The evening air at North Crescent Academy’s garden was crisp and laced with the scent of freshly bloomed roses. The soft glow of fairy lights intertwined with the towering archways illuminated the secluded area, creating an intimate ambiance. It was the perfect place for a confession—yet, for Alexander Lorenzo, his confidence wavered for the first time.
He had dominated the corporate world with ruthless precision, negotiated million-dollar deals with a single smirk, and commanded boardrooms filled with men twice his age. But now, as he stood amidst the soft rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets, his heart pounded with an unfamiliar nervousness.
He adjusted his cufflinks—once, twice—his signature habit when unsettled.
“She’s still a student… still seventeen,” Alexander muttered, pacing near the stone bench. “Five years isn’t that big of a gap, but legally… I have to be careful. What if she thinks I’m taking advantage of her?”
“Talking to yourself now? That’s a bad sign, Xander.”
A smooth, amused voice interrupted his internal debate. He turned to find Damian Castillo, casually leaning against the ivy-covered pillars, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Behind him, Elise ‘Ellie’ Cruz stood with crossed arms, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Alexander exhaled sharply. “You two. Why are you here?”
Ellie grinned, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. “Oh, don’t mind us. We’re just here to help you confess without making a complete fool of yourself.”
Damian chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I must admit, seeing the almighty Alexander Lorenzo this flustered is entertaining.”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not flustered.”
Ellie snorted. “Right. And I’m the Queen of England.”
Alexander sighed. “I don’t need help.”
“Sure you do.” Damian smirked. “Look, just be direct. Confidence is your thing, isn’t it?”
“I am confident.” Alexander’s silver-gray eyes darkened. “I just don’t want to ruin this.”
Ellie softened. “You won’t. Sera’s dense when it comes to emotions, but trust me, she’s not blind to you. Just speak from the heart.”
Alexander nodded slowly. He could do this. He would do this.
 
Sera sat alone on the wooden swing beneath the grand oak tree in the academy’s garden, lost in thought. The moonlight cast a silver glow over her long, dark brown hair, making her look almost ethereal.
She tapped her pen against her notebook, her signature habit when deep in thought. Lately, her mind had been filled with things she couldn’t quite decipher. And most of them involved Alexander Lorenzo.
A shadow fell over her. “I figured you’d be here.”
She looked up, her amber eyes meeting his—intense and unwavering. He stood tall, his perfectly tailored suit making him look every bit the powerful CEO he was, yet right now, he seemed… hesitant?
Sera arched a brow. “Xander?”
His lips twitched slightly at the way she said his name—so effortlessly, so naturally. “Come with me.”
She hesitated, gripping her notebook a little tighter. “Why?”
He extended a hand, palm up. “Trust me.”
Her heart stuttered. The warmth in his gaze, the quiet intensity—it was overwhelming. “I… I don’t know.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his usually composed features. For the first time, he looked nervous.
“If you don’t want to, it’s fine,” he murmured, retracting his hand slightly. “I just thought—”
Before he could finish, Sera exhaled sharply and slipped her fingers into his. “Alright. Lead the way.”
The brief relief in his eyes made her chest tighten as he gently pulled her along the winding stone pathway.
When they reached the garden’s heart, she gasped.
The entire area was transformed. Fairy lights twinkled like stars above, petals of deep red roses lined the pathway, and a beautifully set table with candlelight awaited them beneath a canopy of wisteria. It was breathtaking.
She turned to him, stunned. “Xander… did you do all this?”
His gaze never left hers. “For you.”
Her chest tightened as warmth spread through her. “Why?”
He took a slow breath. “Because I need you to know what you mean to me.”
Sera swallowed hard, her pulse quickening.
He led her to the center, stopping just before the table. His usual commanding demeanor softened as he looked at her, silver eyes shining under the glow of the lights.
“I’ve spent my life avoiding distractions. I thought emotions were weaknesses.” He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Then you happened.”
Sera’s breath hitched. “Xander…”
“I tried to ignore it,” he admitted, voice low and rough. “Tried to keep it professional. But I can’t. Not anymore.” He reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against hers. “You’re everything I never knew I needed.”
Sera’s chest tightened as she felt a rush of emotions, but a small voice inside her whispered caution. Could she really allow herself this? What if things went wrong? What if—
She bit her lip, her hesitation stretching just a second too long.
Alexander, seeing her lack of response, let out a slow breath. “You don’t have to answer now,” he cut in, misreading her silence. “I know there are complications—our age gap, your future, the expectations placed on us. But I’m willing to wait.” His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly. “Because you’re worth it.”
Sera swallowed hard. For the first time in both her lives, she felt something terrifying yet exhilarating. She had spent so much time focused on reclaiming what was stolen from her, on forging a new path… but Alexander Lorenzo had become an irreplaceable part of it.
She took a deep breath. “Xander… in my past life, I always felt like I was missing something. Like I was never truly living.” Her fingers curled around his. “But with you… I feel alive.”
His eyes widened slightly before he let out a breath of relief. A rare, genuine smile graced his lips—one that made her heart stutter.
“Does this mean—?”
She smirked. “Yes, but you better not go bossing me around.”
Alexander chuckled, pulling her close, his forehead resting against hers. “I wouldn’t dare. But you should know—I don’t intend to let you go.”
“Good,” she whispered, closing the distance between them.
Just as their lips were about to meet—
“FINALLY!”
A loud cheer erupted, making Sera jump.
She turned to see Ellie and Damian emerging from behind a hedge, both grinning like maniacs.
“Took you long enough!” Ellie laughed, clapping her hands.
Damian smirked. “I was starting to think he’d chicken out.”
Alexander groaned, rubbing his temples. “You two…”
Sera, flustered beyond belief, buried her face in his chest. “Remind me to strangle them later.”
Alexander chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. “Noted.”
Ellie winked. “We’ll take that as a ‘thank you’!”
The night was filled with laughter, warmth, and the start of something new.