CHAPTER 3~ The Unexpected Connection

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

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