Chapter 1

Daisy worked in a regular corporate office — the kind where every day feels like a copy of the last. Meetings that run too long, a never-ending pile of emails, and too many hours staring at screens that blur together.

But there was one hour she looked forward to the most.

Every single day.

Between 5 and 6 PM.

Her coffee break.

She’d step out of the glass building, pick up her usual coffee from the corner café, and sit on the same bench outside her office. That was her tiny escape. A little moment of peace before the rush again.

From where she sat, she could see the hotel right across the road.

It used to mean nothing. Just another building.

Until that one random day…

She was sipping her coffee, lost in her phone, when she happened to look up.

And that’s when she saw him.

A man standing on the balcony of one of the hotel rooms, a few floors up.

He was handsome, no doubt. Foreign-looking. Calm. He wasn’t on his phone or pacing around like most people.

He was just… still.

Their eyes met.

He didn’t look away.

But she did , instantly. Flustered.

She brushed it off. Maybe he was just looking around. Maybe he wasn’t even looking at her. Probably nothing.

But the next day, she found herself glancing at that balcony again.

He wasn’t there.

The day after that? Still empty.

Then came Thursday. The weather was nice, soft sun, her coffee felt extra comforting. She sat at her usual spot, scrolling like always.

Then she looked up.

And there he was.

Same room. Same balcony.

But this time… he was leaning on the railing. Arms folded. Like he was waiting.

And again, he was looking straight at her.

Daisy froze for a second.

Her stomach did that flip thing.

It wasn’t exactly shock. It was something else. That strange, quiet feeling when someone remembers you — when you're noticed. Like you matter in a tiny corner of someone else’s day.

She quickly looked down. Pretended to scroll. Took another sip of coffee.

Her cheeks felt warm, and not from the drink.

Then, curiosity won, she looked up again.

He was still there. Still watching.

Not smiling or waving. Just… watching.

But this time, it didn’t feel weird.

It felt like something was happening. Like some quiet moment was unfolding between them. A scene on repeat — only now, it was on purpose.

And in that second, Daisy knew:

This wasn’t just coincidence anymore.

The next day felt… a little heavier. Not in a sad way. Just… quieter.

Daisy didn’t rush for her break like she usually did. She took her time replying to a few extra emails. Tied her ponytail again, even though it didn’t need fixing. Maybe, deep down, she was avoiding it avoiding hope.

Because realistically, what were the chances?

He was probably just a traveler. A tourist. Passing by.

And that balcony moment , that whole silent not-looking-away thing...maybe it was just in her head.

A crush. A coincidence. A pretty little idea her tired brain built a fantasy around.

So when 5 PM hit, she grabbed her coffee anyway. Because the bench was hers first... before all this balcony stuff.

She walked out, black top tucked into her grey trousers, a little tired, but still clutching that warm paper cup like a piece of comfort.

She sat down on her usual bench.

Took a breath.

And like muscle memory, her eyes lifted — straight to the 5th floor.

The balcony.

Empty.

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