1) LIFE OF AN ORDINARY GIRL

Life had gone exactly as Angel planned. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Management and Economics. She served four years in an elite military program for her country. She even cleared the notoriously difficult Chartered Accountant course in a single try. On paper, she was the full package—brains, beauty, strength, charisma, and confidence.

But deep down, something always felt missing. A quiet emptiness she could never quite name.

Despite excelling in everything she set her mind to, Angel often wondered if she was just a jack of all trades, master of none. She had achieved so much, but it came with a price: no time for love, no space for dating, and barely any moments for emotional vulnerability. Sure, she had a close circle of girlfriends and the occasional night out, but when it came to romance? Nothing. Not even a harmless crush. At some point, she simply assumed she was aromantic and asexual. That made sense… right?

Today felt like any other day—another box ticked off on her ever-growing list of accomplishments. She had just finished everything she planned for the week, and yet, she felt no excitement about the high-profile job offer waiting in her inbox. A prestigious international firm wanted her, badly. But the thought of being stuck in a 9-to-5, no matter how fancy, felt suffocating. She wanted something more. Something freeing.

Still, professionalism mattered. If she was going to turn down the offer, she’d do it face to face. Email felt too cold, too dismissive.

“No matter what, I need to decline in person,” she told herself as she slipped into a sleek black suit. Her years in the military had left her with a lean, sculpted figure—strong, but not overly bulky. Just enough to let anyone know she wasn’t someone to mess with.

The world outside was buzzing with a different kind of ambition. Everyone seemed to be chasing fame—shooting TikToks, YouTube Shorts, and reels in hopes of going viral. Angel didn’t care for any of it. That kind of attention didn’t appeal to her. After everything she had done, all she truly wanted now was peace. Sometimes, she even imagined retreating to the mountains to meditate like a monk. It was just a silly thought… but a tempting one.

Instead of calling a cab, Angel decided to walk to the firm’s office. The moment she stepped onto the street, she turned heads. There was something about her—an untouchable presence, like a distant star.

She carried an aura – cool, composed, like a star you could admire but never reach.

People noticed, but no one dared to approach.

Until someone did.

A guy stepped directly into her path, camera in hand, clearly filming for social media. He wore a bright grin and the casual charm of someone who lived on views and likes.

“Hey, beautiful Miss,” he said. “Would you be up for a quick questionnaire?”

His smile was so warm, so unexpectedly genuine, that she found herself saying yes before her brain could catch up.

“Sure,” she replied. “As long as it doesn’t take too long.”

Coming from someone else, those words might have sounded cold. But from Angel, with her calm, soothing voice, they felt sincere—like a soft breeze before a storm.

The guy was momentarily stunned, blinking like he’d just stepped out of a dream. Then he pulled himself together and asked, more seriously now, “What do you think about love? And… have you ever been in love?”

Angel froze.

The question she’d dodged her whole life was now being asked—on camera—by a complete stranger.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure how to answer.

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