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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
I always dreamed of a quiet life as a librarian, where books become friends. But meeting the mysterious T. turned my world upside down. What do you do when love comes at the wrong time and brings secrets that break your heart?<\/p>\n
I sat behind the counter in the library, bored and unsure of how to occupy myself. An open book lay beside me, but I had no desire to pick it up and finally finish it. The clock\u2019s hand moved slower than ever before.<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Generally, I loved my job\u2014I got paid to read books and help others find them. But this was just one of those days. Since childhood, the idea of working as a librarian fascinated me; I loved reading and escaping into fictional worlds away from reality. My younger sister often called me a nerd, but I didn\u2019t mind.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, an attractive man approached my counter and, with a nod, left the books he had read. His dark hair and bright blue eyes caught my attention. He gave me a quick smile before turning away.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
After he left the library, I began checking the books he had returned as part of my job. In one of the books, I found a folded paper.<\/p>\n
Curious, I unfolded it and saw a note: \u201cAlthough you are very cute when you are bored, I believe that with so many books around, boredom is forbidden.\u201d \u2014 Yours, T.<\/p>\n
Below, he listed books, detailing why I should read them and what he liked about them. My broad smile was probably visible from the moon.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
I chose one of the books he recommended and started reading it. The story was captivating, and I couldn\u2019t put it down.<\/p>\n
The next day, I finished the book and wrote my impressions on a piece of paper, then discreetly slipped it to the man whose name started with T. Half an hour later, he approached my counter and left a note with a reply.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Several weeks passed this way; we recommended books to each other and discussed them through little notes. We never spoke to each other, and I still didn\u2019t know his name, but I knew he had a cat, loved historical novels and memoirs, and had a secret passion for fantasy.<\/p>\n
I also knew he loved cooking and even the nickname of his school bully, though it was hard to believe that such an attractive man was ever teased.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
One day, I was sitting at the counter, writing a reply about a book, when suddenly I saw someone\u2019s shadow over me. I looked up and saw T. smiling broadly at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d he said, his voice smooth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, hey,\u201d I replied, feeling a rush of nerves. \u201cI was just\u2026 writing\u2026 a reply\u2026 not a reply\u2026 uh,\u201d I stammered, feeling unusually shy around him. \u201cSorry, I don\u2019t know what\u2019s gotten into me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
T. laughed. It was a warm sound that made me relax a bit. \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d he said. \u201cI guess you\u2019re writing a reply to my note,\u201d he added with a smile, and I nodded. \u201cI thought maybe we should finally talk in person?\u201d he suggested, placing a hand on his chest and taking a deep breath. \u201cSorry, I\u2019m nervous too. I haven\u2019t felt this way around a woman in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help but smile back at him. \u201cI just wanted to say that I found the ending of this book rather rushed, as if the author got lazy\u2014\u201d I began, but T. interrupted me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you go on a date with me?\u201d he asked, his eyes sincere.<\/p>\n
I felt my cheeks flush. \u201cY-yes,\u201d I said, my voice trembling a little.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat, then tonight at 7:00 p.m. at my place. You\u2019ll see that I wasn\u2019t lying about my culinary skills,\u201d he said with a grin. \u201cI\u2019ll text you.\u201d I just nodded, too flustered to speak. T. started to return to his table but quickly turned back. \u201cI just realized I don\u2019t have your number,\u201d he said, holding out his phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right, of course,\u201d I said, taking the phone and entering my number, double-checking to make sure it was correct. I handed the phone back to him and realized I had forgotten something. \u201cI still don\u2019t know your name,\u201d I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTom,\u201d he said, extending his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia,\u201d I replied, shaking his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cNice to meet you, Olivia,\u201d Tom said, his smile genuine. \u201cLooking forward to our date,\u201d he added and then returned to his table.<\/p>\n
I sat back down, my heart pounding. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. I would be at his place. My mind raced with thoughts about what to wear and what we might talk about.<\/p>\n
For the rest of the day, I couldn\u2019t focus on anything else. I kept glancing at the clock, counting down the hours until our date.<\/p>\n
After work, I hurried home to prepare for the date. I chose my favorite dress, a soft blue one that always made me feel confident. I applied light makeup, just enough to enhance my features without feeling overdone.<\/p>\n
My hands shook a little as I called a taxi to the address Tom had given me. With trembling legs, I stepped outside and got into the car.<\/p>\n
The ride felt both quick and endless. My mind raced with excitement and nerves. When we arrived at the address, I saw Tom\u2019s house\u2014it was beautiful, a cozy-looking place with flowers in the front yard. I got out of the car and rang the doorbell, my heart pounding.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi,\u201d I replied, trying to stay calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d Tom said, stepping aside. \u201cYou look amazing,\u201d he added, his eyes warm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, you too,\u201d I replied, feeling my nerves ease a bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go to the kitchen. Dinner is ready,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d I said, following him inside.<\/p>\n
As soon as I entered, I smelled a pleasant aroma coming from the kitchen. Tom led me there, and I saw a beautifully set table with food that looked very appetizing.<\/p>\n
Candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the dishes. The sight made my stomach growl in anticipation.<\/p>\n
We sat down and started dinner. We couldn\u2019t focus on the food because we were talking nonstop. Being with him felt so easy. I thought it was a dream.<\/p>\n
When we finally finished eating, Tom offered to show me his home library, and of course, I agreed. He led me to a room, and when I saw it, my jaw dropped in awe\u2014books lined the walls, windowsills, and tables, even the floor. The room was a cozy paradise for any book lover.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, this is incredible,\u201d I said, running my fingers along the spines of the books. \u201cWhy do you come to the library if you have so many books?\u201d I asked, curious about his impressive collection.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed a specific book,\u201d he said. \u201cBut after seeing you, I started coming every day. I realized I actually had very few books compared to what I could find at the library.\u201d His honesty made me blush.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you read them all?\u201d I asked, looking around at the countless volumes.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, about 70%,\u201d Tom replied, sounding a bit unsure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s still a lot,\u201d I said, impressed.<\/p>\n
He shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ve loved reading since childhood, to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEscape from reality,\u201d I finished for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he agreed, looking at me with surprise and admiration.<\/p>\n
I approached a coffee table and saw a hairpin lying there. I picked it up, examining it.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably my sister\u2019s,\u201d he said quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I see. My sister loses everything too. I\u2019m surprised she managed to find a fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know him? Maybe he\u2019s the same way,\u201d Tom asked, sounding genuinely interested.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but I\u2019ll meet him in a few days. From what she says, they\u2019re very different,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you worried about her?\u201d Tom asked, his tone serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore about him,\u201d I said, and Tom laughed, easing the mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy sister is a very\u2026 complex person, but she always gets what she wants.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
I went to one of the shelves and took out a book. \u201cThis was my favorite book as a child,\u201d I said, holding it up.<\/p>\n
Tom came closer to me, very close. \u201cMine too,\u201d he said, his eyes locked on mine.<\/p>\n
We met each other\u2019s eyes, and Tom leaned in and\u2026 we kissed! Finally, I thought.<\/p>\n
But after a few seconds, Tom pulled away, looking troubled. \u201cI\u2026 I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I can\u2019t\u2026 this is wrong,\u201d he said, his voice filled with confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs everything okay?\u201d I asked, feeling a pang of worry.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you\u2019re wonderful. I\u2019m just confused,\u201d he said apologetically, avoiding my gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want me to leave?\u201d I asked, my heart sinking.<\/p>\n
\u201cLess than anything in the world, but I think it\u2019s the right thing to do,\u201d he said, his voice soft.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright,\u201d I said, heading for the door, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me. Tom\u2019s behavior was really puzzling to me. Had I done something wrong?<\/p>\n
I left the house, and Tom followed me, calling a taxi for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll wait with you until the taxi arrives,\u201d Tom said, standing close to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d I wondered if I should ask him anything, but the words just came out of me. \u201cDid I do or say something wrong?\u201d I asked, needing to understand.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no, God, you\u2019re incredible. But I did something wrong, and I can\u2019t go on like this,\u201d Tom said, his voice filled with regret.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the hairpin wasn\u2019t your sister\u2019s, right?\u201d I asked, the realization hitting me. But Tom didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n
A minute later, the taxi arrived, and I got into the car, leaving Tom standing there. The confusion and sadness lingered as the car drove away.<\/p>\n
A few days had passed since that date with Tom. Afterward, he stopped coming to the library, and we didn\u2019t see each other anymore. I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about what had happened. The confusion and disappointment gnawed at me.<\/p>\n
One evening, I went to my sister\u2019s house for dinner to finally meet her fianc\u00e9. As soon as I entered, Leah greeted me with a big hug. The rest of the family was already there, chatting and laughing, filling the room with warmth and noise.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi! Finally, you\u2019ll meet him. He\u2019s in the kitchen finishing dinner. He cooks, can you believe it?\u201d Leah said. She led me to the kitchen, and there I saw him. Tom stood there, calmly cooking dinner, not even looking at us. I stood in shock, unable to move.<\/p>\n
\u201cTom, meet my sister Olivia,\u201d Leah said, her voice filled with excitement. Tom seemed to be hit by a bolt of electricity as he looked straight into my eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNice to meet you,\u201d I said, trying to keep my voice steady.<\/p>\n
\u201cLikewise,\u201d he said, his voice barely a whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave you two to chat. But Liv, don\u2019t you dare scare him,\u201d Leah teased and left the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the\u2026?\u201d I said as soon as we were alone, my mind racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I know, but I can explain everything,\u201d Tom whispered, his eyes pleading.<\/p>\n
\u201cExplain what? That you cheated on my sister? With me?!\u201d I whispered back, trying to keep my voice down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more complicated than you think,\u201d Tom said, looking desperate.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?! Maybe I should tell her everything so she understands who she\u2019s about to marry,\u201d I said, my anger rising.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, Olivia. It\u2019s very complicated,\u201d Tom repeated, his voice breaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly is complicated, Tom?\u201d I demanded, needing answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fell in love with you and\u2014\u201d He didn\u2019t have time to finish as Leah walked into the kitchen, her face glowing with happiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think now is the best time to tell everyone,\u201d she said, her excitement palpable.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now?\u201d Tom asked, looking terrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cYep,\u201d Leah said, pulling him by the hand out of the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell them what?\u201d I asked, feeling a knot forming in my stomach.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, you\u2019ll find out. You\u2019ve always been so impatient,\u201d Leah replied with a wink.<\/p>\n
I followed them, my heart pounding. Leah and Tom stood in the middle of the living room, everyone watching them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have great news!\u201d Leah announced, her smile wide. \u201cWe\u2019re having a baby!\u201d she exclaimed joyfully, and everyone rushed to congratulate her and Tom.<\/p>\n
I felt as if my heart had been ripped from my chest. I ran outside, unable to hold back the tears. The cool evening air hit my face, but it did little to calm me. I stood on the porch, trying to compose myself, taking deep breaths.<\/p>\n
After a while, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Tom approaching, his face full of concern and sadness. He came up to me, looking as troubled as I felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you understand why it\u2019s complicated,\u201d Tom said, his eyes filled with sorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re only marrying her because of the baby?\u201d I asked, needing to hear the truth.<\/p>\n
Tom nodded. \u201cLeah always gets what she wants, right? We weren\u2019t serious, but then she said she was pregnant, and I had to do the right thing,\u201d he said, his voice heavy with regret.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you love her?\u201d I asked, my heart aching.<\/p>\n
Tom remained silent, his expression conflicted.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither way, you did the right thing,\u201d I said, trying to be supportive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, and I never doubted it\u2026 until I met you. Now I\u2019m so confused, I don\u2019t know what to do,\u201d Tom admitted, his frustration evident.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay with your fianc\u00e9e,\u201d I said firmly, though my heart was breaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I fell in love with you, Olivia. I want to be happy, I want to be with you. Maybe we can work this out somehow. Maybe I can just be a father but not marry Leah,\u201d Tom said, his voice pleading.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, the child needs to see his father with his mother, not with his aunt,\u201d I said, my voice trembling with emotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd us? What about us? Don\u2019t we deserve to be happy?\u201d Tom asked, his eyes searching mine for answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do. But we met at the wrong time,\u201d I said, tears welling up in my eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this the end?\u201d Tom asked, his voice breaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can\u2019t be an end where there was never even a beginning,\u201d I said softly, feeling a deep sense of loss.<\/p>\n
After my words, Tom pulled me close and kissed me. My mind was foggy, but I found the strength to pull away.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye, Tom, you were a wonderful experience,\u201d I said, turning to leave so he wouldn\u2019t see how much I was crying over him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were everything,\u201d he said softly after me, but I still heard him. His words echoed in my mind as I walked away, each step heavier than the last. I cried harder than ever before. I had met the perfect person for me, my person, the right person, but at the wrong time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I always dreamed of a quiet life as a librarian, where books become friends. But meeting the mysterious T. turned my world upside down. What do you do when love comes at the wrong time and brings secrets that break your heart? I sat behind the counter in the library, bored and unsure of how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13770"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13777,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13770\/revisions\/13777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}