Cruel world versus sweet dream.

Ding-Dong…

The doorbell chimed, prompting Ella to abandon her cleaning tools and rush to answer the door. Her pulse quickened at the sight of Jasper standing before her, his commanding presence filling the doorway. His presence captivated her, and she kept her gaze fixed on his face.

Jasper, too, found himself momentarily immobilized, caught in the intensity of Ella's dark, captivating eyes. Memories flooded back of the near-kiss they had shared, stirring a tumultuous rush of emotions within him. The recollection left him restless, his mind filled with the memory of that night.

Despite his efforts to suppress those feelings, they resurfaced with a vengeance, threatening to consume him whole. He felt a knot form in his stomach, his pulse quickening with excitement.