It was a long haul. The flight took an entire night.

At the airport, it wasn’t my brother Liam waiting, but his best friend, Caleb Crawford.

Rumor had it they’d been inseparable since diapers, the kind of friends who’d share a toothbrush.

There were whispers about their closeness, even secret crushes.

So I kept my guard up, offering a polite smile.

"Long time no see, Caleb."

He was tall, handsome, dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt.

His smile was as warm as the local climate.

"Liam got called away last minute for a business trip. Sent me to fetch you."

He took my suitcase, patting it. "Sit?"

"I’m not five anymore."

Caleb was five years older than me.

He used to visit often, pulling me around the house on my suitcase.

He whistled, tossed my luggage into the back of his flashy red convertible, and cranked the music loud.

Looking out at the scenery, the warm breeze washed away the fatigue, the chill of Seabreeze City.

I liked this place.

"Liam’s place is under renovation. You’ll bunk with me for a few days. Room’s ready – upstairs, second door on the right. Across from mine."

The room had a great view, huge windows.

The decor, though… was something else.

Pink. Everywhere.

Peak clueless bachelor aesthetic.

Exhausted, I barely unpacked before sleeping.

In my dream, I was back in high school, seeing Lucas for the first time.

Leaning against the window sill, headphones on, book in hand.

Wind rustled the trees outside, ruffling his hair and his crisp white shirt.

Picture perfect.

Girls compete to see who dares to confess their love first.

Without thinking, I went.

"Lucas, I like you."

He looked up, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Irene, are you an idiot?"

I woke up.

Even it’s a dream, I was so embarrassed.

I really had been that bold then.

But in reality, that day, he’d just mocked silently.

Caleb’s voice cut through the memory, shouting through the door.

"Irene! Are you an idiot? You’ve slept a whole day! Get your butt down here for food!"

Caleb cooked the meal. It was delicious.

He’d once hated a restaurant so much he opened his own.

Wanted to drum? Started a band.

Obsessed with rocks? Went deep into the wilderness, needed a helicopter rescue.

Quit college halfway to race cars.

Countless wild actions. His family finally kicked him overseas.

When he heard Liam was here, he moved his company branch nearby.

Back then, my parents were terrified he’d corrupt Liam, our golden boy.

I kind of admired him. A life like his… no regrets, right?

"Caleb, what have you been up to these years?" I asked curiously.

"Business," he replied without looking up. "Why’d you come?"

"Learning business from Liam." We sounded painfully awkward.

He frowned thoughtfully. "Liam’s away. Stick with me for now."