Chapter 18: Remembering This Love

Aria couldn't keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. The overwhelming rush of emotions within her was almost unbearable. She wasn't just visiting a grand house; she was entering a strangely familiar world that seemed to reflect her past. Liesha's home was more than just luxurious; it was breathtaking, a magnificent estate that stood tall against the city skyline.

During their drive to her house, Liesha told them about her life. She and her older brother Adrian Burton were the Burton family's only heirs. Their family had just moved from Birmingham to North America three months ago. Their British accents were strong and refined, reflecting the weight of their aristocratic background. Liesha, despite her wealthy upbringing, was carefree, social, and full of life, whereas Adrian was the polar opposite—serious, reserved, and extremely private. Their parents were successful businesspeople who owned three luxury glass furniture factories. Maybe that's why their mansion was nothing short of a dream.

As Liesha parked the car, she turned to them with a smirk. "So, my brother is a bit... how do I put it? Reserved. He doesn't warm up to new people easily, but trust me, he's a good guy. I figured since we're all the same age, you guys could get along."

Rogers chuckled. "Sounds like my kind of guy."

However, Aria felt a strange weight in her chest. Her heart pounded louder as she entered the house. The grandeur of it was nothing compared to the tension within her. Something about this place was evoking an emotion she couldn't explain.

Then Adrian appeared.

Descending the stairs in a perfectly tailored black button-up and slacks, his commanding presence was impossible to miss. He was attractive—almost painfully so. But what made Aria freeze was the way his deep blue eyes locked on hers.

Rogers, standing next to her, muttered under his breath, "You've gotta be kidding me."

It wasn't only the name.

That was him.

Adrian's expression, which was initially cold and distant, changed when he saw her. His normally composed demeanour faltered, and his lips parted slightly as if the air had been knocked out of him. But he didn't say anything.

Liesha, oblivious to the silent storm between them, introduced them all. "Adrian, these are my friends—Aria and Rogers. They're the ones I was telling you about."

Adrian's voice was smooth, but his gaze never wavered from Aria. "It's a pleasure to meet you... again."

Aria's breath hitched. The words weren't casual. They carried weight, depth—an unspoken truth hidden within them.

Rogers, trying to break the tension, extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, man."

Adrian shook his hand firmly but barely spared him a glance. His focus was solely on Aria.

The conversation progressed throughout the evening, but Aria and Adrian continued to steal glances at each other. His gaze was so intense that he seemed to be memorising her all over again.

Adrian approached her from behind while she was standing near the balcony. His voice was deep and filled with emotion. "Sometimes, you have to wait for centuries to meet someone."

Aria turned towards him, her heart pounding. "What does that mean?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her, as if searching for a sign, a glimmer of recognition in her eyes.

The night ended with Adrian offering to drive them home. Rogers sat in the back while Aria sat beside Adrian in the passenger seat. The silence between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words.

And then, just as they neared her house, Adrian pulled over. He turned off the engine, gripping the wheel tightly before exhaling sharply. "I remember everything."

Aria's eyes widened. "What?"

"I remember everything from the past," Adrian continued, turning to face her. "Only I know how hard I tried to get to you. I promised you, remember? On the day of our wedding?"

Tears welled up in Aria's eyes. "Adrian..."

"I fought with destiny," he confessed, his voice breaking. "I fought with the monk. I waited. I waited for the right time. I came here in this lifetime knowing Liesha was the key to finding you. She was always meant to bring Rogers back to her. However, not everyone is allowed to remember. That was the rule."

Aria couldn't hold back any longer. She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car, overwhelmed. Adrian followed, catching her hand before she could move away.

"Aria, you were the best thing that ever happened to me," he whispered, cupping her face. "You are my wife. My love. I never stopped looking for you."

A sob escaped her lips as she gazed up at him. "I love you, Adrian. You have no idea how much I missed you. Every day, every night—I thought I had imagined it all."

He wiped her tears away. "I would have crossed time again and again just to find you."

Rogers, watching from the car, ran a hand down his face. "What the hell did we get ourselves into?"

The night was cold, but the warmth between them was undeniable. Aria and Adrian stood there, lost in each other, but reality soon came crashing down.

"How are we going to explain this to my family?" Aria whispered. "Time paused back then. I can't even lie about the excursion."

Adrian nodded, knowing it would not be easy. "And I need to figure out how to explain my parents in this era. Because I've always stayed in England."

Their love had stood the test of time, but now they faced a new challenge: acceptance, truth, and reclaiming what was always theirs.

And destiny? It wasn't finished with them yet.