Jack slumped onto the worn-out sofa, exhaustion weighing heavy on him. His eyes wandered absently around the kitchen—until they landed on a framed photo resting on the counter.

It was him and Selena, laughing against a mountain backdrop, their first meeting frozen in time.

A lump formed in his throat as memories rushed back like a flood.

Years ago...

The wind howled across the mountaintop, sending Selena’s favorite handkerchief soaring into the air.

She gasped, eyes wide, watching as it got tangled in the highest branch of an old tree.

"No… my handkerchief!" she murmured in frustration.

Jack, who had been resting nearby, noticed her struggling to reach it.

"How am I going to get it now?" Selena huffed. "I don’t even know how to climb trees..."

Jack smirked, rolling up his sleeves. "Then it’s a good thing I do."

Before she could stop him, he was already scaling the tree like he had done it a thousand times.

"Careful!" Selena called, clutching her chest as she watched him reach higher.

Jack finally grabbed the delicate piece of cloth and grinned in triumph. "Got it!"

But just as he was about to climb down—

CRACK.

The branch beneath his foot snapped.

"Jack!"

Jack plummeted to the ground with a dull thud, dust rising from the impact.

Selena gasped, rushing to his side, eyes filled with worry. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

Jack winced, but when he saw the concern on her face, he forced a grin and shook his head. "Nah, I’m fine. I’ve had worse."

Then, despite the ache in his back, he extended his arm—handkerchief in his grasp.

"Here. Your favorite handkerchief."

Selena blinked in surprise, then slowly took it from him. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the fabric to her chest.

"Thank you..." Her voice was softer now, her eyes glimmering with something Jack couldn’t quite name.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, she smiled. A real, beautiful smile.

"By the way, I’m Selena. Selena Late."

Jack chuckled, dusting off his jacket before offering his hand.

"I’m Jack. Nice to meet you, Selena."

And just like that, everything began.