CHAPTER 2 - The Return of a Dream.

Thirty minutes later, Nora stepped out of her room, stretching lazily as the warmth of the morning sun streamed through the large windows. The rich, mouthwatering aroma of spiced coconut rice and fried plantains curled through the air, instantly making her stomach grumble in protest.

She inhaled deeply, a blissful sigh escaping her lips. "Chef Rose, this aroma is divine," she praised, her voice thick with appreciation as she made her way to the dining table.

Rose, standing at the kitchen counter, didn't even glance her way. Focused on plating the golden-brown plantains, she ignored Nora's attempt at conversation.

A mischievous smirk crept onto Nora's lips as she slid into a chair. She propped her elbow on the table, chin resting in her palm, watching Rose with playful intent. "Coconut rice and fried plantain? Beautiful," she mused. "But you know what looks even more delicious?"

She leaned forward, her voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "You, Rose. I want to eat you."

Rose froze, her entire body stiffening. A visible shudder ran down her spine as goosebumps prickled her arms. Slowly, she turned to glare at Nora, her expression a mix of disbelief and irritation.

"I'm not a lesbian, Dream Girl," she deadpanned.

Nora burst into laughter, as if their earlier argument had never happened.

Rose rolled her eyes dramatically and took her seat across from her. "Ruby!" she called out, her voice slightly sharper than necessary.

"I'm coming!" came a cheerful voice from the other room.

A few moments later, Ruby bounced into the dining area, her energy as bright as the morning itself. Her face lit up with an infectious smile as she threw her arms wide in greeting.

"Good morning, my beautiful sisters!" she chirped, slipping into the chair beside Nora.

"Good morning, Baby Ruby," Nora cooed, reaching out to pinch her cheek affectionately.

"Eat," Rose ordered flatly, stabbing her fork into her food with unnecessary force.

Ruby hesitated, her smile faltering slightly as she turned a questioning look toward Nora. Her lips parted, her unspoken question lingering in the air—What's with her today?

Nora, however, simply grinned, her eyes twinkling with a secret only she knew. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she confessed, "I dreamt about him."

Instantly, Ruby understood.

Of course. Dave Trump.

That explained everything.

Rose's sour mood. The tension hanging in the air. The unsaid words brimming behind every sharp glance.

It was always the same.

Whenever Nora dreamt about Dave, Rose would get irritated. Normally, she would just roll her eyes and pretend not to care, letting the conversation fade into the background like white noise. But today? Oh, today was different. They had definitely fought.

Despite Rose's obvious annoyance, Ruby couldn't help but feel intrigued. Unlike Rose, who found Nora's obsession frustrating, Ruby saw something else entirely—a love story waiting to be written.

A romance novel brought to life.

Because, after all, Dave had never actually rejected Nora.

Not once.

He had never told her to leave. Never humiliated her in public. Never snapped at her with words laced in venom.

He simply ignored her.

And to Ruby, that wasn't rejection.

That was a challenge.

"Can you tell me about your dream?" she asked eagerly, leaning forward with the anticipation of a child waiting for a bedtime story.

Nora's smile widened, her entire face lighting up. She set down her spoon, her fingers curling together in excitement.

Locking eyes with Ruby, she began narrating, her voice rich with emotion. She painted the dream in vivid colors—the soft patter of rain, the way the city lights shimmered in the puddles, the warmth of Dave's hand as he reached for hers. She described the way his voice, usually cold and distant, had softened when he whispered those long-awaited words. The way his eyes, always unreadable, had held something she had never seen before.

A love that was real.

A love that was hers.

"Dave… saying those sweet words?" Ruby gasped, her brows furrowing in disbelief.

Everyone knew Dave Trump as a man carved from ice—cold, distant, untouchable. His very presence sent chills down people's spines, his mere glance enough to make them falter. No one dared to get too close. No one, except his family.

And Nora.

Nora, who was blind to fear.

Or perhaps, blinded by love.

For twelve years, she had chased him relentlessly, undeterred by his silence. No matter how many times he turned away, she never stopped reaching for him. No matter how many years passed, she never lost hope.

It was because of this unwavering devotion that people had given her a nickname.

The Shameless Girl.

It wasn't meant as a compliment.

It was a reminder of her stubbornness. Her inability to give up.

Because while the rest of the world accepted Dave Trump's indifference as final, Nora refused to let go.

"Yeah… it was just a dream," she murmured, her voice growing quiet. The glow in her eyes dimmed as reality settled back in.

She lowered her gaze to her plate, poking at the food without real intent. The fantasy had been beautiful, but that's all it was—fantasy.

And yet…

Giving up?

That had never been an option.

People whispered that Dave had left the country because of her. That he had packed his bags and vanished just to escape her relentless pursuit.

Five years.

It had been five long years.

But she didn't care.

One day, he'd come back.

And when he did, she would be there.

Rose let out an exasperated sigh and pulled out her phone, scrolling through Instagram absentmindedly. But then—her fingers stilled.

Her breath hitched.

Her eyes widened.

A fresh post from Instablog flashed on her screen, the headline bold and impossible to ignore:

"Dave Trump arrived at the airport this morning at 5 a.m. It has been five years since he left the country…"

The phone nearly slipped from her hands.

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs as she lifted her gaze to Nora, shock rippling through her veins.

Without a word, she shoved her phone across the table.

Nora snatched it, her fingers trembling as she read the words aloud.

Her voice broke on the last syllable, disbelief and joy warring in her expression.

Rose and Ruby watched as a storm of emotions crashed over her face—first hesitation, then realization, and finally, pure, unfiltered euphoria.

For a moment, she was completely still.

Then, as if unable to contain it, she let out a breathless, giddy laugh.

A sound so bright, so full of life, it seemed to illuminate the entire room.

Her eyes sparkled like stars set ablaze, her entire being trembling with overwhelming excitement.

She jumped up from her seat, her joy bursting free like a dam finally breaking.

"He's back!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing through the apartment.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.