The wind was fierce that night. It was only when we started heading back that I realized just how chilly it had become. Unexpectedly, he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders as we walked together.
After we parted ways, I didn't see him for an entire year.
Then, in my dream, I found myself back at the apartment Rachel and I rented.

This time, I had made a substantial amount of money and was finally in a position to support him.
Jared was only a year younger than me.
Everything unfolded just like it had that morning, only this time, there was no one else around. Then, we kissed each other deeply as we expressed our love for each other.
…
When I woke up, I was back in our rental apartment, which now seemed much larger. Rachel informed me that her brothers had already gone home and explained what had transpired the previous day.
It turned out that the bathroom area had no security cameras, and it was notorious for incidents of sexual harassment.

If it weren't for Jared who entered the bathroom right after Rachel left, I might not have escaped a dreadful situation.
I shuddered at the thought of what could have happened.
'So, the loud banging on the door had been Jared. Even though he saved me, what did it really change? Dreams don't turn into reality,' I mused.
After all, it might be another year before we see each other again. And even if we did, what would it mean for us?

Nothing would change between us unless I became wealthy enough to support him. But that was just wishful thinking.
I often fantasized about suddenly becoming rich and living an easy, carefree life.
But in reality, I was one step away from getting fired. After paying rent, every cent had to be accounted for.
It was time I stopped daydreaming so much. Besides, he had already taken someone else's number when we were at the dessert shop that day.
Life would soon return to its usual rhythm, and I would find the happiness that truly belonged to me.
I realized that my fascination with a younger man might be because I hadn't been around men for quite some time.
Reflecting on this, I decided it was time for me to start dating.
Thus, I embarked on a series of blind dates. Meanwhile, Rachel got back together with her ex and moved out, leaving me to live alone in the apartment.
A year passed, and I encountered my share of weirdos. There were older men who were rich and desperate to have kids, as well as freeloaders who hoped I would support them.
True love seemed elusive, hardly the stuff of fairytales—except, perhaps, for love at first sight.
Yet, through all the unpredictable twists of my dating saga, I found myself on a date with my first love, Nicholas Johnson.
I would never forget the day we broke up.
Back then, we were classmates and had started dating.
Nicholas would use his allowance to pamper me. I wasn't the type to like owing people anything, so I told him I wouldn't spend his money until I had a job.
Yet, he continued to surprise me with lavish gifts, claiming it was his way of showing his love.
But the reason for our breakup was nothing short of absurd.
On the day it ended, he had taken me to a Hermes store to choose the latest handbag. At the checkout, his card was declined due to insufficient funds.
There, amidst the staring eyes of staff and shoppers, he broke up with me, accusing me of embarrassing him.
His rationale was so outlandish that I suspected he was simply looking for a way out of the relationship.
Jolted back to the present, I massaged my forehead, speechless.
"It's been a while, Yvette," Nicholas said, his face tinged with guilt. "Can we get back together?"
"How could I possibly consider that, Mr. Johnson? What if you run out of money again and decide to leave me?" I replied.
"It was my fault back then," he admitted. "I had never faced such embarrassment before, and I didn't handle it well."