Lost Once, Redeemed Twice

"Catch me if you can!" Stella called out, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, as she darted away from Cury. Their laughter echoed throughout the house as they playfully chased each other. "Do you really think I can't catch you? You better run faster!" Cury teased, his older age not deterring him from enjoying the playful pursuit. Stella and Cury had an incredible bond as best friends, a friendship that had blossomed since she was just 13 and he was 17. Their families had been close for years, but it took some time for Stella to warm up to Cury. At first, she judged him based on his looks and age, assuming he was a "bad boy," but she soon realized that appearances can be deceiving. Cury turned out to be a good-hearted and genuine person, and that realization marked the beginning of a strong friendship. Cury's overprotective nature was undeniable, and it was evident in how he always looked out for her, making sure she stayed safe and out of harm's way. One incident that showcased his protective instincts was when she tried to surprise her parents by cooking for them. In her excitement, she forgot to turn off the stove, and the kitchen almost went up in flames. It was Cury who noticed the gas smell and acted swiftly to prevent disaster. Another time, as they playfully chased each other, she stumbled and fell into the deep end of the pool, sustaining bruises and scratches. Despite her minor mishap, she couldn't help but laugh at her clumsiness, while Cury frowned, concerned for her well-being. Thankfully, she was a skilled swimmer, and with Cury by her side, she knew she was in safe hands. Her 17th birthday was a memorable occasion, not only because of the celebration but also because of an almost embarrassing mishap. As she danced with Cury, she accidentally stepped on her dress, nearly losing her balance. But Cury held her close, ensuring she remained steady on her feet. Amidst all these experiences, her 18th birthday held a special surprise that would forever be etched in her heart. As she anticipated the customary 18 roses, Cury presented her with a beautiful bouquet instead. It was an unexpected gesture that touched her deeply. The room was filled with laughter and joy as the guests celebrated her 18th birthday. Cury, her ever-watchful and caring best friend, was at the center of it all, blushing slightly as he handed her a bouquet of roses he had personally chosen. "Don't laugh at me," he said, his cheeks turning even redder. "I just didn't want other boys to give you roses, so I asked your dad if I could be the one to give you all 18 roses." His heartfelt gesture touched her, and she couldn't help but laugh at his adorable shyness. "Thank you, Cury. I appreciate you giving me this whole bouquet instead of just one," she said, still chuckling. "You really didn't give others a chance." Cury's embarrassment only made her laughter grow, but she quickly hugged him tightly to show her appreciation. It was their way of teasing each other, and they knew it was all good fun. A few moments later, the two of them found themselves dancing together, surrounded by the sweetest melody. Cury held her close, his hand gently resting on her waist as her hands found their place on his shoulder. As they danced, their eyes met, and the world around them seemed to fade away. They were lost in each other's gaze, feeling like characters in a beautiful fairy tale. At that moment, Cury whispered, "Happy birthday, Stella!" The simple greeting sent her heart racing, and her cheeks flushed with warmth. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, like a real-life version of Cole Sprouse. She couldn't take her eyes off him as he smiled lovingly at her. Stella was taken aback by the rush of emotions. She was at a loss for words, completely mesmerized by his presence. It felt like time stood still as they gazed at each other, their connection palpable. He waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her daze. "Stella, are you okay?" he asked with concern. "You were just staring at me without responding. Are you mesmerized by my handsomeness?" he teased, trying to lighten the moment. Her heart skipped a beat at his playful words, and she felt a wave of love and affection for her dear friend. His caring gesture of cupping her face only deepened her feelings for him. He was worried because when he was asking if she could be his girlfriend, she was in a dazed. "What did you say earlier? You're just too handsome not to be stared at. Sorry, I was left out from reality for a minute." she laughed and apologized as she saw how worried he was about her behavior. He grinned at her compliments which he always received from her and he never got tired of hearing them, but was also nervous at the same time. "I know, this is very sudden, but I want to tell you, Stella, that you're my gem. You make me smile, you make me laugh even at the simplest thing. You may be careless most of the time, but I am always here for you. I cared for you. I will always protect you. I will never leave you. Just call me and I'll be there, wherever you are. Even if I'm on the other side of the world, I'll come for you." "Today...." he paused for a moment and joked, "I'm sorry, I'm nervous" and the guest laughed. "Today, I want everyone to witness how an Anderson shows their love." He stifled a laugh and continued while she was staring at him wide-eyed. "Stella Matthews, can you be my girlfriend?" The guest went wild. Screams of his friends can be heard. "You got it, Anderson!" Shouted one of his high school friends, which earned a loud laugh from the audience. "Go for it! Say yes, Stella!" Another audience shouted. It took a minute for her to sink in what he said. "Are you serious? Of course, YES!" She said, jumping and he was over the moon. "Can I kiss you?" Before he was able to say another word, she kissed him and the fireworks exploded above. She felt the butterflies in her stomach and so was he. Their kiss lasted for a minute. It was not short, but it was a very memorable one. "I love you, my Stella." He said as he cupped her face and kissed her on her forehead. "I love you too, Ry." She replied. He was delighted to hear her say that word. "You don't know how long I've waited for this to happen. I've been secretly loving you since you were 15." He said, grinning. It was the best sight she always ever saw, which she was grateful for. "What? Since when? 15? Are you kidding me?" She is shocked because she never knew that. That was a big revelation because they loved each other without knowing that they felt the same. All throughout the event, they never let each other go. As she was walking around to talk to her friends and her guest, he silently followed along. "Babe, wait for me there. You'll be tired if you keep on following me," Stella said to him. "What did you call me? Can you repeat that?" He asked, grinning. "I said babe." She blushed when she repeated what she called him. He touched his heart as he said, "I loved it when you said that."And he added, "Okay, I'll be sitting at that table with my friends. I'll wait for you there. Call me when you're done, okay?" He kissed her before walking to the table he pointed to. She felt excited about his kiss. She felt over the moon. It took a minute before she was able to be out of the trance. She smiled at herself saying, 'this felt like a fairytale reality and I love it'. She walked around, greeted and smiled at her guests. After a while, she was done. Before she was able to call him, he saw her first. He stood up and walked to her. He smiled at her widely. She was still gorgeous as ever, which made his heart flutter. "Hey, gorgeous! You're done?" he said as he was checking her out shamelessly. "Hey, handsome. Yeah. Don't look at me like that. I'm gonna melt." She replied and he chuckled. "Why? Why not? You're a good sight, you know? I'll never get tired and bored by just looking at you." He winked, which made her blush. They walked hand in hand in the garden and sat down on a bench. He holds her hand tight and kissed it. "My script was perfect when I practiced it earlier, but when I saw your gorgeous face and how you look at me, I forgot it and instead made an on the spot confession." They laugh together. "Thank you so much for today, Ry. This is the happiest moment of my life. I can't believe we are a couple now. I still felt nervous but excited." He looked at her eyes full of love, "You're my rock, my happiness. I'll be by your side always. Your laughter, your smile, they light up my world. With you, life is an enchanting adventure. I love you deeply," He leaned closer to her and looked at her eyes as she closed them. He smiled at her and kissed her. "I love you so much, Stella." He said once the kiss was broken. She looked at him blushing. "Is my dear Stella shy?" He teased her and laughed at the same time, which made her smile. "Stop it, Ry. It's embarrassing!" She covered her face with her hands and smiled. As the years rolled by, they both found themselves in college, but their love only grew stronger. During their college days, they were inseparable, constantly showing affection for each other. Even with their studies, he made sure to visit her regularly, ensuring her well-being. They worked hard to keep the spark alive, never letting their love fade away. Their devotion to each other was unwavering, and they cherished every moment together. "Babe, I'll be picking you up at 7 PM. I want to show you something. You'll probably love it." He said in a call one evening. He wanted to show Stella his new-found place. It was peaceful and relaxing. The wind is refreshing and the view is breath-taking. At 7PM, he was already at her doorstep. He was wearing a shirt showing his well-built body and jeans along with sneakers. He smiled once he saw her. "I can't help but admire you even more. You're gorgeous, girlfriend." She blushed at his compliment. "Thank you boyfriend. Before everything else, where are we going?" "You'll see when we get there. I'm sure you'll love it." He held her hand and guided her to his car. He helped her strap her seatbelt and he stole a kiss after. He saw how she was affected by him and he felt proud. "Are you comfortable, babe?" He asked, grinning. "Ahem. Yes. Thank you!" He jogged to the other side of the car once he made sure Stella was comfortable and safe. They drove off a minute later. While they were on the way, Stella kept on admiring the view. "The lights are beautiful and the air is fresh." "This place is already outside the city." She stared at him wide-eyed. She was about to say something when he said, "We're here." Her mouth fell when she saw the scenery. The city lights on both sides can be seen and stars are twinkling above. The moon is also bright. They walked together towards it and she saw it was a cliff. "Do you know what I named this place?" He asked, laughing just by thinking of the name. "What name is it?" She also smiled as if sensing something funny. "Cliff of Cury and Stella" They both laughed at the name he thought, because he couldn't think of any name appropriate for it. They cherished every moment together, spending hours on the cliff, watching the sun set and the stars twinkle in the night sky. As midnight approached, they reluctantly decided to head home, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new day and new adventures. Despite being in different cities for their studies, their love remained unwavering throughout their college years. They never had any major misunderstandings, always making sure to update and show their love through video calls and meet-ups. Cury never missed spending his vacations with her, and they traveled locally, creating cherished memories together. Every time they were together, it felt like the best time of their lives. The connection between them was so strong that no distance or time apart could break it. Their love story continued to blossom, filling their hearts with joy and happiness. ______ Two years later, life took an unexpected turn. She was left devastated as her loved ones departed, leaving her to face the world alone. Tragically, her parents were taken from her in an accident, leaving an immense void in her heart. Cury, her boyfriend, also vanished, leaving her feeling lost and confused. She remembered the day he acted strangely, as if wanting to say something important. They were cuddled up for a movie marathon at his condo, but his anxiety was evident. He seemed to struggle with words, opening and closing his mouth nervously. Despite the warm embrace, she felt a sense of unease, wondering what might have caused him to leave her as well. "Take care of yourself, my Stella. Always. Okay? Don't forget about me." He said, smiling, but she could see in his eyes that it was not a happy smile but a forced one. "Of course, always. Why would I? Wait, is everything okay?" She said worriedly. 'Something is wrong' she thought. "Nothing baby. I was just tired and I just wanted to remind you because I love you." She felt something prick her heart because the way he said it was like he was saying his goodbye. "Babe. Are you sure you're okay? You look like you're not. You look anxious." "I'm okay baby. I'm just tired. I want to rest." She didn't press him further, thinking he was simply tired. But when he didn't message her that night, panic set in. Attempting to contact him, she found all his social media accounts deactivated. Calls to his phone went unanswered, and his parents were unreachable. Something was clearly wrong, but she had no idea what had happened. She felt lost and abandoned, with no way to find answers. The next day, she searched for him at his condo and their house, but he was gone. Their house was sold, and his condo was empty. For weeks, she looked everywhere, even their favorite spot, but he remained missing. Then, the devastating news of her parents' accident shattered her world. She was left utterly alone, with everyone she loved gone. She sank into deep despair, battling depression for months. Lost and unsure, she didn't know where to turn or what steps to take. The weight of loss and uncertainty weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her adrift in a sea of sorrow. ______ Five years had passed, and memories, both good and bad, were etched in their hearts. Whenever she met someone new, she couldn't help but compare them to him—the one who had left a profound mark on her life. One night at a bar, she encountered Cain, a sweet and respectful guy. He became her confidant, but she saw him as a best friend, not a romantic interest. Though he confessed his love, she didn't reciprocate. Instead, he supported her, secretly loving her all along. But then, everything changed when Cain met Sophie, Stella's best friend. Love at first sight struck, and his feelings for Stella vanished, much to her relief. Stella encouraged their relationship, believing they were destined for each other. The trio become inseparable, understanding each other's pasts. Cain even offered Sophie a better position, but she declined, devoted to being there for Stella. Touched by Sophie's loyalty, Stella was moved to tears. Yet, Sophie's laughter over her reactions playfully annoyed her, forging an unbreakable bond of friendship and love.