Happy Memories.

Several days had passed since my mother and sister rushed to Grandma's side upon receiving her urgent call about falling ill. Left alone at home, I found myself navigating through the quietude of our empty house, a strange solitude settling in with each passing hour.One morning, while still lost in the haze of sleep, the doorbell's chime startled me from my drowsiness. I assumed it was my mother, perhaps returning for something forgotten, only to realize that she wouldn't need to ring the bell; our shared code was ingrained in her memory. Curiosity piqued, I made my way downstairs to confront the unexpected visitor.As I swung the door open, there stood Lance, an unexpected sight at that hour. His presence brought a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Please, come in," I offered, welcoming him into our home."Take a seat, I'll be just a moment," I assured him before retreating upstairs to freshen up. In the quiet of my room, a sudden urge to impress took hold. I decided on a frock adorned with a single red rose, a whimsical choice driven by the desire to present myself in the best light.Upon descending the stairs once more, I found Lance seated on the sofa, his posture relaxed yet attentive. "Have you had breakfast?" I inquired, to which he confessed he hadn't. Without hesitation, I busied myself in the kitchen, preparing sandwiches and pouring fresh orange juice, an impromptu breakfast for unexpected company.Seated at the table, the silence between us became palpable as we ate. Each bite seemed to carry unspoken words, a shared understanding mingled with a hint of tension. Despite the quiet, there was an unspoken connection, a curiosity stirring beneath the surface, waiting to unfold into something more profound."Where is your bedroom, Kiera?" His voice, smooth as silk, held an irresistible charm. I couldn't bring myself to refuse him, so we ascended the grand staircase to my sanctuary.As we wandered through the opulent room, he marveled at every detail, from the art on the walls to the view from the window. We found ourselves seated on the edge of my bed, a space that suddenly felt smaller yet infinitely more intimate.His request for my photo album was met with a hesitant nod. Handing it over, I watched as his eyes danced across the pages, each image a portal to a cherished memory. I narrated tales of each photograph, reliving moments of joy and nostalgia.Hours slipped by unnoticed as we shared stories of childhood innocence and youthful escapades. The initial awkwardness dissipated, replaced by a genuine connection as we discovered shared passions and favorite memories.Lance's anecdotes about his mischievous past painted a vivid picture of a charming yet rebellious soul. I couldn't help but smile, enchanted by the layers of his personality unfolding before me.Curiosity led me to a photograph on his wall, a girl beside him. "Who is she, besides Lily?" I inquired, sensing a flicker of hesitation in his response. His cryptic reply hinted at a hidden story, one he wasn't ready to share.An urgent call interrupted our burgeoning bond, pulling Lance back into the realm of responsibilities. With regret in his eyes, he bid farewell, leaving me with a heart full of questions and newfound emotions.As I watched his departure, an unexpected realization dawned upon me—I was beginning to fall for him, drawn to the enigma of Lance Jae and the mysteries he carried with him._ROSE_...