thea_keith_

Thea never thought she would return here. Not after everything that had happened. But life had a way of circling back, dragging her into familiar halls, familiar faces—and him.

Professor Adrian Carter.

The past was supposed to be buried beneath the diamond Andrew had slipped onto her finger, beneath whispered promises of a future that was stable, predictable. But now, standing in Adrian’s office once more, she knew some ghosts never truly left.

And neither did certain desires.

The Shadow of Past desires

The clock struck twelve, marking the beginning of Thea's birthday. She had just finished brushing her hair when her phone buzzed with a message. Smiling, she expected it to be from Silvia or her mother, but the name on the screen made her heart skip a beat.

She hesitated for a second before opening the message.

Adrian: Happy Birthday, Thea. I hope today is as special as you are.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure how to respond, when a knock at her door startled her. She opened it to find Silvia standing there, a bright grin on her face, holding a small cake with a single candle.

"Happy Birthday, babe!" Silvia cheered as she walked in, placing the cake on the table. "I wasn't going to let you spend midnight alone."

Thea laughed. "You're the best, you know that?"

"Of course, I do." Silvia smirked. "Now, make a wish."

Thea closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and then blew out the candle. She wished for clarity—about her heart, about Andrew, about Adrian. As she opened her eyes, Silvia handed her a small gift box.

"Something to start your day right."

Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny star charm. "Silvia, this is beautiful."

"Just like you. Now, go get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be full of surprises."

The next morning, Thea woke up to several packages from her family. Her mother had sent her a stunning necklace, a symbol of their love, alongside a brand-new phone and an array of dresses. She felt warm inside, knowing how much they cherished her.

She decided on a soft pink dress for university, pairing it with the necklace her mother sent. As she walked into campus, Professor Brown noticed her and smiled.

"You look radiant today, Miss Thea," he complimented. "Pink suits you."

She grinned. "Thank you, Professor."

But the real surprise awaited her later that afternoon.

Adrian found her near the library and handed her a beautifully wrapped box. "Open it," he urged.

Inside was the red dress—the very one she had fallen in love with but couldn't have. Her eyes widened in shock.

"I have my ways," he smirked. "And there's more."

A small velvet box rested beside the dress. She opened it to reveal a pair of diamond earrings, delicate yet dazzling.

She held the earrings in her hand, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. Then, he handed her a bouquet of red roses. "Happy Birthday, Thea."

Her heart pounded. She wanted to say something, but words failed her. Instead, she managed a soft "Thank you."

A Midnight Wish and a Day Full of Surprises