Intermission: A Secret Admirer's Glimpse

Sarah watched from her office window as Ethan walked down the street, his newfound confidence evident. She couldn't help but admire the changes in him. The once shy and unassuming office worker had transformed into a man with a spark in his eyes, a spring in his step, and an air of determination that drew her in.

Unbeknownst to Ethan, Sarah had harbored a secret crush on him for quite some time. She had watched him from afar, admiring his kindness, his sense of humor, and his genuine nature. She often found herself stealing glances at him during office meetings or lingered near his desk longer than necessary, hoping for a chance to strike up a conversation.

Today, fueled by curiosity and longing, Sarah decided to follow him from a distance, curious about his destination and what had brought about this newfound change in him.

As she trailed him discreetly, Sarah's heart fluttered with nervous excitement. She had imagined countless scenarios of confessing her feelings to Ethan, but fear had always held her back. Now, she hoped that this opportunity might lead to something more.

However, as she rounded a corner, she saw Ethan stop and talk to a woman with striking auburn-colored hair. The woman's aura of elegance and grace captivated Sarah's attention.

Intrigued, Sarah hid behind a nearby tree, observing the interaction between Ethan and the woman. They seemed comfortable in each other's presence, their laughter and smiles painting a picture of a deep connection.

"So Ethan, can I request you to go with Chad for his last teammate?"

"Why would you want me? Aren't you more familiar with Chad's circle? I just recently joined you guys."

"Well, the teammate is a bit shy, and he is also male. So I figured two guys would be better to talk to him."

"Okay, but should I know something about this guy beforehand?"

"Ah, don't worry about that. Just accompany Chad tomorrow! He won't bite you. Well, probably..."

"Okay ... wait, probably? He can't be a vampire can he?" The castaway memories of the amusement park day returned, making Ethan shiver.

"How is he so sharp now?" Amelia thought and then changed the topic before this got out of hand.

"Anyway, Lily has been pestering me to invite you for dinner over again. Do you want to come today?"

"Hm, no problem. I'll be there after work. See you later!"

"Sure, later!"

As Sarah watched them chat and share a friendly embrace, a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She had seen Ethan interact with his friends and coworkers before, but there was something different about this encounter. The way he looked at the woman, the warmth in his eyes, and the genuine affection in his smile - it was something she had never seen before.

It hit her with a mix of emotions. Sarah had hoped that she might be the one to capture Ethan's heart, but now it was clear that his heart belonged to someone else - this mysterious woman who seemed to bring out the best in him.

With a heavy heart, Sarah turned away. Her dreams of a love story with Ethan had been shattered, but she knew she had to find a way to move on.

As she settled back into her desk, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and disappointment. However, she also felt a sense of clarity. Watching Ethan with that woman made her realize that sometimes, love doesn't go how we want it to, but it also opens our hearts to new possibilities.

With newfound determination, Sarah decided to focus on her own growth and happiness. She might not have captured Ethan's heart ... But someday, she knew that the right person would come along - someone who would appreciate her for who she was and reciprocate her feelings.

For now, she would cherish the memories of her secret admiration and let it remind her of the courage it takes to open one's heart to the possibility of love.

And so, life at the office continued, with Sarah carrying on with hope and resilience. Little did she know that Arcadia was about to unfold with even more surprises and adventures, and who knows what destiny might have in store for her.