some time, please wait at the lobby till the meeting starts.

SERENA    :  (Nods with a polite smile) Thank you for your information Miss.

STAFF       :  (Nods and smiles) you're always welcome Miss. Serena.

[Serena reached the lounge and took a seat. Her eyes wandered across the modern interior- sleek furniture, minimalistic designs. She pulled out her tablet and began reviewing her preparation, which she had prepared just in case.]

SERENA'S POV:-

I sat down at the chair of the lobby and started to review my presentation, which I had prepared just in case. I was nervous and somehow happy that I made it, this far. As the time went on, I was instructed to go to the venue and sat down on my allotted seat. Soon the meeting started to began by the arrival of the CEO, he entered...His aura spoke everything about him.

He walked with such confidence and calm authority that the room naturally fell into silence. Every eye was drawn to him- not out of fear, but sheer admiration. I instinctively straightened my posture, clutching the edge of my file a little tighter. When he took his seat at the head of the table, he glanced once across the room, and for a second, I thought his eyes landed on me.

I...I swallowed hard.

My heart beat faster- not from fear, but from something unfamiliar that never happened to me in my lifetime. I started to become nervous because, This was the man I had read about, whose decisions shaped the entire companies or should I say his empire. To be honest, he was my role model who achieved his goals in this young age. And now, I am going to present in front of him.

                        END OF SERENA'S POV

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Will Serena find her love which she's yearning for years?

Can Dylan will be able to give the love for Serena, which she's longing for?

Let's wait and watch!!!

Thank you guys...(with lots of love)

Happy reading...

                       BACK TO THE STORY...

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AT THE MEETING HALL:-

Soon the meeting started, everyone sat on their seat and Dylan himself started the speech.

DYLAN      :  Welcome to the RHODE GROUP OF COMPANIES  everyone. Myself Dylan..Dylan Rhode, chief executive officer of Rhode. This merger is for everyone's mutual growth, and I believe this collaboration will open new doors for innovation and progress.

[He paused, scanning the room with a calm yet firm gaze.]

DYLAN       : I know there have been a lot of questions and uncertainties. But let em assure you- we've run the numbers, we've reviewed the strategies, and this merger is not just beneficial, it's essential for both our futures.

[Dylan stopped speaking\, soon everyone who've come to the merger started to ask questions one by one\, thoughtfully and skillfully.] [Soon it was Serena's turn to ask her questions.]

SERENA      :  (Raised her hand and started to speak) Serena Brooks, Head of Operations, LYF Designing groups. Thank you for your welcome, Mr. Rhode. But if I may ask- what do you exactly mean by "essential"? For whom exactly?

[ Everyone was baffled while the room was shifting into a uncomfortable feeling]

[Dylan somehow managed to hide his smile on his face. He was literally happy...happy that he got to know about his love.]

DYLAN         : Fair question, Ms. Brooks, what I meant was- in today's competitive market, standing alone is riskier than ever. Together, we consolidate strength, resources, and talent. That includes people like you, all present here.

SERENA       : Thank you for your declaration Mr. Rhode. (smiles a bit in understanding)

[As the meeting wrapped up, with everyone asking their questions along with the murmurs filling the room. Papers shuffled, chairs scraped back, and people began mingling in small groups. Serena was about to leave when Dylan approached her with a composed yet cold look.]

DYLAN            :  Ms. Brooks.

SERENA          :  (Turns to face him. nervous inside but fully perfect outside) Mr. Rhode?

DYLAN             :  I appreciated your questions earlier. Most people wouldn't speak upon the day one.

SERENA          :  (With a smile) I've never seen the point in staying silent when clarity matters Mr. Rhode. Especially in a merger this size along with a person who is my role model.

DYLAN             : (On cloud nine after hearing her last words. smiled but composed it quickly) Thank you Ms. Brooks, and I respect that. You're not afraid to challenge the narrative. I'll be looking forward to your innovations Ms. Brooks. (made an eye contact with Serena)

SERENA          :  (Heart made a flip while looking into his eyes) Su...Sure Mr. Rhode. (With a small smile and nods)

[She gives a small nod and walks away with calm confidence, leaving Dylan watching her by her quiet strength and kindness.]

DYLAN'S POV:-

(He went to his cabin and sat down on his seat. He reclined his back in his chair while ruffling his own hairs with a silly smile crept in his face)

Gotcha..(smiles) got you love. It was so surprising to see my love here. Yes, I saw her when she entered the lounge in the fifth floor. My heart was beating fast that it was about to burst through my chest. The curiosity didn't let me rest. I gathered what i could from my PA,but even the details felt too little, too ordinary for someone like her. (sighs and smiles) I didn't expect my love to be this much innovative and intelligent...she's just...just beyond my imagination. She caught me off- guard- and I haven't been caught off guard in a very long time. I didn't expect love to find me here- not like this. Not with this kind of intensity. (He smiled himself while in the reclining position, his eyes closed, Hands rolled up over his chest.)

                                                    END OF DYLAN'S POV

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Hoping you guys will love the story..(hehehe)

Thank you and Happy reading(with love)