Author's Note: Okay, I'm putting a pause on Once Again for a while because I want to start this new story and I hope you'll love this! Don't worry, I'll finish Once Again when I can. :)

Let Me Love You

Chapter One

The Meeting

Another day of work starts for 22 year old Tifa Lockhart as she tidies herself in front of the mirror. After she cleans up for a while and makes sure everything's put in place, she exits her apartment and heads to her workplace.

She works as a preschool teacher at a local school. Ever since she was young it has been her dream to teach young children and now she finally got her degree in teaching, after graduation she immediately applied for a job. Now she's working full time and she's currently enjoying her vocation. She couldn't have anything better right now.

On the other side of the story, 23 year old Cloud Strife drives himself to his workplace but before he could get there, he stops by a local coffee shop to get a cup of coffee to help him stay awake the whole day.

Cloud works as an engineer at a construction company owned by his best friend Zack Fair. They established the company right after their college graduation and Cloud has his own share with the company, making him a co-owner of it. Unlike Tifa, Cloud doesn't like his job too much even if he has a good pay. He was only forced to become an engineer because his mother wanted him to and because they didn't have the funds to send him to med school. During his college days, Cloud didn't have the motivation to study because he didn't like his major but as he ventured through the world of engineering, he slowly began to like it until he finished his studies and got his degree. His mother was more proud of him especially when he graduated with honors. Now he somehow enjoys his job and continues to make his mother happy by giving a part of his salary to her as a repay for spending too much just to send him to college.

Two different people with different backgrounds, aspirations and views in life, what happens if their worlds will collide?

This is their story.

Cloud stayed at the coffee shop for a while and read the newspapers. The moment he turned to the next page, his cell phone suddenly made a loud ring. He checked the caller I.D. and it was his co-worker and best friend Zack Fair. He flipped the device open and answered the phone call.

"Yo Cloud! Where are you, man?" Zack said with a loud and excited tone. "You comin' to work?"

"I'm at a coffee shop and yes, I'm coming to work as soon as I finish a cup of coffee." He replied and sipped on his coffee.

"I see. Hey dude, I'm so happy! Aerith and I are finally engaged!"

"Yeah Zack, you told me a thousand times already. Congrats." He sighed. The information didn't seem new to him anymore.

"What's with the tone? Aren't you happy for us?" Zack pouted on the phone.

"Of course I'm happy for you two. I know how much you love each other and I know how much you want to marry her." He tried to cheer him up.

"Thanks pal. Listen, were having an engagement party at my place this Saturday night. You should be there okay? I don't want my best man to be absent for this event."

"Wait, did you say I'm the best man?" He asked again, making sure his ears didn't deceive him.

"Yup, you're the best friend I ever had and you helped me propose to her so it would be just to repay you by letting you be our best man." He explained. "Plus, Aerith agreed on it too."

"Cool. Thanks. It's an honor dude." Cloud smiled and finished his cup.

"Welcome. Anyway, work's gonna start soon. We have a new project by the way so you better get here so I could explain the details. See ya later Cloud."

"Sure, bye Zack." He hung up the phone.

After checking his phone for new messages, Cloud glanced outside the window and he nearly ran out of breath when a woman passed by. He felt like he was in a trance and was hypnotized by her beauty. She had a long dark brown hair, fair skin and an innocent face. The woman glanced back at him and gave a small smile before she focused her eyes on the road again. When their eyes met for the first time, he was completely stunned and felt his body weaken. He couldn't keep his eyes off her even when she's walking away and gaining distance. She was the most beautiful thing he saw and he would love the see such beauty again.

Cloud ticked back to reality when his bill arrived. He absentmindedly handed the money and immediately went out of the coffee shop. When he entered his car, he sat down and leaned against his seat. He still couldn't stop thinking about the encounter with that woman even if it only lasted for a few seconds. He wanted to see her again but he thought it would be impossible. The city is so vast and the population is quite a number so the probability of seeing her again is quite low. Plus, with that beauty she's probably dating someone right now. Cloud erased the thoughts he just had, started the engine and accelerated his car and the vehicle sped down the highway.

Tifa arrives at school just in time for classes to begin. Her students gathered together and welcomed her with hugs, smiles and warm greetings. Her pleasant personality with kids made her well loved by her students. Teaching has truly been her passion and she treats her students like her own children. Even if this is her first year of teaching, her approach and methods are likely to an experienced teacher.

After another tiring day at work, Tifa heads home to rest up. She walks home with her co-teacher and long time best friend Aerith Gainsborough. Aerith has been her best friend since high school and they know each other very well. During their college years they took up the same major and they were roommates as well. They are almost like sisters and they supported each other through their ups and downs in life.

After taking their train, they finally arrived at Tifa's apartment. Tifa prepared a little snack for the both of them and they talked about their day at work.

"So Teef, how are your kids doing?" Aerith began.

"Oh they're fine and loving as usual." She replied. "How 'bout yours?"

"Quite hard to handle especially the boys, they make a lot of mess in the room but I still managed to handle them."

"You know what, I really love teaching. I really love my students and it's as if they're my own children." Tifa pondered.

"With that attitude of yours, you're really ready to be a mother yourself." Aerith remarked.

"What?" She was startled by her comment. "No, I think that can wait. I still need to save up some money to spend on some stuff that needs fixing. Marriage and kids can be an option later."

"Yeah but you have asset Tifa, you're smart, talented, beautiful, kind…you're everything! You're a girlfriend slash fiancée slash wife matter!" She praised. "This is the reason why you have a lot of men chasing after you."

"But sometimes it's not me they're after. It could be money or even sex. You know guys these days."

"I guess you're right, good thing my Zack isn't like that."

"Speaking of Zack, how's you're engagement going?" Tifa changed the topic.

"Oh we're just gushing about the wedding these past few days like the dress, the cake, the color motif…" She rambled on and on, Tifa just nodded at her best friend. "Oh yes, Tifa, I want you to be my maid of honor."

"What? Oh Aerith… are you sure?" She asked in astonishment.

"Very sure. You're my best friend in the whole world Tifa and you are like a sister to me so it would be best for you to be my maid of honor." She smiled.

"Really? Oh thank you Aerith. It's an honor." She shaked hands with her. "I wish you and Zack the best."

The two talked about the wedding for almost an hour. It's every woman's dream to get married and start her own family with the man she loved and Aerith finally had the opportunity to make that fairytale come true. The two got a little carried away with their conversation and they lost track of the time. Aerith glanced at her watched and realized that it was time to leave.

"Oh it's almost 4pm, Zack and I have some places to go to in preparation for the wedding so I really need to go." Aerith said and stood up from the couch.

"Alright." Tifa stood up and lead her towards the door.

"Oh by the way, we'll be having an engagement party on Saturday at Zack's place and I really want you to be there, my maid of honor." Aerith opened the door and stepped outside.

"Of course I'll be there soon-to-be, Mrs. Zack Fair." She teased.

"You better. Some of Zack's friends are gonna be there so this is an opportunity to find a guy so you can have a dance partner during the wedding reception." Aerith winked.

"Thanks for the offer girl but I have to pass." Tifa waved a hand in front of her.

"Suite yourself." She shrugged her shoulders and started walking away. "I'll see you tomorrow at work Tifa. Bye."

"Bye Aer, see ya!" She said and closed the door behind her.

The week passed by quickly and it was already Saturday. Tifa pampered herself in front of the mirror wearing her simple knee-length purple dress with glitters. She applied light make up and jewelry to add a little fashion. After she slipped in to her silver three-inched sandals, she went out of the door and hailed a taxi cab. When she arrived at the venue, somehow she caught the attention of some guests. As she made her way inside the room, she became a bit conscious when some ladies and even the gentlemen kept on staring at her from head to toe. Guys in the corner of the living room kept on calling her names such as 'pretty lady in purple' but she ignored them and walked towards her best friend who was talking to some guests.

"Hey Tifa, you made it." Aerith turned around and gave her a hug.

"Of course, why would I be absent for my best friend's engagement party? Thanks for the invitation."

"No problem. Because of that, I'm gonna help you find a man here. I'm sure one of Zack's friends will be interesting for you."

She found the topic a quite uninteresting so she decided to switch the subject. "Err… can I get some food first? I'm starving already."

"Oh sure, feel free to eat up." Aerith lead her to the dining table.

Meanwhile, Zack and his friends from work were at the other side of the room. They were composed of his friends Reno, Tseng and his best friend Cloud. The guys were drinking beer and at the same time, rambling about their main interest, girls.

"So last night, Cissnei scolded me for going home late again." Reno shared and drank his bottle of beer.

"How can she not scold you, you've been flirting with every girl you meet at the bar." Zack replied.

"I wasn't flirting, I was just being friendly. I offered her a drink and just asked her to dance with me."

"Same thing dude." Zack said and finished his bottle. "You should learn how to stick to one girl or else your girlfriend is gonna leave you for good."

"She won't. She's crazy about me." Reno bragged.

"Whatever." Tseng interrupted. "Don't come running to us if she dumps you."

"Oh come on guys, what's with the treatment? I thought we're best of friends." Reno exclaimed.

"We are but you better stop treating your girl like that, man. It's not good." Zack answered.

"Yeah, yeah." The red head slumped down the couch and averted his attention to Cloud who was awfully quiet. "Yo Cloud, what's with the silence?"

Cloud didn't' reply as he continued to stare at her. He found her face quite familiar so he recalled where he saw her. After a few moments of deep thought, he finally remembered. She was the girl who left him stunned the other day when she passed by the coffee shop. His heart fluttered in joy because he thought he would never see her again but he was wrong, he saw her again in the most unexpected time and place. He looked at her from top to bottom as he mesmerized her beauty in her sparkling purple dress with her matching purple purse. He thought how beautiful and suitable she was in her outfit.

"He probably can't relate because he doesn't have a girlfriend." Tseng replied.

"No, I think he's staring at someone." Zack guessed. He fixed his eyes to the same direction as Cloud did and he had his attention to the person standing next to Aerith. "Tifa?"

"Tifa? That's her name?" Cloud snapped.

"The girl standing next to Aerith? Yeah that's Tifa Lockhart, she's Aerith's co-worker and best friend." He explained. "Why? You like her Cloud?"

"She's beautiful." He blurted.

"Then go talk to her man, ask her number, ask her out." Reno suggested.

Cloud shook his head in disapproval. "No, I shouldn't. With that beauty, she probably has a boyfriend by now."

"No, she doesn't." Zack interfered. "This is your chance Cloud. Go talk to her."

Tifa eventually caught him staring at her and he turned his head to avoided making eye contact. "She's looking at me."

"Come on Cloud, wink at her." Tseng pushed his shoulder.

"No, I can't. What if she gets mad?"

"Aww… Cloud you're such a wimp. You'll never get a girlfriend that way." Zack teased.

Tifa and Aerith were rambling in the kitchen when they caught Zack and his friends staring at him. They were whispering something to each other and they're obviously coaching Cloud to hit on Tifa.

"Hey, the guys are staring at you." Aerith told her.

"Err…" She didn't want to talk about it.

"Don't worry, all of them have girlfriends already except for someone." Aerith said in a hushed voice. "See that blonde guy over there, that's Cloud. He's Zack's best friend and guess what, he's single."

"Hmm… I think I saw him somewhere." Tifa tried to remember where she saw face.

"You know him, Tifa?"

"No, but I think saw him once." She replied. "I have to admit, he's kinda cute."

"You think so? Okay, I'll introduce you to him." Aerith walked away but Tifa pulled her by the arm.

"No. It's okay."

"Come on Teef, he's a nice guy and a true gentleman too." She commented.

"No thanks. I could stay single for a while."

"Fine." Aerith sighed and gave up.

Soon it was almost midnight and the couple began to clean up the place after almost all of their guests were gone. Tifa stayed a bit to help them clean up and so did Reno and Cloud. The two guys still kept on talking about Tifa behind her back and they're unaware that she's starting to get a bit irritated.

"Dude, I think she's starting to get annoyed. We better stop." Cloud said.

"None sense dude, now all you have to do is…" He said something in a soft voice until Zack interrupted.

"Yo Reno, you better head home now. You don't want to keep your girl waiting." Zack suggested and pushed him towards the door.

"Oh come on Zack, can I just stay a bit longer? I have some hitting-on-a-girl tips to tell to Cloudy the Wimpy here."

"Hey who you callin' a wimp?" Cloud clenched his fist.

"Whoa, whoa guys no fighting. Reno, you need to go. Cissnei's gonna be worried." Zack opened the door for him.

"But Zack…"

"Reno, out. Now." He pointed outside.

"Fine." Reno grabbed the door knob and slammed it, his action startled the girls in the kitchen.

"Zack, what was that?" Aerith called from the kitchen.

"Nothing dear, Reno's just drunk." He replied with the same volume.

After the girls finished washing the dishes, Tifa took off her apron and combed her hair in front of the mirror. Afterwards, she approached her best friend.

"Aerith, thanks for everything tonight." She said and grabbed her purse on the couch.

"You're welcome."

"You're going home now Tifa?" Zack asked her placed an arm around his fiancée.

"Yeah, it's almost midnight so I really need to go." She glanced at her wrist watch.

"Actually, it's past midnight already, fifteen minutes to be exact." Zack corrected.

"Hey, are you sure you'll be alright with you just walking home alone?" She asked with deep concern.

"Of course, I did it a few times already and it's not so bad. My house isn't that far from here."

"I know but I'm just worried." She sighed and looked up to Zack with worried eyes. "Zack do something."

He paused for a while and moments later, he snapped his hand to express his idea. "Hey I got it! Cloud, why don't you drive her home?"

Cloud jumped at his idea. "What? Why me? Why can't you drive her yourself?"

"I can't, I have to help Aerith clean up the place. Besides, I know you want to." He winked.

"But I-" He still hesitated.

"Please Cloud…" Aerith begged with her hands clasped.

"Oh fine." Cloud gave in to their request.

"Thanks Cloud. You're a real gentleman." She complimented.

"Okay, you two better get going now. We have to cleap up." Zack pushed them towards the door. "Bye Cloud, Bye Tifa."

"Zack wait-"Before he could say anything, Zack already closed the door. The two had no choice but to go with their decision and leave. Meanwhile inside Zack's apartment, Aerith's still felt a bit worried for her best friend.

"Zack, do you think they'll be fine?" Aerith asked with an anxious tone.

"They'll be fine. I trust Cloud, he can handle her. Just between you and me, Cloud had his eyes on Tifa all night. I can tell he likes her." He whispered in her ear.

"Really?" She leaned in and whispered her reply. "I think Tifa likes Cloud too. She couldn't avoid making secret glances at him. Plus she told me he was cute."

"Oh man, this is great dear. I bet those two would hook up. Honestly, they look great together."

"I agree. Not only we're a great match, we're also a great matchmaker." She joked.

"You can say that again." He agreed.

To be continued

Author's Note: So, how's my first chapter? Sorry if I made mistakes with my grammar, I'm not good at grammar so please understand. Take your time and tell me what you think, okay? Thanks!