Chapter 5

Six years had passed since that fateful day when Alice had entered Andrea's life. In that time, Andrea and Nancy had formed a loving and supportive family, raising Alice together with unwavering devotion.

On this particular morning, Andrea entered the kitchen with light steps. Alice sat at the table, her six-year-old self focused on her breakfast pancakes. Nancy with her ever cheerful presence, sat across from Alice, sipping her coffee.

Andrea glanced at the clock, her eyes widening slightly. "Alice, sweetheart, you need to hurry up. You'll be late for school," she gently reminded her daughter.

Alice looked up from her cereal, her eyes bright with innocence and a hint of mischief. "I'll be done soon, Mum," she replied with a charming smile, and then returned to her breakfast.

Nancy, the ever teasing aunt, cut in with a playful tone. "Andrea, don't rush our little Alice. She's savoring every bite of her pancakes made by yours truely."

They shared a laugh, their bond as a family was evident in the light-hearted banter that filled their home. Andrea cherished these moments, the ordinary routines that held extraordinary significance.

As Alice finished her breakfast and prepared for school, Nancy couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She turned to Andrea, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"I've got a surprise for you," Nancy announced, unable to hide her grin.

Andrea's curiosity was piqued, and she raised an eyebrow. "A surprise? What is it?"

Nancy leaned in, her excitement contagious. "I managed to secure a job for you, Andrea. You're going to be the photographer for the opening of an art gallery."

Andrea's eyes widened in delight, and she couldn't help but throw her arms around Nancy in a tight hug. Alice, sensing the excitement, joined in the embrace, and they formed a circle of love and support.

"Thank you, Nancy," Andrea whispered as her heart was filled with gratitude for her friend's unwavering support.

Nancy grinned as her joy was evident in her radiant smile. "The event is tomorrow. Make sure you're ready."

Andrea nodded with her mind already racing with ideas for the photographs she would capture. The opportunity to engross herself in her passion was a dream come true, and it was all thanks to Nancy's thoughtfulness.

After breakfast, Andrea took Alice to her school. Andrea couldn't help but reflect on the blessings in her life, the love of her daughter and the unwavering support of her dear friend, Nancy.

As she dropped Alice off and watched her daughter skip into the schoolyard, Andrea felt a deep sense of gratitude wash over her.

She knew that she was fortunate, not just for the opportunity to pursue her passion as a photographer but for the love that surrounded her every day.

The next day came, and Andrea was shining with anticipation. She had meticulously prepared herself for the photography job at the art gallery opening, her camera bag slung over her shoulder, and her spirits high.

Nancy and Alice wished her good luck, their smiles and words of encouragement warming her heart.

With a confident stride, Andrea headed off to the event.She couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and purpose as she embarked on this new chapter of her career.

As she walked along the road with her focus on the event ahead, an unfortunate scene unfolded before her. A passing car, moving at a speed too fast for the narrow street, splashed a puddle of water onto Andrea's carefully chosen outfit.

Her happy mood descended instantly, replaced by curses directed at the oblivious driver.

The car screeched to a halt a few meters ahead, and the driver stepped out. Andrea's irritation didn't waver as she turned her attention to the man and began cursing him.

But as she laid eyes on him, her anger dissolved, and her words caught in her throat. The man who had unintentionally drenched her was astonishingly handsome, with a chiseled jawline and eyes that held a touch of regret.

He approached her, his expression apologetic, and spoke with a hint of contrition. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. Are you okay?"

Andrea blinked, momentarily thrown off balance by his unexpected charm and sincerity. She had been prepared to unleash her frustration, but his genuine concern caught her off guard.

Taking a deep breath, she managed to respond, her voice softer than she had initially intended. "It's fine, accidents happen."

“How about I drop you off,” he said with a warm smile.

Andrea couldn't resist his charm so she agreed and gave him a smile. His demeanor was earnest, and Andrea couldn't help but appreciate his sincere remorse.

"Sure, thank you," she replied with a smile, deciding to embrace the spontaneity of the moment.

They walked over to Steve's car, and he opened the door for her with a polite gesture. Andrea got in, and as they pulled away from the curb, the initial awkwardness of the situation hung in the air.

Steve was eager to break the silence, so he extended a friendly hand and introduced himself. "I'm Steve, by the way."

Andrea shook his hand with a warm smile. "I'm Andrea. Nice to meet you."

Their conversation started off slowly, both of them navigating the unfamiliar territory of conversation with a near-stranger. But as the miles passed and the cityscape unfolded before them, a natural ease settled in.

Andrea learned that Steve worked in finance, a stark contrast to her own world of photography. Yet, despite their different professional backgrounds, they found common ground in their shared love for art, music, and travel.

Laughter punctuated their conversation, filling the car with a sense of rapport.

Andrea, who had initially been frustrated by the unexpected splash of water, was now grateful for the serendipitous encounter.

She appreciated the chance to get to know Steve, who, it turned out, was not only charming but also remarkably kind-hearted.

Steve eventually pulled up to the entrance of the art gallery, and they both knew it was time to say their goodbyes. Andrea turned to him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Steve," she said sincerely. "You turned what could have been a bad day into something wonderful."

Steve smiled, his eyes reflecting warmth and genuine pleasure. "It was my pleasure, Andrea. I'm glad we met. Maybe our paths will cross again someday."

With a final handshake and a heartfelt exchange of gratitude, Andrea stepped out of Steve's car and watched as he drove away, leaving her with a renewed sense of positivity.

Inside the art gallery, Andrea had registered herself as the photographer for the event. Her camera hung around her neck, and she moved gracefully through the crowd, capturing the essence of the art and the vibrant atmosphere of the opening.

Everything was going smoothly, and Andrea was lost in her creative world, taking pictures that would tell the story of the gallery's grand opening.

The vibrant colors of the artwork, the laughter of the guests, and the soft hum of conversation filled the air.

But as Andrea focused on her shot, stepping backward to frame a particularly captivating painting, a sudden crash disrupted her rhythm. She bumped into someone solid, their backs collided with an unexpected force.

Andrea and the man both turned around simultaneously, ready to apologize for the accidental collision. Andrea's heart skipped a beat as her eyes met those of the person before her. To her greatest surprise, she found herself staring at Tyler.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they locked eyes, the past rushing back to them in a flood of memories. The air felt charged with unspoken emotions, and Andrea's camera dangled forgotten around her neck.

"Tyler," Andrea finally managed to utter, her voice soft but filled with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Tyler, too, seemed taken aback by the unexpected encounter. His gaze lingered on Andrea, and his lips curved into a hesitant smile. "Andrea, it's been a while."