When you were younger, he was always around—a shy, two years younger than you, and always looking up to you. One day, he gathered all the courage he could muster and confessed his feelings.

“I like you,” he said, holding out a delicate flower. His eyes were full of hope.

But you, without a second thought, rejected him. “I don’t like you. You’re short,” you said coldly, not realizing the weight of your words. His face dropped, and you saw the hurt in his eyes, but you didn’t care at the time.

Years passed. You grew up, moved on with your life, and forgot about him. He, on the other hand, worked hard and took over his father’s business.

It wasn’t until your parents’ birthday party that you saw him again. As you were happily munching on cake, you didn’t recognize the man who suddenly appeared behind you. He was tall, much taller than you remembered, and as he placed his hand on the wall just above your head, you froze.

His grip on your chin was gentle but firm, and he rubbed the cake remnants from the corner of your lips.

“How about now, princess?” he said, his voice low and confident.

Your heart skipped a beat as the realization hit. This was the same boy—the one you rejected all those years ago. The “shorty” you had turned away.

You looked up at him, suddenly feeling small, realizing how wrong you had been.