Lena had been infatuated with Ethan for almost a year, admiring him quietly from the sidelines. They worked in the same building, but their paths rarely intersected. Ethan was the kind of man who effortlessly commanded attention-confident, striking, and possessing a grin that could leave anyone speechless. Despite her constant daydreams, Lena had never mustered the courage to speak to him. But today was different, she told herself. Today, she would finally make a move. Or at least, try not to embarrass herself like usual. As she hurried into the bustling café, determined to be bold, her nerves began to unravel. She spotted Ethan standing at the counter, casually scrolling through his phone as he waited for his order, exuding that effortless charm she found so magnetic. "Alright, Lena," she muttered under her breath. "You've got this." Unfortunately, she didn't. ---
Lena Matthews had been quietly nursing her crush on Ethan Turner for almost a year. Every day she'd see him in the office, and every day her heart did a little flip. Ethan worked in marketing while Lena was tucked away in the finance department, buried in spreadsheets and numbers. They worked on separate floors, had no reason to interact, and yet, every time she spotted him in the company café, her pulse raced.
Ethan was the kind of guy who made it impossible not to notice him. He was confident, tall, and annoyingly good-looking. His dark hair was always styled just right, his tailored suits fit him perfectly, and that smile-God, that smile-had melted Lena's heart more times than she cared to admit.
But there was one problem. He didn't even know she existed.
Lena had resigned herself to the fact that she was invisible to him, just another face in the crowd. And yet, every morning, when she made her way to the café for her daily dose of caffeine, she hoped-no, *prayed*-that today would be the day he'd notice her.
Today, however, was already shaping up to be a disaster. She'd overslept, missed her train, and had to practically run to the office. Her hair was still damp from her quick shower, and in her rush, she'd grabbed mismatched shoes-one black, one navy. To top it off, she had a massive stain on her blouse from the bagel she'd tried to eat while sprinting down the street.
Not exactly the way she wanted to look when she finally *did* speak to Ethan.
Pushing open the door to the café, Lena took a deep breath and reminded herself why she was here. Coffee. Just coffee. No expectations. No hope of bumping into Ethan. He was probably upstairs already, working on some big, important marketing deal, blissfully unaware that she even existed.
But then she saw him.
Ethan stood at the counter, casually scrolling through his phone while waiting for his order. Lena's breath caught in her throat. He was right there, looking as perfect as ever, completely unaware that he was the reason her heart was about to explode out of her chest.
This was it. Her moment. She could feel it.
Lena swallowed hard and forced herself to move forward. Her palms were sweaty, her heart hammering in her chest. She quickly rehearsed her lines in her head-something casual, something flirty but not *too* flirty.
"Hey, I think we work in the same building," she whispered under her breath, practicing. "No, no. How about, 'Morning, I see you around here a lot'? No, that sounds creepy. Ugh!"
As she debated her approach, the barista called Ethan's name. He picked up his coffee and turned to leave, and before Lena knew what she was doing, she stepped directly into his path.
It all happened so fast. One moment she was standing there, trying to look confident, and the next-*crash*.
Her coffee cup hit the floor, exploding like a grenade. Dark liquid splattered everywhere, including on Ethan's pristine shoes. The café went silent as everyone turned to stare at the source of the commotion.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Lena blurted, her voice an octave higher than normal. Her hands flew to her face as she watched in horror while the coffee dripped off Ethan's shoes.
Ethan looked down at his shoes, then up at her. For a split second, Lena was certain he was about to yell, or worse, give her that pitying look people reserved for clumsy idiots. Instead, he smiled. A soft, amused smile that made her stomach twist in knots.
"No problem. Happens to the best of us," Ethan said, bending down to pick up her now-empty cup.
Lena's face flushed a deep shade of red. "I-uh-I didn't mean to-uh-I can buy you new shoes? Or get them cleaned! Oh my God, I'm so clumsy. I swear I don't usually-"
He held up a hand to stop her, still smiling. "Really, it's fine. I promise, I've spilled worse on myself."
Lena's brain was struggling to catch up. Was this really happening? Was she actually talking to Ethan? And he wasn't mad?
"I'm Ethan, by the way," he said, offering her a hand.
She stared at his hand for a beat too long before finally shaking it. "Lena. I'm Lena. We work in the same building, I think."
Smooth. So smooth, Lena.
"Yeah, I think I've seen you around," he said, his smile never faltering. "So, what's your department?"
"Finance," Lena answered, trying her best not to sound too eager. "You're in marketing, right?"
"Yep," he replied, taking a sip of his coffee. "Big numbers and big ideas. Quite the combo."
Lena let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I'm more of a numbers girl myself. I don't do well with the 'big ideas' part."
Ethan chuckled. "We all have our strengths. So, Lena, aside from making a memorable first impression," he said, glancing down at his stained shoes, "what else do you do around here?"
Lena's heart was racing. Was he... was he flirting with her? No, that couldn't be. He was just being polite. Right?
"Oh, you know, the usual," she said, trying to play it cool. "Crunch numbers, balance budgets, spill coffee on unsuspecting coworkers. It's a full-time job."
Ethan laughed, and the sound of it sent a wave of warmth through her. "Well, you certainly made my morning more interesting."
Lena bit her lip, feeling both exhilarated and mortified. She couldn't believe she'd managed to have an actual conversation with him-after spilling coffee on him, no less.
"Let me at least get you a replacement coffee," Lena offered, desperate to make up for her clumsiness.
Ethan shook his head, his smile softening. "I appreciate it, but really, it's no big deal. Plus, I've got a meeting in a few minutes. Rain check?"
Rain check? Did that mean he actually wanted to talk to her again? Lena nodded, her heart doing cartwheels in her chest.
"Sure. Rain check."
As Ethan left the café, Lena stood there, still clutching her empty cup, trying to process what had just happened. She'd spilled coffee on him. He hadn't been angry. He'd smiled. He'd flirted. And now there was the promise of a "rain check."
Maybe-just maybe-she wasn't as invisible to him as she thought.
---
Lena spent the rest of the day floating on cloud nine. Her coworkers noticed her goofy smile, but she waved off their questions. She couldn't stop thinking about the way Ethan had smiled at her, the way he'd said her name. It had been the best-and worst-first impression she could've ever imagined, but somehow, it worked.
Later that afternoon, as she sat at her desk pretending to work, her phone buzzed. It was a message from a number she didn't recognize.
**Ethan**: So... when's our rain check?
Lena's heart skipped a beat.
Maybe her crush wasn't as hopeless as she'd thought.
---
Mia Lawson, a graphic designer leading a routine life, unexpectedly becomes roommates with Liam Carter, an enigmatic stranger who reveals himself as a time traveler from the future. What begins as an ordinary apartment-sharing arrangement swiftly turns into an extraordinary adventure through various eras. As Mia is drawn into Liam's high-stakes mission to prevent a future catastrophe, she encounters a series of hilarious mishaps and historical escapades. Amidst the chaos, sparks fly between the unlikely pair, leading to a romance as thrilling and unpredictable as their time-traveling escapades. Their journey not only tests their wits but also uncovers secrets that could alter the course of history. -
Ever fallen for someone who have never noticed you or your love Ever suffered having to hear him call you My friend when you wish he would call you My love Ever watched him flock around with a lot of girls in your face Ever felt so broken all because your love was never returned Well that's what happen with Alexia Davies, She is from an average family,plain and kind hearted Meet Nick Marshall,the son of the a rich minister, He is handsome,Rich and sought after by a lot of girls. You might probably be wondering how these two meet,Well Alexia mother happen to be working in Nick house as their housekeeper Alexia always accompanied her mom at each opportunity she gets, She met Nick and ever since then their friendship grew with no strings attached It wasn't until till she reached the age of puberty and could understand what love means that she started viewing Nick in another way He became her fantasy,Her dream man,Her only love but to him she was just a friend For years she had to watch him flock his girlfriend around and though it hurt,she hid it well Sometimes she wonder if she should tell him or to live in silence forever But suddenly his interest in Stella brown her mortal enemy at school made her determined to make him see how much she loves him Now will she succeed in her plan? Will the rich, Handsome Nick fall for plain Alexia? You don't want to miss Alexia and Nick love story
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.