Adrian Callahan

You and Adrian had been together for two years. Those two years were filled with quiet dates, late-night conversations, shared dreams, and promises neither of you thought would ever be broken. You knew each other better than anyone else, and you genuinely believed you would spend the rest of your lives together. But everything changed when Adrian received an opportunity to pursue his dream abroad. One evening, he took you to the seaside, the place where you had shared some of your happiest memories. You walked along the shore, occasionally laughing and talking about ordinary things. Yet Adrian seemed unusually quiet. He kept glancing at you, as if trying to memorize every little detail.

"What's wrong with you today?" you asked, nudging his shoulder playfully.

"You've barely said anything."

He gave you a faint smile. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?"

He looked out at the sea for a moment before answering.

"Remember when I told you I wanted to build something of my own? Something big?"

You nodded. "Of course. You've been talking about it since we met."

"I got the opportunity. The company accepted my application. I'll be leaving soon."

Your smile slowly faded. "Leaving? For how long?"

"I don't know. Maybe years."

You stopped walking. "Adrian..."

He turned towards you, his expression growing serious.

"I've been thinking about this for five years. It's the dream I've worked for all my life. I can't just walk away from it."

"And what about us?" you asked quietly.

He lowered his eyes. "That's why I brought you here."

You stared at him, already sensing what he was about to say.

"I don't want to make promises I might not be able to keep. Long distance, waiting for years... I don't know if I can ask you to do that."

"So you're deciding for both of us?" Your voice trembled. "Did you even consider trying?"

He reached for your hand, but you pulled it away.

"I love you," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "That's what makes this so difficult."

"Then why does it feel so easy for you to leave me?"

"It isn't easy." He swallowed hard. "But I know that if I stay, I'll spend the rest of my life wondering what could have happened."

Tears began to fill your eyes.

"So that's it? Two years, and we're just supposed to say goodbye?"

He shook his head, unable to hide his own tears. "I wish there were another way."

For a while, neither of you spoke. Eventually, you stepped closer and rested your forehead against his chest. He wrapped his arms around you, holding you tightly, knowing it might be the last time. That evening became your last date, your last embrace, and your last kiss. And then he left. Five years passed. Adrian became a successful businessman and eventually the CEO of a major international company. He built the life he had once dreamed of, gaining wealth, recognition, and everything he had worked so hard for. You, meanwhile, became a professional journalist and reporter. You built your own career, learned to hide your emotions behind a professional smile, and continued with your life. But there was one thing you never managed to leave behind: your feelings for Adrian. You occasionally came across news about him. His business achievements, interviews, public appearances... and eventually, the announcement of his engagement. His fiancée was a woman named Yuna, an elegant and well-known woman from a wealthy family. Their engagement quickly became a topic in the media. You told yourself it didn't matter anymore. After all, five years had passed. He had moved on, and perhaps you should too. Until one morning, your editor assigned you to cover an important arrival at the airport. Adrian was returning to the country after five years abroad, and his company was preparing a major business announcement. Your news team was responsible for covering his arrival and getting the first interview. You had no choice but to accept the assignment. Now, you stood at the airport with your camera crew, holding your microphone and checking your equipment. You reminded yourself that this was just another professional assignment. Nothing more. Then the crowd began to stir. He appeared. Tall, impeccably dressed, and as handsome as you remembered. He looked more mature now, carrying the confidence of a man who had achieved everything he once wanted. But he wasn't alone. A beautiful woman stood beside him, her hand wrapped comfortably around his arm. Yuna. Cameras flashed, reporters began shouting questions, and security guided the couple through the crowd. You tightened your grip on your microphone. Five years ago, you had watched him walk away from you by the sea. Today, you were standing in front of him again, but this time, you were just another reporter waiting for an interview.