Love Rekindled

Past Meets Present (But only halfway).

Zelda finally arrives home after walking past the alley safely. She has no idea someone had just helped her, again. She gets inside, tosses her bag, and collapses on the couch, exhausted. She closes her eyes- falls asleep.

Flashback.

Zelda, younger and still just as fiery, is walking home alone after cram school. It’s late. She’s chewing gum, bag on one shoulder, scrolling through her phone.

As she walks past a dim alley near her street, two sketchy figures start tailing her. "Where are you headed, sweetheart?" one of the men called out- She ignored.

The men matched her stride for stride. She could hear their footsteps echoing off the walls. Zelda's mind racing, she thinks to herself, "Stay calm, don't panic. Just keep moving."

She tries to look back, one of the men lunged forward, grabbing her. "Shhhhhhh" he growled, trying to cover her mouth with a cloth.

Zelda struggled fiercely, trying to break free. "No! Let me go!" she shouted, but her voice was muffled by the cloth.

Suddenly—a voice yells:

“Zelda! You forgot your note again, seriously?!”

It’s Julius, running toward her with a notebook.

The men back off quickly, pretending like nothing happened and disappearing into the shadows.

Zelda drops to the ground, trembling, breath coming in quick gasps. Julius notices something’s wrong—this isn’t her usual drama. Her breaths are erratic, her hands shaky.

“Hey… Hey, are you okay? Short legs, You’re not acting, are you?”

She doesn’t respond, just keeps gasping, eyes wide and unfocused. Julius panics but gently kneels beside her, patting her back.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re fine now. I promise.”

She finally calms down after a long moment and suddenly breaks into tears, burying her face into his chest. Julius doesn’t move, just keeps patting her gently. "It's okay, you're okay now.."

The next day at school: The boys’ bathroom door burst open with a bang.

Zelda stormed in, eyes blazing. A couple of boys scrambled out with shocked expressions, one even dropping his phone in the rush. She didn’t care.

She found him—Julius, smug as always, leaning casually by the sink, sipping a juice box like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Before he could react, she grabbed him by the arm and shoved him into the nearest stall, slamming the door behind them.

His eyes widened, not in fear—but amusement.

“Whoa,” he said, raising an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting in a grin. “I gotta say, short legs, dragging me into a stall? I didn’t think you liked me that much.”

Zelda crossed her arms, standing between him and the door like a guard.

“You say a word about what happened yesterday—just one word to anyone—and I swear I’ll kill you.”

Julius leaned against the stall wall, still wearing that irritating smirk. “You dragged me in here to threaten me? In the boys’ bathroom? How low can you go?”

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, “Unless… you came in here to sneak a peek at the other guys?” She looked him square in the face. “What? I'm being serious here, you better not tell anyone. He lifts his hands in surrender. "I promise, not gonna say anything. Scout’s honour.”

Before leaving she glared at him. “You are the absolute worst, Julius.” She yanked the stall door open and stormed out, her ponytail swinging behind her like an angry flag.

He peeked out a moment later, chuckling to himself. “Still cute when she’s mad,” he murmured.

From that day forward: Julius began making up excuses. “I forgot my notebook,” “Mom said I should come home this way,” “That shortcut’s full of potholes” — all lies just so he could pass by her alley and make sure she wasn’t alone. She never figured it out.

Present day:

Julius is at home, sitting on his couch after a shower, towel around his neck. He stares at the floor, deep in thought.

“That was definitely Zelda… I always wondered what happened to her.”

He sighs. “She still walks down that alley … like she’s fighting the world.”

He closes his eyes, leaning back.

The week flew by in a blur — work, routines, and the quiet exhaustion of surviving.

Now it was Saturday morning. The sun was soft, the streets still yawning awake. Zelda ties her scarf around her hair, slips on casual slides, and stepped out to the convenience store a few blocks away.

She didn’t bother dressing up. Just a hoodie and joggers — it was a regular errand. She bought a couple things: milk, bread, and instant noodles. Something simple to get her through the weekend.

On her way back, she slowed her steps.

As she approached the familiar street near her house — the one with the alley — something looked… different.

There were men in uniforms, utility trucks parked beside the curb, and tools clanking.

At first, she thought it was just some random street maintenance.

But then she saw him.

Julius.

Sitting casually at the edge of a short board near the workers, dressed down in a simple dark sweatshirt and jeans. No suit. No assistant. No chauffeur. Just him, leaning forward, casually watching the progress with one knee raised, arms resting.

His expression was calm, almost... content.

There were a few other people with him — probably local officials or engineers — nodding as they talked about specs and wires.

Then Zelda looked closer.

They were installing a streetlight.

Right at the edge of the dark alley.

Her breath caught slightly in her throat.

He wasn’t overseeing some big Jewel Tek project here.

He was… fixing this? This spot?

She stepped back into the shadow of a fence and just watched.

She didn’t understand why he was there.

Did he live around here too? Was it coincidence?

But a part of her already knew — deep down, that it wasn’t.

She didn’t move, didn’t interrupt.

Just stood there, shopping bag in hand, quietly watching.

And for a moment, under the rising sun, something inside her softened.

Monday came around fast.

The mood at Jewel Tek was busy as ever — the showcase preparations were in full swing. Zelda sat at her desk, reviewing product files, prototype briefs, and media prep schedules. Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard. She was still new, but she was sharp, and Mr. Ben trusted her enough to handle important documents now.

Late in the afternoon, he approached her desk.

“Zelda, I need you to deliver these updated files to Mr. Julius upstairs. He needs them for the press briefing next week — and give him a short summary, would you?" Zelda blinked.

Julius. She hadn't seen him since the alley night thing. Her mind flashed back to Saturday morning.

She stood up, straightened her blazer, gathered the files, and walked to the elevator.

Ding.

Zelda stood outside the tall, matte-black door with a sleek J.C abbreviated on it. She raises her hand, knocks gently. Twice- no response.

She hesitates, glanced down at the neatly arranged folder in her hands — final prototype specs and media coordination notes — then reached for the handle and pushed the door open.

Empty. She blinks, stunned. The office was stunning — floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Her mouth parted slightly. She steps in slowly, the door clicking shut behind her.

“Wow…” she whispers.

With the folder still in one hand, she makes her way toward the window, drawn by the golden morning light pouring in. She pressed her palm gently against the glass and smiles— the city looked almost magical from up here.

Turning, her eyes caught the massive executive desk at the center of the room. “That’s one huge desk,” she muttered. The gleaming gold nameplate read:

Julius Cortez. Chief Executive Officer

Her eyes widened a bit. “CEO, huh?” she whispered with a grin.

She wandered a little further — and stopped at a long, polished display table against the wall. A single prototype gadget lay inside a glass case, lit dramatically: a sleek, chrome-and-glass bracelet — Jewel Tek’s unreleased biometric smart band. A display read “Neural Sync Model X – Internal Build Only.”

Zelda leaned in, eyes sparkling with interest. “I’ve only heard rumors about this,” she murmured, fingers almost brushing the glass. “It syncs with thoughts?”

The door opened suddenly behind her. It was Julius.

“Wow… this place is massive,” she blurted without thinking, letting out a nervous laugh. “Can’t believe my boss’s office is bigger than my entire apartment.”

She spun around — and froze. Julius was already at the door, his sharp eyes watching her with a look that was unreadable. He steps in, walking with calm confidence and taking his seat at the desk.

She composed herself and moved forward, holding out the folder. “Sorry — I came in and you weren’t inside. Here’s the paperwork for the media and prototype alignment for the upcoming showcase. The R&D team signed off on the updated testing schedule.”

Julius nods silently, flipping the folder open without looking at her.

Zelda took that as her cue to leave. She turned, hand already on the doorknob — then paused.

“Sorry to bother you, sir,” she said quietly, “but… I saw you the other day. In my neighborhood.”

He didn’t look up. “There was someone fixing the streetlamp — it looked like you. But that doesn’t seem like Jewel Tek’s business… Do you live nearby?”

His eyes slowly lifted, meeting hers — dark and unreadable. "I don’t owe you an explanation, Miss Zelda,” he said coldly. “If you’re finished, see yourself out.”

Her heart sank. “Of course, sir. Sorry again.”

She opened the door quietly, stepped out, and closed it behind her — the sting of embarrassment riding hot on her cheeks.

Inside, Julius exhaled through his nose and stared at the folder for a moment. Then softly, under his breath, he murmured:

“She really doesn’t remember…”