Renee had just turned sixteen when life took a new turn. She and her family were moving to Timber City to live with her uncle and aunt. Her aunt Rita, along with her uncle, had three elder daughters, and their home would soon be shared with Renee's family. The circumstances of this move were rooted in a complex family history. Renee's parents had been separated for nearly a decade, splitting up when she was just seven years old after her father's business collapsed. Now, after years apart, he had rejoined the family, though their relationship remained strained and distant. They coexisted more than they connected.
Her relationship with her younger brother John was an entirely different story. They were like Tom and Jerry-constantly fighting but unable to be apart for long. Their banter was a mix of exasperation and affection, often culminating in playful pranks or shared laughter. Renee's mother was the cornerstone of their family. A beautiful and hardworking woman, she had shouldered immense responsibilities, working tirelessly to provide for her children. Together with her younger sister Mary, she had held down multiple jobs to ensure Renee and John's well-being. For Renee, her mother and Aunt Rita were her guiding lights, inspiring her to work hard and persevere.
Renee's mother's dedication was clear in small but profound ways-late-night sewing to make ends meet or waking up before dawn to prepare meals. For Renee, these moments left an impression, shaping her resilience and drive. As she settled into her new life in Timber City, she started attending 10th grade at Timber City International High School, a fresh chapter filled with both trepidation and excitement.
Joey was 23 years old and a resident of Timber City. He lived with his family, though his father's business trips often kept him away. Joey's bond with his mother was strong; she was his world. She loved baking, and her warmth made their house a haven. In contrast, Joey's father was strict and distant, a man who valued punctuality but struggled with alcohol. While his parents tried to shield Joey from their conflicts, he was perceptive enough to understand the tensions that simmered beneath the surface.
Joey was pursuing an engineering degree at the prestigious University of Timber (UOT). Among his circle of friends, Max and Helen were the closest. Max, a math genius, often brought an air of seriousness to their group, while Helen's stunning beauty and magnetic personality made her unforgettable. The trio had grown up together, and their bond was as solid as ever, often spending time at Joey's home, where his mother's baked treats became a highlight of their visits. Joey's love for his mother extended into quiet moments spent helping her in the kitchen or sharing stories late at night, moments that defined his character beyond the charm he exuded.
It was six in the evening, and the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Timber City. Renee, her aunt, and John were busy unloading boxes from a truck in front of their new house. The day's exhaustion was clear on Renee's face. She was a petite girl with pale gold skin, long hair that cascaded down her back, and lotus-shaped eyes that held a quiet charm. Dressed in a white gown adorned with tiny flowers, she sat on one of the boxes, half-asleep, her weariness catching up with her.
As she rested, Joey and his friends were walking home from college. Joey, dressed in a navy-blue shirt, black backpack slung over one shoulder, and black jeans, walked with an effortless charisma that turned heads wherever he went. Known as the "chocolate boy" of Timber City, his charm had become the talk of the town.
Joey's mind was wandering as he approached his house, but the sight of the truck and the flurry of activity in front of the neighboring home caught his attention. His gaze fell on Renee, sitting on a box, her tired figure framed by the soft evening light. She looked like she had been caught in a dream, her delicate features softened further by the fading daylight. Her head turned at the sound of the gate opening, and their eyes met for the first time. Joey's casual charm seemed to ripple through the air, and in that fleeting moment, Renee felt her heart skip a beat. She had fallen for him, as if the world had conspired to entangle their lives in a way neither could foresee.
For Joey, the moment lingered longer than he expected. He saw something unique in her tired yet serene expression, a quiet resilience that intrigued him.
And so, fate made its first move, setting the stage for two strangers to become entwined in a story neither could have predicted.