CHAPTER 3

In the hushed stillness of my rented sanctuary, where shadows danced against the walls like specters of lost dreams, Olivia's unexpected presence pierced through the heavy veil of solitude like a ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

"Hey, do you want some coffee?" I ventured tentatively, my voice betraying the uncertainty that gnawed at my insides.

"A tea would be better," she replied softly, her words tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"Ye-yeah, sure. I thought you would like coffee," I stuttered, my attempt at casual conversation faltering under the weight of unspoken tension.

"Why, because I'm not British?" Her question hung in the air like a delicate thread, laden with layers of meaning that I struggled to unravel.

"No, no, it's not like that. I'll make you a tea," I reassured her, my heart heavy with regret for my unintentional misstep.

Without meeting her gaze, I retreated to the refuge of the kitchen, seeking solace in the mundane task of preparing tea. But as I reached for the tea leaves, a hand intercepted mine, offering the simple gesture of assistance.

"I don't know why you did that?" she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

"..." I faltered, my mind racing to find the words to bridge the chasm that had opened between us.

"Is that how you leave a girl in a café when you love her?" Her question pierced through the silence like a knife, laying bare the raw emotions that simmered beneath the surface.

"It's not like that," I protested weakly, my voice barely audible amidst the tumult of conflicting emotions that raged within me.

"Then what is it? You come to a girl, invite her on a date, and then propose to her, and then leave from there without even saying a word," she accused, her words a stark indictment of my actions.

"..." I struggled to find the words to defend myself, the weight of her disappointment crushing me like a vice.

"Tell me, am I that bad, that you wanted to do all that?" Her voice trembled with the weight of unshed tears, her vulnerability a mirror to my own.

"No! No! It's not like that. I love you more than anything," I exclaimed, my voice cracking with emotion. "I love you so much that I'm ready to marry and spend the rest of my life without even the regret of not doing anything. I love you so much that I don't want that smile to ever disappear again. I - I just want to be happy forever with you."

As if drawn by an unseen force, I found myself reaching out to her, my hands trembling as they came to rest on her shoulders. And in that moment, as our eyes met in silent understanding, the barriers that had stood between us crumbled like sandcastles at high tide.

Without a word, she enveloped me in her arms, pulling me close with a tenderness that spoke volumes of the love that bound us together. And as I nestled against her, the weight of my sorrow lifted, replaced by the warmth of her embrace and the promise of a future filled with hope and possibility.

In the days that followed, we embarked on a journey of discovery, navigating the uncharted waters of love and companionship with a sense of wonder and awe. Every moment spent in her presence felt like a precious gift, a testament to the depth of our connection and the strength of our bond.

And as we stood on the threshold of a new chapter in our lives, hand in hand, hearts entwined, I knew with unwavering certainty that I had found my home in her arms, and that together, we would weather whatever storms lay ahead, guided by the light of our love.